Provincetown is known for its gay/lesbian population, but there is more to the town. Shopping and night life are two other important elements to its charm.
The town has two parallel main streets that run for just over three miles. The intersecting streets make up an easily navigated grid, and along these flat streets is where you will find the plethora of shops, bars, and restaurants that the town is famous for. Traveling to the bounds of Provincetown will allow you a glimpse of the seemingly infinite dunes and forests full of pine and oak trees that border the town. Going east will afford you the view of great beaches and the vast sea.
The restaurants in Provincetown represent a variety of cuisine. "The Red Inn" offers elegant dining; "Ciro's and Sal's" gives a tourist a taste of Tuscany, while "Lorraine's" is a popular spot due to its downtown location and its house sangria""made with tequila. Other restaurants in the area serve menus ranging from coffee and bagels to excellent wines and filet mignon. Lodging, like food, ranges in Provincetown. While there are regular hotels, there are many bed and breakfasts that cater to the tourist. Campgrounds exist for the more adventurous, and there are plenty of inns and guest houses to choose from. It is recommended, however, that you make reservations, particularly in the summer months.
The range of stores runs from hardware stores to galleries to fashion boutiques. If you are an antique fan, then Provincetown is a town for you. You will find a plethora of antique shops, as well as craft galleries to peruse for deals on unique items. Many visitors happen by the town just before and during the holiday season to pick out the perfect gift for their loved ones.
Life during the prelude to the holiday season in Provincetown is quiet, yet enjoyable. The fall in Provincetown is relatively mild so it is easy to enjoy an autumn outdoor festival. Festivals that run from the late autumn and into the early winter include the Fall Arts Festival, Women's Week, The Roundup, Single Men's Weekend, and of course, the Holly Folly, which is the world's only Lesbian and Gay Christmas party. During the winter the shopping industry in Provincetown is bustling. Restaurants that are closed for the season reopen during the weekends leading up to New Years, and the streets become alive again with tourists. In the spring the town slowly comes alive as the snow melts and warmer weather approaches.
During the warm weather Provincetown comes alive. You can expect jam-packed streets, shops, bars, and restaurants from the first hot weekend to the fading weekends in early autumn. During this time period the water also comes alive with activity. Provincetown has several marinas that house boats""from the smallest dinghy to the largest of mega-yachts. Whale watching, fishing, and general boating are popular activities for Provincetown visitors in the summer.
Driving to Provincetown can be a major hassle during high season, so it is recommended that you seek and alternative route. Instead of tackling summer Cape traffic, you may choose to fly, drive, or take a boat or train to Provincetown. There are thirty minute shuttles from Logan available year-round. There is a high speed ferry service from Boston as well as Newport. There is a small airport, as well as a train station that services Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Providence.
