Provincetown

You can visit Provincetown on a day trip from Boston, but with so much to see and do you can easily spend a few days here. Depending on your interests, you could spend the morning touring the many art galleries and studios in town, or go shopping for unique souvenirs. 

Soak up the sun and go for a swim at Race Point Beach or Herring Cove Beach. Go for a hike or bike ride along the Province Lands Bike Trail. Enjoy a catamaran cruise or go whale watching in season. At night, be sure to sample some of the town's legendary nightlife.

• Book your lodging and transportation well ahead of time during high season, particularly on the weekend.

• Wear comfortable walking shoes; the town is walkable, though you can also rent bikes, take a pedicab, or ride the trolley.

• Not all of Provincetown is wheelchair-accessible, as there are uneven sidewalks, stairs, and steep roads; Herring Cove Beach is accessible and offers beach wheelchairs.

Provincetown is around a 90-minute ride on the ferry from Boston. Ferries operate between May and December. The closest airport is the Provincetown Municipal Airport (PVC), around 10 minutes from town. It's also possible to reach the town by train and bus. If you have your own car, you can reach the town on Route 6.

Provincetown is a year-round destination. Summer is the high season, and will see the largest crowds and highest prices. Spring and fall are mild and pleasant, with smaller crowds. Winter can be bracing, and will see the smallest crowds. Some attractions, restaurants, and shops only operate during the high season.

Established in 1899, Provincetown is one of the oldest art colonies in the country. There are numerous art museums, schools, galleries, and studios. Start at the Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM), which has a permanent collection of some 3,000 works by more than 700 artists. Contemporary art fans should visit the Provincetown Fine Arts Work Center. There are also more than 60 galleries in town, many of which are in the East End area, on Commercial Street.

Yes, Provincetown is worth going to. Pristine beaches surround this creative, LGBTQ+-friendly town at the end of Cape Cod, and art galleries, boutiques, and seafood restaurants abound. It's also a starting point for exploring Cape Cod, whether you're whale watching, visiting sand dunes, or learning about local Pilgrim history.

Summertime parties and events can fill Provincetown to overflowing. For fine weather and fewer crowds, consider visiting in the spring. April, May, and June are great for beach walks and sightseeing, and they're generally the best time to spot the whales that flock to this part of the cape from April through October.

Start by strolling down Commercial Street, where boutiques, galleries, and cafes flank the town's liveliest thoroughfare. Take in some local history at the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum before lunching on locally caught seafood. In the afternoon, choose between a whale-watching tour and an excursion to nearby Race Point Beach.

Pack plenty of casual beachwear for Provincetown—shorts, flip-flops, and sundresses are an unofficial summer dress code. Bring extra layers if you're going whale-watching, as temperatures offshore can be far cooler than in town. Provincetown's famed LGBTQ+-friendly nightlife is wonderfully colorful and includes themed parties to encourage fun and flamboyant attire.

Tours of Provincetown explore nature, heritage, and creative culture. Whale-watching tours take in the marine mammals that flock to Cape Cod from April through October, while guided tours of wind-blown dune shacks highlight the area's longstanding artistic community. Other options include guided pedicab tours, self-guided driving tours, and guided bicycle excursions.

Yes, it's a good idea to book Provincetown tours in advance. Summertime whale-watching tours at popular times fill up quickly, as do popular excursions such as dune tours, bicycle tours, and pedicab tours. If you're coming by ferry, prebooking tickets is a plan-ahead essential.