Tag: Provincetown
Terrific story from CNN’s Jonah Flicker.
New flavors on classic Cape Cod
Cape Cod, Massachusetts (CNN)Part of the appeal of the Outer Cape has always been the rustic charm of the fried seafood restaurants, taffy shops, souvenir stores and ice cream parlors dotting the main artery, Route 6.
But new food and drink choices have appeared over the past few years in Cape Cod — particularly in the towns of Wellfleet, Truro and Provincetown — adding modern and innovative flavors to the culinary landscape.
Small-batch chocolate, specialty coffee shops — even a craft spirit distiller — have taken hold in the area that has long lured vacationers with Atlantic beaches along the seashore and calmer stretches of sand on the opposite side facing Cape Cod Bay.
The character of Cape Cod has not fundamentally changed, although some longtime residents are wary of what they consider the gentrification of their community.
But visitors to the area, which includes Cape Cod National Seashore, can now enjoy a range of new options that complement the traditional seaside identity of this bucolic summer vacation destination.
South Hollow Spirits, North Truro
Truro Vineyards of Cape Cod has been around since 1991, but its sister business, South Hollow Spirits, the first legal distillery on Cape Cod since Prohibition, didn’t get up and running until 2013.
South Hollow Spirits produces two rums, Amber and Spiced.
The distillery produces two rums, Amber and Spiced, as well as the brand-new Dry Line Cape Cod Gin that was released in May. The distillery and vineyard offer tours of the grounds and tastings.
Visitors can also be found relaxing on the lawn outside the main building enjoying cocktails from the Hollow rum shack, and burgers and lobster rolls from the Crush Pad food truck, operated by the owners of the nearby BlackFish restaurant.
The vineyard and distillery normally close at 5 p.m., but every other Friday throughout the summer Crush Pad and the Hollow stay open until 7 p.m. In Massachusetts this can’t legally be called “happy hour,” but it’s a pretty convivial couple of hours nonetheless.
Strangers & Saints, Provincetown
New Cape Cod tavern Strangers & Saints opened in May.
This Provincetown tavern was opened by Culinary Institute of the America graduate Fred Latasa-Nicks in May in the 1850 home of the whaler Captain John Cook.
Latasa-Nicks is a former New Yorker who made the move to Provincetown so he could devote himself to this Mediterranean-influenced tavern where weathered-wood floors, eye-catching copper and brass fixtures and a collection of artfully arranged maritime art and memorabilia evoke the spirit of Cape Cod.
He says the restaurant tries to keep the traditional flavor of the Cape, while still offering a modern menu.
Menu offerings at Strangers & Saints have included boar salami, stone hearth roasted oysters, cod, grilled skirt steak and hearth-cooked pizzas, all of which can be washed down with a rotating, seasonal menu of beer, wine and cocktails.
Strangers & Saints | 404 Commercial St, Provincetown, MA 02657-2317
The Canteen and Happy Camper, Provincetown
Cod banh-mi and crispy Brussels sprouts in fish sauce join more classic offerings at The Canteen.
Rob Anderson made the jump from editorial writer for the Boston Globe to restaurant owner when he opened the Canteen in 2013 and its next-door sister bakery Happy Camper in 2015, on Provincetown’s busy Commercial Street.
His mission was to bring a fast, casual, affordable restaurant to Provincetown that stays rooted in the traditions of this quirky town at the very edge of the Cape.
Classic offerings like shucked oysters, raw oysters and chowder can be found, as well as more contemporary selections like cod banh-mi, crispy Brussels sprouts in fish sauce and a PB&J like you’ve never had — grilled with peanut brittle and fresh strawberries.
The indoor tables get crowded quickly, but there’s ample seating on the pleasant backyard patio overlooking the harbor.
Chequessett Chocolate, North Truro
Chequessett Chocolate is a true small-batch, bean-to-bar chocolatier, the only one of its kind on the Outer Cape.
Josiah Mayo, a former commercial fisherman whose family has called Provincetown home for hundreds of years, and his wife Katherine Reed, a transplant from Portland, Oregon, are the founders and operators of the business.
They travel to countries like Costa Rica to source cacao beans, which they process — from roasting to tempering — in-house and turn into dark chocolate bars and confections like passion fruit-filled squares, peanut butter cups and caramel cashew turtles.
Excellent George Howell coffee, healthy smoothies and tasty pastries are served alongside the chocolate headliners in the shop.
Chequessett Chocolate | 8 Highland Road, North Truro, MA 02652
Joeys Food Trucks, Truro and Wellfleet
Joey Rugo operates a fleet of four food trucks in Wellfleet and Truro.
The food truck movement is now officially a part of the fabric of Outer Cape dining.
Sunbird was the first on the scene, with a stationary food truck that opened a few years back along Route 6 in Wellfleet.
Joey Rugo, a young man who started out working at restaurants in Provincetown, was inspired by Sunbird’s success. He expanded upon the concept and now operates a fleet of four trucks of his own in Wellfleet and Truro.
Joeys mobile Kanguru taco and burrito truck, offering options like jerk chicken burritos and seared cod tacos, can be found at the Truro Farmers’ Market every Monday morning and at Head of the Meadow Beach in the afternoons.
There’s another Kanguru truck in the Chequessett parking lot, and a coffee and ice cream truck along with yet another Kanguru truck at the Fleet, a small collection of food trucks located off of Route 6 in Wellfleet.
Ceraldi, Wellfleet
Fine dining isn’t the norm on the Outer Cape, with a culinary scene more focused on clam strip rolls and fried fish than the farm-to-table philosophy.
But Ceraldi, which opened in 2014 after operating as a pop-up in Provincetown for about a year, is focused on exactly that.
Chef Michael Ceraldi puts together a prix-fixe, seven-course meal that changes nightly, telling what he calls “the story of the Cape” using ingredients from local suppliers like Truro’s Hillside Farm, fresh catch and even foraged ingredients such as blueberries and mushrooms.
Ceraldi is proud of the restaurant’s relationship with the Outer Cape community, which not only ensures fresh ingredients, but also helps to support local farmers by buying directly from them.
The restaurant is charmingly rustic with seating at tables and a long wooden bar. And before the meal, the chef himself comes out to give a rundown of what’s on offer each night and where it all came from.
Ceraldi | 15 Kendrick Ave Next to the Pier, Wellfleet, MA 02667-7524
Captain’s Choice, North Truro
“Downtown” North Truro, such as it is, only has a few businesses to speak of.
One of the newest is Captain’s Choice, an elevated seafood shack run by Chris King, a fifth-generation fisherman and Provincetown native, and the owner of Cape Tip Seafood.
Captain’s Choice offers patio seating and a grassy lawn.
After a rocky opening season in 2015, King realized he needed to improve the food and service. So he brought in Bob and Kristi Wageman, formerly partners at Wellfleet’s Pearl restaurant, to manage Captain’s Choice, and the reviews have been glowing.
Now the restaurant is open from breakfast through dinner, serving delicious, fresh seafood from fried cod cheeks to sashimi tacos, along with an extensive beer and wine list.
King points to his ability to source the freshest seafood from his retail and wholesale business as the key to the restaurant’s success.
The atmosphere is relaxed, with patio seating and a grassy lawn for children to run around.
Finally, North Truro has a fast casual seafood restaurant that seems like it will be around for the long run.
Captain’s Choice Restaurant | 4 Highland Road, North Truro, MA 02652
Salty Market, North Truro
Salty Market is located in the building that used to house Dutra’s, a market that served the locals of Truro for about a century before closing in 2013.
Ellery Althouse, son of the quirky local artist Susan Baker, and his wife Claire Adams purchased the building and opened Salty Market, which Althouse sees as returning to North Truro “a place that locals and tourists alike can go, [with] a great deli, a well stocked and interesting market and a liquor store that emphasizes local products.”
The market sells a variety of brand name and craft products, including bread from PB Boulangerie in Wellfleet, and spirits from several Massachusetts distillers such as Bully Boy and South Hollow Spirits.
There’s also a deli counter with sandwiches, salads and an excellent breakfast sandwich on a jalapeno cheese biscuit.
Kohi Coffee Company, Provincetown
There have always been spots for coffee in Provincetown, but there’s never been a coffee shop like Kohi.
This small space with a backdoor view to the Provincetown Harbor opened in 2014, offering pour-overs, espresso drinks and cold brew made with beans from Portland, Maine’s Tandem Coffee Roasters.
The vibe here is more Brooklyn than beach, with particular attention paid to the various flavors of the beans they use and carefully concocted coffee drinks that are never rushed.
James DeRosier, who co-owns the business with Ryan Campbell, says that their “methods are a bit more exacting in nature,” a testament to the quality of coffee they bring to Provincetown.
This past May, they opened a new restaurant called Spindler’s at the Waterford Inn in the East End of Provincetown. The restaurant, which brought on chef Barbara Lynch as a consultant, offers New American cuisine cooked with French-influenced technique.
Kohi Coffee | 199 Commercial St, Provincetown, MA 02657-2126
BŌL, Wellfleet
BŌL, now in its second season of operation, was started by health food fanatic Alix Tillett, who fell in love with the concept of the acai bowl while spending time in Hawaii.
This tiny shop on the grounds of the Wagner at Duck Creek hotel offers a variety of both sweet and savory acai bowls, adding fresh berries, banana, peanut butter and beets to bowls based on the little Amazon berry.
If you’re in a rush, this is a good time to slow it down, as the menu advises that “bowls are made with love — be patient.”
Good — and healthy — things come to those who wait at BŌL.
1 Pilgrims Landing is a three bedroom three bath home with 4,625 square feet. It is literally at the tip of the Cape where Commercial Street ends in the West End. It is an intriguing luxury home with large rooms and wonderful outside spaces.
MLS COPY: Rare Opportunity! Once the gatehouse for the famous Murchison estate, 1 Pilgrim’s Landing has been reimagined as a unique single-family residence. With 3 BD & 3 BA, ”the gatehouse” embraces its original design while presenting a contemporary loft-like feel. The open-concept living area offers generous gathering & dining spaces, & a well-designed kitchen w/stone countertops and Thermador appliances. A sliding wall joins living area with garden and outdoor patio area. A dramatic light-filled multi-purpose room, featuring a sliding door system, opens to a lovely outdoor garden with deck and hot tub spa. The 2nd floor water-view master suite, includes a wood burning fireplace, beautifully appointed bath & dressing area w/ 2 large closets. Extensive perennial gardens, heated garage, & water filtration system complete this special home. The prestigious Pilgrim’s Landing community offers a stunning West End location & a state of the art geothermal heating & cooling system. Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Pat Shultz Real Estate.
See all available properties at Beachfront-Realty.com.
Three of the most iconic and much loved properties in Provincetown changed hands in the last ten days…purely by coincidence but it certainly was active in the high end!
82 Commercial Street sold for $2.350M, a seven bedroom four bath West End house with 3,294 square feet
MLS COPY: Offered on the public market for the first time since it was built in 1820, this showplace has only had 3 families own it in the past 100 years. This classic Cape Cod home, with its sweeping lawn & white picket fence, is an iconic property in Provincetown’s West End, one of a very few that boast this square footage on almost a 1/4 acre of land, in the heart of the historic district. The house has been impeccably restored to its original grandeur, and all of its core infrastructure has been brought up to date. The home is expansive, w/ 7 bedrooms, pine floors, period wainscoting and trim, formal living and dining rooms each with wood burning FPs, and a classic sunroom that offers views of Long Point Light. Underground utilities, irrigation, new HVAC, wiring, sewer connection, security, generator, ext siding & cedar roof w/in recent years.
6 Atwood Avenue sold for $1.420M, a six bedroom, three bath West End retreat.
MLS COPY: A rare opportunity in the West End of Provincetown sits The Garden at 6 Atwood Ave. The property is comprised of a six bedroom antique single family and a 1BR cottage on a generous 10,538 SF lot on a picturesque private lane and is steps to the West End beach and boat launch. The property which has been in the same family for nearly 25 years offers many opportunities from a wonderful family compound, an income generating B&B, or potential for development. There is an outside shed and parking for about 6 cars. Enter the main house from the winding path through the lush gardens into the sprawling home with an oversized kitchen/dining rm with vaulted ceilings, comfy living rm, 4 BR and 2 baths and a den all on the main floor. 2 beds and 1 bath upstairs.
14 Cottage Street sold for $1.952M and is an iconic West End home with three bedrooms, four baths and 2,133 square feet.
MLS COPY: In the heart of the historic West End, this renovated and rebuilt antique home has it all. Situated on an oversized lot between Cottage & Nickerson Streets, the property is lushly landscaped w/mature plantings that offer a great deal of privacy. The house though traditional appearing on the outside, offers a pleasing open floor plan & 2 master suites. No detail has been overlooked in the design & all finishes reflect the finest in aesthetic and taste. The kitchen features double thick soapstone counters, an Aga Range & a large dining area. The spacious living room is anchored by a wood burning fireplace w/granite surround. The masters each have vaulted ceilings & exquisitely tiled bathrooms.A finished basement offers extra living space or future media rm. All systems and construction just 10 yrs old. Irrig, sec sys,outdoor shwr,3-4 pkg. a. The spacious living room is anchored by a wood burning fireplace w/granite surround. The masters each have vaulted ceilings & exquisitely tiled bathrooms.A finished basement offers extra living space or future media rm. All systems and construction just 10 yrs old. Irrig, sec sys,outdoor shwr,3-4 pkg.
See all available properties at Beachfront-Realty.com
48 Commercial Street #3 is a two bedroom two bath water view condo with 1,067 square feet. Located on the Gold Coast in Provincetown’s West End.
MLS COPY: West End two bedroom with two full baths. Private walk out roof deck. Water views with beach across the street. Fireplace, central air and parking. This one checks off the wish list. There are weekly rentals reservations in place for 2016 season with time for personal use too. Enter via outside steps on left of building, up one flight to entrance where bedrooms and bathrooms are located at the rear half of the second floor. Up another flight in unit to the great room occupying the entire 3rd floor of the building. Walk out roof deck at the back, off of the kitchen. There are good water views from the great room and the roof deck as well.
See all available proerties at Beachfront-Realty.com.
45 Commercial Street #14 is a beautifully updated waterfront studio in the West End. It has 300 square feet and is being marketed for $349K. A wonderful opportunity to own a beachside condo!
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MLS COPY: Perfect West End Waterfront studio. Beautifully renovated 2nd floor condo with partial water views from the deck and corner window. Nicely updated granite kitchen and a tile bath compliment the open floor plan. Light filled with 3 exposures and large sleeping alcove. New mini split AC/heat. Huge common deck right on the water with beach access. Perfect weekend getaway or a great rental property. Association permits pet for owners, weekly rentals allowed. Common laundry! Well managed association. Off-site parking.
Studio’s are a popular real estate category in Provincetown. They afford buyers at an entry level price point to buy on or much nearer the water than they would otherwise be able to do. Studios that are further from the water are even more affordable.
There are currently 8 studios on the market priced from $264K to $445K, and from 194 square feet to 450 square feet.
See all available properties at Beachfront-Realty.com.
It’s a slow real estate week so I just had to repost this fb comment that Rob Anderson wrote in response to The New York Times Article. It hits every single high point about our incredible little town in the off season. A must read!
by ROB ANDERSON
Owner/Operator of Canteen and Happy Camper – Provincetown
In response to a December 20, 2015 article in The New York Times by Katharine Q. Seelye
“When others get angry, they scream, they fight, they protest. I write. Here goes. It’s long, I know. I’m sorry. But I hope, by the end, it illustrates an important point. Thanks for indulging me:
A Question of Focus
Six years ago, a reporter from The New York Times traveled to Provincetown in the beginning of January and declared in the newspaper of record that “even in winter, Provincetown shines.” While reporter Matt Gross found himself “stunned” by the relative silence of Commercial Street — and, honestly, who hasn’t? — after poking around our little village, he found a town not in desolation, but “hibernation”: quiet but lively, with guest houses offering “bargain” deals, restaurants serving “fantastic” fare, galleries showing “legendary” art, and stores offering “jaunty” goods. In fact, by spending time at the tip of Cape Cod in the winter, Gross seemed to have gained a new appreciation of the place, to have found something special and unique and unexpected. He stumbled upon “a land of quiet bargains, where simpler pleasures emerge from the frenzy of summertime.”
Today, the paper returns to our town during the same time of year. But what Gross had seen as a “laid-back scene” six years ago, Katharine Seelye now labels a “deserted,” “hallowing out” “Potemkin village.” In Seelye’s Provincetown, stillness is emptiness, quietness is vacantness, and resiliency is desperation. Seelye took that same drive down deserted Commercial Street — but then opted out of the pesky “poking around” part. “There are the store facades and about five people,” as she quotes one resident as saying. The images accompanying the piece drive home Seelye’s view of our town as one in distress: a clichéd picture of a boarded up second home; a clichéd picture of a gray, weary looking resident; a cliché picture of two men playing pool in an empty-looking bar. (Look, I get it: I spent 10 years in the halls of newspapers and opinion magazines. Writers pick an argument and drive it home. But that only works when the argument is solid, and that takes real work and real reporting to ensure. Not clichés.)
Ostensibly, Seelye’s article is a news item about a measure our selectman passed last week that lowers taxes on year round residents and raises those on second homeowners. If you were to only read this article and not actually visit our town and talk to the folks here — which, of course, covers the vast majority of New York Times readers — you’d walk away thinking two things: that this is the talk of the town, and that this is the only thing we are doing in Provincetown to combat the negative effects of living in a seasonal economy. And, to be sure, I’m sure second homeowners are spending a lot of time talking about it.
But it is so far from what is actually happening on the ground here. As a restaurant owner and active participant in the life of our town, I’m fortunate to be able to interact with a lot of people day in and day out. I can say that over the past week, not one person has brought up the tax issue in the course of conversation. It’s just not that big of a deal. It’s not a game changer.
Here *is* what I have heard, and here’s what I have seen this winter:
Business is up in Provincetown. One business owner who has operated here in town for decades recently told me that he’s had the busiest December weekends he’s ever had. Weekends in particular are lively. In addition, a town that usually closes in the late fall, is making its first push to stay open until January. There’s life around here. That push convinced my partner and I to keep our restaurant open for an extra month this year. Not only that, we decided to go full out and put on a holiday market in December and January this year (more on that later). Guesthouses are reporting high booking rates. We have fireworks, a polar bear plunge, and great shows to look forward to in a few weeks.
This year, a new town manager, David B. Panagore, is breathing new life into our city government. I am only speaking from the outside, but he seems to have energized his (already hard working) staff. He’s emphasizing action and new ideas, decorum and respect, ingenuity over despair. There’s a sense of hope and optimism for the first time in a long time. In addition, we have an energetic board of selectmen who are actively trying to solve our town’s problems, coming up with new solutions instead of accepting the status quo as the only option.
Provincetown 365, a group of energetic, hard working citizens, just turned one year old. In 12 months, the group restored a beloved piece of art on our pier, re-focused our town’s conversation about housing, nudged along new forms of transportation to our town, re-imagined our streets, brought about new zoning bylaws, and, more importantly, gave people hope that things can change and get done around here if we just put our minds to it. It has started conversations that are bound to snowball and emerge as new plans of action.
We have an emerging economy of young entrepreneurs and leaders in the Outer Cape. Over the past few years, more and more young people have opened up businesses in town, and in Truro: Chequessett Chocolate, Salty Market, The Canteen/ Happy Camper, Pop+Dutch, B.xclusive, Mayflower Trolley, Kiss and Makeup Provincetown, KoHi Coffee Company, Salt House Inn/ Eben House, Nor’East Beer Garden (I’m missing many: sorry). One of our own, Julian Cyr, is running for state senate. At the holiday market here at the Canteen, we brought together a handful of young local artisans and entrepreneurs who live in town and are looking to grow their businesses: Cook’s Organics, Bleat Media, 2of2, Breakwater Goods. We have an amazing young theater troupe in the Peregrine Theatre Ensemble. We have amazing young fellows at the Fine Arts Work Center. If you don’t see all of this vibrant energy, you’re not looking very hard.
In general, people are thinking productively and proactively about how to fix our town’s ills. There’s talk of re-opening our high school. More and more people are thinking about housing — for our community, for our workers, for our homeless population. The governor’s office visited town just last week. Tom Donegan is focusing town on drug abuse and addiction. We’re talking about broadband. We’re talking about the soul and future of our town.
Last, I want to touch upon something that I can’t prove with examples and statistics, but I believe it to be true. This winter, there is a feeling of community and goodwill around town that I haven’t felt before. I felt it most palpably at our holiday market over the past two weekends. Every slice of Provincetown showed up and mingled: wide-eyed kids meeting Santa; seniors happy to share a glass of wine and a tale or two; school kids singing carols; hipsters hanging out on a lazy Sunday; locals enjoying the chance to share time together after a busy season; tourists from up Cape and Boston looking for gifts; fishermen and their families; teenagers just looking for something to do; shop owners happy to have something different to eat; folks who haven’t celebrated the holidays in years, cracking the tiniest of smiles. I saw this Provincetown — and I felt it. It felt warm and hopeful and optimistic. It felt diverse and resilient and strong. Everyone mingled together because they wanted to mingle together. We want to be a community. We want to know each other and support each other. Not bicker about each other online, or fret about each other’s tax breaks.
Any of this would have been a great opportunity for a newspaper to write a story about a quirky, vibrant community making things work in new exciting ways on the Outer Cape. About the many of us working day in and day out trying hard to cultivate the karass. (Google it.) About a new set of ideas and leaders. Instead, we get an article focused on a small new law. Taxes. Controversy. Neighbors against neighbors. A flyby.
Over the next few days, months, years, we as a community get to chose what to focus on, too. Let’s be mindful and spend our time and energy wisely. Let’s write our own intricate, complicated and beautiful story for ourselves, instead of letting this one define us down
Intriguing image from the late 1800’s, posted originally by Ryan Curley in 2014.
Provincetown in the late 19th century was a prosperous fishing village and an important harbor of refuge for ships traveling between the ports of Boston and New York. Prior to the Cape Cod Canal’s opening in 1914 Provincetown’s deep water harbor was vital to the East Coasts seaborne trade. Steamships bringing tourist shared space at Provincetown’s numerous wharfs with fishing schooners and other shipping. By the late 1800s Provincetown was already known as an artist’s colony. In the image above Long Point is seen wrapping along the lower right with long point lighthouse at its tip. The circular constructions off of the point are fish weirs which were used to trap fish. The square earthen berms on Long point are the remains of the Long Point (artillery) Battery that was constructed during the civil war and acquired the moniker “Fort Useless” or “Fort Ridiculous” among local residents, and proof that Cape Cod’s biting sense of humor has deep roots. The other buildings on the point are the Cape Cod Oil Works a whale and fish oil processing factory. What is known today as MacMillan Warf was then known as Railroad Wharf as the railroad ran directly out onto it. The Pilgrim Monument had not yet been built and the town was situated around the harbor with its waters being the main though fare with transportation provided by the residents’ boats and skiffs, the roads were mostly after thoughts, so you can blame the harbor the next time you get stuck on one of Provincetown’s notoriously narrow streets. In the background you can see Hatches Harbor, Race Point and the Race Point Light.
ryan curley post from 2014
This condo is one of our favorites at The 26 Alden Street Condominiums. #5 is an upper duplex on the south side of the building. This is a two bedroom two bath condo with 1,538 square feet. It has three bright exposures and seasonal peeks of the bay from the second floor windows and from the walk out roof deck. #5 is being marketed for $789,000.
The main level has a large open and inviting floor plan. The open kitchen has white quartz counters, stainless steel appliances and white frameless cabinets. There is a gas fireplace in the living room and a large private deck. The second bedroom is located off the entry foyer. The master bedroom is a luxurious space on the entire second floor. There is a large master bath, 2 closets and extra storage as well as an area to set up a home office. There is another private deck directly off the bedroom.
On the left is a rendering of unit #7 (which is under agreement), but the finishes are similar throughout. Above right is the rear elevation showing the two private decks on unit #5. The lower deck is off of the kitchen/dining room and the upper deck is right off the master suite. From the upper deck you do get peeks of the bay.
I walked through the three available condos the other day while the drywall was being finished. The team at New Boston Ventures has done an incredible job from design through construction. The volume, the thoughtful design, the light – these condos are exceptional. Three of the six condominiums are under agreement. #5, #6 and #9 are still available, as well as parking spaces for $45,000.
Call for an appointment to preview the 26 Alden Street Condominiums.
See all available properties at Beachfront-Realty.com.
This great post from Rachel Rueckert for the Matador Network made the rounds last week…I thought it would be a nice way to start the week.
20 REASONS YOU NEED TO HEAD STRAIGHT TO PROVINCETOWN
1. Its shops are unique and haven’t crumbled in the wake of corporate America chain stores.
As corporate America continues to strip away uniqueness, many small towns have gone under. Locals and visitors chose to support Provincetown’s individuality by buying local goods and even using cash over credit cards. Here you can still find vintage hat boutiques like Mad As a Hatter, businesses with shirts that read “I love my two moms” and home accent pieces, dog stores selling vegan cookies. There are also shops like Map selling one-of-a-kind clothing and textured belts, Kiss and Makeup’s cosmetics for men and women, and stalls selling quality handmade jewelry.
2. Go to show love and support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Pride and diversity are part of the town’s DNA and everyone has a place. Ptown is a shinning example of love, tolerance, and respect for differences. Almost 400 years ago the Pilgrims came here in search of freedom. People still come to Provincetown to find liberation from antagonism. It’s not surprising that people come back here when they are feeling oppressed and misunderstood. This thriving community exemplifies values worth spreading everywhere. By coming to Provincetown you voicing your support for this peaceful way of life while also supporting the businesses owned by the LGBTQIA+ community.
3. Provincetown shows us how to be green and eco-friendly.
Recycling cans are as ubiquitous as trash bins, and the town is committed to a green lifestyle. For example Far Land, a concession at Herring Cove Beach in the brand new bath house, serves healthy food options in eco-conscious wrappings. They use paper straws, wooden forks, and corn-based plastics in case any trash ends up on the beach.
4. Pedestrians own the roads.
Pedestrians stroll through streets and look at cars like they don’t belong there. You’ll go all day without hearing a car horn, a siren, or any howling noise associated with city life. In Ptown you can get everywhere you need to go by walking. You can also bring your bike over on the ferry or rent one at PTown Bikes to take a pleasant morning ride on the bike circuit along the beaches and mystic sand dunes.
5. It’s disability friendly.
Diversity and inclusion is a part of the mentality of Provincetown so providing disability ramp access to buildings and beaches is not an afterthought, it is a forethought. The community works hard to send the clear message that everyone is welcome here.
6. Provincetown is jaw-droppingly gorgeous in the fall.
Few people realize that fall, better known as “Second Summer” in Provincetown, is an ideal time to visit. You still get the local flavor, great shows, and the unforgettable memories without the massive crowds, oppressive heat, or expensive prices. There’s plenty to do from diving into the Harbor Swim for Life and Paddler Flotilla benefit for AIDS and Women’s Health (Sept. 12), soaking up the live performance arts at the Afterglow Festival (Sept. 14), showing your pet some love during Pet Appreciation Weekend (Sept. 25-27), and enjoying theTennessee Williams Theater Festival (Sept. 24-27), Halloween festivities, and more.
7. It’s super easy to get there.
Forget sitting in hours of weekend Cape Traffic. You can be in Ptown in an hour and a half by taking the fast ferry from Boston thanks to the Bay State Cruise Company, the oldest operator of this route. Taking the ferry from Boston is a tradition that goes back as far as 1840. The Bay State Cruise Company is family run, and they also have plans to start providing land transport in the winter for the same price as the ferry. Nothing beats the skyline view and the salty sea air on the top deck. Bonus: you may see a few whales.
8. Because contrary to what you might’ve been told, this was the first place the Pilgrims landed.
Your history book told you about Plymouth, but the Pilgrims actually spent five weeks in Provincetown scouting out the landscape before heading down stream. That’s why you’ll see the Pilgrim Monument, the largest granite structure in the U.S., towering over the town.
9. There’s lobster everywhere.
There are over 60 eateries in Provincetown that believe there is no such thing as too much lobster. Check out the outdoor Patio American Grill and Cocktail Barserving lobster deviled eggs and lobster mac and cheese. If you are feeling traditional New England, try mouth-watering clambakes from Art’s Dune Tourson Racer Beach with a campfire and a striking view of the sunset. You can also devour a hot lobster roll at the Canteen with a side of their epic Brussels sprouts and feel like you’ve fallen in love again for the first time.
10. And did I mention dessert?
After experiencing the Canteen, drop by next door to the Happy Camper dessert parlor and treat yourself to happy birthday ice cream, bacon flavored donuts, or pumpkin popsicles for a discount. In Provincetown there is also no shortage of salt water taffy or homemade chocolates and custom candies. I’m partial to melt-in-your-mouth peanut butter fudge from the Provincetown Fudge Factory.
11. Breakfast is a communal affair that restores your faith in humanity.
Saying “good morning” in Provincetown is not a hollow expression. Even if you’ve come to Provincetown alone, breakfast is a time to meet others and connect about your experiences over peppermint tea and a tomato spinach frittata. People remember your name and greet you again with follow up questions the next morning.
12. There is something in Provincetown for everyone.
No matter the season, there is always something to look forward to in Ptown. Finding a week to connect with and annually commemorate is not hard with a year-round theater program and the variety of events scheduled almost weekly. Provincetown hosts everything from Bear Week, Carnival, Family Week, and theRagnar Relay Race to celebrations such as the Portuguese Festival, theTennessee Williams Festival, the Provincetown International Film Festival and more.
13. Ptown has over 60 art galleries.
You’d be hard pressed to find a community as supportive of the arts as Provincetown. Art is an integral part of Ptowns history as the oldest continuing art colony in America. Even with a small year-round population, the thriving artist community represents in a big way. Saunter down Commercial Street to weave in and out of world-class art galleries. Check out the Provincetown Art Association and Museum, one of the first green museums in the country, and see works by Charles Hawthorn, Paul Resika, Nora Speyer, Jackson Pollock, and other influential artists.
14. Here you’ll find the world’s only authenticated pirate treasure.
The Whydah Pirate Museum showcases artifacts retrieved from the Whydah, a slave ship captured by the pirate Sam Bellamy that sunk off the coast of Cape Cod during a terrible storm in 1717. You’ll learn about Bellamy’s compelling love story and the surprising amount of democratic rule and tolerance aboard pirate ships. Since 1984, explorer Barry Clifford has discovered over 200,000 treasures from the Whydah, including a bell with the name and date of the ship.
15. Because you haven’t lived until you’ve stayed in a boutique accommodation like the Salt Hotels.
Imagine cozy fireplaces, vintage bathtubs and natural sea salt scrubs, locally commissioned art, and honey poached pears for breakfast served on antique china. It’s impossible to have a bad time in Provincetown if you are staying at theSalt House Inn or Eben House, both run by David Bowd and Kevin O’Shea, a talented partnership who have extensive experience in design and hospitality. The Eben House, built in 1776 by Captain Eben Snow, is a Federal-style building with a history that inspires every thoughtful detail. You won’t find any plastic lobsters or cliché seashell décor here in these award-winning hotel chains, but you will be blown away by the nonintrusive hospitality complimented by a sense of artistic authenticity.
16. Provincetown is home to the Cape Cod National Seashore and historic dune shacks.
President Kennedy signed the Cape Cod National Seashore bill in 1961 to save the mystical sand dune landscape from impending development. It’s possible to visit this sandy landscape through Art’s Dune Tours, who have been operating since 1946. They also take you past some of the seventeen rustic beach shacks still looming in the dunes where famous artists and writers have worked for generations. A few rustic dune shacks are still open to artist residency programs run by the Provincetown Community Compact.
17. The public library is ranked #1 in the U.S. by Library Journal.
Provincetown’s breathtaking public library features free public computers and free 24/7 Wi-Fi for people who need to catch up on work or a little reading. They also host Wednesday free movie nights, author readings, the Writer’s Voice Caféprogram, and dozens of monthly events. Don’t miss the panoramic views of town from the top floor.
18. You can camp near the beach.
Ptown has over thirty miles of pristine, gorgeous beaches. Extend your day trip into an affordable overnight stay by camping at the Dune’s Edge Campground orCostal Acres Camping Court.
19. You can be whoever you want to be in Provincetown.
There are few places in the world where you can strut through town in a sequin apple costume or dressed as your mother because no one cares. People walk around with an expression of freedom. This is a small place with big import. Provincetown gives people a safe place to be who they are and a setting to explore identity without judgment.
20. Because not all of these people could be wrong…
Provincetown is voted over and over again one of the best places to visit. Smithsonian Magazine declared Ptown one of “America’s Best Small Towns” while Travel and Leisure named it one of “America’s Most Romantic Destinations” and “America’s Quirkiest Towns.” Business Insider has also dubbed Provincetown one of the “Top-Twelve Gay Honeymoon Destinations” and Costal Living claims it is as one of the “10 Happiest Seaside Towns.” 