Best Things to Do In & Around Provincetown, Massachusetts

A Brief Overview of Provincetown

Provincetown celebrates individuality and freedom of expression, values that have been woven into the fabric of the town since its founding.

The Pilgrims of the Mayflower first landed on the shores of Provincetown in the search of religious freedom. Over the centuries, artists, writers, poets, immigrants, and members of the LGBTQ+ community were drawn to the lively beach-side town, giving it a reputation as a bohemian art community. Provincetown became a sought-after destination for those seeking acceptance and freedom. During the AIDS epidemic, the town emerged as a place of refuge, offering care and support within its strong networks.

Today, Provincetown’s prideful spirit lives on in its drag shows, extravagant events, and rainbow flags. The town is also the nation’s oldest continuous art colony, with its artistic heritage on display at the Provincetown Art Association. Visitors can explore a diverse collection of local works spanning hundreds of years, featured in galleries and museums throughout the town.

Things to Do in Provincetown

Stroll Down Commercial Street

The best thing to do in Provincetown is to walk down Commercial Street, a bustling mayhem of shoppers and a celebration of pride. There is a huge variety of shops from art galleries to thrift stores to hippie collections.

We stopped at the Perfect Picnic for lunch, which offers grab and go baguette sandwiches. It was perfect for a quick meal.

The Nut House has delicious ice cream and other sugary confections. The interior of the shop is decorated in a vintage chocolate-factory style.

The Canteen is a popular restaurant in town that serves great seafood with a view over the ocean.

If you are looking for a tasty lobster roll, you cannot miss the Lobster Pot – a vibrant red building with take-away sandwiches and rolls.

Along the MacMillan Pier are small hand-made-goods shops. A stroll here is nice to get away from the crowds for a bit.

Pilgrim Monument & Provincetown Museum

The Pilgrim Monument is a 252 foot granite tower that overlooks Provincetown. Ascending the 116 steps to the top offers amazing views over the town and golden beaches of Outer Cape Cod. You may even see Boston on a clear day.

The monument also serves as a museum. Its exhibits offer history into the Wampanoag tribes that once lived on the Outer Cape, the arrival of the Pilgrims on the Mayflower, and history on how the town grew into a thriving LGBTQ+ community.

The entrance to the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum is found on Bradford Street, one street over from Commercial Street. Visitors will first ride an inclined elevator up the hill to the entrance of the Monument & Museum.

Before riding the elevator to the Monument, you can purchase a ticket on the electronic stands at the elevator. Purchasing a ticket includes the cost of the elevator ride, entrance into the Pilgrim Monument, and entrance into the Museum. Find more information about Pilgrim Monument here.

Note: there is no elevator access to the top of the Monument.

Provincetown Art Association and Museum

The Provincetown Art Association and Museum showcases a collection of local art and history. Its exhibits are integral to making Provincetown the enduring center for the arts and cultural destination it is today. Visit their website here to learn more about exhibitions and visitation hours.

Beaches In & Around Provincetown

Race Point Beach

Race Point Beach stretches along Cape Cod’s northernmost tip. It’s a perfect spot for sunbathing, wildlife sightings, and walking along sandy dunes.

Race Point Beach is a haven for finding large herds of seals chillaxing in the sand.

I would avoid swimming at Race Point Beach, for herds of seals are common and sharks have been frequently sighted here.

There is lots of parking available at Race Point Beach. It costs $25 per car, however this comes with a day pass that allows you to park at all other National Seashore beaches.

Seals on Race Point Beach

Race Point Lighthouse

We had heard about Race Point Lighthouse and figured it was a popular spot to visit. We decided to walk there from Race Point Beach, thinking it would be a touristy thing to do. However, we realized it’s actually a 4-mile round-trip hike on the beach to get there. After an hour of not seeing anyone else making the same walk, we decided to turn back. I do not recommend making this trip unless you have plenty of time to spare in this area of Cape Cod.

There are other ways to reach Race Point Lighthouse, including a sand road and the Hatches Harbor Trail. These are likely better options for reaching the lighthouse than walking along the beach. Find more about these options here.

Herring Cove Beach

Herring Cove Beach is named one of New England’s most beautiful beaches. It is also one of the best spots to watch the sunset over the ocean. Since this beach is situated on the Cape Cod Bay, the water is calmer and safer for swimming.

Long Point Beach

Located on the tip of Cape Cod, Long Point Beach is more difficult to get to than the other beaches. It is separated by a canal of water, meaning you can only reach this beach by ferry or by walking.

If you choose to take the ferry, it leaves from the MacMillan Pier in Provincetown. You can make reservations before your trip here, though you can also pay on the boat once you arrive. In the summer season the ferry runs every half an hour.

If you choose to hike, the start of the trail begins at the westernmost end of Commercial Street at the Pilgrims First Landing Park. The trail goes along the Provincetown Causeway, a stone dike over the water. You will walk along this stone path for a mile, then, the remainder of the hike continues along the beachy shoreline to the Long Point Lighthouse. The total length of the trail is long, reaching three miles one way.

Long Point Lightouse | shutterstock.com

Be sure to bring plenty of water and food if you travel to Long Point Beach, as there are no nearby facilities.

Due to the hassle of getting to Long Point Beach, it is much more remote and unpopulated than other Cape Cod Beaches.

More Things to Do Near Provincetown

Bike Trails Outside of Provincetown

A fun activity that many visitors love to engage in is renting a bike in town and taking it out on the wooded trails around the Outer Cape. It is a great way to reach Race Point Beach or Herring Cove Beach if you are visiting without a car. Find more about Provincetown’s bike trails here.

Dune Shacks Trail

For those with plenty of time and looking for a hiking experience, Dune Shacks Trail is a popular thing-to-do. This roughly 2.5 mile out-and-back hike is along a sand trail.

Dune Shacks Trail | shutterstock.com

It begins just outside of Provincetown on Route 6, and travels up to the northern seaside coast. Along the way you will pass abandoned shacks, cranberry bogs, and travel up and down steep sand dunes.

Bringing water and sunscreen is a must for this sunny hike. Since it is all in the sand, many say it is a strenuous walk but worth it for the unique views. Additionally, the trail is not marked so it is important to keep a close eye on where you are headed. The delight of this trail is the desolation and solitude that it brings.

How to Visit Provincetown on a Day Trip From Boston

A visit to Provincetown from Boston makes for a perfect beachy day trip. The most feasible way to reach Provincetown and return to Boston on the same day is by riding either Bay State Cruise Company’s Fast Ferry, or Boston Harbor Cruises’ Provincetown Ferry. It takes 90 minutes to sail from Boston to Provincetown.

I do not recommend driving from Boston to Provincetown. The trip takes 2 to 3 hours one way, usually with heavy traffic, and parking in Provincetown is scarce. You do not need a car to see the town or area around Provincetown. If you want to get to the beaches, renting a bike is the best option.

MacMillan Pier, Provincetown

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Time Do You Need in Provincetown?

One day is enough to see Provincetown and enjoy one of the beaches or bike trails around the town. Prepare for a fully packed day, depending on how much you wish to see.

If you want more time to see the lighthouses and beaches around Provincetown, plan to spend two days here. With any more time in your itinerary, I would recommend seeing other parts of Cape Cod. View how we spent a weekend in Cape Cod here.

Best Time to Visit Provincetown?

Provincetown is best visited in the summertime, when there’s beachy weather,
dozens of events and performances, and when shops are open. Provincetown is the most lively at this time.

In the spring and fall tourists are less common, so not all shops are open.

Is It Safe to Swim in the Outer Cape?

The Outer Cape is known for occasional shark sightings. If you choose to swim, stay close to the shore and swim in groups. Always swim when a lifeguard is present and has confirmed that it is safe to do so. Avoid swimming near areas where seals are present, as they can attract sharks. Be sure to adhere to any signage and flag warnings at the beach—particularly the purple flag, which indicates that white sharks are known to frequent the area.

Seals off the shore of Race Point Beach

If you have any questions about the best things to do in Provincetown or how to plan a trip to Provincetown, let us know in the comment section below.

More Information for Your Trip to Massachusetts.

BOSTON: For information about Boston, read our article Best Things to Do in Boston. We also have a detailed guide on how to day trip to Plymouth, Lexington, and Concord from Boston.

NEW ENGLAND ROAD TRIP: Visit Cape Cod, coastal Maine, the White Mountains in New Hampshire, and more in this 12 Day New England Road Trip Itinerary.

MAINE: We have articles about the best things to do in Cape Elizabeth, the best things to do in Camden, and our Guide to Portland.

ACADIA NATIONAL PARK: Check out our Acadia National Park Travel Guide for important travel information, sample itineraries, and how to plan your visit. For a list of must-have experiences, read our article Best Things to Do in Acadia National Park.

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