Provincetown

View from the Pilgrim Monument

Provincetown [1] is at the very tip of the Cape Cod peninsula region of Massachusetts, USA. Perhaps due to being at the remote end of the Cape and because of its variety of beautiful scenes, Provincetown has attracted artists of all types over the years. One of the oldest artist colonies in America, it has produced a large number of excellent galleries, cutting edge theatre and many unique shops. There is also the persistence of an attitude of tolerance, making Provincetown a preferred home and travel destination for many gays and lesbians.

"P-town", as it is sometimes called, also has an intriguing history as the first landing site of the Pilgrims and the place where the Mayflower Compact was signed. Fishing and whaling have also been a huge part of Provincetown's past. Its large, safe harbor and prime location made it the Cape's fishing center, with thousands of ships calling it home port. The glory days of fishing are now gone and only a couple dozen ships continue the traditions. The Portuguese influence brought by the fishing era still lives in Provincetown.

Provincetown is also blessed with pristine beaches and dunes on the Atlantic side. Race Point Beach has often made the lists of top beaches in America. It is also one of the few spots on the east coast where one can watch the sun set into the water.

Understand

As the first stopping point of the New England settlers on the Mayflower, Provincetown was a colonial port, but remained small compared to other Yankee trading towns until the 19th century.

The town became prosperous in the 1800s as a fishing and whaling center. The population was bolstered by a number of Portuguese sailors, many of whom were from the Azores, and came to live in Provincetown after being hired to work on US ships. Today, the town is a hub for whale watching vessels, which provide excellent opportunities to see whales.

After the 1898 Portland Gale severely damaged the town's fishing industry, members of the town's art community took over many of the abandoned buildings. By the early decades of the 20th century, the town had acquired an international reputation for its artistic and literary output.

Some of the most famous literary lights and artists who lived in Provincetown included playwrights Tennessee Williams, Eugene O'Neill, and Susan Glaspell; Artists Marsden Hartley, Robert Motherwell, Willem de Kooning, and Jackson Pollock; Norman Mailer, author, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, and co-founder of the Village Voice and beat poet Harry Kemp. Today, the town is well-known for off-beat, queer and left of center writers and media personalities, including filmmaker John Waters; Michael Cunningham, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Hours; Andrew Sullivan, author, columnist for the Daily Beast; and blogger Andy Towle, poet and founder of Towleroad.com; Kate Clinton, comedian and writer; Kurt Vonnegut, writer; and Anthony Bourdain, chef, author, television host.

Because of its status as the first artist's colony in the U.S., the town has a strong ethic of tolerance which supported the development of a large gay community from the 1960s on. Today it is quite common to see same-sex couples showing affection and one can expect to encounter men in drag, particularly on Commercial Street, which is the main string of restaurants, shops and galleries. In general, however, the town's attitude of tolerance extends to heterosexuals, who are increasingly present and are welcome in most establishments.

Read

Land's End: A Walk in Provincetown (ISBN 0609609076) by Michael Cunningham. This award-winning author and resident of Ptown writes an engaging travelogue about the city at the tip at of the Cape.

The Maytrees: A Novel (ISBN 0061239534) by Anne Dillard. Set in Provincetown, this novel examines family life and the mysteries of marriage, the effect of forgiveness and human development.

Ptown: Art, Sex, and Money on the Outer Cape (ISBN 0743243110) by Peter Manso. This (now) dated, gossipy take on the people of Provincetown and the lifestyles of the somewhat rich and barely famous would make a good beach read. Published in 2003.

Climate

Climate	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Daily highs (°F)	37	37	44	52	62	72	79	77	70	60	51	43
Nightly lows (°F)	23	23	29	37	48	56	63	62	55	45	38	28
Precipitation (in)	3.8	3.0	4.0	3.5	3.0	3.1	2.8	3.1	3.7	3.6	4.4	3.8

The water surrounding Provincetown has the effect of moderating temperatures in all seasons, such that the entire town is included in USDA plant hardiness zone 7a, which indicates an average annual extreme minimum temperature (1976–2005) of between 0 and 5 °F (-17.8 and -15 °C). The water also has the effect of delaying the onset of the seasons, by keeping spring temperatures cooler and fall temperatures warmer than the rest of the state.

The average annual snowfall is 19.5" per year. The record high temperature was 98°F in 1964. The lowest recorded temperature was -4°F in 1976.

Get in

Map of central Provincetown

By car

The fastest route from the Cape Cod Canal bridges is Route 6, the Mid Cape Highway. Travel time from Boston's Logan Airport (BOS) or Providence's T.F. Green Airport (PVD) is about 2.5 hours without traffic slowdowns. From the Cape Cod Canal, Provincetown is about 60 mi (97 km) and 1.5 hours. Eastham, with its 40 mph speed limit and two lane highway, is a notorious speed-trap.

By bus

• Flex Bus , toll-free: +1 800 352-7155. Bus service on Cape Cod with direct service between Provincetown and Harwich and from there connections to other Cape Cod towns.

• Plymouth & Brockton Street Railway , ☎ +1 508 771-6191. Bus service from Boston's Logan Airport and Amtrak's Boston South Station to Provincetown via Hyannis

• Bonanza Bus/Peter Pan , toll-free: +1 888 751-8800. Summer service to New York City and beyond via Providence

By plane

• Provincetown Municipal Airport (IATA: PVC) (ICAO: KPVC), Race Point Rd., ☎ +1 508 487-0241. Taxis (~$7) and shuttles {~$2) are available to take you to central Provincetown.

• Cape Air, 660 Barnstable Rd., Hyannis, MA 02601, toll-free: +1 800 352-0714. Cape Air flies several times a day from Boston's Logan Airport to Provincetown Airport, 20 min flight; in the summer they also offer flights to White Plains, New York, which is accessible to the greater New York City area, 60 minute flight. Cape Air operates Cessnas and is currently the only scheduled airline serving Provincetown.

By boat

Ferry Service (Please note that ferry service is only seasonal—late spring to mid fall)

To/From Boston:

• Boston Harbor Cruises, 1 Long Wharf, Boston, MA 02210. Catamaran service in 90 minutes. Summer only.

• Bay State Cruise Company, 200 Seaport Blvd. Suite 75, Boston, MA 02210, ☎ +1 617 748-1428, toll-free: +1 877 783-3779. High Speed ferry crosses in 90 minutes. Late spring to early fall.

To/From Plymouth:

• Captain John's Boats, 77 Water St., Plymouth, MA, toll-free: +1 800 242-2469. Summer only.

Get around

Car Rental

• Enterprise Car Rental, Provincetown Municipal Airport, ☎ +1 508 487-0009. (summer only) 8:00AM - 6:00PM. Outlet of national chain of rental cars

• Provincetown Rent-a-Car, 42 Conwell St., ☎ +1 508 487-3577. In-town location of local car rental company

Taxis

• Black & White Taxi, 1 Holway Ave., ☎ +1 508 487-7800. A fleet of Scion xBs boast abundant head, leg, and foot room, and huge, minivan-like cargo capacity

• Cape Cab Taxi Service , ☎ +1 508 487-2222, e-mail: info@capecodtaxi.com. Vans, buses and classic cars available.

• Mercedes Cab Taxi & Transportation Service, 5 Alden St., ☎ +1 508 487-3333. Mercedes Cab has served the community for almost three decades.

Pilgrim Monument at night

See

• Pilgrim Monument, High Pole Hill Rd. (off Bradford in the center of town), ☎ +1 508 487-1310. 9:00AM - 5:00PM, open until 7:00PM between Memorial Day and Labor Day. $12.00–adults $9.00–senior citizens (62 and older) $7.00–students (15 & older) w/ ID, $4.00–children 4-14. The Pilgrim Monument is a 252-foot tall granite tower based on the Torre Del Mangia in Siena, Italy. Vistors can climb to the top for fantastic views. At the base is the Museum of Provincetown.
• Province Lands Visitor Center, Race Point Rd., ☎ +1 508 487-1256. Open May-Oct 9:00AM - 5:00PM. Free. Observation deck with 360 degree view is open year round. Ranger guided tours, activities and exhibits about the natural and cultural history of the area. Five and one-half mile bike loop.

• Lighthouse at Race Point, Cape Cod National Seashore, ☎ +1 508 487-9930. The Race Point Light is a historic lighthouse. It was first lighted on November 5, 1816. Today visitors can stay in the keeper's house and the Lighthouse can be used for events and weddings.

Do

Museums

• Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM), 460 Commercial St. (directions), ☎ +1 508 487-1750. Memorial Day to July 4: daily 12:00PM to 5:00PM and also F, Sa 8:00PM-10PM; July 4 to Labor Day: daily noon-5:00PM, 8:00PM-10PM; September: daily noon-5:00PM, F, Sa 8:00PM-10PM; October - May: Th, F, Sa, Su noon to 5:00PM. $7.00 for entrance. Really worth visiting. Excellent school for aspiring artists.

• Provincetown Museum, High Pole Hill Rd. (at the base of the Pilgrim Monument), ☎ +1 508 487-1310. 9:00AM - 5:00PM, open until 7:00PM between Memorial Day and Labor Day. $12.00–adults $9.00–senior citizens (62 and older) $7.00–students (15 & older) w/ ID, $4.00–children 4-14. a unique collection of exhibits that depict important events and people in Provincetown history.

• Whydah Pirate Museum, 16 Macmillan Wharf, ☎ +1 508 487-8899, e-mail: whydahmuseum@yahoo.com. 10:00AM to 5:00PM daily, April 15 to October 31. $10.00 regular admission, $8.00 seniors and children 6-12, children under 12 free.

Festivals

Carnival Week in P'town

• Bear Week Provincetown , e-mail: info@ptownbears.org. July 13 - 21, 2013. Annual week-long party for bears and their admirers. Attracting the largest number of attendees in recent years. People come from around the world.

• Cabaret Fest , ☎ +1 508 487-2313, e-mail: info@ptown.org. April 12 - 14, 2013. Cape Cod's only cabaret festival. Features live cabaret-style music in intimate venues. Sponsored by the Provincetown Business Guild.

• Carnival Week , ☎ +1 508 487-2313, e-mail: info@ptown.org. August 18 - 24, 2013. 35th Annual week-long party in August. Theme for 2013 is Viva Las Vegas. Features a street parade with outlandish costumes and high spirits. Sponsored by the Provincetown Business Guild.

• Family Pride Week , e-mail: ally@familyequality.org. August 3 - 10, 2013. Family Week is the largest national gathering of the LGBT-headed family community in the United States and this year marks the 18th year this celebration has been held.

• Girl Splash , ☎ +1 508 246-2082, e-mail: info@ProvincetownForWomen.com. July 23 - 27, 2013. In it's 4th year, Girl Splash is a fun, women-only week with lots of activities from a clam bake to theater to tea dances.

• Holly Folly , ☎ +1 508 487-2313, e-mail: info@ptown.org. December 6 - 8, 2013. Week-long celebration of the Yule season with toy drives, the Snow Ball and live music performances and sing-alongs.

• The Portuguese Festival and Blessing of the Fleet , e-mail: wrover@aol.com. June 26 - 30, 2013. Annual celebration of Provincetown's Portuguese heritage

• Provincetown International Film Festival , ☎ +1 508 487-3456, e-mail: contact@ptownfilmfest.org. June 26 - 30, 2013. This 5-day festival presents a wide array of American and international narrative features, documentaries and short films, and makes a particular point to honor and preserve Provincetown's rich and diverse history as an arts colony, Portuguese fishing village, and gay and lesbian mecca-while never forgetting the area's original Native American inhabitants.

• Restaurant Week and Gallery Stroll , e-mail: rluca@provincetown-ma.gov. May 17 - 22, 2013. This weeklong focus on Provincetown's finest restaurants and eclectic eateries is complemented with a gallery stroll

• Tennessee Williams Theater Festival , toll-free: +1 866 789-8366. September 26 - 29, 2013. Theater fans flock to Provincetown to celebrate Tennessee Williams with live performances from as near as Cape Cod and as far as South Africa

• Women of Color Weekend , ☎ +1 508 246-2082, e-mail: info@ProvincetownForWomen.com. May 30 - June 2, 2013. This weekend features the Absolut Inn Stroll, a writer's workshop and a Jazz Brunch on Sunday

Theater

• CTEK Arts (often performing at Provincetown Theater), ☎ +1 512 466-6339, e-mail: psample@ctekarts.org. CTEK Arts presents professional quality theater, develops new scripts and interdisciplinary performances, and provides education in the arts on a year-round basis.
• Provincetown Theater, 238 Bradford St., ☎ +1 508 487-9793.

Within the Theater are two companies:

• Provincetown Repertory Theatre, ☎ +1 508 487-0600. This acclaimed company presents a mix of classic and modern productions.
• Provincetown Theatre Company , ☎ +1 508 487-8673. Birthplace of the modern American theater

Whale Watching & Cruises

A humpback whale breaching off the coast of Massachusetts

• Alpha Whale Watch , ☎ +1 508 221-5920. Offering private, catered whale watching tours for up to six passengers at a time
• Bay Lady II Excursion Schooner, 584 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-9308.
• Doplhin Fleet Whale Watch (Dolphin Fleet) . Educational and engaging whale watch including breakfast
• Provincetown Whales . 100% DIY whale watches for up to 3 people. Whales in their own environment, on their own terms, without disrupting them or the seascape
• Schooner Hindu, 5 Ryder St., ☎ +1 800 296-4544. Go sailing on the Schooner Hindu
• SeaSalt Charters, MacMillan Wharf, ☎ +1 508 444-2732. Offering private whale watching and fishing trips (specializing in striped bass and bluefish)
• Viking Princess Harbor Cruises , ☎ +1 508-487-7323. With a wide variety of cruise options, including a harbor cruise and a lighthouse cruise

Beaches

• Herring Cove, Cape Cod National Seashore (Off Route 6.). Lifeguards, rest rooms, changing facilities, food, handicapped accessible. Usually calmer waters than Race Point
• Long Point (Breakwater) (across the harbor from town). By some it's called "the end of the earth". An 1827 lighthouse graces the very tip of the Cape. Beware poison ivy.
• Race Point Beach, Cape Cod National Seashore (Off Route 6). Lifeguards, rest rooms, changing facilities. This is a nice, wide beach. The surf can be rough at times.
• Town Beaches, located on the bay side in town. A convenient beach, but not as nice as the others

Fish

Race Point and Herring Cove beaches are popular surfcasting spots.

The following companies offer charters:

• Beth Ann Fishing Charters, MacMillan Wharf, ☎ +1 508 487-0034. A 35-foot downeast fishing boat
• Cee Jay, ☎ +1 508 487-4330. Deep sea fishing
• The Ginny G - Charter Sportfishing, MacMillan Wharf, ☎ +1 508 246-3656, e-mail: vgibson769@comcast.net.
• Outer Cape Sportfishing , ☎ +1 508 740-4462.

Bike

A bike trail starts at Bradford Street in the West End and loops through the dunes to Race Point in the National Seashore. The trail is well maintained and marked. About 6 miles.

• Arnold's Bikes, 329 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-0844.
• Gale Force Bikes, 144 Bradford St. (corner of West Vine), ☎ +1 508 487-4849. Free parking, helmet, locks. Near the start of the trail.
• Ptown Bikes, 42 Bradford St., ☎ +1 508 487-8735. Rentals, service. Near start of the bike trail.

Buy

Art Galleries

Childe Hassam visited Provincetown and painted this impressionist work called Building a Schooner. Long known as an artist's colony, Provincetown continues to produce and market fine art in its many galleries.

• Bowersock Gallery, 373 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-4994. The Bowersock Gallery was established in 2004 as a venue to encourage and explore a deeper interest and enjoyment for contemporary, modern, abstract and classical works of art.

• Julie Heller Gallery, 2 Gosnold St., ☎ +1 508 487-2169. Dedicated to the artists who established Provincetown as an art colony

• Helltown Workshop, Opening in a new space in 2013, ☎ +1 508 487-5483, e-mail: helltownworkshop@gmail.com. avante-garde artists collective

• Lyman-Eyer Gallery, 432 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-3937, e-mail: lymaneyer@lymaneyerart.com. eclectic gallery with a focus on Provincetown scenes and the male figure

• Albert Merola Gallery, 424 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-4824. First established as Universal Fine Objects in 1988, the gallery shows a core group of artists, but always has an eye out for new artists

• Packard Gallery, 418 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-4690, e-mail: Info@PackardGallery.com. Opened in 1986, Packard Gallery represents the works of 3 generations of a family of artists

• Spank the Monkey Fine Arts, 288 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-1480, e-mail: creative@spankthemonkeyfinearts.com. West Coast low brow meets East Coast surfer rad

• Wohlfarth Galleries, 443 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-6569, e-mail: wohlfarthgalleries@gmail.com. Featuring American Impressionist gallery of fine paintings and drawings, representing painters of the Cape Cod School of Art in the tradition of Charles Hawthorne and Henry Hensche.

Stores

• Birdie Silkscreen Studio, 355 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-3338. A unique clothing store. All of Birdie's art is specifically designed with images of Provincetown and Cape Cod. One of the fun aspects of shopping at Birdie's is that you can watch her print while you shop - but don't ask her more than three questions, or she'll put you to work folding tee-shirts!

• Coastline Tattoo, 290a Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-1147. Coastline Tattoo is dedicated to creating quality, one-of-a-kind tattoos and artwork in a clean, friendly, creative studio environment. Open Year Round.

• Full Kit Gear, 192 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-9676, e-mail: info@fullkitgear.com. A premiere leather, rubber and fetish gear store

• Luchima, 289 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-1147. An eclectic mix of products; now featuring the Doug Marr Gallery

• Marc by Marc Jacobs, 184 Commercial St.. Mo-Sa, 11:00AM - 7:00PM, Su, 12:00-6:00PM. Provincetown outpost of top-tier fashion designer

• Toys of Eros, 200 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-0056. Provincetown's premier sex boutique - all persuasions! Apparel, books, toys, safer-sex accouterments and current and classic DVDs.

• Utilities, 393 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-6800. Over 2000 modern & useful items for the home. Frommers: "A breath of fresh design..."

• Wild Hearts, 200 Commercial St. (Inside Toys of Eros), ☎ +1 508 487-8933. Sex toys for women. It also ranks among the nation's most respected purveyors of lesbian erotica

• Yardarm Liquors, 38 Conwell St., ☎ +1 508 487-0700. The largest liquor store on the outer Cape featuring beer, wine, and liquor

Eat

Bakeries and coffee shops

• Connie's Bakery, 205 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-2167, e-mail: conniesbakery@gmail.com. Connie makes the to-die-for pies, cakes and other sweets; Richie makes the wonderful Italian country loaves. Sandwiches and coffee, too.

• Far Land Provisions, 150 Bradford St., ☎ +1 508 487-0045. Mo - Sa 7:00AM - 6:00PM, Su 8:00AM - 5:00PM. Deli, breakfast bread, bagels and bakery. In the spirit of a general store, Far Land Provisions offers one-stop shopping for prepared meals, baked goods made in-house from scratch, deli sandwiches, wine & spirits, and full service catering.

• Joe's Coffee and Cafe, 170 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-6656. Daily 6:30AM - 5:30PM. West End Espresso Cafe with hot food, soups and sandwiches and sweet snacks.

• Provincetown Portuguese Bakery, 299 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-1803. Mar-Oct Breakfast and lunch all day. Until 11:00PM in summer. $10.00 - $16.00. Try the malassadas, or the rich trutas.

• Wired Puppy, 379 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-0017, e-mail: wired@wiredpuppy.com. Daily 6:30AM - 5:30PM. East End European Style Espresso Cafe with comfortable table seating, complimentary wi-fi and internet connection points.

Casual

• Bayside Betsy's, 177 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-6566, fax: +1 508 487-5537. Days and times open. entrees: $18.95-31.95. Bayside Betsy's is a casual American/Continental restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner in a waterfront location.

• Café Edwige, 333 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-4020, e-mail: edwigerestaurant@yahoo.com. We - Mo, Breakfast 8:30AM - 1PM, Dinner from 6PM. entrees $23.00 - 32.00. Previously run as two restaurants, one for brunch and one at night, it is now a single restaurant. The menu is thoughtful, the cuisine is continental and artfully presented.

• Front Street Restaurant, 230 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-9715, e-mail: frontst@capecod.net. entrees: $18.95-24.95. Standard Italian and continental food on a very extensive menu. Good choice for wine lovers.

• Karoo Kafe, 338 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-6630. entrees: $8.95-14.95. Karoo Kafe serves South African food made from scratch, featuring an eclectic menu ranges from Vegan, Vegetarian, and Gluten free options to homemade burgers, fish & chips, native stews and exotic meats; serves wine and beer.

• Lobster Pot, 321 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-0842, fax: +1 508 487-4863, e-mail: info@ptownlobsterpot.com. April - November from 11:00AM. $25.00 - 42.00. Long waits in the summer for the back deck with a view of the bay. Lobster and all manner of seafood. A tourist magnet that doesn't have to try very hard.

• Local 186 (formerly Enzo's), 186 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-7555, e-mail: info@local186.com. Daily 11:00AM - 1:00AM. entrees: $12.00-25.00. Hip beers and burgers, salads and luxe starters like foie gras and oysters.

• Napi's Restaurant, 7 Freeman St. (Near Bradford Street and Standish. Parking on Freeman Street behind Napi's), ☎ +1 508 487-1145, e-mail: info@napis-restaurant.com. Lunch (October - April) from 11:30AM Dinner (Year-round) from 5:00PM. entrees: $19.95-33.95. In the Provincetown spirit, Napi's offers lots of art, lots of funk and great food. Open All Year.

• Patio American Grill and Blue Bar, 328 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-4003, e-mail: provincetownpatio@gmail.com. Open May - October. entrees $16.00 - 30.00. Quintessential P-town experience. Location directly on Commercial, good people-watching, fun atmosphere, great food, cocktails, good music and very friendly.

• Spiritus Pizza, 190 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-2808. 11:30AM-2:00AM (during season). $17.50-26.50 (whole pie), or available by the slice. Delicious pizza, open late. A large crowd gathers in front after the bars close at 1:00AM.

• Victor's, 175 Bradford Street Ext., ☎ +1 508 487-1777, e-mail: info@victorsptown.com. Open Th - Su, 4:00PM - 10:00PM. small plates $9.00 - 24.00. Victor's offers a delicious "small plates" dinner menu of New American cuisine, sized for tasting and sharing with friends and family. Excellent raw bar happy hour and don't miss the Drag Brunch every Sunday in July - August.

Fine Dining

• Bistro at Crowne Pointe, 82 Bradford St., ☎ +01 508 487-6767. Tu-Su from 5:30PM (only in summer). $22.00 - 35.00. Set in a historic mansion on a bluff overlooking Provincetown. Unrushed award winning dining, free parking, stellar wine list.

• Ciro & Sal's Northern Italian Restaurant, 4 Kiley Ct. (behind 430 Commercial), ☎ +1 508 487-6444, e-mail: Info@ciroandsals.com. Dinner from 5:30PM. entrees: $21.00-36.00. Celebrated Northern Italian restaurant, a Provincetown institution since 1956.

• Mews Restaurant, 429 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-1500. Open year round.. entrees: $21.00-33.00. Harborfront dining with 211 vodka selections from 29 countries. Good food (Italian) as well. Casual upstairs. Mondays in the winter features Coffeehouse at The Mews, an open mic for writers, playwrights, poets, singers, songwriters, comedians.

• The Red Inn Waterfront, 15 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-7334, fax: +1 508 487-5115. Traditional New England seafood and steaks with a view.

Drink

The Atlantic House. One of the oldest gay bars in the United States

• Governor Bradford, 312 Commercial Street, ☎ +1 508 487-2781. Drinks and raw bar are the focus here.

• The Squealing Pig, 335 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-5804. Great selection of beer, and raw oysters.

Gay and Lesbian Oriented

• Atlantic House, 6 Masonic Pl., ☎ +1 508 487-3821. Little Bar from Noon until 1:00AM, Macho Bar from 10:00PM until 1:00AM, and the Big Room from 10:00PM until 1:00am. Perhaps the oldest gay bar in the United States. Was frequented by Tennessee Williams and Eugene O'Neill.

• Crown & Anchor Entertainment Complex, 247 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-3821. This complex includes multiple bars with different themes, including a piano bar and a leather bar (see the Vault below).

• Gifford House, 11 Carver St., ☎ +1 800 434-0688. This inn contains three bars: Porchside Lounge, the Lobby Piano Bar and Purgatory Dance Club.

• Monkey Bar, 149 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-2879. Informal and fun bar with great martinis.

• Paramount, 247 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-1430. Provincetown's premier nightclub. Within the Crown & Anchor complex.

• Shipwreck Lounge, 67 Bradford St., ☎ +1 508-487-9005. 6:00PM - 1:00AM. An upscale bar located at the Brass Key Guesthouse featuring an outdoor patio with lounge seating, beautiful fountain, stunning gas fire pit and delicious cocktails. Conveniently located in the center of Provincetown. Ample parking available at the adjacent municipal parking lot.

• The Vault, 247 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-1430. Provincetown's leather bar. Within the Crown & Anchor complex.

• Wave Video Bar, 247 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-1430. Provincetown's only video/sports bar. Within the Crown & Anchor complex.

Sleep

This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room:
Budget	Under 200 dollars
Mid-range	200-500 dollars
Splurge	Over 500 dollars

Budget

• The Chicago House, 6 Winslow St. (Bradford St. to Winslow St.), ☎ +1 508 487-0537. Check-in: 2 pm, check-out: 11 am. $60 - 195. We are located in the center of town. Just steps from Commercial Street. We have FREE parking, WiFi, continental breakfast, an outdoor 5 person jacuzzi, bikes to borrow and we are one of the least expensive houses in Provincetown!

• Crew's Quarters, 198 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-5900. ~$125. Right in the heart of town. New guesthouse with great energy for those who want to experience the best Ptown has to offer.

• The Outermost Hostel, 28 Winslow St., ☎ +1 508-487-4378. May-Oct. European-style youth hostel.

• Romeo's Holiday Inn & Spa, 97 Bradford St., ☎ +1 508 487-6636.Check-out: 11:00AM. $68 - 198. Central location walk to everything, On- site massage therapist, Unique rooms.

Mid-range

• 8 Dyer Hotel, 8 Dyer St., ☎ +1 508 487-0880. Check-in: 2:00PM, check-out: 11:00AM. $95 - $365. Award-winning contemporary boutique guesthouse in the east end. Features 7 rooms with air conditioning, robes, some with balconies. The hotel has a pool (which is rare for guesthouses here), jacuzzi and sauna. Breakfast is expanded continental with a European-style espresso machine.

• The Boatslip Resort Hotel, 161 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508-487-1669, fax: Fax number. Check-in: Time, check-out: Time. $250 - 400. A gay-friendly hotel with a pool and the site of popular afternoon tea dances.

• Carriage House Provincetown, 7 Central St., ☎ +1 508 487-8855. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. $125 - 395. A blend of space, amenities, privacy and location. 13 rooms all with private entrances in the center of Provincetown.

• Carpe Diem Guesthouse & Spa, 12 Johnson St., ☎ +1 508-487-4242. $95 - $445. Small luxurious spa resort featuring 19 rooms, gourmet breakfast, daily wine & cheese hour, 24 hour espresso coffee and tea station and numerous amenities to pamper you during your stay. Clothing optional spa with Provincetown's largest steam room, Finnish sauna and Hydrojet spa tub and spa deck. Full spa menu offering classic massages, scrubs & polishes, energy work and Thai Massage.

• Christophers by the Bay Bed & Breakfast, 8 Johnson St., ☎ +1 508 487-9263. Check-in: 2:00PM, check-out: 11:00AM. $70 - 285. Award winning bed & breakfast close to galleries, shopping, dining and nightlife. Ten guest rooms, both private and shared bath available. An inviting common room, sumptuous continental breakfast and a relaxing sunny back patio.

• Prince Albert Guesthouse, 166 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-1850. Check-in: 2:00PM, check-out: 11:00AM. $125 - 350. Victorian home with a very large front patio that looks onto Commercial Street. Hot tub and gardens in the back. Each room offers a private bathroom, cable TV with DVD, iPod connections, air conditioning (in season), ceiling fans, mini fridges.

• Revere Guest House, 14 Court St., ☎ +1 508-487-2292.Check-out: 11 AM. $85 - 375. A restored nineteenth century colonial house furnished with antiques and modern amenities.

• White Porch Inn, 7 Johnson St., ☎ +1 508 364-2549. Check-in: 2:00PM, check-out: 11:00AM. $99 - 325. A boutique contemporary B&B in Provincetown.

• White Wind Inn, 174 Commercial St., ☎ +1 508 487-1526. Check-in: 2:00PM, check-out: 11:00AM. $85 - 275. Built in 1845 as a sea captain's house, this award winning bed & breakfast is in the heart of Commercial Street. With twelve guest rooms and a "great" room with fireplace and grand piano, the breakfast is expanded continental.

Splurge

• The Brass Key Guesthouse, 67 Bradford St., ☎ +1 800 842-9858. $130 - $679. Everyone is welcome at Provincetown’s premier gay luxury resort. Nine historically restored buildings enclose the terraced courtyard with its infinity edge pool and in-ground spa. Experience extraordinary lodgings, a gracious staff, full-service bar, on-site spa treatments, and our private rooftop ocean-view deck. The perfect place to relax, rejuvenate and make new friends; A short walk to the nightlife, museums, restaurants, shops, art galleries and bars of Provincetown.

• Crowne Pointe Historic Inn & Spa, 82 Bradford St.. $125 - $645. Central location walk to everything, great spa, wonderful rooms. Cape Cod Life Magazine Editors Choice, 2007. The Shui Spa is open to the public and offers great treatments, steam room, sauna, mineral soaking tub, 4,000 gallon exotic koi pond.

• Land's End Inn, 22 Commercial St., ☎ 508-487-0706. $155 - 630. Panoramic ocean views and luxury accommodations located high atop a hill in Provincetown's West End. Provincetown's most luxurious guest rooms.

• The Sandpiper Beach House, 165 Commercial St..Check-out: 11:00AM. $1900 - 8900/weekly. Waterside residence available to rent by the week. Self-catering.

Campgrounds

• Coastal Acres Camping Court, 76R Bayberry Ave., ☎ +1 508 487-1700. $35. 120 sites.

• Dunes' Edge Campground, Rte. 6 at Milepost 116, ☎ +1 508 487-9815. $35 - 42. 100 sites.

Go next

• Take the ferry to Boston or Plymouth or just explore any of the Cape Cod towns.

Routes through Provincetown

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