Provincetown Things to Do

I didn't visit this museum but I'm told their collections are wonderful. They outgrew their original building...next door. Lots of discussions and arguements ensued as they came to this design for an addition that would be modern, spacious and appropriate for the expanded needs. Unfortunately I think they missed the mark. Preservationists will continue to complain until one day perhaps there will be some alterations to make the building more appealing. Wish I had time to visit the interiors, tho...as I'm sure the space works wonderfully if you are inside and looking out.

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You can find some wonderful Asian imports in one of the shops. Some of the things in the specialty shops are expensive, but one of a kind focus items which you would use and treasure for many years. Each shopping experience and architectural style seems to differ from the last... for a complete sensory experience. We enjoyed the space behind the Asian store where there was a perfectly serene Zen garden with garden elements for sale. It was a welcome resting place.

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Shopping is more fun when the building is interesting. Such is the case with this arcade filled with colorful treasures for you to carry home. As you pass through the elaborate three story mall, you walk towards the light of the beach beyond. You can step outside onto the sand and see a bit of the harbor. I was actually distracted by this concept so much so that I didn't pay much attention to the things in the shops. I'm sure you could spend hours poking around to find your special soulvenir.

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The Masons built the tower as the PILGRIM MONUMENT on Provincetown many years ago during the Roosevelt Administration. I'm not sure why it was a project of the Masons...maybe one of you can enlighten me... but it stands as a landmark today. The town hall serves as a meeting place, public space, and all around handy building to have around. The library, (not pictured here) is being totally restored and hopes for a bright future.
The old post card is a pic of Teddy Roosevelt laying the first stone for the tower to be built on August 20, 1907.

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Provincetown is known for it's narrow crowded streets filled with interesting shops, galleries, and folks of all description. You can find just about everything you are looking for...and I mean that literally. Some of it is pretty off the wall ... but most of it is creative and intrigueing. There isn't so much of that Cape Cod "artsy" feel of years ago when artists painted seascapes on the streets, but you'll certainly find things to entertain you on that special thoroughfare that stretches for about two miles at land's end.
Of course I notice the architecture along the way as well. There are some interesting buildings still surviving and others being restored this year. Good to see that Provincetown is still vital after so many years of being a tourist destination. She changes yearly... but seems to survive in spite of everyone. I like places like that.

We spent one day in Provincetown, the outer-most town in the Cape. It is known as 'P-town' by tourists (I'm not sure how the locals feel about that!). It is a town where houses are built almost one on top of the other, all small and quaint. The streets are narrow and it is suggested that you find public parking (at $8 USD/day) and walk or ride a bike instead. Bike rentals are available and it's the preferred method of transportation. Families may want to be made aware that Provincetown is an openly gay/lesbian community. There is a big emphasis on art there, and art dealers and artists abound. There is an undeniable charm to the town in it's quaintness but be aware that at night it comes alive and you MUST avoid driving your car through it.......I tried it and I regretted it. You move at a snails pace, literally, while people fill the streets and you wait for them to move, not vice versa.

My kids and I were particularly drawn to the wharf where fishing boats were docking at the end of the day, and where we were to embark on our Sunset Sail with the BayLadyII, a 75ft. schooner. This sailboat leaves Provincetown 3 or 4 times a day and for a reasonable price ($27USD for the 3 of us) you can sail out into the Bay and feel the salty air and the windspray and watch the sails billow in the sun. It is wonderful! If you prefer a more comfortable, stable ride then there are many types of boats leaving the dock throughout the day....with every amenity you can think of! But you pay the price...so I highly recommend the schooner as it brings you closest to the sea in a most pleasant way!

252 feet tall, 200 steps to climb.
This little bit of exercise will cost you $5 admission but parking is free and normally available nearby.

The Pilgrim Monument is open to visitors daily from 9 a.m. until 4:15 p.m. April through October with extended hours until 6:15 p.m. in July and August. In November, the Monument is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. until 4:15 p.m. The Monument is illuminated each year for the holiday season, though it is not open during the months of December through March.

The view from the summit is nice and you can get some great art-deco shots down the interior stairwell.
At the base of the monument is a small museum commemorating the Pilgrims and the flora and fauna of the region. Other exhibits in the museum change monthly. Fishing and sea-faring were the themes when we were there and artifacts and paintings of ships and whalers were being shown.

The Pilgrim Monument is the highest point in Provincetown and can be seen from miles away. It was built to commemorate the landing of the Pilgrims there in November 1620, before they went to Plymouth. (Most people don't know that they landed here first.)

According to the museum's literature it is the tallest granite structure in the United States, and the view from the top is amazing.

The museum itself tells a lot about the history of Provincetown and the Cape, including information about the Mayflower Compact which the Pilgrims drew up and signed in Provincetown. It also hosts a number of nice visiting exhibits. Coming here is a great thing to do on a day when the weather isn't so good for the beach.