Provincetown - An Idealic day in a Seaside Village

Betty Wiley

It is hard to find one word that encompasses the many facets of this beautiful and vibrant town. But the mere fact that one word cannot describe this unique gem speaks volumes about its character. To spend a day in Provincetown is a treat all around. Whether you are an art aficionado, beach and outdoor lover, or shopper, you can fill your day, week, month or lifetime with wonderful things to do.

Art Lover’s Day

Waking up early is not essential for an art lover’s day. Most galleries are not open before 9 or 10 a.m. so you can spend a leisurely morning in bed and treat yourself to a great breakfast. The place to start your day is Commercial Street. Beginning on the west or east end does not matter, a stroll down this byway will bring you by a wide assortment of galleries. Be sure to peak down the side streets and lanes as there are galleries hidden in these spaces as well. Many stay open into the night particularly on the weekends so night owls need not worry about missing their chance to visit their favorite art spots.

A great stop along your journey is the Provincetown Art Association Museum, a non-profit center whose mission is stated as: “The objects and purposes of this association shall be to promote and cultivate the practice and appreciation of all branches of the fine arts, to assemble and maintain in the town of Provincetown and environs a collection of works of art of merit, to hold exhibitions, and by forums, concerts and similar activities to promote education of the public in the arts and social intercourse between artists and laymen. To these ends it shall operate strictly within its charter as a nonprofit, educational, artistic and cultural organization.” — www.paam.org. A visit to the museum offers exciting new exhibits and information on the classes and workshops available to the established and aspiring artist.

The Outdoor Lover’s Day

Filling a day with outdoor activities is not a challenge in Provincetown. This quintessential New England seaside village offers a wide range of options for those who love the outdoors. Even if your favorite outdoor activity is strolling along Commercial Street to poke in and out of the shops, you will feel the bliss of a good walk with a purpose.

A more rigorous hiking option is the West End Breakwater/Rock Jetty located at the west end of Commercial Street. The jetty is made up of large rocks stretching out to Long Point. It is a long walk and not always ideal for children as it does take some patience moving from rock to rock. Also the surrounding water and high tides can create slippery conditions if one is not careful. But with all that said it is a great hike and the scenery is beautiful. It is highly suggested that jetty hikers bring along a snack and plenty of water to keep hydrated.

If walking is not your thing biking is also very popular around Provincetown. Bike rentals are available for those who do not bring their own. One of the most scenic bike route is the paved bike trail that goes from Herring Beach to Race Point Beach. The path goes through the Cape Cod National Seashore and is a great place to see the dunes that make this area so spectacular.

There are plenty of beaches to enjoy as well, whether you are one who enjoys the pounding surf of the ocean or the quiet waters of the Cape Cod Bay. Many of the beaches are accessible by bike or walking. If you are wandering Commercial Street it isn’t far to go to sit on one of the lovely bayside beaches.

Provincetown is also ideally located for optimum whale watching. It is also possible, with a good pair of binoculars and a willingness to hike out toward Long Point, to can see whales from the beach. The whales are active as they migrate toward Stellwagen Sanctuary and you can see them as they swim, eat and breach out in the waters off the shore. You can also choose to go out on a whale-watching excursion from MacMillian Wharf.
Dining

The ideal day in Provincetown includes some of the best dining the Cape has to offer. There is a wide variety of cuisine and styles of dining available. So whether you enjoy fine dining overlooking the water, a quick “take-out” for an impromptu picnic or snack or want to dig into a traditional lobster or fried clam meal there is an eatery for you! It is highly recommended that you fit in all three meals of the day as well as snacks and desserts to maximize all the culinary delights this town has to offer.