Attractions for Guests of Provincetown Vacation Rentals

Provincetown, Massachusetts, situated on the tip of Cape Cod and surrounded on three sides by Cape Cod Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, is a two and a half hour drive from Boston or Providence. During the summer months, a high-speed ferry runs from Boston to Provincetown, and another Provincetown ferry travels from Plymouth to Provincetown. Guests of Provincetown rentals can take a short 20-minute flight from Boston's Logan Airport to Provincetown or travel by bus from Boston.

The Pilgrims landed in Provincetown in 1620 and stayed for about five weeks before moving on to Plymouth in search of fresh water supplies. The town was later settled by colonists and became a center for whaling and fishing. Today, Provincetown, known locally as P-town, is an artsy village with a sizable gay and lesbian community. In the summertime, the town's population swells from 4,000 to nearly 30,000 as tourists visit Provincetown to enjoy 30 miles of beautiful beaches and a range of cultural attractions.

Provincetown vacation rentals make a great base for enjoying this charming village with its various outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, boating, fishing, beachcombing, and whale watching and appealing mix of galleries, shops, and restaurants. The compact village is easy to explore on foot or bicycle, but taxicabs, pedicabs, and shuttle buses are also available.

Long known as an artists' colony, Provincetown boasts a thriving arts community. Travelers staying in a Provincetown rental can view an impressive 20th century American art collection at the Provincetown Art Association and Museum at 460 Commercial Street (508-487-1750). From Memorial Day through September, the museum is open from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Friday, and 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. During the off-season from October to May, hours are Noon to 5:00 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

Provincetown's Fine Arts Work Center offers the largest residency program for emerging artists and writers in the country as well as summer and fall workshops and an MFA program in visual arts. Visitors staying in Cape Cod vacation rentals can take classes in painting, pottery, sculpture, writing, poetry, and drama.

Provincetown's thriving theatre community includes the Provincetown Theater Company, the Provincetown Repertory Theater, and Shakespeare on the Cape (508-487-7377), which features actors from the Guthrie Theater/University of Minnesota.

The Provincetown Fringe Festival (508-487-2666) features a selection of live theatre performances during the summer season in an intimate setting at the Provincetown Inn. Other Provincetown attractions include the Provincetown International Film Festival in mid-June, the Provincetown Portuguese Festival in June, and the Provincetown Jazz Festival in mid-August.

Other live entertainment options for guests of Provincetown rental homes include the Post Office Cabaret (508-487-0130) and the Improv Asylum, featuring improvisational and sketch comedy from Boston's renowned theater company at their summer home, the Crown and Anchor, in Provincetown (508-487-1430, ext. 2).

The Pilgrim Monument on High Pole Hill Road (508-487-1310) commemorates the original Pilgrim landing with a 252-foot-tall tower, the tallest granite structure in America. Visitors renting Provincetown lodging can climb to the top of the monument for spectacular views. At the base of the tower is the Provincetown Museum, which offers exhibits, artifacts, and dioramas chronicling the arrival of the Pilgrims, the town's maritime history, the early days of theater in Provincetown, the building of the monument, and other local history.

Other Provincetown MA attractions include the Whydah Museum at the end of MacMillan Wharf (508-487-8899), which showcases a collection of pirate shipwreck artifacts discovered by underwater explorer Barry Clifford.

Nearby, travelers staying in a Truro rental can see a fascinating collection of antique toys, tools, farming implements, firearms, and more at the Truro Historical Society Museum on South Highland Road (508-487-1121). The museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Provincetown trolley (508-487-9483), which leaves from Town Hall every half hour from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on the hour from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in season, offers scenic, narrated sightseeing tours of Provincetown attractions and the national seashore. Art's Dune Tours (508-487-1950) offers tours of the area's spectacular sand dunes ($20 for adults, $15 for children ages 6-11) as well as surf fishing tours, Race Point Lighthouse tours, and sunset clambake tours.

Cape Cod is a nature lover's paradise with miles of pristine beaches and towering dunes, an abundance of birds and wildlife, and a network of scenic trails for walking and cycling. The crown jewel of the Cape's natural wonders is the magnificent Cape Cod National Seashore, which offers six swimming beaches (lifeguards are on-duty from late June through August), dune tours, self-guided nature trails, bicycle trails, and special events.

Vacationers staying in Provincetown cottage rentals will find fabulous bird watching in this area, which is home to more than 250 different species of birds and waterfowl. Beech Forest is a popular spot for birders.

Cycling is a popular form of transportation on the Cape. The area boasts numerous scenic bike trails such as the fabulous Cape Cod Rail Trail, a 25-mile paved trail stretching from Dennis to Wellfleet. Vacationers staying in a house rental in Provincetown can rent bikes from Gale Force Bikes (144 Bradford St. at West Vine, 508-487-4849), Arnold's Bicycle Shop (329 Commercial St., 508-487-0844), or Ptown Bikes (42 Bradford St., 508-487-8735).

Tennis enthusiasts can play on five red clay courts at the Bissell Tennis Courts (508-487-9512) or choose from five clay and two hard surface courts at the Provincetown Tennis Club (508-487-9574). Tennis lessons and clinics are also available for visitors staying in Cape Cod rentals.

On Commercial Street, which runs parallel to the harbor shoreline, visitors staying in a Provincetown house rental will find a profusion of shops offering everything from antiques, artwork, and handcrafted jewelry to clothing, home décor items, and outdoor supplies. P-town is known for its great selection of art galleries and the Friday night gallery stroll.

Dining options for guests of Provincetown summer rentals range from food stands selling fish and chips to patio dining along Commercial Street to fine dining establishments. Vacationers staying in house rentals in Provincetown MA can pick up locally grown produce and freshly caught fish at the farmer's market on the pier on Fridays during the high season.

A vacation in Provincetown offers something for everyone, from beaches and nature walks to culture and shopping. And with Provincetown pet friendly lodging, you can even bring along your best friend. Make your reservations now for a wonderful vacation in Provincetown!