I <3 P-town (2020 Edition)
What can I say about P-town? It’s my happy place, and I have been visiting one week a year for nearly 10 years now. The locals are friendly, classy, down to earth, incredible people. After all, this is New England. 😎 It is also the gayest place on earth—and I mean that in the best possible way, ha! With that said, Provincetown attracts a diverse crowd, including families with children, as all are welcome. It is a magical town, and if you have the opportunity to visit, I promise you will love it.
How does one get to P-town? You can drive, take the ferry from Boston, or even fly. Having a car in P-town is not necessary when you score an Inn or rental home in a convenient location.
I always rent a house through HomeAway, which is now known as Vrbo.
What To Know
The main road which houses all the attractions such as restaurants and shopping, etc. is known as Commercial Street. You will most likely spend a lot of your time here, when you are not at the beach or off hiking. Full disclosure, I don’t hike.
To better understand the lay of the land, Bradford Street runs parallel inland to Commercial Street. There isn’t too much on Bradford besides the one CVS in town, and also one of my favorite places known as Far Land Provisions – a corner store/deli/bakery. They make the best sandwiches. Literally my favorite sandwich in the world is from here and is known as the “Pilgrim Lake” (roasted turkey, cheddar cheese and cranberry chutney, and mayonnaise, served on your choice of bread). They will ask you if you want lettuce, tomato, and onion, and you say yes; but only if you like all of these ingredients, otherwise forget everything I said, and order what you like! 😊 Currently you can’t enter the store during the current Covid-19 opening phase, but you may place orders at their window for take-away. 🙏
There is also a Stop & Shop in town if you need any groceries or what not. I always do one big grocery run when I first arrive to plan for my at-home barbecues. Commercial Street has at least two essential-type stores if you need to grab an emergency toiletry etc.
Clearly the current pandemic of 2020 has forced us into uncharted waters; so you will most likely not get the full normal P-town experience, as some things are closed/altered etc.
Even though we may all be used to the disappointment of life’s new norm by now, this truly can be a great opportunity to discover our surroundings with a new outlook, and perhaps see beautiful things we’ve never noticed before.
Safety First
Commercial Street enforces everyone to #wearamask. This includes upon entering restaurants until you are seated, as well as at all other indoor establishments from retail spaces to coffee shops.
The restaurants in P-town are doing a great job when it comes to safety. You may scan the menu QR code as you check-in (at most places), and all tables are set far enough apart from one another, many with partitions. Each restaurant will also ask for your name and phone number upon entrance for contact tracing purposes.
The bars are not opened yet; however some of the bars are operating by means of serving food with drinks. You will have to order at least one food item per group, even if it’s a side of French fries. The group I was with often times ordered more than that as the menus were always so appetizing. 😍
There are lots of great outdoor and partially outdoor food & beverage spaces to choose from.
For me, the missing bar and entertainment scene was the most noticeable difference this year, as some of my favorite spots like Karaoke at Governor Bradford, the piano bar scenes at Crown & Anchor and Gifford’s House Inn, and music-video dancing at Wave Bar, have all been paused. You can still get drinks and food at Gifford’s House Inn and Shipwreck, which are two of my regular stomping grounds.
Now onto my hot lists of some of my favorite places to visit while in P-town this season! 🔥
Best Beaches
I would recommend visiting all three of these beaches if you plan on doing multiple beach days during your visit.
Long Point Beach - This is basically a private secluded beach with a Instagram worthy lighthouse and harbor view, and located at the very tip of Cape Cod. This beach is one of my favorite things to visit in P-town.
Getting there: Take the Long Point shuttle boat, and I promise the short journey is worth it. Head to MacMillan Pier (which by the way is the main pier in the center of town that you should see. It’s very picturesque with a backdrop of a family of boats). 😊 The shuttle boat/beach access to Long Point Beach is $20 a person (cash only) and departs the pier every half hour on the hour. It’s a 10-minute ride and honestly it’s half the experience and fun. Be sure to look out for the seals from the boat and also once you settle on the perfect spot in the sand.
Herring Cove - This beach has a Far Land Provisions concession where you can buy food & drinks, including the same great sandwiches I mentioned you can get at their original spot on Bradford. 😉
Getting there: You can take a shuttle bus from MacMillan Pier at $2 each way (cash only) or you may drive by car. There is plenty of parking.
Race Point - This beach is a bit more scenic than Herring Cove, especially with the view of the dunes along the way.
Getting there: You can take a shuttle bus from MacMillan Pier at $2 each way (cash only) or you may drive by car. There is plenty of parking.
Keep in mind there are hiking routes to these beaches if you prefer. As I mentioned, I’m not a hiker so it’s always the shuttle or car for me.
Favorite Shopping
Marine Specialties – This store is so much fun, and you’ll have to see it for yourself. From local souvenirs, to costumes, to actual Marine specialty supplies – this store always makes for great photo ops.
Roots Home & Garden – My go-to store where I can spend hours walking around the elegantly jam packed address. This is a great place to pick up a nautical gift or something for your home to remind you of your time in Cape Cod. I always wind up getting something new here each season for my apartment in Manhattan. This year I brought back a small iron mermaid statue for my living room shelf and a wooden block with a hand-painted illustration of a compass.
Best Coffee Spots
Joe Coffee & Café - the best tasting coffee in my opinion and my go-to place for caffeine with outside seating available
The Nut House - a great coffee bar surrounded by irresistible desserts and friendly staff
Connie’s Bakery - the cutest corner coffee spot, located within Aquarium Marketplace
Kohi Coffee Company - a simple menu, pour over coffee kind of place, with stylish design
Mama Matcha Green Bar - not my personal favorite as I’m not big on matcha, but it’s always a fan favorite among my travel partners
Restaurants
For dinner, I would recommend making reservations to be safe.
Pepe’s Wharf - My favorite dinner spot overall. Good food and drinks with outside seating on the Bay. You’ll really feel like you’re on vacation here.
Bubala’s by the Bay - Semi casual scene and menu with lots of outside seating on Commercial Street with a relaxed setting.
The Lobster Pot Restaurant - One of the most popular restaurants in P-town known for their tasty lobster dishes and a place you truly go to EAT. Unfortunately, they don’t take reservations, but always worth trying and waiting for a table if you have the time. It is probably easier to get a table this season…
Canteen - Place your order at the window and bring your grub to their casual sanded backyard space with tables. This is a very casual place and great for a quick meal, lunch, and even dinner. Try the brussels sprouts.
Big Daddy’s Burrito - Located within Aquarium Marketplace (the town’s mini food court), you can order here at the counter and take your grub to the marketplace’s outside eating area.
Patio American Grill - Inspired New England cuisine makes for a great brunch spot or any meal for that matter. Seating is also right on Commercial Street, and like Bubala’s it’s a great place to people-watch.
Favorite Sweet Spots
The Nut House – I literally can’t be trusted here. They have everything from ice-cream, to white chocolate dipped Devil Dogs, to Fruity Pebble Krispie treats (known as the Bam Bam bar). They also have great coffee and are opened late.
Provincetown Fudge Factory – With lots of places to get fudge in town, this is my favorite spot. They also sell world famous peanut butter cups and different flavored bark which I also love. I always get the Oreo flavored fudge.
Bliss! Frozen Yogurt – My go-to frozen yogurt hut with lots of fun toppings. I tend to go here towards the beginning of my trip and order their sugar free tart flavored yogurt when I am still trying to be healthy! Then it’s usually all down hill from there when it comes to indulging. 😂
And there you have it folks!
This year’s trip may have been missing a few staples and traditions along the way, but the charming land of Provincetown did not disappoint. I enjoyed my time just as much this season as any other season before, and I felt like I got to see a new side of my favorite little town to visit. Love is love is love…
See you soon P-town <3