The liveliest, most interesting town on Cape Cod is at the farthest point, where the tip curves around as if beckoning you in. Crammed with a diverse mix of shops, galleries, and eateries along vibrant Commercial Street, it’s both an artist haven and a magnet for the LGBTQ+ community. It does my heart good to see same sex couples holding hands, hugging, expressing their love openly. There’s an exciting energy in Provincetown, unlike the other serene cape villages, even in off season.
The Pilgrims, on the Mayflower, first landed in the New World in 1620 at this tip of the cape and spent five weeks there before settling in Plymouth. One accounting I read says that they depleted the natives’ cache of corn and then moved on in search of fresh water. The 252-foot Pilgrim Monument towers over the townscape. The Cape Cod School of Art, opened in 1901, drew well-known artists and literary figures.
The bay appeared now and then between the downtown buildings, a surprise sighting of sea.
At the harbor, there was a line of small shops, like kiosks, housing artwork and artisanal gifts.
The street art was dazzling…
And of course, dinner and a walk on the beach
Cape Cod: Yarmouth and Hyannis, Chatham, National Seashore, Provincetown, Yarmouth, Chapin sunset, Cape Cod Canal, Sandwich, Nor’easter, Falmouth, Woods Hole
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Ruth Rosenfeld 
Lovely photos! Provincetown looks quaint, colorful, and fun to visit.
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That it was, even in off season. An enjoyable day trip, it would be fun to spend more time there. Thanks, Diana.
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This looks like a very coozy but at the same time very funny place 🙂
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It was a picturesque, fun town that, I think, attracts interesting people. Thanks for your visit, Rudi.
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Great photos, Ruth! How I long to travel to MA shore now.
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Thanks, my friend! So many sweet little places to explore.
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Love these posts Ruth!! Lost my first cell phone at low tide near Provincetown many years back. It’s become a funny family story.
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That sounds like it would be a good story to retell and retell! It brought a smile. Thank you for being a regular reader, Bonnie!
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What an endearing town. I love the weathered shingles on the buildings. I’ve been Internet-challenged, too. Just catching up in the last few days.
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The shingled buildings are a common sight all around the cape. I’ve seen them in beach towns in other states as well. My carrier tells me my Internet speed will be increased effective Monday. Until then, loading images especially is verrrry slooow.
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I’ve heard good things about Provincetown, especially for it being LGBTQ-friendly. Aside from that, it looks to be a lovely place dedicated to street art, and I can imagine it must’ve been a fun adventure trying to find them all!
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This is just a small sampling of the art around town. I’m sure we didn’t find them all! It is a welcoming town, apparently full of creative souls.
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What a charming town. Its name suggests it should be a part of Canada 😊
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😄
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Beautiful photos. It looks like an inviting place.
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Thanks for your visit and comment, LaDonna!
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Very quaint and charming indeed, especially with all that street art. I can’t help but feel this would be a lovely place for Sladja and I to settle for a month or two doing our online thing. Thanks for bringing it to us.
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Wouldn’t that be fun! Hope you do.
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Ah, Provincetown! It’s been more than a decade since I visited there. Such fantastic vibes.
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I was only there a day, but I could feel those vibes.
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We really loved Provincetown – the art scene, the inclusivity, the location, the shingled buildings with glimpses of sea between them as you illustrate so well. It doesn’t appear to have changed a lot since the mid 1990s when we visited apart from the addition of all that wonderful street art!
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It was my first visit and it looked as though the downtown area and environs are well maintained older buildings without new development, a good thing. The atmosphere is vibrant. It’s obvious people love just being there.
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Love the street art – I envy artists who are so creative! And it’s always a great day if you can end it with a walk on the beach 😊.
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I agree, the beach walks were so calming, good for the soul. Thanks for coming along.
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Once again you’ve whetted my appetite to visit this part of the world. And yes, the street art is fabulous!
Alison
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Thanks again, Alison!
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Great post and fantastic photos, Ruth! I love places that are dripping with old-world charm and history, especially if they are located not too far from unspoiled sandy beaches. Cape Cod is definitely on my travel wish list. Thanks for sharing, and have a nice day 🙂 Aiva xx
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Glad you enjoyed the post, Aiva! The cape was an inspiring place for me. A few more posts to come.
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I love Provincetown. I’ve been a couple of times and have such fond memories of the beautiful sandy beaches and how vibrant the town is. Thanks for taking me back.
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Glad it brought back good memories for you. It is a memorable place!
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it looks amazing, you’ve put Cape Cod high on my must visit list 🙂
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It’s worth a trip!
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We visited Provincetown a couple of years ago, on a Saturday, and the town was bustling with a lively LGQBT+ parade through the streets. One of the small shops you mention sold nothing but beautifully painted small rectangular tiles. We bought one – from an artist who graduated from my alma mater. It’s a painting of a distinctive house in one of the residential areas adjacent to the town. The shop owner told us where to locate the house, so now I have the tile and the photograph side-by-side on our mantle. A beautiful keepsake!
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That sounds like a unique treasure! The parade must have been great fun. P-town is certainly a memorable place.
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Ruth, you captured P’town well. It’s a place like no other. I wonder if you ever made it to Brewster? At the very least you likely drove through it on your way off-Cape. All the best. BTW, you might enjoy my latest piece, “A Special Moment.” I don’t write as well as you, but my photos aren’t half bad.
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Hi Dave, I went to the general store in Brewster on your recommendation and it was a fun stop, picked up a few things there! The friend whose house I stayed at in Falmouth Port recommended Chapin beach, a little closer but similar in that the low tide stretches way out and the sunsets are stunning. https://ruthrosenfeld.com/2021/11/10/yarmouth-chapin-sunset/ I have fallen behind in keeping up with blogger posts since I’ve been traveling a little, but will check out yours. Thank you!
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Thrilled you went, Ruth. I came of age there and visited the store often. Family members have worked there. Wonderful tidal flats photos. You must have been amazed.
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I didn’t know this was a childhood place! How lucky you were to get to know the cape intimately.
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