Vacationing in Provincetown, MA
Provincetown Beaches Vacationing in Provincetown really does mean being nearly surrounded on three sides by water. It also means that Provincetown can offer beaches that look out on views of both sunrise and sunset. When you are vacationing in Provincetown you have an opportunity to visit two beaches that are considered part of the Cape Cod National Seashore.
Herring Cove is Provincetown’s west facing beach that provides a relaxed and magnificent view of the sunset each day, or at least each sunny day. Race Point Beach faces out on the open ocean. This is a long and beautiful beach but the water is predictably rougher and less inviting than at Herring Cove. Families with young children and some senior citizens may chose a beach with a gentler sea.
Both Herring Cove and Race Point draw good sized patronage because their beaches are ideal for walking and they seem to stretch on forever. Many people vacationing elsewhere on the Cape make the trek to the end of the Cape to enjoy these beaches but if you are vacationing in Provincetown the beaches are nearly at your doorstep.
Whale Watching When vacationing at Provincetown you may see just enough evidence of the nearness of whales from your blanket at Race Point Beach to encourage signing on at MacMillan Wharf for one of the many three hour whale watching trips that depart each day. The Dolphin Fleet trips can guarantee that patrons will see whales as they are regularly observable at feeding grounds some eight miles off the coast in Provincetown. In fact the fleet offers customers a rain check for a make up trip if no whales are spotted when you sail .
Whale watching trips customarily include the presence of a naturalist who shares his or her knowledge of whales and is available to answer your questions. The whale watching experience is an exhilarating and often skin soaking experience that can be enjoyed by the entire family.
Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum If you are vacationing in Provincetown it is almost impossible to miss this tower erected in honor of those Europeans who first came to settle in this part of the new world. But don’t just stare up, make the climb to the top of the monument and you will be rewarded with a view that reminds you that even though you are vacationing in Provincetown you are still connected to the rest of the civilized world. On clear days the view from the monument takes in the Boston skyline and hints at the mountains beyond in New Hampshire while of course also providing a great scenic view of the immediate coastline.
At the base of the monument you are welcomed to explore the Provincetown Museum. The exhibits here are as curious and intriguing as the history of Provincetown itself. Those lucky enough to be vacationing in Provincetown will be treated to a close up view of remnants of the days when Provincetown was a major fishing center but also that portion of its history when it was was a magnate for artists, writers and dramatists. If you catch a day when inclement weather keeps you from Provincetown beaches turn your disappointment around with a trip to Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum.
Among the Dunes When you are vacationing in Provincetown you are bound to encounter arguably its greatest natural attraction – the Dunes. In the 1840’s the Dunes were memorialized by author Henry David Thoreau in his book Cape Cod.
The nearly spiritual beauty of the great masses of sifting sand that mark a border with the sea have been photographed and been made the subject of verse and prose for generations. For a short time the dunes served as the location for a collection of shacks inhabited by writers, poets and dramatists most of whom had come to Provincetown in search of inspiration and the peace and quiet to apply themselves to their trade. A few of the shacks remain and are under national protection as historical entities. As awe inspiring as the dunes may appear in a book or on a postcard, when you are vacationing in Provincetown you have the chance, not to be missed, to step out upon the sands of Provincetown and explore for yourself.
At Province Lands Visitor Center you can pick up a map of the dunes area and then using common sense equip yourself to take on what is a rather demanding hike. You’ll need the sunscreen, lots of water and foot gear to protect yourself from the incessant heat of the sand. If you want a close up look at the dunes but can’t manage the hiking portion of the program you can easily sign on for a dune tour that will take you by authorized motor vehicle to a perfect viewing location on the beach.
There you can appreciate the full majesty of the dunes, catch a glimpse of the shacks and even see the Peaked Hill Life Saving Station which remains as a reminder of the manned stations long operating along what is now the National Seashore to assist survivors of ships wrecked off this rocky coast.
Shopping For some of those vacationing in Provincetown, the draw of the town isn’t the beach, the whales , the monuments or the natural beauty. There are many vacationing in Provincetown who are there in good measure for the art and the antiques.
While many say that the art colony here today in no way measures up to its predecessor , still there are a myriad of shops, galleries and studios where erstwhile artists work and display their accomplishments. For the antique lover, there is plenty of turf to cover as well. In Provincetown there is not just a collection of store fronts but a distinct feeling that you are mingling among a community of highly creative and talented people who see the world and are able to share their vision in a compelling way. Not everyone goes to Provincetown for the art but once you experience the art and antiques in Provincetown it might just be what lures you back again.
Of course what distinguishes Provincetown from every other Cape Cod town and village is the unique makeup of its visitors. In Provincetown there is an unequaled sense of freedom to be oneself. Recognizing that Provincetown is known for its tolerance, visitors here experience a genuine feeling of relaxation and openness. The variety of people that display their true selves is unbelievable, and the town, especially as the day winds down, seems to be in party or maybe more accurately parade mode. Provincetown becomes a town for, among other things, incredible people watching opportunities. Parents with families should of course take note so that they are prepared to deal with the inevitable questions their children will raise. Suffice it to say Provincetown provides many teachable moments.
