In New England, the month of July is usually when we have our best weather and over the years we’ve traveled to Cape Cod, Massachusetts. It’s been a family tradition that my oldest daughter is continuing with my grandchildren. We spent a wonderful day visiting and learning about the vibrant history of Provincetown at the tip of what is known as the “Lower Cape.” There’s so many fun things to do for kids and adults alike in this quaint, nautical, colorful seaside town.
Provincetown Vacation
Must See Things To Do in P-Town
Among the family-friendly activities are climbing Pilgrim Monument; dune tours, shopping for handcrafted souvenirs and casual and fine dining.
You don’t have to wait for a rainy day to drive up the Mid-Cape highway (also known as Route 6.) It’s about an hour’s ride from Hyannis.
The Town Crier can give you some terrific news about the daily happenings in this colorful community on the Cape.
Some of our favorite things that we’ve done on our visits, among my favorite family-friendly suggestions on the list of recommendations of things to do in Provincetown are:
Dune Tours
Take the kids on one of the daily one hour narrated tour trips through the historic sand dunes and the National Seashore Park.
We traveled in air-conditioned comfort in a Suburban past dune shacks where famous artists and writers such as Eugene O’Neill and Harry Kemp once took up residence for the summer.
Race Point Lighthouse Tours and Sunset/Clambake tours also depart from Standish Street.
For More Information: Art’s Dune Tours
Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum
If you’re in shape, you’ll want to chase the kids to the top of Pilgrim Monument and the Provincetown Museum.
The Museum was hosting an exhibition on the Whydah pirate ship at the time we visited.
The Pilgrim Monument commemorates the history of the Mayflower Pilgrims, their arrival and stay in Provincetown Harbor, and the signing of the Mayflower Compact. It is the tallest all-granite structure in the United States. Visitors can walk to the top on a series of stairs and ramps. During the climb, you’ll see many interior stones donated by cities, towns, and organizations from all over the United States.
The view from the top is Magnificent!
Each Wednesday and Friday during the summer in July and August at 9:30 a.m., the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum offer a walking tour of the historic sites in P-Town. The Wednesday tour is co-sponsored with the Cape Cod National Seashore.
For More Information: Pilgrim Monument
Art Colony
Provincetown is also recognized as the country’s oldest continuous arts colony, as well as famous for its theater, fishing and whaling industries.
In 1916, the Boston Globe ran a front-page story titled, “Biggest Art Colony in the World in Provincetown.” Hans Hofmann, Franz Kline, Mark Rothko, Blanche Lazzell, Milton Avery, Jack Tworkov, Norman Rockwell and Edward Hopper are only a handful of well-known artists with ties to Provincetown.
We brought a picnic lunch and sat along the benches on the harbor, watching the whale-watching tour boats go out. We took my own girls on the whale-watch tours when they were a little older. We opted not to take the 3 young grandkids, on the trip this year.
There’s plenty to do and see on MacMillan Pier in P-Town
Wear a Handmade Face Mask from Moomettes Crochet Shop when out and about this nautical Cape Cod town !
Check out How to Get Free Museum Passes from your local library!
For More Information Visit: Provincetown Tourism Office
Do you have any favorite places to visit on The Cape?
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