Day Trip: Provincetown

Get Lost in Provincetown

On the very tip of Cape Cod, Provincetown is a unique blend of old-fashioned fishing village and hip arts community. Its narrow streets are lined with charming old homes and its main thoroughfare, Commercial Street is filled with unique shops, top-notch art galleries and inviting restaurants. It’s a great place to spend a day because there’s so much to do. Provincetown was selected by the National Historical Society as one of the top 12 historic places in the country. While Provincetown is known for its vibrant downtown and arts scene, there are also incredible natural landscapes to explore.

Explore Long Point:

At the tip of Cape Cod, Long Point is the perfect location if you’re looking to get away from it all. This rugged landscape features breathtaking views of Provincetown from across the harbor, plus the awe-inspiring sight of the expansive blue Atlantic. This protected land is teeming with wildlife, from a wide variety of birds to fish, starfish, and other sea creatures. Long Point Lighthouse is one of the main features of this area. This picturesque old lighthouse is tucked behind grassy dunes, overlooking Long Point Beach. Spend the day swimming, exploring, and bathing in the warm summer sun to get the most out of this unique spot; you’ll feel like you’re at the end of the Earth.

Ride the Long Point Shuttle from Flyer’s Boat Rentals

During peak season, the Long Point Shuttle leaves from MacMillian Pier every hour. The shuttle also stops for pick-ups at the Boatyard dock in the West End at ten past the hour. Take the shuttle in the morning to spend the entire day on Long Point. You can also rent a boat from Flyers Boat Rentals to cruise around Provincetown Harbor on your way to Long Point.

Walk the Causeway

If you’re feeling adventurous, embark on the 6-mile loop across the Provincetown Causeway (a long jetty) to get to Long Point Light and back to Commercial Street. The trail begins at Pilgrims Landing at the end of Commercial Street. Make sure to time your trip around the low tide, as the causeway is not accessible during high tide. There is no shade, so pack water and snacks. The 1.25-mile jetty can get congested during peak season; we recommend bringing a mask in case passing other hikers at a safe distance is impossible.

Hike along the Beach

If you want to make a day out of it, embark on the 8-mile loop that starts in the far end of the South Parking Lot at Herring Cove Beach. At first, you’ll walk through vegetation, but the path turns into beach pretty quickly. We recommend packing food and plenty of water and making a day out of it. The trail passes by the Wood End Lighthouse at mile 2, and you’ll get to Long Point Light at mile 4.

Bike the Province Lands Trail:

A great way to enjoy Provincetown's natural environment is to rent a bike for the day at one of the many local bike shops. While there are many places in Provincetown to explore by bike, we recommend the stunning Province Lands Bike Trail. This 5-mile intermediate loop navigates around the Province Lands, passing pine forests, sandy dunes, ocean, and cranberry bogs, with access points at Race Point Beach, Herring Cove Beach, the Province Lands Visitor Center, and the Beech Forest Parking Lot.

Start at the Province Lands Visitors Center. Turn left on the trail and travel 1 mile to Race Point Beach. At Race Point, stretch your legs, admire the ocean, and check out the Life-Saving Station nestled in the dunes. From there, continue to the main loop of the trail. You'll pass large dunes, oak trees, and a sweeping view of the ocean on the right. In about 3 miles, you'll reach the Herring Cove Beach spur, an extension of the Province Lands trail that adds two miles (round trip) onto the loop. If you've brought food with you, Herring Cove is a beautiful place to enjoy lunch and rest on the beach. There is signage to direct you to Herring Cove if you so choose. One mile after crossing Province Lands Road, you'll turn right to pass through a tunnel. Stay on that road to get to the beach.

Otherwise, stay on the main loop to head toward Bennett Pond. Here, sandy dunes fade into pine forests. This stretch of trail is peaceful and void of the sound of traffic. Riders will pass a lush forested landscape as well as cranberry bogs. The Beech Forest Parking lot and picnic area offer views of Blackwater Pond. Those who love to hike will want to return later to wander along the Beech Forest Trail, an excellent place for bird watching. The final mile of the Province Lands Trail features a hilly section. Beginner riders may choose to walk their bike up the steeper hills in this section. When you return to the Visitors Center, take the time to learn about the history and natural environment of the area you just explored. This summer, park rangers are staffing outdoor information stations and providing short orientation talks. Remember to wear a helmet and ride with care through the sandy sections of the trail. Follow state guidelines by social distancing and bring your mask in case there are many people on the trail.