Since the entire town of Provincetown is only three miles long and about two blocks wide, staying at The Brass Key Guesthouse makes walking around town a breeze. We are centrally located — a leisurely walk to most of the shops, galleries, restaurants and nightclubs. During the summer, Commercial Street virtually becomes a pedestrian mall — but keep an eye out for bicycles!
Bicycles
Possibly the best way to get around Provincetown and to tour the spectacular National Seashore. We highly recommend the use of Kryptonite-style locks throughout Provincetown.
Rental Cars
Enterprise 800.736.8222 locally 508.487.0009 www.enterprise.com
Taxis
Rates are based on distance and the number of occupants: in town, $3/person; to Herring Cove, $4-$5/person; to Provincetown airport, $5/person. Queen Cab, 508.487.5500; Cape Cab, 508.487.2222; Mercedes Cab, 508.487.3333; Jody's Taxi, 508-487-0265
Escorted Tours
Provincetown also offers numerous guided tours of the town, the surrounding waters & seashore:
If by land,
DUNE TOURS. Surprisingly entertaining one-hour guided tours past the dune shacks and Pilgrim Lake in North Truro to the beach in four-wheel-drive GMC Suburbans. Art’s Dune Tours. Standish (at Commercial). 508.487.1950. www.artsdunetours.com
TROLLEY. Provides narrated overview of attractions. Touristy, but informative. departs every half hour (hourly, evenings). Board in front of Town Hall (Commercial at Ryder). 508.487.9483. www.provincetowntrolley.com
If by sea,
WHALE WATCH CRUISES. Provincetown’s whale watch fleet locates dolphins and whales at the northern end of a 4,000 mile migratory path. Whale watches venture into the Atlantic for 3 to 4 hours; warm clothing and sunscreen are musts. All depart from MacMillan Wharf. We particularly recommend The Dolphin Fleet. Discount coupons available from the innkeeper. 508.349.1900. www.whalewatch.com
SAILING CRUISES. Day sails and sunset sails. We recommend the Bay Lady II (73’ schooner). 2-hour sail. MacMillan Wharf. 508.487.9308. www.sailcapecod.com
FLYER’S BOATYARD. Departing hourly, their launch will drop you and your lunch across the harbor; you agree with your skipper on a pick-up time. Also rents skiffs, Hobie Cats, sailboats. 131A Commercial — rear (between Pleasant & Franklin). 508.487.0898. www.flyersboats.com
Twenty miles of Cape Cod National Seashore—including ocean beaches, sand dunes, salt marshes, woodlands and ponds—surrounds Provincetown. www.nps.gov/caco/index.htm Parking fees (summer only): $15/day; $45/yr.
HERRING COVE. For a family day at the beach, stay right. For Provincetown’s most popular gay beach stay left. The first stretch is primarily lesbian, and then the beach is primarily gay male. Although practiced by some, topless and nude sunbathing is not legal. (The parking lot often fills before noon on weekends).
RACE POINT. Popular beach (primarily straight) offers smoother sand than Herring Cove. Nearby PROVINCELANDS VISITOR CENTER offers exhibits on the Seashore and early Provincetown. Race Point Road. 508.487.1256.
LONG POINT. With its picturesque lighthouse and unique perspective back to town, Long Point is accessible via Flyer’s Boatyard.
WOOD END. Virtually deserted, Wood End is accessed via the stone breakwater at the foot of Commercial at Pilgrim Landing Park. In return for that hike, you may have the beach to yourself. Note: the breakwater is partially submerged at some high tides.
HEAD OF THE MEADOW (TRURO) & MARCONI (WELLFLEET) These scenic Atlantic beaches enjoy surf, particularly after summer storms.
Deep-sea Fishing. The Cee Jay and Captain Bill. Half-day party fishing (tackle provided). MacMillan Wharf. 508.487.4330 or 508.487.2353.
Four Wheel Drive/Off-Road.
RACE POINT. Use that SUV in the way God intended! With proper equipment & permit, you can trek off to outermost beaches for fun, fishing or solitude.
Tennis:
HERRING COVE TENNIS CLUB’S. Clay courts. At end of Bradford Ext. 508.487-9512 Or, HIGH SCHOOL. Across from 12 Winslow (off Bradford). Or, PROVINCETOWN TENNIS CLUB. 280 Bradford. 508.487.9574.
Golf
HIGHLAND GOLF LINKS. 9-hole course. Waterfront bluff; overlooks historic lighthouse. Highland Road in Truro. 508.487.9201. Try this website for a listing of all the golf courses on Cape Cod. www.golfcapecod.com
Kite Flying:
OUTERCAPE KITES. Seashore beaches are famous for kite flying. Ryder Street (at harbor). 508.487.6133.
MUSSEL BEACH. Circuit training; free weights. Sauna, tanning. Aerobics, spinning classes. 35 Bradford (at Conant). 508.487.0001. www.musselbeach.net
PROVINCETOWN GYM. On Shank Painter (between Court & Captain Bertie). 508.487.2776.
BLUE DAY SPA. 372 Commercial.508-487-5506. www.bluday.com
JONATHAN WILLIAMS SALON. 139a Bradford. 508-487-0422. www.jonathanwilliamssalonandspa.com
LANDS END MASSAGE. 374 Commercial. 508-487-3494. 508-360-1615 Cell. www.landsendmassage.com
MICHAEL PERRY MASSAGE. 19 Court. 508-487-5515. www.michaelperrymassage.com
PTOWN MASSAGE. 182 Commercial. 508-487-3411. www.ptownmassage.com
SHUI SPA. 82 Bradford.508-487-6767 ext. 525. www.shuispa.com
SNIP SALON. 182 Commercial. 508-487-3500
WEST END SALON AND SPA. 155 Commercial. 508-487-1872. www.westendsalon.com
The town is listed in The National Register of Historic Places, because of the architectural charm of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century stores, homes, and churches.
DUNE SHACKS. A hike across the sands will bring you to Provincetown’s famous “dune shacks,” the simple beach cabins of numerous artists and writers during the past century. Access from Race Point, Snail Road or via dune tours.
LONG POINT HOUSES. Marked by placards, these “floated over” houses were originally built at Long Point at the very tip of the Cape until they were floated over the harbor in the early 1800s. Primarily in the West End.
MAYFLOWER COMPACT. Provincetown was the first landfall made by the Pilgrims in 1620. Here they completed their plan for governance. A bas relief commemorating this event is located behind Town Hall on Bradford (at Ryder).
OLDEST HOUSE. Built of shipwreck materials c. 1746. Recently rebuilt. Private. 72 Commercial.
PILGRIM MONUMENT. From its observation deck, the 252’ tower offers a panorama of Cape Cod. Museum. High Pole Hill, off Winslow. Daily to 4:15pm. 508.487.1310. www.pilgrim-monument.org
PROVINCETOWN ART ASSOCIATION AND MUSEUM. Exhibits works from the American art collection, contemporary artist members, and other renowned artists. 460 Commercial. 508.487.1750. www.paam.org
WHYDAH EXHIBITION. Pirate ship wrecked on the Cape in 1717 and rediscovered in 1984. MacMillan Wharf. 508.487.3688. www.whydah.com
NEW ART CINEMA. 237 Commercial. Second floor of Whalers Wharf. 508.487.9222. www.newartcinemas.com
WELLFLEET Rainy day matinees. Also weekend flea market. Cape Cod’s only drive in theater. Rte. 6, Wellfleet. 508.349.7176. www.driveintheatre.net
Provincetown offers a changing repertoire; we suggest consulting www.ptowntix.com for schedule and pricing.
THE NEW PROVINCETOWN PLAYERS. 238 Bradford St. 800.791.7487 or 508.487.7487 for schedules and tickets. www.newprovincetownplayers.org
Clustered in the East End. Summer hours: 11am-10pm; some close briefly afternoons. The Friday night gallery stroll is a Provincetown tradition.
ADDISON GALLERY. Features regional artists. Examples of their works are located within the guesthouse. 43 South Orleans Road (Rte 28) in Orleans. Toll-free 800.654.5888. www.addisonart.com
BERTA WALKER GALLERY. Representing nationally-known Provincetown-affiliated artists. 208 Bradford. 508.487.6411. www.bertawalker.com
HARVEY DODD GALLERY. Dodd’s artwork in varied media, subject matter and approach. 437 Commercial. 508.487.3329. www.harveydodd.com
JULIE HELLER GALLERY. Artists who established Provincetown as an important art colony. 2 Gosnold (on the beach). 508.487.2169. www.juliehellergallery.com
PACKARD GALLERY. Sweeping landscapes by Cynthia and Anne Packard. 418 Commercial. 508.487.4690. www.packardgallery.com
PROVINCETOWN ART ASSOCIATION AND MUSEUM. Exhibits works from the American art collection, contemporary artist members, and other renowned artists. 460 Commercial. 508.487.1750. www.paam.org
SCHOOLHOUSE CENTER. Four galleries including one dedicated to photography. 494 Commercial. 508.487.4800. www.theschoolhousegalleries.com
WILLIAM-SCOTT GALLERY. Artists include John DiMestico, John Dowd. 439 Commercial. 508.487.4040. www.williamscottgallery.com
WOLFARTH GALLERIES. The students of the Cape Cod School. Also contemporary photography. Whaler’s Wharf — Commercial 508.487-6569.
The following are a sampling chosen for their variety. Unless noted, all restaurants (exc. take-out) accept American Express, MasterCard & VISA. By town ordinance, restaurants and bars are non-smoking. A collared shirt or blouse and Bermuda walking shorts will suffice at any summer dinner; khakis or jeans and a sweater are appropriate in the spring or fall. Jackets & ties are rarely seen at even the finest restaurants.
Superior, Fine Dining:
Highly Recommended:
Casual Dining, Local Color:
Delivery/Take Out:
Bars & Nightclubs:
Dance bars have a primarily gay clientele although all are always welcome at any club. Cover charges ($5+) often apply, particularly during high season. All are easy walking distance. Closing is 1am.
