Featured Gay Friendly Hotel in Provincetown

Gay Provincetown

The little seaside town of Provincetown has been a favorite destination for gay and lesbian travelers for decades. This vibrant community of Provincetown is comprised of a truly unique mixture of contracts. City-slickers and nature-loverss, artists and lawyers, straight and gay. If you're looking for things to do during your stay, look no further!

Provincetown, on the very tip of Cape Cod in Massachusetts, has a rich history, most famously known as the location where the Pilgrims first landed back in 1620. There is much for the history buff to explore from a climb up the stairs of the 252-foot granite Pilgrim Monument to a visit to the 120-year-old Old Harbor Life-Saving Station or you can dive deep into the town's rich maritime history with a tour of the Provincetown Museum. But while history is every-present in the small town, a lot of the vibrant energy comes from a thriving culture. Gettitng to Provincetown isn't difficult; it's just a 90-minute fast ferry ride from Boston, or you can reach it with small charter flights to Cape Cod if you want to avoid summer traffic on the busy roads to the Cape.

Provincetown Gay Scene

Affectionally called “P-Town,” gays and lesbians frist started visiting in the 1960s when it was predominantly a colony for eccentric artists, radical politicos and anyone else who shunned the status quo. Today, gay Provincetown has is increasingly diverse playground – specifically during the summer months when gays and lesbians mingle with straight tourists. Among straight couples walking hand-in-hand, you’ll see LGBTQ couples pushing strollers and twenty-something gay club-kids ready to party. P-Town has always been known as a town that embraces its LGBTQ following and welcomes travelers from all over the world.

Commercial Street is the main hub of activity for Provincetown, and it's common to LGBTQ couples and families walking the pedestrian-only street. Nightlife at the many gay bars and clubs attracts LGBTQ travelers year-round. Provincetown hosts a gay pride festival in June, though the biggest queer event of the year is Provincetown Carnival in August. The Provincetown Business Guild puts out regular guides to the city with the best LGBTQ-owned restaurants, bars, clubs, events, and parties which you'll find in countless hotels and venues around town. 

When to Visit Provincetown

What is the best week to visit Provincetown? You might think it’s in the summer when the weather is warm, the beaches are flocked with weekenders, or when the famous carnival crowds the streets with color. And while that's definitelyy the most popular time of year to visit Provincetown, there's a surprising amount of things happening in town year-round. If you can’t visit during the peak tourist weeks around the biggest events, don’t worry: there’s never a dull moment in Provincetown!

Be warned, though: the biggest events and festivals draw in huge crowds which can make finding accommodation very difficult. Make sure you book a hotel in Provincetown as early as possible to make sure you can visit during weekends in July and August. 

Provincetown Activities & Attractions

In addition to a pulsing nightlife, Provincetown has sunny beaches , sweeping sand dunes, nature trails, wharfs, and bikeable roads. Like all towns on Cape Cod, there’s ample shopping at quaint boutiques, especially along Commercial Street, which also is dotted with art galleries, restaurants, and souvenir shops. The other main drag in P-Town is Bradford Street where you'll find a lot of the boutique hotels and bed-and-breakfast inns.

Herring Cove Beach

If you're looking for a classic beach day in Provincetown, head over to Race Point Beach where you can enjoy vistas of the coastline and the Cape's classic dunes. Nearby is Herring Cove Beach, which offers not only warm waters but the perfect location to take in a stunning sunset. 

Commercial Street

With an abundance of shops, museums, galleries, and eateries, you could spend hours exploring downtown's main drag along Commercial Street. This stroll is a great way to take in a piece of Provincetown's culture and offers ample opportunity to pick something up from your usual souvenir shop. If you get hungry, grab a Street Pie from the beloved Connie's Bakery.

Cape Cod Provincelands Trail

Grab one of AWOL'S onsite Sole cruiser bikes or rent one from Provincetown Bike Rentals, before hitting this 5.25 mile paved trail  (with an option to make it a longer ride if you'd like). You'll venture through sandy dunes, pine forests and even cranberry bogs. After you've seen the sights, take a dip and cool off at Bennett Pond.

Provincetown Art Association and Museum

Provincetown boasts a robust art community, anchored by the Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM) on the Easts End of Commercial Street. Exhibitions continually change and many of the displays are from local artists who have drawn inspiration from the Cape's natural beauty. Nearby and throughout the East end, you'll find many small, independent art galleries. Visit on a Friday night in the summer when most galleries open their doors and offer the opportunity to meet local or visiting artists over a glass of wine. 

Gay-Friendly Dining in Provincetown

You could spend two weeks in Provincetown, make a reservation at a different restaurant every night, and still have restaurants that you didn't have time to sample! Local seafood, prepared in sophisticated nouvelle and traditional Portuguese or New England styles, is a major raison d'etre of the local cuisine.

Nor East Beer Garden

The food, service and atmosphereare top notch at this local eatery. Enjoy delicious seafood and a great vibe!

Local 186

This bistro is set away from the main hustle and bustle of Commerical Street, providing a great location to enjoy craft beers and locally sourced beef burgers.

The Canteen

This small seafood shack might look small from its entrance right on Commercial Street, but there's a large yard in the back that runs right up onto the beach. Come herer for the lobster roll and frozen rosé wine! It's a popular restaurant, but it's a fun atmosphere and a great place to have some drinks and snacks.

Gay-Friendly Bars & Nightlife in Provincetown

With such a huge LGBT community, it’s no shock that Provincetown has a ton of gay bars and clubs that will keep the party going all night long! Dancing is a big draw and several clubs cater to a raw explosion of energy. Don't miss afternoon tea dances and nighttime frenzies; they're an integral part of the summertime magic.

Crown and Anchor

Enjoy a cocktail and meet both the locals and travelers; Crown & Anchor caters to a variety of scenes. Complete with several dance areas and seating areas to suit; friends can gather and enjoy one of Ptown’s finest social establishments. Crown & Anchor, a Provincetown staple, is the town's largest entertainment venue. Enjoy a show in the Cabaret Room, which may include theater performances by Tony and Grammy-winning actors.

Atlantic House (A-House)

This is sometimes noted as the oldest gay bar in America. With three different club spaces and dance floors, A-House is buzzing on the weekends with a crowd of all ages. Eugene O’Neill and Tennessee Williams were known to visit the the club when they lived in Ptown.

The Boatslip Tea Dance

Don't miss the biggest gay event of the summer in Provincetown; it's hard not to because it happens every day! The Tea Dance at the Boatslip Resort takes place every day from 4pm to 7pm. It’s worth the entrance price for the party because the music is great, the drinks are strong, and the people are friendly. The dock underneath has a repuation as a cruising spot late at night.

Safety

Provincetown is a very safe destination and the local community there is very supportive of tourism which drives most of the local economy. That being said, be mindful of pick-pockets at some of the gay bars, and if you rent a bicycle for your holiday, always make sure to lock it up. 

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