One of the best things about a Cape Cod getaway is that there are so many beautiful towns to explore. A Provincetown day trip offers a little bit of everything — history, shopping, outdoor activities, and tours. And in between these activities, there’s great food to eat at the town’s restaurants.
At Candleberry Inn Cape Cod Bed & Breakfast, we’ve put together a sample itinerary for a day trip to Provincetown Massachusetts. If you’re looking for even more things to do, check out our Cape Cod getaway guide.
Have Breakfast at Candleberry Inn
Before you leave for your Provincetown day trip, you’ll want to have breakfast at Candleberry Inn. We make a fresh, gourmet breakfast with local ingredients from area farms and stands every morning.
We serve a course of fresh fruit, which is personally chosen by innkeeper Angelo early each morning. The fruit goes well with our hot main dish, which is inspired by our Italian heritage — alternating between savory and sweet daily. We’re happy to work around dietary restrictions with a heads-up.
Additionally, we offer a full drink service with high-quality coffee, espresso, juice, and tea. We can make you a Brewster Sunrise too, which is a tasty Cape Cod specialty breakfast drink.
Our breakfast will give you the energy that you need for the drive to Provincetown. In less than an hour, you’ll be ready to experience all that the town has to offer.
Morning Things to Do in Provincetown Cape Cod
When you arrive in Provincetown, you’ll have time to experience a couple of things before it’s time for lunch. Here’s what we recommend first for your Provincetown day trip.
Explore the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum
As you approach Provincetown Massachusetts, the Pilgrim Monument is the first thing that you’ll probably notice. This 252-foot-tall monument commemorates the arrival of the Mayflower Pilgrims.
In 1907, the cornerstone of the monument was laid by President Theodore Roosevelt. Then, it was dedicated by President William Howard Taft in 1910. Today, you can follow the 116 stairs and 60 ramps to the top for a view of the harbor, Provincetown lighthouses, and the distant Boston skyline.
Also in 1910, the first museum building on Cape Cod was opened at the base of the monument. The Provincetown Museum is home to permanent exhibits that highlight the Pilgrims’ arrival, the town’s maritime history, the monument’s construction, and the early days of modern theatre.
Shop on Commercial Street
Since it’s so close to the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum, now is a great time to explore Commercial Street. This street is the heart of commerce in the town — hence the name.
Commercial St runs for 2.5 miles from Route 6A to Pilgrims’ First Landing Park. For much of it, you’ll pass dozens of cute boutiques, galleries, gift shops, and more. The lively waterfront resembles that of a New England coastal village.
Since 1916 Provincetown has been known as an artist’s colony, attracting painters of every genre mainly because of the quality of light that is unique in this location of the Cape and the country. There are several dozen art studios and galleries on Commercial Street, that you may visit, and personally meet the artists – and maybe buy some art.
Some of our favorite galleries include Hilda Neilly, Borsari Gallery, Cortile Gallery, and Thanassi Gallery, just to name a few. You can also visit the Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM) which showcases 100+ years of local arts and culture.
Grab Lunch at a Provincetown Restaurant
While you’re on Commercial Street, it’s the perfect time to stop by a restaurant for lunch before exploring more of Provincetown. Below are a few of our favorite lunch spots.
Far Land Provisions
It’s safe to say that Far Land Provisions is always a bustling spot. The corner store and deli has an on-site bakery with made-to-order sandwiches and prepared foods.
For 15 years, the sandwiches have been named the best by Cape Cod Life magazine. Far Land Provisions only uses the finest, local ingredients, and you can get a treat for dessert or a snack for later as well.
Lobster Pot
There’s nothing like a lobster meal, and you can experience some of the freshest lobster in the country at Lobster Pot. The lobster is made in a variety of ways — baked stuffed, boiled, pan-roasted, and more.
Also, there are many other seafood options on the menu — calamari, clams, scallops, shrimp, and a range of baked, blackened, braised, and grilled fish. There are chicken, steak, and burger options too.
If you want lobster takeout for a picnic, stop by the Lobster Pot Express location down the street.
The Canteen
With a style rooted in classic seafood shack tradition,The Canteen makes all of its dishes from scratch. It’s known for its lobster roll, which you can order hot or cold.
You can get other rolls — such as clam and oyster — as well as seafood plates, sandwiches, tacos, and more. The French fries are cut fresh from Maine potatoes daily. Gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options are also available.
Provincetown Things to Do in the Afternoon
After filling your belly with delicious food, you’ll be ready to take on some outdoor activities on your Provincetown day trip. We recommend biking and hiking to area beaches and lighthouses — routes for which we’ve detailed below.
Bike to Race Point Lighthouse & Beach
Not far from Commercial Street, you can stop by Provincetown Bike Rentals and take a bike ride on the Provincetown Lands Bike Trail. A fantastic place to start on the trail is the Province Lands Visitor Center, which is part of the Cape Cod National Seashore and is located off Race Point Road on a dune.
You can follow the bike trail to Race Point Lighthouse and Race Point Beach. The current lighthouse was built in 1876 and remains an active aid to the United States Coast Guard.
While you’re here, you can visit the Old Harbor Life-Saving Station Museum where breeches buoy rescue reenactments are done in the summer. After you’ve explored all of Race Point, you can follow the trail south to Herring Cove Beach.
Keep in mind that this trail has some sharp turns, steep hills, and tunnels.
Hike to Wood End Light & Long Point Light Station
From Herring Cove Beach on Cape Cod Bay, you can follow a hiking trail to Boy Beach, beginning a trek along the curl at the tip of the Cape that extends into Provincetown Harbor. This small peninsula has a 6.4-mile loop trail that takes you to two lighthouses and beaches.
The first tower that you’ll come across is Wood End Light. The 39-foot lighthouse was built in 1896 and is accompanied by a keeper’s house, oil house, and storage shed.
Continuing to follow the trail, you’ll eventually come to Long Point Beach. Keep going to the very tip of the curl, and you’ll come to Long Point Light Station. This tower was built in 1875, is identical to Wood End Light, and is powered by solar panels.
When you’re ready to return, you can follow the trail back and turn north to cross the Provincetown Causeway, which crosses the harbor. At the end, you’ll come to Pilgrims’ First Landing Park, which is at the end of Commercial Street.
Savor a Provincetown Cape Cod Dinner
After biking and hiking during your Provincetown day trip, you’re likely to have worked up an appetite. Fortunately, there are several fantastic restaurants on Commercial St where you can enjoy dinner. Here are a few of our top picks.
The Mews Restaurant & Cafe
Since 1964, The Mews Restaurant & Cafe has been providing a comfortable place for visitors to enjoy good drinks and food. The gourmet cuisine is made with the finest seasonal ingredients — including grass-fed meat and wild game, free-range poultry, fresh seafood, and organic produce.
You can eat in either the lower-level dining room with views of the beach or in the upstairs dining room with a view of the harbor. In both cases, you’ll get an award-winning experience.
Fanizzi’s
Frequented by locals, Fanizzi’s waterfront restaurant on Cape Cod Bay in Provincetown is open year-round and has an amazing menu that is sure to please. Enjoy your favorite American seafood entrees and sides in a casual atmosphere.
Strangers & Saints
At Strangers & Saints, you can experience a menu that’s influenced by Greece, Italy, Morocco, Spain, and Turkey. You can order seafood, pasta, and more; and all of the dough is made fresh every day. The menu includes some awesome cocktails, beer on tap, and a nice selection of wine too.
Jimmy’s HideAway
Considered a “hidden jewel” among the restaurants in Provincetown, Jimmy’s HideAway serves a range of deliciously hearty American food — choice meats, local seafood, a special comfort food menu, and nightly specials. And, the cocktails are made with top-shelf liquors and fresh fruits and vegetables.
End Your Provincetown Day Trip With a Sunset Dunes Tour
If you have dinner early enough, you can schedule a sunset tour with Art’s Dune Tours afterward. Watching the sky change color over the Atlantic Ocean from atop the dunes is a magical way to end your Provincetown day trip. The tour lasts for 2 to 2.5 hours.
You have the option to book a sunset tour with dinner or with dinner and a bonfire.
Return to Candleberry Inn for the Night
When you’ve completed your dunes sunset tour, you can head back to Candleberry Inn for a good night of sleep. We have luxury rooms and suites and a slew of on-site amenities, including a pantry to prepare a snack upon your return.
Find a room for your Cape Cod travel dates today. We can even help you plan your day trip to Provincetown or another town on the Cape!
