Recommendations

This is by no means the end-all-be-all list.  We probably forgot a lot of great people, but this is a good starting place.

GENERAL TIPS
If you’re looking for a place to stay last minute, check out Provincetown’s Chamber of Commerce website; inns and folks with rooms/homes will list their unbooked rentals for the week.

If you’re getting here by the ferry, keep in mind THERE ARE TWO companies who travel to and from Provincetown - Bay State Cruise Company and Boston Harbor cruises.  They travel at different times than each other so you don’t have to wait hours in between your train/flight arrival and the ferry departure.

FOR FOOD and DRINKING
The best lobster roll in Provincetown is from a place called Box Lunch. It’s the most affordable, the freshest, and there isn’t an insane line that you may find at other bigger restaurants who take advantage of the “market price” and give you a soggy, overly sauced roll.  Trust me.

There are a few places for good coffee — Kohi, Joe’s, and East End Market.  If you’re not picky, there are places all over town.

For an easy grab and go lunch, great sides, and good pastries, do Pop & Dutch or Relish.  Both of these places get pretty crowded so I recommend ordering ahead, or do like I do and eat there every day so they get to know you and when the line is too long they let you come back when things slow down to pay for your lunch.

The place we go to the most for dinner is Squealing Pig.  It’s solid, all the food options are great, and the service is quick.  Another solid option that usually has a line but moves fast is Canteen.  The seating out back is on the water and there are plenty of tables to accommodate the crowd.  

"Nice" of course is subjective, but if you're used to eating good/fresh food and you want a nice dinner, go to Sal’s, Freeman’s, Mac’s, or Liz’s.  Or get someone to drive you to Wellfleet and spend hundreds of dollars per person at Ceraldi (it's worth it).

Bars are tricky here, not because they’re not good but because there are a million of them so it’s hard to tell you where to go.  If you like more chill, “nicer” then check out Nor’Eastern, Ladyslipper (opening mid June), or Joon Bar.  

FOR SHOPPING
MAP - Awesome shop that was owned by Pauline, who passed away earlier this year. She was in Provincetown for over 30 years.  Great selection of Japanese brands like Kapital and Anonymousism in addition to rare jewelry, apparel, and a great selection of accessories like sunglasses, scarves, and socks.  This is the last season of MAP so be sure to go buy a bunch and help out her beautiful friends who are handling all the operations of the shop.

Clove and Creek - A great selection of clothes, small gifts, coffee table books, gardening supplies, and home goods.  

John Derian - One of Provincetown’s hidden gems, John’s shop is full of beautiful home goods including plates, throws, blankets, fabrics, and gifts.

Captain’s Daughters - Home goods, natural beauty products, and good teas.

Marine Specialities - Spend an hour in here looking through thousands of nautical goods, souvenirs, and gift items.  Or buy a cheap flannel and a ninja sword.  Whatever’s your flavor.

Heavy Petal - Great florist in addition to well curated home and beauty products.

FOR GROCERIES
The best selection in town is East End Market and Angel Food.  If you like nicer stuff, go here.  Avoid Stop & Shop because the produce is terrible and it’s wickedly overpriced.  May as well spend just much money on better food.  

There’s a farmers market by town hall on Saturdays.  

TOURIST-Y STUFF
If you’re here in the Summer, definitely do the whale tour (you’ll see a whole lot of ‘em) and do the Dune Tour with Art’s.

Boy Beach is fun (in a lot of ways…) but be sure to bring food and water.  It’s a trek through the moors and depending on when you go/leave, high tide brings in the water which means you may be wading in it belly-deep.  But, it’s fun.  
Pro tip: Bring a cover so you’re not trapped in the sun all day.
PRO pro tip: Don't rent a big ass boat that parks by Boy Beach.  Locals hate it and it's not cool to the swimmers and sun bathers to be gawked at by guys partying on boats.  

Rent a bike.  If you don’t mind walking a ton, a bike isn’t necessary, but you’ll get around town way quicker if you have a bike.  

*The Shows* of the week are Showgirls, Dina Martina, and Varla Jean Merman.  If you’re planning your week in Provincetown and aren’t booking these shows, you’re blowing it.

Fag Bash is *the* weekly dance party you’ll want to attend.

PERSONAL STUFF
There are a few places for meetings every day if you are in AA or al-anon.  

There are barbers on the West End of town.

There is a chapter of Cape Cod AIDS Support Group in Provincetown.  For testing info please visit their site.

ETCETERA 
Don’t be a dumb bitch when you’re in restaurants or retail shops.  Most of the people who work here live here and we’re not on your vacation.  None of us are charmed by grown men who act like they’re teenagers.  Don’t ask dumb questions, don’t ask sales associates to throw away your empty iced coffee cup (there are plenty of trash cans along Commercial St.), and be sure to tip your servers and bartenders at least 20%.

And if you’re a gay guy reading this, women and non-binary people are awesome and make Provincetown just as much (or more?) special as the guys do.  Some of y’all think it’s cute to talk shit about the presence of trans-women, women, and non-binary folks in this town.  If you’re one of those people, keep outta my shop.  The Old Baby is for cool people only.