A Lively Day in Provincetown, MA

Last Updated on February 23, 2024 by Travelationship

Breakfast on Cape Cod

We started our day in Yarmouth on Cape Cod and planned to spend the day in Provincetown; the first thing we did was fuel up on the way. That is where The Red Cottage Restaurant of Dennis, Ma comes in. A local and tourist favorite, the cottage only takes cash and draws the crowds for a good reason: delicious food.

I continued my quest for the world’s most fabulous French toast and sampled their French Toaster Foster, and if you are after a hint of banana liqueur with your breakfast, this is the route for you. Heather tried out the Croissant Breakfast Sandwich with a side of potatoes and smiled on her face throughout the meal. We wanted to enjoy the beautiful weather, so we took our food to go and ate it down the street in the Johnny A. Kelley Recreation Area; they have picnic tables and all kinds of outdoor facilities.

French Toaster Foster
French Toaster Foster
Croissant Breakfast Sandwich
Croissant Breakfast Sandwich

Provincetown: One Lively Town

With our appetites adequately squelched, we continued onto Provincetown. The first thing I noticed as we entered the town from the west was that everything was bicycle-friendly; it seemed to be the preferred mode of transport for folks staying in the area. Our first task was finding a parking spot, as we intended to hike to the Wood End Lighthouse. Instantaneously, we discovered why bicycles were the weapon of choice: parking was difficult.

You must hike out to Wood End as no roads are available, and the trail takes you over a breakwater-style damn that is essentially small boulders stacked in a line. It is a 3-mile round trip, and no facilities are available by the lighthouse, so prepare and take water. To read more about our lighthouse hunting on Cape Cod, head here.

multiple bicycles parked along side the road
Bicycles are the preferred method of transport.
rocks piled in a line creating a damn
You can use Breakwater Damn to walk out to Wood End Lighthouse.
guying sitting on a rock damn sketching a seaside scene
Sketching the landscape from the Breakwater Damn
crab body remains on dry sand
What’s left of Mr. Crab
a lady walking out towards a lighthouse on sand
Heather is hiking out to Wood End Lighthouse, Cape Cod

After the hike, we were ready to explore downtown P-town, as the locals call it. The main street was full of colorful shops, and we didn’t see anything resembling any chain. Heather pointed out that it was the most gay-friendly place she had ever seen, and flags displaying such were in every direction. Friendly faces greeted us in every store, even during tourist season, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

an up-close of a red store front with driftwood animals
The Little Red store, Provincetown, MA
a storefront that is displaying lbgtq flags
An open and supportive community
seamens bank building front
Seamen’s Bank, Provincetown, MA
street view of the Provincetown Town Hall building on a busy day
Provincetown Town Hall on Commercial Street

Lunch Time in P-Town

After nosing around for a while trying to pick a lunch spot, we settled on The Canteen. Outstanding decision. Heather had been looking for a place to try some lobster, and their lobster roll satisfied that craving. She described the sandwich in one word, “heavenly.”I strayed from my usual boring rotation and tried the BBQ pulled pork, which was simply delicious.

We took our food to the patio behind the restaurant in the direction of the water. Shade trees, a large community table, wall seats, and a vegetable garden create the perfect getaway from the bustle of Commercial Street. We both left The Canteen completely revitalized and supremely happy that we decided to join them for lunch.

the storefront to the canteen restaurant
The Canteen, Provincetown, MA
a lobster roll with some garnish on a piece of white butch paper
A superb Lobster Roll, The Canteen
an open pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw on a white piece of butcher paper
BBQ Pulled Pork, The Canteen
a small vegetable garden
Vegetable garden, The Canteen

The Verdict

We spent another 45 minutes peeking in more shops as we returned to the car. P-town is small, but it’s bursting at the seams with spunk; there isn’t anyone I wouldn’t recommend visiting this town. I can’t count how many stores have fliers for area activities. Art and theater are in every direction. Delicious smells wafted through the breeze, and people will undoubtedly enjoy hiking, biking, and sailing outdoors.

Travel Basics

What is Cape Cod? A Cape is a point or extension of land jutting into the water, usually a sea. Cape Cod started as a peninsula and is technically an island thanks to the Cape Cod Canal, but it will always be a cape. So it is best to let that one be, particularly with the locals.

The Red Cottage Restaurant: 36 Old Bass River Rd, South Dennis, MA 02660. Phone: (508) 394-2923 Website

The Canteen: 225 Commercial St, Provincetown, MA 02657. Phone: (508) 487-3800 Website *This is a Seasonal Restaurant*

More About Ptown: Provincetown Chamber of Commerce & Provincetown Tourist Info

Travelationship Rating

5 out of 5 Travelationship High Fives. A fantastic place for lovers of seafood, lighthouses, shopping, and all-around happy people.

shadow of two people making a heart with their hands over a sandy beach
Love Shadow, Wood End Beach, Cape Cod

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9 thoughts on “A Lively Day in Provincetown, MA”

  1. Bill, did you do web searches search simply to find topics to make rude remarks?
    If you say Provincetown is
    not a place you would ever visit, why bother to comment?

    Reply
  2. Beautiful area but unfortunately not a place for families with children. No hate here but was shocked by the entire town promoting the gay scene (over the top – tone it down!!). This public place should be for all to enjoy, with respect to all ages, sex, creed & color. There is no need to make a statement of sexuality. Just enjoy the beauty of the area as people.
    Again, beaches are great, whale watching etc, but P-town can be uncomfortable as it pushes homosexuality in your face. No need.

    Reply
  3. Provincetown was a home away from home for 25 years. We got married there and we couldn’t have had a better Wedding Day. We live in Lake Worth, Florida now and have made it back once since moving here. We just made 34 years and there are so many people to Thank. But End it with Thank You.

    Reply
    • Bill, your a complete idiot!!! Please, do us all a favor and stay away from Provincetown!! Your hatred and ignorance is NOT welcome!! And FYI, it’s limp wristed, not limp waisted! But I’m sure being wasted is something your very good at!

      Reply
  4. Thanks for celebrating Cape Cod and Provincetown. However, you referred to the Cape as an “island” in the article. It’s not an island; it’s a cape.

    Reply
  5. I don’t understand why you have a photo of the Town Hall with the caption “More shopping on Commercial Street.” You don’t shop at the Town Hall.

    Reply

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