Hello. Welcome ~ we wish we could give you a big hug and share all of our usual favorites with you: dancing and bonfires, eating and drinking, flirting and kissing … Following our state and local guidelines, we won’t be hosting any events this year. We are looking forward to next year when the pandemic is under control. Meanwhile, some of you may visit Ptown this summer. Many of our friends are open for business and would love for you to stop by.
Please enjoy Girl Splash – the Self-Serve edition. Since we can’t gather, it is a good time to spread out and explore. We have listed many of our favorite things to do, see, eat, and buy. Your support of local and women owned businesses is appreciated. Local businesses have social distancing policies to keep everyone safe. Masks are required in Provincetown. Take this time to explore different parts of Provincetown.
A Day at the Beach
There is nothing like a day at the beach to melt your cares away. Especially when you have picked up a great book, fun snacks, and some new clothes in town. While Provincetown is surrounded by great beaches, here are a few favorites:
Herring Cove ~ Lesbian Beach
Go to Cape Cod National Seashore, Herring Cove and turn to the left parking lot. Drive to the far end, opposite the Bathhouse and Farland. Head over the dune to the beach and head left. Find your own slice of heaven and enjoy. There are services at the bathhouse and Farland at the Beach is open. There are no lifeguards on duty.
Long Point ~ Get Away from it all
Take Flyers shuttle from MacMilliam Pier and head out to Long Point Light. There is plenty of space to spread out on the very end of the world (as we know it ;) ). Bring everything you need, there are no services. The shuttle runs every hour.
Walk the walk
Vacations are for leisurely walks and easy conversations. Walking and biking trails crisscross Provincetown from a morning walk at low tide, to sun dappled forest rambles, to adventures across the dunes. Be sure to take some water, bug repellant, and sunscreen with you; and maybe a little snack too.
Beech Forest
The first left when you enter Cape Cod National Seashore on Race Point Road will bring you to the Beech Forest. Several easy trails circle the small pond. Birds are usually easy to spot in the trees.
Snail Road
Go out of town on Route 6 till you get to Snail Road. Park along Snail Road or Route 6; the path starts on the east bound side of Rt. 6 Many enjoy the 1.3 mile trail over the sand dunes to the ocean. Walking up and down the sandy dunes can be fairly challenging especially on a hot day. You'll be able to cool off with a swim once you reach the beach. Take water, sunscreen, and everything you need; there are no services.
Low Tide Bay Side
When the tide goes out, the beaches on the Bay side of town are fun to explore. The beach is very flat and the water can be very shallow. The far east and far west end of town are especially nice and typically sparsely populated.
Animal Adventures
Provincetown is surrounded by the ocean and several companies will take you to sea in search of marine wildlife.
Whale Watches
The Dolphin Fleet is New England’s first and finest whale watch company. Their big blue and white ships provide a comfortable ride for you marine animal adventures. Skilled captains and crew find whales, seals, dolphins, and more and provide a detailed narrative of the ocean ecosystem. You can find them at the end of MacMilliam Pier.
Seal Tour
Flyers Boat rentals offer guided seal tours. An estimated 50,000 seals call Cape Cod home. Flyers takes small privet groups on a tour of Cape Cod Bay to spot some of our local wildlife. Check their facebook page for details and schedule.
Seals on the Beach
Drive over to Head of the Meadow Beach in North Truro and head north along the beach for 1/3 mile. You can often see seals hauled out on the beach at low tide. At times, hundreds gather to take a break from the ocean. NOAA requires 150 ft of social distancing between you and the seals.
Outdoor Adventures
Provincetown is surrounded by Cape Cod National Seashore with sun dappled forests and sunny sand dunes. Practice social distancing and get out and explore our beautiful parks. By foot, by bike, by boat, by dune buggy; there are many ways to explore and enjoy.
Rent a Bike
Ptown Bike and Gale Force Bikes will set you up for a two wheeled adventure. Grab some water and a snack and hit the trails. The bike trails around the National Seashore can be a challenging rollercoaster through the beautiful dunes. It’s also fun to bike around town and out to the beach. Wear sunscreen and bug spay and be sure to keep well hydrated.
Art’s Dune tours
Why walk across the sand dunes when you can ride in style. Enjoy a comfortable ride in 4-wheel drive SUV through the dune of the cape. Art’s experienced drivers narrate the tour, describing the animals, plants, and people who call the dunes home.
Bay Lady
Summer breeze is for sailing. The Bay Lady is a classic schooner with plenty of room to relax and enjoy her expert crew sail you around Cape Cod Bay. What could be more romantic than a sunset sail?
Dog Gone Sailing
We love our 4 footed companions! Bring them along on your sailing adventure with Dog Gone Sailing. Captain Rory is ready to welcome you and your furry family aboard. You can book a shrimp, ½ day, full day, or sunset sail.
Shopping and Dining
Your vacation won’t be complete without tasting the local chefs latest’s creations, enjoying old favorites, or trying out that new restaurant. From Fanizzi’s to Joon Bar, Commercial Street offers many treats and tastes sure to please everyone. We’ve included some highlights on our list. While bars are not open by state law, restaurants may serve alcohol with food. Pamper yourself with the scallop ceviche at Central House. Or pick up Julie’s Box Lunch to go on your adventure. Our Vegan friends love Grab and Go Smoothies.
No trip to Ptown is complete without some retail therapy. Masculine of center? Check out boichick and Board Stiff. A girly girl? Moda Fina and Go Fish will have what you want. Womencrafts is one of the few remaining feminist bookstores in the world; I always stop in for a book for the beach. Most of the shops are open for business with appropriate safety measures in place.
We’ve also included websites instead of discounts on this year’s list. You can get your Ptown gear and vibe even if you can’t visit this year. We hope you enjoy Self-Serve Splash. We look forward to seeing you again next year.
