Art, culture and community come together in Provincetown
The community of Provincetown has a long history of welcoming newcomers. Initially inhabited by the Wampanoag and Nauset Tribes, the area was a landing point for the Pilgrims in the 1620s. Portuguese immigrants came here in the 1860s to work in the fishing industry. Their cultural presence is still felt today through festivals and food.
By the early 1900s, Provincetown became a haven for artists as art schools and theatres were established, leading painters, writers and playwrights to call it home. That evolution led Provincetown to become a destination for the LGBT community in the 1960s, seeing it as a place of refuge and acceptance.
These influences have combined to make Provincetown a vibrant and friendly cultural destination on the very edge of Cape Cod. “You’ve got the hallmarks of a fantastic small town. It’s a great community of people who care about each other in a very detailed way,” says Timothy Brown, a Realtor with Seascape Realty Inc., and Provincetown resident.
Higher-priced Cape Cods and colonial revivals
The median housing price in Provincetown is $1.3 million. Home styles vary from Cape Cods and Colonial Revivals to split levels and more modernist homes. Homeowners’ associations are present, with fees varying by property. Because of the limited space in Provincetown, Brown says there is not much room between properties. “People are side by side and tumble out of their door in the morning and say ‘Hello,’” Brown says. “It is an intensely packed but charming community.”
Brown notes that the community attracts a variety of people, including gay and LGBT individuals looking for an accepting community, but families and retirees also call Provincetown home.
Art, festivals and culture
Multiple art galleries and museums dot the area. The Provincetown Art Association and Museum has more than 3,000 works by over 700 artists. Film and theatre is prevalent, with the Provincetown International Film Festival held annually. Other cultural festivals include the Provincetown Portuguese Festival and the Pride festival. Tourism is a significant industry in Provincetown, with the population swelling from 3,000 to over 50,000 in the spring and summer months. The community also offers water-side activities, including walking trails among the sand dunes and whale-watching tours. Local beaches include Race Point Beach on the northern end of the peninsula. Bas Relief Park features a memorial to the Pilgrims who landed in the area in the 1600s. East End Mildred Greensfelder Playground also has a basketball court.
Public and art schools
Provincetown Schools serves students and has a C rating on Niche. Art schools include the Cape School of Art, a local staple since 1896, which is unranked.
Vibrant dining and shopping culture
The community’s local restaurants are concentrated on Commercial Street and Bradford Street. The Lobster Pot, a staple since the 1970s, serves various types of seafood, chowders and Portuguese-inspired dishes. The Red Inn has happy hour specials, brunch and a raw bar. Fanizzi’s Restaurant has burgers, sandwiches, and other entrees.
Provincetown has multiple boutique clothing and gift shops along Commercial Street. Stop & Shop has a location in Provincetown, but other larger retailers and big box stores are in Hyannis. Outer Cape Health Services has a health center on Harry Kemp Way.
Nor’easters and flooding risk
Nor’easter storms can be common in the area, and some have caused damage in the past. According to local maps, the areas closer to the coast are prone to flooding.
Ferry Service and local airports
A ferry service connects the area to Plymouth and Boston, but runs during the summer tourist season. The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority provides a shuttle service within Provincetown. One airline services the Provincetown Municipal Airport with a connection to Boston Logan, but the Cape Cod Gateway Airport in Hyannis has more domestic connections. U.S. Route 6 connects the area with the rest of Cape Cod.
Crime in Provincetown
According to the latest data from the state of Massachusetts, overall crime has increased by 29% in Provincetown, with over 200 crimes reported in 2024.
