Ayana's Angle: Provincetown in the Fall

With its gorgeous beaches and sprawling landscape, Cape Cod, in southeastern Massachusetts on the Atlantic Ocean, is normally a destination that people think of going to in the warmer months in New England. One recent weekend, I was lucky enough to travel to the area to experience it in the fall.

I had only been to "The Cape" once before, in the summer, to Yarmouth, a town closer to the entry point of the island. This time around, I traveled to Provincetown, located at the far end -- a more remote but very popular section.

While there is much to do there in the summer, it's also very crowded. For that reason, I highly recommend going in autumn for greater accessibility. If you are thinking it would be difficult to fill your time there without the beach being part of the plan, I am going to suggest some activities.

One of the first things I recommend is taking a walk down Commercial Street, which weaves through the heart of Provincetown. On this vibrant and eclectic street you can find a lively mix of colorful shops, boutiques, cozy cafes, art galleries, bars and restaurants. A must-stop along that route is the Provincetown Public Library. When you walk in, it just looks like any normal library, but go up the stairs on either side of the foyer and you will see the spectacular second floor! Anchoring the room is a full-scale replica of the Rose Dorothea, one of the famous “Indian Head” schooners designed by Thomas McManus and built at the Tarr & James Shipyard in Essex, MA in 1905. She was 108.7 feet long, weighed 108 tons and had a crew of 26 men (online factoid). Despite breaking a mast, she won the first and only Fisherman's Race, a 42-mile competition. The ship model is a great tribute to P-Town's storied past.

Commercial Street has multiple bars and restaurants from which to choose, but one restaurant that stood out to me was The Canteen. It's open year round and has something for everyone. It’s a fast-casual option that boasts lobster rolls, frosé and crispy Brussels sprouts as their signature dishes. It also has a great outdoor seating area that overlooks the water and has a wonderful ambiance.

If you’re looking to grab a drink, Provincetown Brewing Company is your spot. The brewery offers various housemade beers, and even a housemade hard seltzer beer alternative. They offer food, too, but I recommend focusing your visit on the drinks. What makes this spot particularly interesting is that they take part in “draftivism”, meaning a portion of their proceeds go to supporting different causes. 

If you’re interested in learning about Provincetown’s history, a good place to go is the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum. The museum offers a deep dive into the maritime and fishing heritage as well as Provincetown’s role in the arts and LGBTQ+ communities.

Just a few steps behind the museum is the Pilgrim Monument, a tower made of granite that marks the landing point of the Mayflower, the ship that carried the Pilgrims from Plymouth, England in 1620. The monument is 252 feet tall -- the tallest granite structure in the United States. Take the steps to the top and you can experience the breathtaking panoramic views of Provincetown and Cape Cod Bay.

Afterwards, take the elevated trolley back down to Commercial Street and head over to the Provincetown Art Association and Museum, where they have a collection of works by mostly local, and some national, artists. Learning the history of Provincetown through these few spots was so interesting, and it really made me appreciate the place that I was visiting more. 

The final must-stop visit for Fall in Provincetown is the area called Truro, to see the Highland Lighthouse and visit Truro Vineyards. Highland is the oldest and tallest lighthouse on the Cape. Though it now sits in between a golf course and is attached to a gift shop, the structure is still beautiful to see. The option of climbing to the top of the lighthouse is available, but I didn’t end up doing that. Instead, I took advantage of a lookout point which has a nice view of the water. I visited the gift shop, too, which has some history about the lighthouse and some cute Provincetown related tchotchkes for sale.

After seeing the lighthouse, go on over to Truro Vineyards where you can get wine and spirit flights, or wine by the glass. They even have a food truck that has a selection of tasty food options and a gift shop stocked with charcuterie items. Of note, the generous flights at Truro Vineyards are served in a branded glass that you can keep. 

My first time in Provincetown is definitely not my last, as there were so many things that I wanted to try but just couldn’t get to in two days. Don’t overlook the Cape as a fall destination, as there is plenty to do and so much to see, eat and drink!

ABOUT AYANA JAIN

Writer Ayana Jain is a young woman who graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a degree in Communications and Advertising. Some of her main interests include food, travel, reading and films. She has lived in Fairfield for over 20 years and is an expert on everything trendy in the area. To contact Ayana, please email: ajain0614@gmail.com