Cape Cod’s outermost community, Provincetown, Massachusetts has been home to Native Americans, explorers, Pilgrims, whalers, artists, beach-lovers and now a vibrant gay and lesbian community.
History of Provincetown
This is the spot where the Pilgrims first landed in the New World in 1620; the 252-foot Pilgrim Monument, the tallest granite structure in the nation, commemorates that landing. Here, too, the Center for Coastal Studies first began studying whales, and started the whale-watching phenomenon. Its sheltered harbor contributes to its long economic success as a fishing port, and many of the town’s fishermen are descendants of Portuguese sailors who arrived here during the whaling days of the 1800s.
Ever since artist Charles Hawthorne first opened the Cape Cod School of Art in 1899, Provincetown has welcomed artists from all over the world – earning its distinction as America’s oldest continuous art colony. In 2017, Provincetown was designated as one of the state’s Cultural Districts, encompassing its art galleries, three museums, eight performance venues, and numerous cultural attractions and historic sites.
Provincetown Today
The town’s vibrant Commercial Street boasts a diverse mix of shops, boutiques, galleries, inns and restaurants. Provincetown is renowned for offering an eclectic mix of LGBTQ entertainment, drawing A-list talent – ranging from well-known Hollywood actors to leading drag performers – to this section of the Cape. The Crown & Anchor boasts some of Broadway’s biggest stars, and the annual Provincetown Film Festival has feted such Hollywood heavyweights as Sofia Coppola, Ang Lee, Matt Dillon, and Quentin Tarantino. Top musicians from around the world make their way to Cape Cod each year for the Provincetown Jazz Festival.
Provincetown’s uniqueness extends far beyond its arts, entertainment and LGBTQ scene, all the way to the pristine beaches and the ocean that surrounds it. The town, at the very tip of the peninsula, is surrounded on three sides by water, and 90% of it is contained within Cape Cod National Seashore. Provincetown is served by two seasonal ferries from Boston and one from Plymouth.
Things To Do in Provincetown
Along the Province Lands Trail is a 5.5-mile loop that starts at the Province Lands Visitor Center in Provincetown and rounds around colorful cranberry bogs and trees that hit peak foliage in October. Whale-watching excursions depart out of Provincetown Harbor, providing views of whales in the plankton-rich waters of Stellwagen Bank. Guided tours will take you out over the town’s historic dune shacks and all the way to the iconic Race Point Light.
Every August, the town celebrates LGBTQ diversity that makes it so unique during Carnival Week. The event is one of the largest outdoor celebrations in Massachusetts, featuring sunset boat cruises, costume balls, art fairs and a larger- than-life parade.
Learn More About Provincetown with Demakis Family Real Estate!
If you’re looking to become one of the town’s newest homeowners, contact Demakis Family Real Estate’s Mattapoisett office for more information. You can also create an account to save your searches and receive updates when homes you may be interested in hit the market!
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