Guide to Provincetown Shopping

Timing
If you're only on the Cape for a week or so, a cloudy day is perfect for a trip to Provincetown! The beach is yucky when it's cloudy, but it's good weather for walking up and down Commercial Street.

If you're only going for part of the day and want to avoid crowds, go in the morning or afternoon during a sunny day, when many Cape Cod visitors are at the beach. If you want to go in the evening, try to get there early to avoid the dinner rush, and the after-dinner rush at the candy stores, which I'll discuss a little later.

If you're taking your kids, keep in mind that Provincetown is very family-friendly during the day, but not so much as night. If you don't want to explain to your kids why a man is wearing a dress, or why two ladies are kissing each other, avoid P-Town at night or hire a babysitter!

Know What to Expect
Massachusetts is a very liberal state, but Provincetown is probably one of the most left-winged parts of the state. It has a very high gay population, and a high Pagan/Wiccan population as well. Most people in Provincetown are anti-war, pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, anti-Bush, etc. If those themes make you uncomfortable, Provincetown may not be the place for you.

Eating
The restaurants aren't that big, and can get very crowded and cramped during the lunch and dinner rushes. You really should try to get there early, especially if you have a large group of people. It may be a good idea to pack a lunch, or eat before you go.

After eating, kids want something sweet for dessert, so of course these families flock to the candy stores, which in turn become mobbed! Avoid the candy stores during the dessert rush, and instead go there right before lunch or dinner.

Look Ahead
Before you go to Provincetown for the first time, go to the website and check out the kinds of stores, and where they are. The website is a great tool for planning your trip if you're short on time. However, not all the stores are listed.

Explore
There are so many neat shops on Commercial Street, and not everyone takes the time to really scope out the area. The crowds die down as you get further and further from the Penny Patch. If you have the time, walk down past the crowds and check out what most people tend to miss.