BEACHES

Provincetown beaches are among the TOP 10 beaches of America according to the Travel Channel and with over 20 miles of Cape Cod National Seashore, we really do offer a range of beach and water activities to satisfy the most discerning vacationer.

Herring Cove For Provincetown's most popular gay and lesbian beach, stay left all the way: left parking lot, left beach access and continue left along the beach. The first stretch is primarily lesbian, and then the beach is primarily gay men. Head still further to the left if you like an allover tan but be warned, topless and nude bathing is illegal on National Seashore beaches. You can get fined or arrested if caught. It doesn't happen very often but it's very embarrassing when it does. So be careful! The seas around Provincetown can be chilly even in the height of summer and the currents can be strong so swim carefully. Herring Cove is also the place to watch the sunset. In fact it is one of the few places on the East Coast where you can watch the sunset over water. Just park on the right facing the ocean and watch a spectacular light show that is truly hard to beat anywhere in the world.

To get to Herring Cove, many beachgoers either bicycle or walk to the end of Bradford and then hike across the moors and dunes to the beach. You can't miss the entry point, just look for the cycle sculptures along the road fence. If going by car, there are two large parking lots at Herring Cove but these fill very early in the morning during the summer months. You can buy a daily or weekly parking ticket (in season). From town center it takes about 10 minutes to drive to the beach, 20 minutes to cycle and 30 minutes to walk. The town shuttle bus also goes to Herring Cove and you can get the bus on Bradford St. Just hail it down.

Race Point This is another popular beach but primarily straight and offering smoother sand than Herring Cove. This beach is also accessible by bicycle and car but a bit too far to walk from town. Parking conditions are the same as at Herring Cove. Nearby is the PROVINCE LANDS VISITOR CENTER Tel: 508- 4871256, located on Race Point Road. The Visitor Center offers a range of exhibits, gift shop, and lecture-theater, all focusing on the National Seashore and Province Lands, Printed guides to local beaches, bike trails and nature trails are also available. A permit can also be obtained here for over-sand vehicles and beach fires.

Long Point This is the only point to get a truly unique view looking back at Provincetown. Getting there is easy if you go by shuttle boat out of Flyer's Boatyard located near the Coast Guard Station in the West End of town at 131A Commercial Street (between Pleasant & Franklin). Departing hourly, their launch will take you and your lunch across Provincetown bay. You then agree with your skipper on your pick-up time for the return journey back to town. Long Point Houses are marked with a blue and white plaque depicting a house floating on water. These houses were originally built on Long Point at the very tip of the Cape (where the lighthouse stands today). In the early 1800's they were floated across the harbor to where the present town is located. The majority can be found in the West End of Provincetown.

Wood End Virtually deserted at any time of the year, Wood End is accessed via the stone causeway at the beginning of Commercial Street in the West End of town, at the Pilgrim Landing Park. In return for the hike, you have the beach to yourself. Be careful to not get cut off when the breakwater becomes partially submerged at some high tides!

POISON IVY

This may seem a strange thing to add to an adventure page but if you have ever experienced the intensely itchy rash resulting from coming into contact with poison ivy, you'll understand why. There is a local saying "leaves of three, let it be!" Poison ivy grows naturally all over the Cape and it is best to avoid it like the plague! It grows low to the ground and is distinguished by its three glossy leaf formation.