Pilgrim Monument
($7, open from April to November, everyday from 9 to 5 pm, and until 7 pm in the summer , http://www.pilgrim-monument.org)
This atypical monument, inspired by the Torre del Mangia in Sienna, commemorates the arrival of the Pilgrims in the United States.In 1620,The Pilgrims spent 5 weeks exploring the tip of Cape Cod before they sailed on to Plymouth. While anchored in Provincetown Harbor they drew up and signed the Mayflower Compact, which established the rule of law for the new land At 252 feet – the highest granite structure in the country – this monument is visible from the entire town and even a great part of the Cape. After ascending 116 steps, you can admire the splendid panoramic view surrounding Provincetown, the dunes, and the Atlantic Ocean The Provincetown Museum, located at the base of the tower, is a charming mix of the old and the new. The permanent exhibits retain the appeal of an old-fashioned history museum. Exhibits highlight the arrival of the Mayflower Pilgrims, the town’s rich maritime history, the early days of modern American theater in Provincetown, and the building of the monument.
There is also a recreation of a 19th century sea captain’s parlor at home and his quarters at sea, a diorama of the Mayflower Compact being signed aboard the Mayflower in Provincetown Harbor, and a scale model of the first theater of the Provincetown Players.
Provincetown Art Association and Museum
($7, open from the end of May to the end of September, Monday to Thursday from 11 am to 8 pm, Friday from 11 am to 8 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm; October to May Thursday to Sunday from 12 to 5 pm; 460 commercial Street, Provincetown Art Association and Museum)
The Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM) was founded in 1914 by a group of artists, including Hawthorne, to collect, exhibit, and honor the work of Provincetown’s growing arts colony. Today, PAAM houses one of the most important 20th century American art collections, including Hawthorne’s “His First Voyage,” and white-line woodblock prints known as the Provincetown Print developed by B.J.O. Nordfeldt and his followers. Surrounded by a lovely garden and sprinkled with bronze statues, this museum provides us with a selection of its impressive collection comprised of at least 2,000 works realized by 500 artists having lived on the Outer Cape since 1914). During the summer, the museum organizes a number of activities, concerts, and studio workshops…so don’t hesitate to inquire!
Whydah Sea Lab & Learning center
( tél: (508) 487-8899, link, ouvert tous les jours de juin à septembre (10h-19h), les weeks-ends d’octobre à décembre et de mi avril à mai de 10h à 17h. 10$ pour les adultes 8$ pour les enfants de 6 à 12 et les séniors)
Ce musée sur le MacMillan port à l’éffigie de pirates, nous raconte la chasse aux trésors de Barry Clifford, habitant de Cape Cod à la recherche d’un bateau pirate du XVII ième siècle, le Whydah coulé au larde de Wellfleet, seulement 10% de sa cargaison ont été repêché néanmoins on a retrouvé pas moins de 10 000 pièces d’or et d’argent. A travers un parcours didactique, on découvre l’histoire de cette chasse et les méthodes scientifiques employées, ainsi que bien sûr le mode de vide des pirates de l’époque. les enfants en sont fans.
Old Harbor Life saving Museum
(Race Point Beach, phone: (508) 487-1256 , link, , free entry, July to September on Thursdays to Saturdays from 3 to 5 pm, call ahead of time if you would like to visit the museum outside of these times)
One of the 13 stations of the ancestors of coastguards founded at the end of the 19th century to look after the life of 100,000 marines. These places served to collect the shipwrecks, to come help the boats in distress. There were a certain number of them in winter because the area was dangerous and the storms severe. At the time, six courageous « surfers » patrolled the beach and didn’t hesitate to face the waves to save the marines in distress. This museum presents several equipment from this time period as well as saving techniques such as the « breeches buoy », the use of a large harpoon which clung to the mast of the boat and allowed the equipment to be secure enough in case the weather conditions were too dangerous.
Province Lands Visitor Center of The Cape Cod National Sea Shore
(Race Point Road, Phone: (508) 487-1256, link, free, open from mid-April to the end of November every day from 9 to 5 pm)
This is an ideal place to find out more about the nature and environment of Provincetown, and don’t forget to go on the top deck to admire the panoramic view and continue observing this natural world around you! A great variety of tours are proposed between the months of July and August, and you can even organize your own campfires on the beach (to do at least once in your lifetime!). There are even canoe trips ($15 for adults, $9 for children), and surfing classes ($12), equipment included.
And of course on the beach walks (check the schedule), bike trips (check the hiking and trails section on this website).
