A far cry from the hectic mega mall and big-box store experience, our stylish boutiques, renowned art galleries, and artisan market right on the waterfront make holiday shopping on the outer Cape a pleasure, where perfect gifts await along every downtown block. From our hotel in Provincetown, it’s all just a casual stroll away – take advantage of our special wintertime rates while finding unique gifts for everyone on your list.
Boutique-Browsing on Commercial Street
Stretching roughly 1.5 miles from the west to east end, Commercial St is the main thoroughfare through Provincetown’s historic district, packed with locally owned boutiques and specialty shops with every type of gift. Stop in at Anchor to Anchor, whose owner started by making hand-poured candles – with scents like sea breeze sunshine, lavender mint, and citrus vanilla, you can’t go wrong – and has since expanded his offerings to include everything from vibrantly-colored men’s polo shirts to women’s dresses. Anchors feature in many of the patterns on hats and sweatshirts, a nod to the beachy aesthetic of Cape Cod.
Continue your holiday shopping at Monty’s of Provincetown, which has been in business for over 30 years and is full of delights. You’ll find three distinct spaces under Monty’s umbrella – exquisite pottery and elegant home furnishings at House of Monty’s, jewelry made by local artists alongside classy men’s and women’s clothing at Monty’s Boutique, and Monty’s Christmas on the second floor. The selection of Christmas ornaments is legendary, from the whimsical (like male mermaids) to old-world-style classic nutcrackers, humpback whales, and intricately painted angel fish, excellent for adding some Cape flair to your Christmas tree or as a gift.
For the readers on your gift list, browse the aisles at Provincetown Bookshop, famously the oldest bookstore on Cape Cod (open since 1932). In addition to staff picks of new fiction and non-fiction, check out their extensive sections with works by local authors and LGBTQ+ themes. Combine a book with a touch of sweetness for a great stocking stuffer combo by picking up some salt water taffy from Cabot’s Candy, who has been hand-pulling taffy the old-fashioned way for nearly a century. Their signature taffy sampler comes in a wooden slider box with one of the iconic Cape Cod lighthouses painted on it – just attach a bow, and your gift is ready.
Continuing on Commercial St, discover more gift ideas at other one-of-a-kind shops like Womencrafts, specializing in over 100 female authors and artists, celebrating Provincetown’s beautiful diversity. Then, go vintage a block away at Ruthie’s Boutique, a decades-long downtown staple, where your shopping will support local non-profit causes like the women’s shelter and AIDS outreach on the Cape. After walking all afternoon and working up an appetite, warm up with some delicious clam chowder at the Lobster Pot while enjoying picturesque views of boats coming and going at the marina.
Exploring Galleries and Shopping for Art
Alongside the inviting boutiques, art thrives on Commercial St, where countless galleries in Provincetown embody the outer Cape’s history as a creative hub over the last century. Although some galleries close during winter, several remain open – ideal for picking up a gift for any art enthusiasts among your friends and family.
The Schoolhouse Gallery showcases a broad selection of contemporary paintings, sculptures, and printmaking, including notable figures of the current-day Cape Cod art scene, such as Mark Adams, Jen Bradley, and Bill Hamlin. Pieces by resident artists, ranging from large oils and pastels on canvas to acrylic on paper, are for sale, an excellent opportunity to support the local arts.
Peruse more world-class art at Bakker Gallery, which is open Fri-Sun through the winter. It is run by James Bakker, whose early study of fine arts at Harvard and his experience as an auctioneer are shown in his tasteful curation. His collection includes works by legendary Provincetown painters like Charles Hawthorne, who founded the Cape Cod School of Art, and paintings of classic Provincetown scenery by artists such as Oliver Chaffee and William Van der Heydt, sure to be a memorable gift for any art lover.
If photography is more your speed, you don’t have to go far, as Gabriel’s has an on-site gallery of innkeeper Elizabeth G. Brooke’s work, whose wide-ranging photos span from pristine landscapes on the Cape to stunning nature photography and subjects from her far-flung world travels extending from Antarctica to Africa.
Artisan Holiday Market at the Canteen
The holiday magic is tangible at the Canteen, which, in addition to being one of the top-rated Provincetown restaurants, hosts its annual holiday market starting on Thanksgiving weekend. On their back patio overlooking the harbor, over two dozen local artisans and vendors set up personalized stalls, where you’ll find handmade jewelry, artwork, cozy winter clothes, candles, ornaments, and other lovely gifts.
As you shop among the twinkling lights while sipping drinks like hot toddies, mulled wine, and peppermint hot chocolate, the holiday spirit comes alive over the five weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas when the market happens from 11 am – 5 pm.
Wrap up the evening by grabbing a communal table in a cozy Canteen seaside shack next to the artisan stalls. The special holiday market menu includes beer-braised bratwurst and Swiss raclette—a mouth-watering delicacy of cured meats, pickled onions, and melted cheese, befitting of a crisp, wintry evening.
Stay with us this winter and experience the festive charm of holiday shopping in Provincetown!