The Many Perks of Visiting Provincetown During the Off-Season

When you picture Provincetown, perhaps the first scene that comes to mind is that of classic summertime on the Cape. The beaches near Provincetown are some of the best in the world, and thousands of tourists flock to them in the ever-popular warmer months. But along with the sunshine and long summer afternoons comes heavy traffic, harder-to-get lodging and restaurant reservations, and increased fees to visit the Cape Cod National Seashore. 

However, a well-kept secret is that wintertime in Provincetown is just as enjoyable. With a year-round population of around 3,000 residents who stick out the colder months, stores, restaurants, galleries, and of course the beaches, all stay open through the wintertime.

Special Winter Rates and Year-Round Local Restaurants Add to the Allure

Provincetown Hotel embraces all seasons in our beloved P-Town, from the extra busy summer months to the much quieter off-season. For those seeking a more relaxed atmosphere in town, the winter months are a perfect time to visit. We offer special rates from November 1st through May 1st, with many of our rooms marked down 40% per night. 

During this time of year, you’ll have no trouble getting a reservation at any of the restaurants that are within walking distance. Many of them are family-owned, like Napi’s, where their rustic wood-paneled and art-covered interior is an ideal place to cozy up to the bar in between dipping into local shops along Commercial Street. Provincetown is also famous for its clam chowder, made with clams fresh off the fishing boats at MacMillan Pier. It’s a warm treat to savor on a winter evening – make sure to try a bowl from Mac’s Seafood, which is just around the block from Provincetown Hotel.

Solitude at the Beaches and a Celebration of Local Art

Even when the temperature drops down into the 40s, the beaches nearby still get plenty of sunshine. Bundle up and head to Herring Cove Beach, either by foot, car, or bicycle, and you’ll discover a different sort of Cape beauty; it’s one of solitude and wide-open dunes, with just the calming sound of the crashing waves and the afternoon breeze rustling the seagrass. An added benefit is that there are no daily entrance fees at any of the six Cape Cod National Seashore beaches during the winter months, a $25/day discount.

There are also cultural events around town worth checking out during your winter stay. One such event is the Annual Small Works Exhibition, organized by the Provincetown Art Association and Museum. It is a yearly art show that runs from November through early January and features works by its hundreds of members, many of whom call Provincetown home and create their art locally. It’s unique in that you can purchase a piece of art and leave with it, rather than having to wait until the end of the exhibition to pick it up or have it shipped. This arrangement makes it particularly convenient for holiday shopping and bringing home a piece of art with you.

Plan your Provincetown wintertime getaway today!