Commercial Street Review

Read our Cape Cod sights reviews. Or post your own.

Commercial Street

Write a review | Avg. member rating: 5.0/5

Fodor's Review:

Provincetown's main downtown thoroughfare, Commercial Street, is 3 mi from end to end. In season, driving from one end to the other could take forever, so wear comfortable shoes and get ready to walk (although going on foot will take awhile, too, due to the crowds). You'll see signs for parking lots as you head into town. Take a casual stroll and check out the many architectural styles (Greek revival, Victorian, Second Empire, and Gothic, to name a few) used in the design of the impressive houses for wealthy sea captains and merchants. Be on the lookout for blue plaques fastened to housefronts explaining their historical significance—practically the entire town has been designated part of the Provincetown Historic District. The Historical Society puts out a series of walking-tour pamphlets—available for about $1 each at many shops in town as well as at the chamber of commerce visitor center—with maps and information on the history of many buildings and the (more or less) famous folk who have occupied them. You may also want to pick up a free Provincetown gallery guide.

The center of town is where the crowds and most of the touristy shops are. The quiet East End is mostly residential, with an increasing number of nationally renowned galleries; the similarly quiet West End has a number of small inns with neat lawns and elaborate gardens.

Find more sights in Cape Cod »

Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by bachslunch from US on 12/16/08
This is the big shopping and restaurant stretch in Provincetown, crowded beyond belief in high season. Lots of small boutique shops and restaurants of varying quality at its center, quieter at its ends with more homes, galleries, and mom-and-pop stores. Definitely a must for people watching and architectural peeping, too.

Member Rating: 5.0
Ratings details: Experience: 5.0 Ease: 5.0 Value: 5.0 Don't Miss: 5.0
Add your own review

Get Advice From Other Travelers

Visit the Travel Talk forums for help on planning your trip



Get the Fodor's Newsletter

For more travel ideas, tips, and deals, sign up for the Fodor's newsletter here. Read the current issue. Browse previous issues.




Copyright © 2009 Fodor's Travel, a division of Random House, Inc.