Cape Cod -- Where to Stay? Ptwon or Chatham?
 

Thinking of making a last-minute and first-time trip to the Cape in a couple weeks. Where should we go? We'll be departing from DC if that makes a difference, and can fly to either Boston or Providence. It'll just be my husband and me. Friday night to late Sunday night or Monday morning.

I know that you are going during the high season, so I wonder how easy it will be to find weekend accommodation--have you checked any places for availability?

We stayed in Chatham a few weeks ago and drove around Provincetown briefly. If nightlife is important, choose Provincetown, as Chatham has a tiny row of shops and restaurants with a village feel and couple of resorts nearby. Provincetown's main drag is chockablock with clubs, bars, restaurants and shops.

For a first trip to the Cape, I recommend Chatham. Be aware that the traffic will be very heavy going over the bridges to the Cape on Friday and off the Cape on Sunday, Monday morning. Providence airport is smaller and easier to deal with than Logan.

Thank you! In light of the traffic, are we better off picking Provincetown because we can book a connecting flight there?

I prefer Provincetown. I stayed in Chatham once and was bored after the first day. So, it depends on what you like to do....nothing or lots of browsing, eating, watching, etc.

If you fly to Provincetown you will avoid a lot of traffic and be close to the National Seashore, interesting places to dine, galleries, dune buggy rides, whale watching, etc.

You can also fly into Boston and take the ferry over to Ptown.

If I am driving, my preference is to fly into Providence.

Ptown sounds like it's winning. If we fly or take the ferry to Ptown, will we be ok without a car? Or is there somewhere to rent one there? Or is it a car ferry?!

I'm pretty sure you can rent one there. You also can rent bikes. There is plenty within easy walking distance in town and you could take a taxi or go with one of the folks who advertise dune tours to see the National Seashore.

You won't need a car in Ptown.
http://www.bostonharborcruises.com/provincetown-ferry/
https://ptownchamber.com/directions/how-to-get-here/

Art's Dune Tours is a great idea!

I second Art's.

You don't need a car in Provincetown. But, do rent bikes for at least one day and ride the bike trails in the National Seashore.
Also, recommend Art's Dune Tours.
And absolutely go whale watching with the Dolphin Fleet.

I'm with NewbE on this. First get a reservation for a place to stay. You may find a three night minimum in either place. Then decide how you are going to get there and back and make that reservation. Then make dinner reservations.

I just checked vrbo.com for two weekends from now for Friday through Monday and there were 6 listings available at the $150-200 per night price point. I've rented from a local agency for weekly rentals but wanted a quick check. The only time I had trouble booking for only 2 nights was during a holiday weekend. I did find a place at a B&B with shared baths. It had two big baths on each floor with four bedrooms per floor. It was the only time I've ever booked a shared bath lodging, but it worked out great. There was always an open bathroom.

Good luck with the planning!

" I stayed in Chatham once and was bored after the first day"

I really don't find that surprising but you are missing the point of the place.

To me, Chatham represents East coast living, the architecture of the houses, the interior design, the beaches, the dunes, the wildlife and the lack of the tat on show which litters the road from the bridge make it a picture postcard place.

We have stayed there twice for two weeks each and loved ever minute of it. Just lazed around, kayaked, fished, walked down the beaches and watched sunset on South Beach with the plovers and horse shoe crabs.

Along with Beaufort, SC and Apalachicola, FL its one of our favourite small towns in The States.

But there is far more going on in Ptown.

BritishCaicos

"Chatham represents East coast living" what is that supposed to mean? I live on the East Coast and I don't understand how Chatham represents how I live.

Also, what is "tat on show"

"I live on the East Coast and I don't understand how Chatham represents how I live."

It's a classic, affluent New England town. Agree it lacks the . . . ambience, shall we say, of the Jersey Shore.

I think that Wellfleet is way more interesting than Chatham..
Affluent also but much artsier and more fun and in the unbeatable national seashore.

I have lived in New England for z40 years and do not find Chatham representative of it in any way.

I agree.

It would have to be a wide definition to include Jersey Shore.

Fra_Diavolo and BritishCaicos ,

I hope I'm taking your comments the wrong way when you mention the Jersey Shore. There are many different kinds of towns at the Jersey Shore and if you know that you would not refer to it negatively.

Also, The East Coast is a large area which would include all the various towns not only along the Shore but inland. My point being that no town could represent all of the East Coast.

And I stand by my impression of Chatham...there are many more interesting places in Cape Cod. It all depends on the type of vacation the OP wants. Chatham would be fine for just relaxing, but why come to Cape Cod to do that?