Provincetown
 

Got a question about lodging in Provincetown. I think this is the best option for a big family because there is so much to do withing walking distance. Looking for a big place because we have 16 people coming and need 8 bedrooms. There are six kids going and three of them are under 3. Could do a large house or two or three smaller places if they are near each other. Want to stay away from motels because we want access to a kitchen. I was hoping to keep the total cost below $7500 for a week.

Also, we probable would have at least 4 cars. So parking may be a problem. Is there a place to park a car for the entire week and not use it?

Our other option is Nantucket. Would really prefer Provincetown but is Nantucket a better fit?

Are you planning a trip for this year?

There is a great deal to do within walking distance and the price is likely much cheaper than Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard. Provincetown is great fun, good restaurants, neat shopping. Just be aware that Provincetown's gay population is pretty obvious and even flamboyant so if you are offended by public displays of affection between same-sex couples, this is not for you or your family. I don't know about parking for four cars but P-town is pretty packed so you would have to research before you try to decide to drive that many cars there.

How about Block Island, RI? Lots of cycling, beaches, cute shops and still not terribly developed or expensive. I think it's a real jewel.

Not Nantucket. Each car would cost $380 roundtrip to the island plus $33 per person for the adults.

Unlikely to find a place that big for $7500 per week, though that is only anecdotal.

Newport RI would also be an option. Easy to get too. Lots of things to do and see and a beach. Great restaurants.

There are two places in Provincetown that can accomodate you nicely.

The Provincetown Inn at the West End of Provincetown is the largest facility there with many rooms in assorted sizes including suites with kitchens. It has a large outdoor swimming pool as well as several bars/dining options and free parking.

At the other end of town is the Sandcastle Resort also very large. most rooms have kitchoenette facilitiesa (stove, fridge, microwave) with indoor/outdoor pool, and free parking.


Both these places have rooms with wonderful views of Provincetown both day and night.

They are both located about a mile and a quater from the center of town but there is a trolley that runs to the center and the beaches. You can also walk to the center through the Harbor at low tide or along Commercial Street.

You can also drive to the center of town along Commercial Street which is a fun experience in itself (As a one-way. one-lane road full of pedestrians) and several restaurants and sites have free or meter parking.

One more note about Lucky Dog's incessant need to warn you about Provincetown's gay population:

1: In the Summer season families and tourists far outweigh any flamboyant gay people that you might actually bump into.

2: Gay people in Ptown are not interested in shocking families they tend to stay in their own bars. clubs etc. While there are people who want to display their sexuality in Provincetown these same people are in Block Island also so you can't escape them.

I think you should definetily pursue Provincetown and don't listen to Rhode Island people who don't know Provincetown and would have you visit dull, boring Block Island.



Both these

The Provincetown Inn is a little shabby or 'weathered'. The Sandcastle is a timeshare place and I remember walking up and down alot of stairs to my unit.
I would not stay in Provincetown with children. It gets very adult at night in a very gay way. I just returned from there and there has been a problem with public sex on the beach. I would look at some of the cottages in North Truro. You can take the trolley into P-Town and to the beaches. You really don't need to spend alot of time in town. It's basically just shops and restaurants.
Definitely get a fire permit at the National Seashore building at the Provincelands bike trail. Have a campfire on Herring Cove Beach at sunset.
Check out these places to stay.
http://www.kalmarvillage.com/
http://www.dayscottages.com/

Are you looking for this season? If so, you are not going to be able to be too chosey. i would suggest that you contact a realtor and have them look for a house in Truro or go to Provincetown.com and try to book space., Reality is that there are not going to be many choices. Surfsideinn.com may still have space. In terms of parking. You can expect an allowance of one car per room in most facilities. If you end up renting a house and need more parking than they offer, there is public parking in a lot up the hill toward the schools - just follow the signs off of Bradford St.. Expect to pay about $25/day.

Now, about the gay population. yes we are there and we are more open than in we are in the rest of the world. But during normal hours there is not much to speak of, holding hands, perhaps shirtless men, a few flamboyant outfits, some street performers...you'll se Cher quite a bit (ha). Most folks on a normal Summer day are straight, relaxed and having a good time. there are some exceptions. late at night and after the bars close, yes there are drunk and sometimes loud folks on Commercial street in the center of town (straight and Gay). My guess is the kids will have been sleeping for hours. Tea Dance a grand "ritual" is between 4 and 7 daily at Boatslip in the West End, so yes there are more of us in that area at that time. It's sort of a pre-dinner cocktail hour in a private location.

About the sex on the beach. There is an area of Herring Cove beach that generally is naked (male). It is difficult to get to...literally a mile of beach walking. There is sex over the hill in the marshes - again very difficult to get to. But, not much worse than the straight people at the other end. So, if you go to the public beaches and stay in the public areas, you will never know or care about what may be going on in the distance. (which by the way is not all that unusual at beaches all over the world) Homeland Security passes through regularly these days - some freedoms have been compromised.

About the fire permit - great idea! The National Park Service allows 3 fires per beach. Permits are available 3 days before. They open at 8AM. Be there in person or call, they go fast. Clem and Ursies in Provincetown will deliver a beach picnic to you. They do clambakes. lobsters etc. It's grand fun and you do no work. All supplies are providedf, you throw your trash in the cooler they provide and leave it at their door when you are done!

Ahh. Mr Seafox. I am a straight female who visits P-Town several times every year. I would recommend the place to everyone.
They have 6 children with them. I would stay in North Truro. Just because.........

As another straight female (and a mom) who visits Ptown frequently, I think you and the kids will not find Provincetown or its beaches alarming.

I suspect those kids might very well see some same-sex couples holding hands and look at the parents and say, "What's the big deal?"