What's a Summer without a Provincetown self-guided driving tour?

Millions of Americans flock to the east coast every summer, and no getaway is more popular than the Cape Cod tour in Massachusetts.

Provincetown is as remote as it gets – in more ways than one. At various times in history, Native American’s, explorers, pilgrims, fishermen, whalers, artists, beachgoers, and pleasure seekers have all made their homes in Cape Cod’s most remote settlement. It is the perfect spot to kick off the summer season with breath-taking ocean views, white sandy beaches, and an abundance of activities to keep everyone entertained.

Let me show you just a few reasons why the Cape is such a beloved vacation destination and a perfect place to take a self-guided driving tour!

Beaches and Lighthouses!

With its warm weather and beautiful beaches, there’s no shortage of activities to enjoy. Provincetown in the summertime is like a paradise. Starting from Cape Cod visitor center to Pilgrim monument, you can take our Cape Cod scenic self-guided driving tour and explore all that it offers.

Be sure to pack your sunglasses and sandals for your Cape Cod tour! New England’s beaches are a quintessential summer experience that you don’t want to miss. And with 560 miles of coastline, Cape Cod is the best place to see the sea!

And where there’s a beach, there’s a lighthouse to protect it. As you drive up the coast, you’ll pass by all of the Cape’s most iconic lighthouses, including:

The Three Sisters, a trio of retired historical lighthouses from 1892
Highland Lighthouse, where writer Henry David Thoreau regularly stayed as a guest
Nauset Light, the model for the logo emblazoned on every bag of Cape Cod Potato Chips
And even more!

The beaches are good for more than just sunbathing and sightseeing. You can learn a lot about American history on the way, too! I recommend checking out Marconi Beach in Wellfleet–the first transatlantic radio communication site! The beaches, dunes, swamps, and marshes of Cape Cod National Seashore attract people looking for a peaceful escape.

Sail away to Sandy Neck on Cape Cod

Cape Cod is known for its beautiful coastline, from seashore in the north to intimate coves and harbor towns. Additionally, those looking for fresh seafood catch should consider lobstering on the outer banks of Cape Cod. For those with more refined tastes, enjoy windsurfing off Sandy Neck or relax on one of its many beautiful beaches to sunbathe or collect seashells.

Cape Cod is a seashore paradise for coastal cruises, located on the eastern coast of the United States. Its long shoreline invites both experienced and novice sailors to explore its many bays, inlets, marshes and lighthouses.

History!

The history of Cape Cod, Massachusetts is a long and varied one, spanning more than four centuries. Did you know that the history of Cape Cod is as old as the history of Europeans in America?

You might associate the Pilgrims with Plymouth, Massachusetts, but actually, they first landed on Cape Cod! Provincetown is home to First Landing Park, where the Mayflower first struck land after 66 long, stormy days at sea.

And in Eastham, you’ll find First Encounter Beach–– the place where Pilgrims and the native Nauset tribe met each other for the very first time, way before the First Thanksgiving!

On the coast of the Cape, they formed the Mayflower Compact: a contract governing the colony’s behavior, which would later serve as a blueprint for the U.S. Constitution.

Several influential people, such as John Smith, Samuel de Champlain, William Bradford, and others, have made Cape Cod what it is today.

Wildlife!

The Cape Cod tour has plenty of creature sightings in store for you. Dolphins play in the waves. Sea turtles lay eggs in the soft sand. Gull’s search for stray chips dropped by tourists. It’s not unusual to spot herds of seals sunning themselves on the shore. Just like we do!

Cape Cod didn’t always have the friendliest relationship with its wildlife. This coast has a long history of whale hunting. The Cape helped inspire Herman Melville’s novel, Moby Dick! But today, the same ports that once launched whaling ships have now been repurposed for whale-watching tours. Hop on a boat and see if you can spot one! You might even have a chance to see the critically endangered North Atlantic Right Whale. They narrowly avoided extinction in the 1800s, and today, only 400 remain in the wild. Don’t worry. Fellow whale lovers now protect their population!

The Famous Arts Scene!

At the very end of the Cape Cod peninsula, the furthest corner of Massachusetts, you’ll find yourself on Commercial Street. At the turn of the 20th century, Bohemian creatives flocked to Provincetown to establish a place where artistic expression is more important than societal expectations. And to this very day, it’s still a thriving hotspot for the arts! You can tell by the galleries, photo studios, and theaters lining the main road.

As locals call it, P-town is one of the most LGBT-friendly places. In June, you can take part in legendary pride parades. Year-round, check out the dozens of queer-owned businesses along Commercial Street.

Planning the perfect clambake celebration!

Finally no discussion about Cape Cod would complete without traditional clambake festivities. Cape Cod is known for its delicious seafood dishes and beautiful shorelines, making it the perfect place to host a clambake celebration. From clambake celebrations to lobster bake events to seafood bake parties and festivities, you won’t want to miss out on the succulent seafood goodness. Maine lobsters are sure to create smiles all around while creating memories that last forever. Experience both traditional New England cuisine and stunning coastal views during Clambaking events.

How to explore Cape Cod

Whether walking along Commercial Street at sunset or on a sandy beach, tranquilly is everywhere. Now, You might be wondering, How can I see all of these sights, and more, in just one day?

Answer: a self-guided driving tour!

Action Tour Guide’s self-guided driving tour of Cape Cod allows you to travel across the whole coast at your own pace. Starting from Barnstable, the GPS-guided app will take you through Yarmouth, Eastham, Truro, and right up to Provincetown. The tour’s audio plays as you drive — automatically! It’s based on your location. Aw, It’s like having a Cape Cod travel guide sitting in the car with you–– and it’s less expensive and more time-flexible than a traditional tour. With over 63 stories to discover along the way, there’s no shortage of fascinating tales to hear.

I’m sure you will love our self-guided tours. I strongly recommend that you subscribe to Action+, which includes all of our tours in a single, year-long package. Travel all year and take our self-guided tours with you wherever you go!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get to Provincetown from Boston?

There are two main options. The Bay State Cruise Company and Boston Harbor City Cruises both operate high-speed ferries from Boston’s Seaport District to Provincetown, taking about 90 minutes each way — this is by far the most enjoyable and practical option, especially in summer when Cape traffic is brutal. Ferries run daily from late May through October; book in advance as popular sailing times sell out weeks ahead. Driving is the other option: the trip is about 115 miles (roughly 2 hours without traffic, but 3.5–5 hours on summer Fridays or holiday weekends). Parking in Provincetown is extremely limited and expensive — the ferry strongly eliminates the car problem entirely.

Is Provincetown walkable?

Provincetown is one of the most walkable destinations in New England. The town is essentially built along a single main street — Commercial Street — stretching about 3 miles, and the entire downtown core can be explored entirely on foot. Art galleries, restaurants, shops, beaches, and the Pilgrim Monument are all within easy walking distance of the ferry terminal and most accommodation. Bicycling is also extremely popular — the Cape Cod National Seashore has excellent bike paths leading out of town. Most visitors who arrive by ferry find they never need a car during their stay. Come with comfortable walking shoes and you’re set.

What is Provincetown known for?

Provincetown is known for several distinct things: it is one of the most prominent and welcoming LGBTQ+ destinations in the United States, with a vibrant and long-established queer community that shapes its cultural identity year-round. It’s also known for its thriving artist colony — the Provincetown Art Association and Museum has been a hub for American artists since the early 1900s. Whale watching is exceptional here, as P-Town sits at the edge of Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary, one of the best whale feeding grounds on the East Coast. The Pilgrim Monument commemorates the Mayflower Compact’s signing here in 1620 before the Pilgrims moved on to Plymouth. And the seafood — particularly the Portuguese-influenced cuisine — is outstanding.

Can you day trip to Provincetown?

Yes, and the Boston ferry makes it very easy. A typical day trip: take the 9:00 AM ferry from Boston (arriving ~10:30 AM), spend the day exploring Commercial Street, catch a whale watch tour (3 hours, departures mid-morning), have a lobster roll or Portuguese seafood lunch, climb the Pilgrim Monument for panoramic views, browse the galleries, then take the 5:30 or 8:00 PM return ferry. That gives you a full, satisfying day. The only downside to day-tripping is missing the evening atmosphere — sunset from the West End beaches and the nightlife on Commercial Street are genuinely worth an overnight stay if your schedule allows.

When is the best time to visit Provincetown?

July and August are peak season — the town is lively, all businesses are open, whale watching is excellent, and ferry frequency is highest, but accommodation books out months in advance and prices peak. Late June and September offer the ideal balance: warm enough for beaches, full ferry service, fewer crowds, and significantly lower accommodation prices. The famous Provincetown Carnival week (mid-August) draws enormous crowds for its LGBTQ+ celebration and is worth planning around (book a year ahead) or avoiding depending on your preference. The shoulder seasons (May–June, October) are beloved by locals and repeat visitors — the town has a quieter, more authentic charm and the light in fall is extraordinary for photography.