Provincetown, Cape Cod's Diversity-Friendly Resort Town

U.S.A. : Virginia : Norfolk
stuart wrote:

I'm considering travel to Provincetown this summer and have some questions for someone that has visited there often or lives there. If that's you and you don't mind giving some helpful suggestions, send me an email.

Thanks

aussie_6661
Australia : New South Wales : Hurstville
Hey looking to do the same...perhaps they could post the suggestions here...

sunbuns99
U.S.A. : Hawaii : Pahoa

Since no one else has posted yet, I thought something is better than nothing.


I used to go to Provincetown every summer but haven't since 2005. This year I am thinking of making the trip sometime between Aug 15 and 20 (hopefully a buddy who lives in Cleveland can accompany me).


Main points:
 It's a very gay-friendly ocean-side resort town, plenty of night life and entertainment, bars & discos, as well as drag shows and theatre. Herring Cove is a lovely unofficial 'clothing-optional' beach (easy walking down from town); it was pretty cruisy when I visited it.
 I have camped before at a local campground but reservations long ahead are a must.

Most stay in hotels or at the local bed & breakfast - many of which are for gay clientele.
You can drive up Cape Cod to P-town, or take a ferry from Boston. There are also flights to the local airport - Cape Air (I think). A car isn't needed to enjoy your stay.

asshunter
U.S.A. : Pennsylvania : Philadelphia

Herring Cove is not a clothing optional..!!!
 Be aware of patrols on dune buggies. They will fine you if they will spot you naked on the beach or in the dunes.

aussie_6661
Australia : New South Wales : Hurstville

Thx for the posts... It looks like accommodation is tight around 18-22 Aug

sunbuns99
U.S.A. : Hawaii : Pahoa


Bummer! Herring Cove is no longer clothing optional? That makes P-town less attractive as a gay resort spot. Sorry to hear that but glad I was correctly informed before finding out the 'hard' way. Thnx, asshunter.

aussie_6661
Australia : New South Wales : Hurstville

PTown booked for par of Carnival week..18-22 Aug

ninth
U.S.A. : New York : Syracuse


I sent this directly to stuart last month but I thought I would post it for everyone:



I go to P-town every summer for 10 days since 1997. I may be able to answer some questions for you.

Probably the best place for uninhibited fun, although I have never stayed there, is The Ranch. I hear it is "bath house-like". Hmmm. Also, the Gifford House, right up the street from The Ranch. The accommodations may be simple and I only know things that I've heard.



Herring Cove has never been legally clothing optional however, people do lay out nude further down the beach. I have actually witnessed someone getting ticketed for laying out nude and I have also had friends get "scolded" by patrol officers for being nude. They were all rounded up, (a large group) and were read the riot act. That was two years ago. I have been nude there many times, and have had some sex in the dunes too. If you keep an eye out, or if guys with you do the same, there should be no problem. I think certain theme weeks have beach patrol beefed up, so to speak. Carnival Week, the week I'm going this year, tends to be packed in P-town so I think the police lay it on a little heavier that week. I would imagine Bear Week and Circuit Week are the same.



Here is a list of theme weeks for this summer but you can search Google for the Provincetown Business Guild and look more closely at the theme weeks.

Family Week and Women's week aren't as fun for gay men as some of the other weeks like Bear Week and Carnival. You may however, find a hot daddy who had to get away from his children one night! I went last year during women's week and we saw some famous people there since it was a low-key week. :) (My comments is parenthesis)



JUNE 2010

3-6: Women of Color Weekend

16-20: 12th Provincetown International Film Festival

24-27: Portuguese celebration & blessing of the fleet.



JULY 2010

2-8: Circuit Week, extended Fourth of July celebration. (Lots and lots of young, 20-something HOT men)

3-5: Fourth of July, Summer Camp Party

10-18: Bear Week (Lots of hairy men, many hot, some a little plump, but I hear it's fun)

21-25: Girl Splash (if you're into it)



AUGUST 2010

July 31-7: Family Week. (I would avoid this unless you're looking for a daddy who wants a little quick fun)

15-21: Carnival Week (Lots and lots of people, gay, straight, kids. Parade is later in the week and it's a riot! Dress up!)

19: Carnival Parade: Thursday; Largest summer event and parade on CAPE.
This year's Theme: Jungle Fantasy!



SEPTEMBER 2010

3-6: Labor Day weekend. To close the summer, and enter the “shoulder of the season,” Labor Day weekend offers the last drop of summer: Tea Dance, tours, sunbathing at the Boat Slip, dining, entertainment, art shows & galleries, or one last wink at summer tans.

11: 23rd Annual Swim for Life & Paddler Flotilla

14-20: Gay Pilots Association

23-26: Tennessee William’s Festival: Join a diverse group of people as we celebrate the work, life and legacy of America's great playwright.

30-Oct 3: Mates leather weekend This is a big one - not to be missed for those bound for the best.

Hope that helps a little bit.

sunbuns99
U.S.A. : Hawaii : Pahoa

At first, I was really disappointed to hear that clothing-only rules were being enforced on Herring Cove Beach, but it sounds that the enforcement isn't so strict that you can't sneak in a bit of nude sunbathing if done discreetly. Actually, it's like that in many so-called 'nude beaches' - at least in the US.

The time (Aug 16-19) I was planning to go is seems to be a lot of great fun. I've never been there during P-town's Carnival Week.

Thanks for the great info, updates, and schedule of events, ninth.

Here is a link to the Provincetown Carnival Events: http://www.iamprovincetown.com/events/carnival/4.htm