Provincetown
After the Great Portland Gale of 1898 wiped out Provincetown's fishing industry, tourism arose to fill the economic gap - abandoned fishing sites were replaced with sail lofts; warehouses and barns with studios, galleries and shops. The gay and lesbian population began to grow in the early 1920s as artists and writers from nearby cities migrated to Provincetown in order to try new ideas and enjoy intellectual freedom; the town is the birthplace of modern American theatre and the first American School of Art.
This sense of broad acceptance enabled gays and lesbians to gradually assimilate into the diverse and growing community. Today, many of the businesses in Provincetown are owned and operated by the gay and lesbian community. More than GLBT businesses, the attraction of Provincetown for the gay and lesbian traveler is the unwavering acceptance of their lifestyles - be yourself without fear of condemnation, hold hands and show affection to each other in public, or even get married (Massachusetts is the only state to legalize gay marriage).
For shoppers, Commercial Street runs parallel to the harbor shoreline and is lined with an eclectic collection of stores selling antiques, art, handcrafted jewelry, clothing, interior design, marine surplus and more. A large selection of dining options is also available, along with a farmer's market every Friday with locally grown produce and fresh caught fish.
If you enjoy dancing and nightlife, there are many gay and lesbian bars located along Commercial Street. A popular event to attend is the Tea Dance at the Boatslip Resort during the summer months, where you can join the hot crowds and dance the night away. After the bars close at 2 a.m., the front of Spiritus Pizza is the place to be, where you can munch on great pie and keep the party going well into the early hours of the morning.
Travelers looking for outdoor activities can bike the trails along the National Seashore's amazing dune landscape, bird watch at the Outer Cape (home to over 250 different species of birds and waterfowl), rent a boat and explore Province harbor, play tennis at two excellent tennis clubs, check out the lighthouse at Race Point, or watch whales frolicking in the ocean off shore.
At night, stroll through the Gallery District and enjoy the work of world renowned artists, or perhaps sample some wine and cheese. Art buffs can enjoy a reading by a favorite author, take in a fantastic drag musical, comedy or cabaret show, or spend an entertaining night at the theatre - Provincetown truly has something for everyone.