The Old Colony Tap, located at 323 Commercial Street in Provincetown, Massachusetts, is a historic dive bar and a cherished local institution. Established in 1937 by Manuel G. Cook, it was purchased by the Enos family in 1954 and remains family-owned. Housed in a building previously occupied by the Ocean Breeze restaurant, the bar exudes nautical charm with its weathered, driftwood-laden decor, crooked floors, and artwork by local artists like James Wingate Parr and Ernesto, who famously used a blowtorch for his contributions. A quintessential "old man bar," it has long been a gathering spot for fishermen, artists, writers, and locals, including notable figures like Norman Mailer. Anthony Bourdain visited in a 2014 episode of Parts Unknown, highlighting its authenticity as a place "where fishermen eat," enjoying Wellfleet oysters. Known for its cash-only policy, affordable drinks like Pabst Blue Ribbon on tap, and a jukebox, the bar retains its unpretentious, gritty vibe.

Lopes Square, located at the heart of Provincetown, Massachusetts, on Commercial Street, is a vibrant public plaza named after Manuel N. Lopes, a local fish dealer killed in World War I’s Battle of Château-Thierry in 1918. Pronounced “lōps,” the square is a bustling hub featuring a 10½-foot-long anchor from 1801, recovered in 1959, symbolizing Provincetown’s maritime heritage. Revitalized in 2005 with new paving, seating, and lighting, it’s a central gathering spot surrounded by shops, restaurants, and galleries, including the Provincetown Chamber of Commerce. During winter, a lobster pot Christmas tree, created by artist Julian Popko, adds festive charm. The square’s lively atmosphere and proximity to MacMillan Pier make it a focal point for tourists and locals alike.

Luke's Lobster at MacMillan Pier in Provincetown, Massachusetts, is a seafood restaurant known for its Maine-style lobster rolls, featuring sustainably sourced lobster, crab, and shrimp served chilled in toasted buns with mayo, lemon butter, and secret seasoning.

The Unitarian Universalist Meeting House of Provincetown, located at 236 Commercial Street in Provincetown, Massachusetts, is a historic Greek Revival church built in 1847, designed by Benjamin Hallett for a congregation founded in 1829. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, its iconic telescopic tower with Greek ornamentation is Provincetown’s only surviving steeple, a landmark for seafarers. A warm, inclusive, and diverse religious community, it embraces Unitarian Universalist principles of acceptance, compassion, and individual spiritual exploration, welcoming all regardless of belief. The congregation, though small year-round, grows in summer, hosting Sunday services at 11 a.m., community events, and initiatives like the Soup Kitchen in Provincetown (SKIP) and an AIDS Ministry started in 1995. The building also features Acker-Bosworth Hall for theater and meetings, and acknowledges its location on sacred Wampanoag land.

The Atlantic House, known as the A-House, is a historic bar and cultural landmark with a rich history dating back to 1798. Established as a tavern by Daniel Pease, Provincetown’s first postmaster, it is the town’s oldest bar and a pivotal site for its artistic, literary, and LGBTQ+ heritage. The A-House has long been a haven for writers, particularly during Provincetown’s emergence as an arts colony in the early 20th century. In the 1920s and 1930s, it attracted literary figures like Tennessee Williams, Eugene O’Neill, aNorman Mailer, another literary giant, was a regular, reflecting the bar’s role as a gathering place for intellectuals. The A-House became a premier venue for musical performances. Iconic singers like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Eartha Kitt performed there in 1955, The A-House is widely recognized as one of the oldest continuously operating gay bars in the United States, becoming a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community by the 1920s.

The U.S. post office in Provincetown, Massachusetts, has a history tied to the town’s maritime and commercial growth. The first post office in Provincetown was established in 1804, with Daniel Pease appointed as the first postmaster, operating out of his tavern, now known as the Atlantic House (A-House), a historic bar and cultural landmark. This early post office served the town’s growing fishing and whaling community, handling mail that often arrived sporadically from Britain or other colonies via ship. The establishment of a formal postal service in Provincetown was part of the broader U.S. postal system’s expansion, authorized by the Postal Service Act of 1792 under President George Washington, which aimed to create a centralized network.

Spiritus Pizza, is a beloved family-run pizzeria and late-night institution founded in 1971 serving 25-cent slices on napkins. In 1976, they added an ice cream counter and the pizzeria became a cultural hub, known for its thin-crust pizza, vibrant atmosphere, and local art-covered walls. It embraced Provincetown’s inclusive spirit, becoming a late-night hangout (open until 2 a.m.) for the LGBTQ+ community and others, especially after the 1990 Spiritus Riot, which protested police harassment and spurred reforms. Anthony Bourdain, who knew the owners in the 1970s slept atop the restaurant’s walk-in freezer when homeless, featured Spiritus in a 2014 Parts Unknown episode.

Commercial Street in Provincetown, Massachusetts, is the vibrant heart of the town, with a rich history tied to its maritime and cultural evolution. Originally laid out in the early 19th century as Front Street, it ran parallel to Provincetown Harbor, serving as the main thoroughfare for the town’s bustling fishing and whaling industry. By the mid-1800s, it was renamed Commercial Street, reflecting its role as a commercial hub lined with wharves, fish sheds, and businesses catering to fishermen and merchants. The street’s significance grew with the arrival of the Old Colony Railroad in 1873, which brought tourists and artists, transforming Provincetown into a cultural destination. By the early 20th century, the street was home to Portuguese immigrant businesses, like the Provincetown Portuguese Bakery (est. circa 1900), reflecting the town’s Azorean heritage. Over time, Commercial Street evolved into a bohemian enclave, attracting artists, writers, and the LGBTQ+ community.