An online search of that exact phrase directs readers to my blog almost daily. I visited Provincetown, at the very tip of Cape Cod, with my family for one week in September 2010. My daughter, Lucia, was 18 months old at the time. I subsequently wrote a blog entry focusing on spots in and around Provincetown that I think are family-friendly. But now, seeing so many search queries by folks wondering if Ptown (as it’s also known) is appropriate for families with children, it’s caused me to think: is Provincetown really that family-friendly? My answer: yes and no.
Here’s the thing about Provincetown: the shops, nearby beaches, ice cream parlors and the like are fun and appropriate for children – during the day. But once the sun goes down, I’m told that Provincetown becomes a completely different place.
I didn’t get to experience that side of Provincetown since I was traveling with my young daughter; I did not have the option of leaving her to go and revel in the bars on Commercial Street, to frolic and imbibe with the colorful local community. Therefore, my daytime experiences in Provincetown led me to the conclusion that, yes, Provincetown is family friendly. We had fun and made memories at the beaches, we were warmly received and kindly treated at restaurants; we had a very enjoyable time there. Just be warned, though, that the nightlife scene can be a little crazy. If you do not want your kids to be exposed to that, then either don’t go out with them at night in Provincetown, or simply choose a different town as your base from which to explore Cape Cod. Provincetown is worth at least a day trip, though; do not skip it entirely.
So, would I go back to Provincetown with my daughter? Absolutely.
If the nightlife is something you want to keep kids away from, I’d also say be careful of Carnival Weekend – the nightlife is out tenfold midday. Don’t let the word “parade” fool you.
As an adult that is still childless, I love going midday and staying late into the evening – it’s the best of both worlds!
Thanks for the comment & the insight! I really did love Provincetown, partly because of the vivacious vibe. And believe me – if I’d traveled there without my daughter, I definitely would have been taking in the action on Commercial Street!
My wife’s family is from Provincetown so my experience has been different than most, I have no issue going to Provincetown now that I have kids in fact the majority of the nightlife is in the West End, the East End has all the galleries and such. Not every bar is hopping some are pretty laid back as well. I dont see much that isn’t family friendly in Ptown unless you have issues with certain lifestyles. But that would be on them not Ptown, I feel quite safe walking down commercial street at night with my kids grabbing a slice of pizza at spiritus. It quite a community if you open yourself to it, people there care about and watch out for others.