Provincetown is a great place to spend your Cape Cod vacation because there’s so much to do within a small section of Commercial Street.
Once in the central part of town, you’ll find countless dining options, a variety of bars, renowned art galleries, numerous tour providers, and the famous MacMillan Pier.
You should also know, though, that Provincetown is where the Mayflower initially landed, five weeks before carrying on to Plymouth. There’s a lot of history to explore in Provincetown, and you’d be missing out if you didn’t experience some of it.
For instance, the southwest part of downtown Provincetown is home to First Landing Park, which marks the spot where researchers believe the Pilgrims first arrived on Cape Cod.
High Pole Hill Road sits just north of Bradford Street and Commercial Street and features the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum, a must-see location while spending time on the Outer Cape.
Here’s a look at what you can expect when checking out this monument and museum.
About the Monument
The Pilgrim Monument, as you might expect, was constructed to commemorate the landing of the Mayflower in Provincetown. Work started on the project in 1907, and the building opened to the public in 1910.
This project was newsworthy throughout the country, as President Theodore Roosevelt laid the monument’s cornerstone when construction commenced, and President William H. Taft led a dedication ceremony upon completion.
The monument was designed by world-renowned architect Willard Thomas Sears, who used the Torre Del Mangia in Siena, Italy, as inspiration.
This tower is an impressive 252 feet, 7.5 inches tall, making it the tallest all granite structure in the entire country. The monument sits atop a hill, too, putting it at about 350 feet above sea level.
You can visit the lookout at the top of the tower by climbing the 116 steps and 60 ramps to the top. It’ll take you about ten minutes to complete the journey, but you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views over Provincetown Harbor and out to Long Point Beach.
What’s at the Museum?
The Provincetown Museum sits at the edge of the parking lot directly in front of the monument. It isn’t the most prominent building, but it has a nice collection of local exhibits providing insight into Provincetown’s cultural and maritime history.
Permanent exhibits at the museum include:
- Information on the arrival of the Mayflower Pilgrims
- A look at the town’s extensive maritime and whaling history
- An overview of Provincetown’s influence on the early days of American theater
- Documentation on the construction of the monument
The museum also has an exhibit dedicated to artifacts brought to Provincetown by Donald B. MacMillan following his exploration of the Arctic with Robert E. Perry and tools from the local Wampanoag tribe.
In short, the Provincetown Museum is everything you could hope to find when exploring local and regional history, so it’s a great place to check out while vacationing in the area.
How to Get There
Before 2022, the only way to reach the Pilgrim Monument was to walk or drive to the parking lot on High Pole Hill Road. This road connects to Bradford Street and Winslow Street, so it’s convenient to reach if you have a car.
However, the Bradford Access Project includes an inclined elevator bringing ticket holders directly from Bradford Street to the monument, making the journey far easier for those on foot.
The elevator trip takes about two minutes and can hold up to 18 passengers, improving access to this historical monument for visitors spending time on Bradford and Commercial streets in downtown Provincetown.
Making the Most of Your P-Town Vacation
Provincetown has something for everyone, as you can head there for the festive atmosphere at the bars and restaurants, relax on Race Point Beach, hike the dunes, buy some art, or get up close to the town’s rich history.
Every day can be different when booking a vacation rental in P-Town because the community has so much diversity and so many activities.
Have a look at the available vacation rentals in Provincetown, Massachusetts, and don’t forget to experience the extensive history in the spot the Pilgrims first landed in North America.
