United States
Provincetown is America's original LGBTQ+ resort — a tiny fishing village at the tip of Cape Cod that has been a haven for artists, writers, and the queer community since the early 20th century. With a permanent LGBTQ+ majority population, an unbroken tradition of gay-friendly guesthouses and bars, and a setting of extraordinary natural beauty among the Cape's dunes and beaches, Provincetown holds a unique and beloved place in American queer culture.
Provincetown — ‘P-town’ to regulars — sits at the very tip of Cape Cod, a narrow peninsula curling into the Atlantic. Its isolation made it a refuge for artists, bohemians, and LGBTQI+ people from the early 20th century. Today it is the most LGBTQI+-concentrated small town in America: a permanent population of around 3,000 that swells to 60,000 in summer, with the vast majority being queer visitors. Commercial Street, the main drag, is lined with shops, galleries, restaurants, and bars in a continuous celebration of queer life.
P-town’s social calendar is structured around themed weeks that draw specific communities. Bear Week (early July) is one of the largest bear events in the world, filling the town with thousands of bears, cubs, and admirers. Carnival Week (August) is the biggest week of the year — an explosion of drag, costumes, and parades. Women’s Week (October) and Leather and Fetish Week are also major draws. Provincetown Pride is held in June. Each week has its own distinct character and party circuit.
The Cape Cod National Seashore wraps around P-town with miles of stunning Atlantic beach. Herring Cove Beach is the unofficial LGBTQI+ beach — the dunes and the shoreline are a beloved gathering place. Long Point Beach at the very tip of the Cape requires a short boat ride or long walk and rewards with complete solitude. Cycling the National Seashore trails is a popular way to explore the dunes and kettle ponds.
June through October is the season. July and August are peak — warm, crowded, and electric. Bear Week and Carnival are the two most sought-after weeks. September and October offer a quieter, more local experience with the shoulder season bringing cooler weather. The town largely closes from November through May, with a small year-round community remaining.
Provincetown is about 2 hours from Boston by car via Route 6. The Bay State Cruise Company and Boston Harbor City Cruises run seasonal ferries from Boston’s Commonwealth Pier — a beautiful 90-minute journey across Cape Cod Bay. A small regional airport (PVC) has seasonal flights from Boston and New York. Once in P-town, everything is walkable or bikeable — cars are a nuisance and parking is scarce. Many visitors leave their cars at the ferry terminal.
Provincetown is extraordinarily safe and welcoming for LGBTQI+ travellers. The town’s permanent population is a majority LGBTQI+ community, and in summer the town swells with queer visitors from across the US and the world. Public displays of affection are universal and celebrated. Massachusetts has marriage equality and strong state-level protections.
The United States varies significantly by state in terms of legal protections and cultural attitudes. Same-sex marriage is federally protected. Federal anti-discrimination protections apply in employment. However, state-level legislation varies considerably — particularly on transgender rights, where several states have enacted restrictive laws since 2023. Major cities (New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Seattle) are very welcoming; rural areas and some states can be significantly less so. Trans travellers should research the specific states they plan to visit.
