Provincetown Public Library


Erected in 1860 as a church, this building was turned into a museum a century later, complete with a half-size replica of Provincetown's famed race-winning schooner Rose Dorothea. When the museum went bust, the town converted the building to a library. One catch: the boat, which occupies the building's upper deck, was too big to remove – so it's still there, with bookshelves built around it. Pop upstairs and take a look.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Fine Arts Work Center

0.14 MILES

The Fine Arts Work Center is one reason this far-flung corner of Massachusetts continues to attract daring and creative minds. The progressive foundation…

2. MacMillan Pier

0.19 MILES

The central town wharf is the hub of water-going traffic, like passenger ferries to and from Boston, whale-watching cruises, fishing charters and…

3. Albert Merola Gallery

0.21 MILES

The high-quality Albert Merola Gallery showcases works by both contemporary and notable past Provincetown artists. It's reliably open during the summer…

4. Pilgrim Monument & Provincetown Museum

0.24 MILES

Climb to the top of the country's tallest all-granite structure (253ft) for a sweeping view of town, the beaches and the spine of the Lower Cape. The…

5. Provincetown Art Association & Museum

0.33 MILES

Founded in 1914 to celebrate the town’s thriving art community, this vibrant museum showcases the works of hundreds of artists who have found their…

6. Long Point Beach

1.64 MILES

Home to the Cape's most remote grains of sand, Long Point Beach is reached by a two-hour walk (each way) along the stone dike at the western end of…

7. Province Lands Visitor Center

1.79 MILES

Overlooking Race Point Beach, this Cape Cod National Seashore visitor center has displays on dune ecology and a rooftop observation deck with an eye…

8. Herring Cove Beach

1.82 MILES

Swimmers favor the relatively calm (though certainly brisk) waters of Herring Cove Beach, part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. The long, sandy beach is…