Local Legends and Lobster Roll Tour

Cannery Wharf, located at 387-395 Commercial Street in Provincetown, Massachusetts, was historically one of the town’s most picturesque and frequently painted wharves, known for its offset pier sheds and cupola, which created a striking composition. Originally owned by David Conwell in the 19th century, it served as a hub for outfitting whaling and fishing vessels. In 1882, L. Pickert & Company revitalized it as a fish-packing and canning operation, with the adjacent Small’s Wharf used for smoking fish. The wharf was damaged in 1926 when the Coast Guard cutter USCG Morrill sliced it in half during a storm. In 2019, the Town of Provincetown acquired the half-acre waterfront parcel using Land Bank funds and a $400,000 grant, transforming it into Cannery Wharf Park

The Provincetown Public Library, located at 356 Commercial Street in Provincetown, Massachusetts, is a cultural and historical gem housed in the historic Center Methodist Episcopal Church, a Second Empire-style building constructed in 1860. Converted into a library in 2002, it serves as a community hub, offering books, digital resources, programs, and events. Its iconic feature is a half-scale replica of the schooner Rose Dorothea, a 66-foot fishing vessel, displayed in the main reading room, commemorating Provincetown’s maritime heritage. The library also houses a significant archive of local history, including the Anthony Bourdain Collection, donated in 2023, featuring manuscripts and materials from his time in Provincetown. Open year-round, it’s a vital resource for residents and visitors, blending historic charm with modern services.

The Governor Bradford, located at 312-314 Commercial Street in Provincetown, Massachusetts, is a historic restaurant and bar established in 1960, though the site has hosted eateries since the 1930s. A year-round institution, it was owned by the Edwards family from the 1940s until 2022, when new owners, including chef Collin Kolisko and David Ciccolo, took over. Known for its lively, nautical atmosphere, it features local seafood, lobster rolls, and a raw bar, alongside a craft beer program and drag karaoke. The venue, split between a bar at No. 312 and a restaurant at No. 314, boasts maritime artifacts and a mural by James Wingate Parr. Its recent renovation introduced an outdoor beer garden and a modernized, industrial aesthetic while preserving its community vibe.

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.

The Lobster Pot, located at 321 Commercial Street in Provincetown, Massachusetts, is a renowned seafood restaurant and a Provincetown tradition since 1979. Famous for its iconic neon lobster sign, it offers fresh seafood, Portuguese specialties, steaks, poultry, vegetarian dishes, and award-winning clam chowder, served in two waterfront dining rooms with stunning Provincetown Harbor views. The restaurant, open seasonally from April to November, is celebrated for its Cape Cod hospitality, vibrant atmosphere, and signature cocktails at the "Top of the Pot" bar. Notably, it holds a special place in culinary history as the place where Anthony Bourdain began his career in the 1970s, working as a dishwasher

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.

The Boatslip Resort, located at 161 Commercial Street in Provincetown, Massachusetts, is a legendary waterfront hotel and beach club established in 1965. Designed by Burnett V. Vickers and opened as a motel in 1969, it became iconic for its daily Tea Dance, a vibrant afternoon dance party on its harborside deck, starting in the disco era and defining gay Provincetown culture. A key LGBTQ+ destination, it welcomes a diverse, over-21 clientele with air-conditioned rooms, private balconies, a heated pool, and a 10,000-square-foot sundeck. By 1991, financial struggles led to bankruptcy, but it rebounded as a cultural hub. The resort’s inclusive atmosphere, bolstered by events like Tea Dance, has made it a Provincetown staple, steps from Commercial Street’s shops and nightlife.