Driving from NYC to Provincetown, MA

We%26#39;re driving from NYC to Provincetown for 4-days in April. Should we stop in Mystic or Providence along the way? If so, can you recommend a good place to have lunch and get a quick feel for the town? what are the essential things to do in the Cape over a long (possibly chilly) weekend?

Driving from NYC to Provincetown, MA

We make the same drive every year - though earlier in the day - and stop at Mystic for breakfast. Mystic is just about mid-way on the trip, and there are several restaurants immediately off the highway - McDonalds and Friendly%26#39;s - which are OK for breakfast and/or lunch. Have a great trip.

Driving from NYC to Provincetown, MA

We make the same drive too – but again we leave much earlier in the day. By the time we’re ready for lunch we’re already there. I do suggest you leave really early like that too – everyone here on TA is always talking about summer traffic getting on to the Cape but for New Yorkers getting across a bridge and out of the Bronx is just as big an issue. Leaving at 5am vs 9am can save you hours in traffic. Make sure to tune into 1010wins for the latest traffic the moment you get in the car. I also suggest you take the Merritt until it runs out before you get on I-95. We always stop for breakfast at one of the McDonald’s along I-95 in CT (well before Mystic). It’s just so much easier to slip on and off 95 and get back on the road.

There are two sections to Mystic – the historic seaport and aquarium (sort of cheesy, expensive and probably only appropriate for kids) or downtown Mystic (home of Mystic Pizza). I find that getting to downtown Mystic is a pain: it’s easy to get turned around, hard to find parking and while it’s nice to get out of the car for a bit I don’t think it’s worth the two hours it’s going to take.

You’ll find there is a lot to do in P-Town. Outside of that you’ll want to see the lighthouse in Truro. There’s also a vineyard in Truro that has a nice tasting. I might head down to Wellfleet on day to try the famous Oysters if you’re into that – the Bookstore by Mayo Beach should be open. While you’re in Wellfleet check out one of the ocean beaches for a nice walk – these are the famous Cape Cod beaches of tall dunes and wild waves. Have a great trip!

Once you get to the Orleans rotary, watch for the Fort Hill Area in Eastham with a brown sign on the right about 1 mile along Rt heading toward P-town. Take a short detour to Fort Hill for one of the best panoramic views of the National Seashore on the outer cape. If you leave NY early and get to the cape before you can check in, have lunch at the Land Ho in Orleans (Rt 6A and Main) and then take the glorious walk along the Fort Hill Trails. From there is a short 30 minute drive to Provincetown.

If you are there during April vacation you will find that the Park offers several activities/tours etc that might interest you. Take a look at www.nps.gov/caco for a schedule of events in April.

Having read the other responses, I will agree that an earlier start is probably better. We also arrive in P-town too early to check in - so we stop at Fanizzi%26#39;s for a great lunch with water view and great cocktails! Great lobster roll, too!! Fanizzi%26#39;s is open year round. As for things to do - well strolling up and down Commercial Street and jumping into the open shops is usually a lot of fun - if you%26#39;re there for a Monday night, there is open mike at the Mews. A stroll on the beaches at Herring Cove and Race Point - even when windy and chilly - is always refreshing for us. Have a great trip.

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