Provincetown, known as P-town, sits at the very tip of Cape Cod, and it's a place of incredible light, creative spirit and open arms. It's the oldest continuous arts colony in the U.S. and has long welcomed writers, painters and the LGBTQ community, making it one of the most inclusive and lively towns in New England.

Commercial Street is the heart of town, lined with art galleries, independent shops, cabaret and drag shows and seafood shacks serving lobster rolls. Climb the Pilgrim Monument, which marks where the Pilgrims first landed in 1620 before heading to Plymouth, for sweeping views. Head out on a whale-watching tour, as Provincetown is one of the best places on the East Coast to see humpbacks. Then explore the Cape Cod National Seashore, which wraps around town with towering sand dunes, pine forests and wide beaches, and take a dune tour past the historic dune shacks where writers like Eugene O'Neill once worked.

Reach Provincetown by car, by fast ferry from Boston or by short flight. Summer is busiest. I'll plan your stay, whale watch and dune tour.