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North America

Our Getaway Weekend in Provincetown

by Maggie Leave a Comment

Old house with a garden - getaway weekend in Provincetown, MA
A beautiful old house with a garden in P-town

We love Provincetown (called P-town by locals) and visited this place on a few occasions. Instead of spending a week, we had only a getaway weekend due to the coronavirus pandemic. This summer on the Cape Cod was different. A lot of events and activities were canceled, and the towns were significantly less crowded than normal for the summer season.

Provincetown is a beautiful year-round and one of the most popular vacation destinations in New England.

It is located on the very tip of the Cape Cod and approximately 2.5 hours’ drive from Boston. But it will take longer to get there if you hit the road on Saturday afternoon instead of early morning. In high season, driving on Route 6 can be a traffic nightmare, but we were lucky, and the traffic was light. I think the coronavirus pandemic changed everyone’s lifestyle and how often people want to travel.

I love this small town. It has a unique blend of an old-fashioned fishing village and hip artsy community. When you walk around the town you can see its narrow streets are lined with charming old homes and little gardens around them. You will never be bored here because there is so much to do.

The National Historical Society has selected Provincetown as one of the top 12 historic places in the country.

The P-town has a big LGBTQ community and they have many parades and celebrations during the summer. But in the last two weeks of August, you will find mostly families with young kids, couples, and a group of friends walking Commercial Street.

In my opinion, there are 3 things to do in P-town if you are only heading there for a getaway weekend:

  1. Visit the beaches
  2. Shop and dine on Commercial Street
  3. Take a scenic drive
ocean beach with harbor and sailing boats - getaway weekend in Provincetown, MA
Provincetown Harbor

This is how we spent our getaway weekend in Provincetown on the Cape:

Day 1. Stroll Commercial Street

We were not yet hungry for dinner, so we started our slow walk towards Commercial Street. As we strolled, we found ourselves in the Gallery District where many artists live and create. We popped in a couple of them and were delighted to see the quality of artwork displayed. Most of the artist’s inspiration comes from the timeless New England scenery – lighthouses, sailboats, dunes, and beaches.

Commercial Street is the main shopping street in town and full of quirky shops, unique art galleries, great restaurants, and cafes. It is considered one of the most vibrant and bustling streets, and you do not want to miss it.

people walking along street - getaway weekend in Provincetown
Commercial Street in P-town

We arrived and checked into the Eastwood timeshare resort. The resort is located at the edge of the town and a long walk to Commercial Street where all activities happen every night. The complex is old and dated, but space was more than sufficient for the getaway weekend. The receptionist pointed us to a short strip of a beach located 5 minutes’ walk from the resort. We checked it out but did not like it because the beach was covered with a thick layer of seaweeds.

There are plenty of touristy shops filled with T-shirts, beachwear, jewelry, glassware, and more. If you want to bring home some items to remind you of time spent in Provincetown stop at one of many souvenir shops for lobsters, seashells, starfish, or lighthouses.

Provincetown Harbor is another place to visit and just a short walk from Commercial Street. I like this place because it has great views of the ocean and the Pilgrim Monument. There is a mat leading down to the ocean for visitors who do not want to walk on the sand.

We did not climb the Pilgrim Monument because I was tired after our long drive to the Cape Cod through Boston on Saturday afternoon. But we came closer and took a few pictures. The Pilgrim Monument is a 252-foot tower in the center of P-town with 116 steps. It was built in 1907 to commemorate the arrival of the Mayflower in 1692. Thus, Provincetown was the Pilgrim’s first landing in the New World.

Pilgrim Monument in P-town
Pilgrim Monument in P-town. The view from the harbor

Day 2. Beach time

We like to spend time on the beach and P-town is well known for its long and sandy beaches. On day 2 we drove to the Herring Cove Beach in the morning. It took us less than 20 minutes to drive to this beach from our place. The parking there is $25.

There are two parking areas to the beach: one is on the right and another one is on the left. The one on the left looked larger. But we choose to park our car on the right because it was closer to the beach and ocean. The beach has several facilities such as restrooms, showers, and a vending machine stand. However, I did not see any lifeguards on duty.

The Herring Cove Beach is part of the National Seashore and it was named one of the America’s best All-Time Beaches by the courtesy of the Travel Channel. The sunsets are stunning here. This beach is the most popular in Provincetown because it lies on the bay, so the water is calm and warm.

And we were not disappointed. It was a perfect sunny day for sun tanning and swimming. We wore masks as we walked to the beach where you might be close to other people. But once on the beach, it was not hard to maintain at least 6 feet distance. Most of the beach-goers were thoughtful about social distancing.

Walking and swimming are my two favorite activities while staying on the beach. But I like to read a good book as well. The temperature was in the low 80’s and the sun was out. The water was calm and clear so you can see the fish swimming around you. We did not see any sharks even there were warning on the news. We relaxed and soaked up the last days of summer. I would say it was a perfect beach day.

Visit the beaches:

  • Herring Cove Beach
  • Race Point Beach

Day 3. Scenic drive

sand dunes around Provincetown
Sand dunes around P-town

While Provincetown is known for its vibrant downtown and artistic community, there are also amazing natural landscapes to explore. A great way to do that is to rent a bike at one of the rental bike shops. We did not rent a bike, but we saw people biking everywhere. There are tons of bike paths that take you through the pine forests, sandy dunes, ocean, and cranberry bogs. If you rent a bike it is easy to get to two popular beaches – Race Point Beach and Herring Cove Beach.

As I mentioned above, we did not rent a bike, because we decided to drive around to fully experience the beauty of this area. We took a relaxing ride along the spectacular Atlantic coast looking at the beautiful sand dunes of the Cape Cod. We found plenty of spots where you can pull over and take scenic photos.

Taking a guided Dune Tour is another way to experience the natural beauty of the Cape Cod National Seashore. It is considered one of the oldest attractions in Provincetown. The company Arts Dune Tours is family owned and operated since 1946. We took one of the daily tours a few years back and really liked it. Some of the dunes are 100-feet tall and simply gorgeous. We had a view of the legendary dune shacks where artists still go for inspiration and meditation.

Arts Dune Tours

Places to eat:

Lobster Pot restaurant in P-town
Lobster Pot restaurant in P-town

This summer, restaurants and cafes around Provincetown have adopted social distancing guidelines. I have noticed that some have expanded their outdoor area to provide additional seating, others adjusted their indoor seating to ensure the safety of their clients.

On the first night we had dinner at the Lobster Pot. We decided to go there because the reviews were great. However, the restaurant does not take dinner reservations only walk-ins. It was a Saturday night, so we put our names on the waiting list and walked around a one-and-a-half-hour before they texted us that our table is ready. You have to wear a mask walking inside the restaurant, but once seated at your table you do not need it.

I did not really like the ambiance of the place, but we were lucky to get a table on the upper floor outdoor terrace and the view to the harbor was spectacular. We did not order any appetizers and started with a few drinks. Then, I ordered the Portuguese fish from the dinner menu and Roman had the grilled halibut. The food was delicious.

321 Commercial Street, phone: 508-487-0842

a plate with seafood
Portuguese Fish at Lobster Pot – linguica crusted cod stuffed with sauteed onions, celery and crackers, blended with shrimp, scallops and crabmeat, and baked in tomatoes and onions – delicious!

On Sunday evening many restaurants we wanted to go were closed. We stopped at the Squealing Pig restaurant which had decent food reviews, but I did not feel covid safe to eat there. Then, we walked across the street to the Patio American Grill & Cocktail Bar and they found a table for us on the patio.

The place looked stylish with comfortable cushioned bench seating. There is a plexiglass barrier between tables to keep customers safe during the pandemic. The restaurant is perfectly located on the Commercial street in downtown and a great spot for people-watching. You feel like you are in the middle of the action. The service was good and fast, but they limit your time being there. We were warned that we have only an hour-and-a-half to stay at the restaurant.

I had one of the popular hand-crafted cocktails and Roman had one draft beer. My black raspberry mojito was refreshing, and oysters were plump and fresh. We tried the linguini carbonara with lobster and streak frites au poivre. Everything was tasty.

328 Commercial Street, phone: 508-487-4003

More places to eat:

The Mews – a very popular beachfront restaurant with a cozy upstairs lounge, bar, and coffee shop. Unfortunately, the restaurant is closed on Sunday and Monday.

429 Commercial Street, phone: 508-487-1500

The Canteen – great location, the amazing view of downtown, good food reviews.

225 Commercial Street, phone: 508-487-3800

Strangers & Saints – this restaurant looks unique with the charming gardens around the old but tastefully renovated house. We did not call in advance for the reservation and the place was full when we walked in. We will try to visit this place next time because it has great food reviews.

404 Commercial Street, phone: 508-487-1449

More places to visit:

Explore the Provincetown Museum.

Watch a sunset at gorgeous Race Point Beach and take photos of a lighthouse.

Hike or bike the Beech Forest Trail.

Go on a whale watching tour with Seasalt Charters.

Go on the sailboat tour with Dog Gone Sailing Charters.

Saying goodbye to P-town

Our getaway weekend in P-town came to an end. It was time to leave this unique and charming Cape Cod town. We did not want to leave before grabbing some delicious pastries from the Portuguese Bakery on Commercial Street. Then, we took Route 6 and drove home, back to reality.

Filed Under: North America, Travel Tagged With: getaway weekend, travel to Cape Cod, travel to provincetown

Discover 7 Best Things to Do in Montreal

by Maggie 2 Comments

city view of Montreal from top of MontRoyal
City skyline view from the top of Mont-Royal

Montreal is one of my favorite cities in North America. We lived there for two short years but it always has a special place in my heart. It is unique, it is special, it is charming and it’s a heaven for foodies.

The city has a very European feel and called “Paris of Canada” for its love for festivals, street art, good food, and enjoying life to the hilt.

Even Montreal is a big and cosmopolitan city and yet it is made for people. In summer there are lots of green areas and small parks where residents can relax, walk around, ride a bike, or make a picnic.

People of Montreal definitely know how to have a good time. The streets are alive and buzzing with French and English conversations. It’s safe and you can walk around even late at night. People enjoy staying late dining out, partying or just simply cycling with the family through the streets.

There are several universities in Montreal with students from Canada, the United States, and Europe. All that just adds to the city’s vibe and its multicultural atmosphere.

In this post I want to share my experience of how to discover Montreal and 7 best things to do in this city:

1. Wander around Old Montreal & Old Port

St. Paul Street in Old Montreal, Canada
St. Paul Street – Old Montreal

Start your visit by exploring the oldest part of Montreal – Old Montreal (Vieux-Montreal).

Walk along St. Paul Street for that old European charm. It’s a pure pleasure to walk the cobblestone streets dated back to the 17th century. The old limestone buildings bring a lot of flavor to this area. Don’t miss to stop at the unique place called Bonsecours Market or Marche Bonsecours for locals. If you go inside, you’ll find it an ideal place for shopping for gifts and souvenirs.

St. Paul Street & Bonsecours Market in Old Montreal
Bonsecours Market in Old Montreal

The most popular part of Old Montreal is the area called Old Port (Vieux-Port de Montreal). It was established around 1611 as a trading post among French fur traders who ventured into the wilderness of the region.

Today, the Old Port stretches 2 km along the shores of the St. Lawrence River and one of the most popular places with tourists and locals. The pedestrian street Place Jacques-Cartier comes to life especially during the summer months, when restaurant’s terraces stay open until very late, and when many street performers keep visitors entertained.

Place Jacques-Cartier is part of Old Montreal
Place Jacques-Cartier and City Hall of Montreal is part of Old Montreal

The Old Port was re-developed in the 1990s to make it more attractive to tourists and locals. According to the statistics, the impressive six million tourists visit this area each year. One of the best things you can do is to stroll along the riverfront on foot or cycling on the bike with Segway rentals available everywhere. Also, there is a giant IMAX theater and the Montreal Science Center.

Place Jackes-Cartier in Montreal in summer
We enjoyed visiting Place Jacques-Cartier during the summer months

There are so many events, festivals and shows happen in the Old Port. Each season brings something new and different to the calendar. But I want to mention the most popular events: the annual outdoor music festival, the famous Montreal’s Festival of Lights, the Matsuri Japan festival and in the winter Igloo fest which draws tens of thousands.

Old Port of Montreal is part of Boat tours on the St-Lawrence river

Montreal: Private Walking Tour with a Local

2. Notre-Dame Basilica

Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal
Notre-Dame Basilica – Old Montreal

Notre-Dame Basilica is one of Montreal’s oldest buildings and it’s a short walk from picturesque St. Paul Street. The Basilica was built in an impressive Gothic Revival style, standing 200 feet high.

This beautiful building is one of my favorites. I always feel overwhelmed by its architectural beauty and grand, colorful interiors. The deep blue ceiling is dotted with golden stars. The stained glass windows show scenes from the city’s religious history. Hundreds of rare wood carvings grace the interior. The whole interior is a blast of colors in blues, reds, silver, and azure.

If you want to get inside you have to pay an admission fee around $6.00, unless you want to attend a Catholic mass. Even Notre-Dame is a religious place, it has an active calendar for cultural events, with regular concerts and light shows being held throughout the year. It was also the setting of Celine Dion’s wedding to Rene Angelil.

3. Mary Queen of the World Cathedral

interior of Mary Queen Cathedral in Montreal
Beautifully ornate interiors of Mary Queen Cathedral

If you are like me and fascinated by the architecture, you should visit the magnificent Mary Queen of the World Cathedral. You can find this beautifully ornate church right in downtown Montreal.

The story behind its facade that the original building of Saint-Jacques Cathedral was burned to the ground in 1862. The new church was built in the same place and it was modeled after St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Mary Queen Cathedral is the third largest cathedral in Quebec.

Go inside and you will be fascinated with the paintings depicting early Montreal history. Don’t forget to stop and enjoy a few minutes of looking at the church baldachin covering the altar and the bishop’s mortuary chapel. Also, take note of the texts written in golden letters that decorate the inside of the cathedral.

4. Mount Royal Park (Parc du Mont-Royal)

People walking up the street in Montreal to get to Mont Royal
You can walk along the street to get to Mount Royal Park. It’s right in the heart of downtown Montreal. You cannot miss it.

I’m always a huge fan of looking at the city from above and Montreal has some great points to admire its beauty. One of the Mount Royal (Mont-Royal) is a small mountain in the middle of the city. Montreal’s spectacular Mount Royal Park offers one of the best views of the city below.

The park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted – an architect of New York’s Central Park and offers acres of green space and different outdoor activities in the middle of the bustling city. It’s one of the best getaways from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

I would recommend driving to the top of the mountain to see the entire city stretched out below or you may walk to the top through one of the many trails. However, you can climb on top of Mount Royal by using steep wooden stairs that start at the base of the park.

When you reach the top, you will find the beautiful observation place with a historical Smith House on the background. It was built in 1858 and considered the last standing example of rural architecture of that period.

5. St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal (Oratoire Saint-Joseph du Montreal)

St. Joseph Oratory wall murals
A mural of all nations is by the escalator that takes us to the main sanctuary of the Oratory

While in Montreal you might notice a big, green, round roof of the building standing tall in the city skyline. It belongs to St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal and the largest church in Canada.

The green dome of the Oratory was modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and is the second highest in the world. The Basilica was built on the top of the hill with long rows of steps and amazing views of the city. The whole complex of landscape and architecture reminds me of the famous Sacre-Coeur Basilica in Paris.

There are a few interesting facts behind St. Joseph’s Oratory Basilica. According to the legend, “Brother Andre” was known to perform miraculous healing on the sick and injured. He built a small chapel on the slopes of Mont-Royal and dedicated it to Saint Joseph.

But with time it became very crowded and the demand for prayer space had grown. So, a larger church was built in 1917, and then expanded and completed in 1967. It hosts over 2 million visitors each year, many of whom come looking for healing.

If you want to explore the Basilica, visit a small original chapel, the gardens, the museum with religious and artistic exhibits. In summer I like to take a stroll through the basilica’s gardens. It showcases wide lawns and colorful flower beds.

6. Jean-Talon Market (Marche Jean-Talon)

Jean Talon market in Montreal
Jean-Talon Market has many stalls with fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms

One of the oldest public markets in Montreal is the Jean-Talon Market. It’s a heaven for foodies and one of my favorite places to visit on Sunday morning. The market is open throughout the year. Its busiest time in the summer and fall where up to 300 vendors from the city countryside come to display their fresh produce. No cars are allowed in the market streets over summer weekends. So, it will be easier to use public transportation, Uber or taxicab.

The market reminds me of a little village. Some merchants continue generations of market sellers. It’s very popular among locals and tourists. You can find all kinds of local fruits and vegetables, spices, oils, cheese, meat, fish and baked goods.

If you are at Jean-Talon Market don’t forget to visit the Premiere Moisson shop. Everyone loves it. It’s a bakery that makes bread, desserts, and sandwiches. It’s not a restaurant, but if you want to stop for a sandwich, dessert and coffee there is no better place. A very “French” experience. We love it. You can buy an amazing variety of pates, terrines and artisan bread.

Premiere Moisson Bakery display of tarts and cakes
My favorite part of Premiere Moisson bakery – all kinds of tarts and cakes

If you are looking to appreciate the flavors of Jean-Talon Market, you should consider the Food Tour Of Montreal’s Little Italy including the Jean-Talon Market:

A Foodie’s Tour of Little Italy

7. Shopping on St. Catherine Street

You cannot leave Montreal without visiting its main shopping hub – St. Catherine Street. This street is long and crosses the Montreal’s downtown from east to west. You can walk it for hours and find the local boutiques, high-end designers, chain department stores and small souvenir shops. There are plenty of restaurants, cafes, and bars along the street. In summer you can enjoy the drinks and meals outdoors while the street breaks into small and big patios on every corner.

People are walking along St Catherine in Montreal
St. Catherine Street is long and you can walk it for hours.

Keep walking towards St Catherine West until you find Place-des-Arts. Recently renovated and expanded this place is a major cultural venue of the city. The city hosts numerous festivals each year and the most famous one is Jazz Festival. The admission to many attractions is free, so more people can enjoy the festivities.

Food

brunch plate with omelette, potatoes, fruits
Montreal is big on brunches. We had brunch at one of the popular places where people wait in line to get seated

Montreal is famous for its excellent restaurants that serve national and ethnic food. If you are a tourist, it’s easy to find a decent place to eat within a walking distance. The city is full of French bistros, patisseries, pubs, hipster bars, and fancy restaurants. On a sunny afternoon, terraced cafes and outdoor restaurants are filled with locals and tourists lounging in groups.

I would recommend to take one of Montreal popular food tours if you want to taste the delicious diversity of this city:

Local Food Tours Montreal

Weather

I would recommend visiting Montreal between mid-June and mid-October while the weather is decent for traveling and enjoying the outdoor activities. Montreal has 4 seasons with the height of summer being warm, sunny and hot. Winter months are cold and long here with several large snowstorms with a foot or more of snow on the ground.

If you are trying to escape a cold day outside, you would be happy to learn that Montreal is home to the largest “underground city” in the world. It sounds scary, but the underground city is one of Canada’s busiest shopping areas. You can access the network of underground paths and tunnels from the street, subway stations, and even major hotels. It will directly connect you to shopping centers, office and public buildings, night clubs, a movie theater, and many cafes and restaurants.

Other places to visit:

Museum of Fine Arts (Musee Des Beaux-Arts)

Museum of Fine Arts in Montreal
Museum of Fine Arts in downtown Montreal. It’s too bad that the front facade was under renovation.

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is one of the prominent in the world and welcomes over 1 million visitors every year. It was founded in 1860 and made of three pavilions featuring the art from around the world.

Botanical Gardens (Jardin Botanique de Montreal)

Montreal Botanical Gardens is considered one of the most important botanical gardens in the world. It dates to 1931 and has a 200-acre collection of gardens and greenhouses. Each garden has a theme and there are flowers and plants from all around the globe.

Montreal Olympic Park (Parc Olympique)

Parc Olympique was built for the 1976 Olympic Games. It cost over $1.4 billion to build but was not completed until the 1980s. It was the subject of much frustration for many Montreal residents. However, it is a popular tourist attraction and offers visitors to view exhibitions and participate in many types of activities.

Have fun visiting and discovering Montreal!

Have you been to Montreal? If yes, did you enjoy it? If not, would you like to visit it?

Filed Under: North America, Travel Tagged With: travel to Montreal

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Hi, I'm Maggie. Welcome to Save, Invest & Retire! I am on a mission to help baby boomers learn how to save & invest smart. Follow me on detailed information about retirement planning, travels, and living the life of your dreams.

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