So whether you have a weekend or a week, check out these hotspots and get the most out of your late-summer trip. P’town has such a welcoming vibe that everyone falls in love with it.

So check it out. The locals won’t bite.

How to Get There

The best option is the Bay State Cruise Company, which offers daily ferry transportation from Boston’s Financial District to Provincetown. Park your car and your worries at the port, grab a Corona at the ferry bar, and step out onto the deck to watch Boston’s skyline fade into the distance.

Note: Even if you’re flying in from outside of New England, it’s highly recommended that you leave your car in Boston and take the ferry. Provincetown is tiny and so are its streets, so it’s best experienced on foot or bike.

Where to Stay

Bed and breakfasts abound in P’town, and they range from affordable to astronomical. But with a little planning, you can get a sweet deal for about the same price as a standard hotel. The Benchmark Inn offers incredible amenities such as private balconies, personal gas fireplaces, Jacuzzis, saunas, a heated pool, and more. Proprietor Park Davis and manager Jared Hatch are happy to make your dinner reservations or suggest a cool bar or club. And The Benchmark is only a block from Commercial Street (P’town’s main drag), so a short walk will bring you right into the heart of town.

Where to Eat

There’s no shortage of seafood in Provincetown. If you’re looking for a casual atmosphere to enjoy a shrimp basket and a beer after a day at the beach, try The Lobster Pot. Plenty of seating, a seemingly endless menu, and friendly, sun-kissed staff make it worth your while.

What’s a summer vacation without a little South African fare, right? Trust me, after a laid-back lunch at Karoo Café, you’ll want their curry coleslaw recipe for your next barbecue. Grab a falafel wrap and enjoy it on their outdoor patio. They’re only open for lunch, so it’s probably best to make a pit stop here before heading to the beach for the rest of the afternoon: (508) 487-6630. For fine waterfront dining, try The Mews Restaurant and Café. This American bistro serves up delectable salads like Baby Spinach with Stilton and The Classic Caesar, and mouth-watering entrees like Roasted Duck Breast and Seared Four Peppercorn Crusted Tuna. A top-notch cocktail menu offers a wide range of drinks to bookend your meal. Check their website often as their menu changes frequently.

Bike, Dance, See Art

Give your feet a rest and rent a bike from Gale Force Bikes; they’ll set you up with a biped transportation that fits your needs, wallet and leg length. Upon launch, you have your choice of tackling the paved trails that lace the Provincetown dunes, or coasting down Commercial St. Like a European city, a bike is a great way to explore this seaside town and its environs including the art scene, a nationally recognized and locally loved piece of America’s first art colony.

The Provincetown Art Association and Museum is a must-see. Under director Chris McCarthy, the museum has undergone extensive renovations, transforming it into a beacon of artistic expression, a symbol of Provincetown’s pride and respect for art in a variety of mediums. You can continue your day of art by checking out the dozens of art galleries on Commercial Street and Bradford St. Several artists also allow you to visit their studios, so make inquiries when you find an artist’s work that you like and might want to see more of. Gallery hopping is a Friday night ritual, through mid-September, with townies and tourists flocking to the newest show or exhibit at almost all of the galleries. Sip wine, eat cheese, and experience an art scene like no other.

Packed your boogie shoes? Good. Head over to The A-House to shake off the sand and experience one of Provincetown’s oldest and most popular clubs. It’s the perfect venue for dancing and/or chatting with and ogling the bronzed muscle-heads you saw at the beach and at the art galleries on its large outdoor deck.

Either way, you’ll have yourselves a night to remember.