The Weekender: One Last Cape Trip

Let’s face it, summer is coming to a close (sob…but it only just started!), and Labor Day Weekend is going to be nuts! Luckily, our Seaport dream team has the perfect plan to beat the crowds: get your Cape fun in this weekend! Our friends at Bay State Cruise Company depart from Seaport’s World Trade Center cruise terminal across Seaport Boulevard from the hotel. You can be in Provincetown in 90 minutes, and the Outer Cape is your oyster! From Porch Fest in Wellfleet to Truro Vineyards to “afternoon tea” in Provincetown, we’ve got the next 48 mapped out for you.

• Porchfest (Satuday, Aug. 25, 2pm-5pm): Hop in a cab as soon as you get off the boat at Provincetown Harbor and make the 25-minute drive to Wellfleet, an eclectic, art-lover’s paradise two towns from P-town. Saturday’s Porchfest event is a self-guided walk through town and features live bands playing from the porches of several homes. Musicians from the Cape and beyond will regale you with Irish tunes, classic rock, bluegrass, and jazz. Save time to shop in downtown Wellfleet or make the trek to the iconic Beachcomber (1120 Cahoon Hollow Rd., Wellfleet) – just stay off the dunes!

• Truro Vineyards (11 Shore Rd., North Truro): Believe it or not, the Outer Cape has its own wine region! Truro Vineyards may not be what you expect for a sojourn to the Cape, but it remains one of the most popular attractions. The vineyard features a tasting room and barrel room. Tours are available to learn the ins and outs of the varietals before you sip a few. Come with an empty stomach, as Blackfish Restaurant has a food truck on-site, and an assortment of cheeses and snacks are sold in the gift shop to enjoy on the front lawn. Cheers!

• The Boatslip (161 Commercial St., Provincetown): High tea might evoke images of scones in Buckingham Palace with Queen Elizabeth II. The afternoon Tea Dance at the Boatslip is anything but that. If Provincetown seems a little quiet from 4pm-7pm each day, it’s because most of the town is on the back deck at the Boatslip enjoying a Planter’s Punch and the ability of the local DJ to somehow mashup Madonna with Frozen and turn it into a Top 40 remix. This LGBT-centered event welcomes all with open arms and is something everyone should try at least once (as long as they are over 21).

• Commercial Street (Provincetown): For those looking for a quieter afternoon, just grab a coffee at one of the many cafes along P-town’s main thoroughfare and shop ‘til you drop. Cortile Gallery (230 Commercial St.) features several local artists and is a great way to remember your trip. Stores like ITEM. (209 Provincetown), Henry & Company (210 Commercial St.) and Womencrafts (376 Commercial St.) keep the locals in style while Roots For Home & Garden (193 Commercial St.) is a funky home store worth popping into for all sorts of accessories you don’t need but will never regret buying.