Exclusive | Provincetown: Where to Shop

Commercial Street is the place, especially the west end of the strip. Walk one end of Commercial to the other, and find a great assortment of resort and casual-wear clothing, art, jewelry and souvenirs. Here are some of our favorite stores, starting from the western end of Commercial Street. If you're into sailors, or just anything nautical you mustn't miss Peter's Royal Navy (120 Commercial St; 508-487-7141), a handsome shop in the west end which sells anything and everything remotely sea-centric: old photos of handsome navy men, ship accoutrements, and even a cool tiki-style bar that looks like it just floated in from the South Pacific. Great fun! Wa (184 Commercial St; 508-487-6355) means harmony in Japanese, and that's what you'll feel simply walking in the door where you're greeted by the lapping sounds of several Japanese rock-sand-water gardens, soothing candle scents, cool, black-clad clerks, and a treasure trove of polished gift items including chopsticks, sculptures, and other artworks.

Forbidden Fruit (173 Commercial St; 508-487-9800) is an imaginative boutique carrying elegant gifts, artful dinnerware and stemware, elaborate Venetian Carnival masks, interesting statuary, and other memorable items for the home. Comfy gay gear can be picked up at the Human Rights Campaign Action Center & Store (209-211 Commercial St, Shop 6; 508-487-7736), a shop that sells sweats and shirts and such. Proceeds, obviously, go to HRC. If you've left your outdoorsy gear (Teva sandals, anoraks, backpacks, and other sporty stuff) at home, you'll probably do well to visit Venture Athletics (306 Commercial St; 508-487-2395).

Don't let the name fool you: Marine Specialties (235 Commercial St; 508-487-1730) is more than a marine-supply store. This vaunted Provincetown shop carries cool lamps, candles, fun clothing, weird toys, and everything else imaginable -- it's kind of like a big funky P-town general store. Dirtier duds and sexy accessories can be found at the impressive M.G. Leather (338 Commercial St; 508-487-4036), P-town's preeminent shop for leather and rubber gear. For a really interesting personal souvenir, stop in at Song of Myself (349 Commercial St; 508-487-5736), where photographer Brad Fowler will create a "poetic portrait" of you (and your honey). The samples on his studio wall are fun to browse through.

Forget that book to read on the beach? No problem. At Now Voyager Bookstore (357 Commercial St; 508-487-0848) you'll find a great selection of current bestsellers, gay and lesbian themed works, and mysteries galore. Provincia (140 Commercial St; 508-487-5603) celebrates the area?s Portuguese connections with beautiful Mediterranean pottery, Portuguese soaps and crafts, stunning linens and tablecloths, and other attractive housewares. Womencrafts (376 Commercial St; 508-487-2501), a P-town landmark, sells lesbian literature as well as CDs, videos, jewelry, crafts and pottery, clothing, and baby gear.

If you'd like a retro-flavored knickknack to take home, step down into Remembrances of Things Past (376 Commercial St; 508-487-9443), a treasure trove of festive and tasteful 20th-century collectibles, celebrity memorabilia (signed Barbra CD covers), jewelry, and anything nostalgic.

If you're a cook, dating one, or just a hopeful Martha Stewart wannabe you'll love Utilities (393 Commercial St; 508-487-6800), a very cool, upscale haven of all things foodie. Pots, pans, table settings, fabulous crockery, utensils, and cookbooks are all here. If all this shopping tires you out, visit the West End Salon (155 Commercial St; 508-487-1872), a good place for massage and hair styling.

Related Articles:
Provincetown: Introduction
Provincetown: Gay Life
Provincetown: Where to Stay
Provincetown: Where to Eat
Provincetown: Where to Play
Provincetown: What to See & Do
Provincetown: Artistic/Cultural
Provincetown: Resources