My own private Provincetown - the best east coast vacation for your money - PHOTOS

Famed nightlife, fine dining, and accommodations - but the secret to PTown is the views

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CAHIR O'DOHERTY,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

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Early morning street scene in the sun washed seaside P-Town.

Photo by Cahir O'Doherty

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PHOTOS - Holiday snaps of the beautiful Provincetown, Cape Cod

Provincetown, located on the very tip of Cape Cod and cradled by the sparkling Atlantic, is proof that sometimes they truly do save the best for last.

P-Town as the locals call it, is known for many things, including its pristine beaches, its booming tourist industry, its artists and galleries and its well deserved status as one of the signature vacation spots for the nations gay and lesbian community.

It also has a storied Irish history, chiefly to be found in the kind of artistic figures who made their homes here over the decades. Eugene O'Neill arrived there as a 27-year-old untested playwright to stage his debut play, “Bound East For Cardiff”, and found that the high tide and the dense fog that helpfully rolled in on opening night were ideal accompaniment to his old sea dog's play.

But the Irish also make their presence felt in the bars, restaurants and bed and breakfasts that roll out the welcome mat to tourists. In fact you'll find them behind the bars, counters, fudge shops and fried clam stands the entire length of the town.

Getting to P-Town couldn't be easier. You can take a plane or a fast ferry via Boston Harbor Cruises (my favorite option, since it provides you with the enjoyable spectacle of arriving in the heart of town) or you can simply drive up the cape, it's your choice.

First timers can find the search for an ideal place to stay in P-Town daunting. I can help you with that. For my money, the venue that offers the perfect combination of upscale accommodations, local charm, location and value for money is The Anchor Inn.

PHOTOS - Holiday snaps of the beautiful Provincetown, Cape Cod

Located on Commercial Street, The Anchor Inn is close to all the attractions while at the same time being a haven from the crowds. It's setting, right in front of the harbor, could not be more ideal. The moment you arrive you'll know it’s something special and it seems they have thought of everything - rooms offer wifi, TV, personal refrigerators, luxury baths, hair dryers and most rooms have private balconies overlooking the P-Town harbor.

The secret to The Anchor is its winning blend of comfort and charm. I can't recommend it highly enough as your ideal base of operations. There's a wide front porch on which to take a seat and people watch in the early evening and the Inn's two labradors Molly and Ginger roll out the welcome mat the way only big friendly dogs know how. Here's the clincher though: The Anchor Inn's attentive and genuinely personable host Chris will give you the 411 on the local scene and do everything he can to make your stay a memorable one. That's the kind of attentiveness that money simply can not buy. Your first stay here is guaranteed to make it the only inn you think of for repeat visits.

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