In between all the beach fun and downtown exploring, take the family to the Pilgrim Monument & Provincetown Museum. When people think “Mayflower,” they typically think about the Plymouth Colony. But did you know the Pilgrims first landed right here in Provincetown? In fact, Provincetown is where the Pilgrims first drafted and signed the Mayflower Compact.

You’ll find interesting information like that all throughout the museum, which is filled with a variety of different historical artifacts and exhibits. Some of the more interesting pieces of the museum are the town’s first fire engine, built in the 1830’s by an apprentice of Paul Revere; old photographs, play bills, household items, Christmas cards and other local artifacts that help date and catalogue Provincetown’s history; arrowheads and other tools from the local Native American Wampanoag tribe; a diorama of the Mayflower Compact signing and more.

After taking a thorough stroll around the museum, the more physically fit members of the family are invited to take a walk to the top of he 252-foot Pilgrim Monument, which affords visitors the best views in all of Cape Cod. On a clear day, you can see right through to the Boston skyline and Plymouth! It’s definitely a bit of a hike (116 steps and 60 incline ramps), but it is an absolute must-see if you’re able to do it.