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15 Best Things to Do in Plymouth (MA)

By a natural harbor on the South Shore, Plymouth is the place where the Pilgrims disembarked from the Mayflower in 1620.

You can grapple with this world-changing history at a multitude of attractions and landmarks, from living history at Plimoth Patuxet to the exceptional Pilgrim Hall Museum, where the personal possessions of several Pilgrims have been preserved.

In “America’s Hometown” you’ll get a clear picture of who the Pilgrims were, how they lived and what they stood for, while understanding the Native American Wampanoag tribe, on whose assistance the early colonists depended.

As well as that momentous history, Plymouth has many of the things that you want from a New England coastal town, like a pretty downtown area, marvelous ocean views and inviting beaches.

1. Pilgrim Hall Museum

A trove of Pilgrim artifacts, the Pilgrim Hall Museum is the oldest continuously operating public museum in the United States.

Opened in 1824 and with a solemn Green Revival main building composed of Quincy granite, this attraction is the logical starting point in Plymouth.

There’s an unparalleled amount of contemporaneous Pilgrim items to uncover here, helping you get a sense of the crossing and life in the early colony.

Among the most important pieces are the turned chair of the colony’s spiritual leader, William Brewster, a bible belonging to governor William Bradford and a cradle brought by Mayflower passenger and expectant mother Susanna White.

Also remarkable is a painting of Edward Winslow from 1651, the only surviving portrait of a Pilgrim painted from life. Central to the exhibit is the story of the Wampanoag, the indigenous people who were here for millennia before the Mayflower arrived, and present today.

2. Plimoth Patuxet

There’s a cluster of living history museums around Plymouth, under the umbrella, Plimoth Patuxet.

The main location is in the east of the town by the Eel River, where you can visit the recreated 17th-century English Village, as well as Historic Patuxet, a settlement for the Wampanoag tribe.

The English Village recalls life in early Plymouth, featuring timber-framed homes, kitchen gardens and faithful reproductions of everyday objects from the periods.

Dedicated costumed reenactors open a window on the period, while interpreters are available to give you extra context.

At Historic Patuxet you can visit a wetu to understand the domestic and family lives in Wampanoag communities.

Outside you might see a craftsperson working on a mishoon (traditional canoe), while there’s often a dish being made in the cooking area, and a range of crops like squash, corn and beans growing in the garden.

3. The Plimoth Grist Mill

Also part of the Plimoth Patuxet Museums is a detailed and working reconstruction of the water-powered mill built on Town Brook by the Plymouth Colonists in 1636.

Run by John Jenney (1596-1644), this transformed life in Plymouth, automating a manual corn-grinding process that had been taught by the native Wampanoag.

Completed in 1970, the Plimoth Grist Mill is on the same site as the original mill (burned in 1837), and incorporates many historic elements, including millstones dating back 200 years, salvaged from a site in Pennsylvania.

A visit is educational, as you’ll get to know every step of the 17th-century corn milling process, with friendly staff explaining their jobs as they carry them out.

4. Plymouth Center

One of the most rewarding things to do in Plymouth is to do some exploring under your own steam, casting your gaze out over the Plymouth Bay and navigating the town’s historic streets.

And no street is more historic than Leyden Street, the first street plotted in Plymouth in 1620, and the oldest continuously inhabited street in the thirteen colonies.

This carries you up the slope to the Town Square, where the First Parish Church at the base of Burial Hill is a continuation of the original Pilgrim Church four centuries ago.

In the other direction, near the foot of Leyden Street is Cole’s Hill, site of the first cemetery for the Mayflower Pilgrims, now a public park littered with interesting monuments, overlooking the bay.

5. National Monument to the Forefathers

Commanding Plymouth from the southwest is the massive National Monument to the Forefathers.

At 81 feet tall, this is believed to be the largest solid granite monument in the country, and pays tribute to the ideals of the Pilgrims, as understood in the 19th century.

Represented by allegorical sculptures are the virtues Education, Law, Liberty and Morality, while rising from the very center is Faith, with her right hand pointing toward heaven.

The monument was first conceived in 1820 and was a long-term undertaking, completed in 1888 and dedicated in 1889. Get up close to see the list of the 51 people who came over on the Mayflower on the right and left panels.

6. Brewster Gardens

Flanking Town Brook in Plymouth Center is a sweet public park on what was the original garden plot granted to Elder William Brewster (1566–67-1644), the community leader.

This was a logical place for the Pilgrims to settle, thanks to the abundant freshwater and grasses along the banks providing building material.

You can keep this in mind as you wander the brookside nature trail through Brewster Gardens, leading from the mouth at Water St, upstream to the Plimoth Grist Mill.

The park was laid out in the 1920s and has an assortment of monuments to browse. One is the iconic Pilgrim Maiden Statue (1922) by Henry Hudson Kitson, dedicated to the intrepid spirit of the immigrant women.

7. Burial Hill

Any walking tour in Plymouth has to include the sharp climb to this early cemetery, with a stirring panorama of the coastline and townscape.

Given its prominence this hilltop was initially used as a fort, which also served as a meeting house and parish church. The burying ground was established here sometime during the 1620s, and the exact date is difficult to pinpoint as the first burials used wooden markers.

The earliest stone marker here dates to 1681 (Edward Gray), and you can track down the graves of several Mayflower passengers.

Part of the experience at Burial Hill is appreciating the early stone markers from the 17th and 18th century, considered invaluable works of early Euro American folk art.

8. Plymouth Rock

Along with the National Monument to the Forefathers the other element of the Pilgrim Memorial State Park is the glacial erratic boulder in the harbor, integral to the mythology of the Mayflower.

This rock is held as the disembarkation point of William Bradford and the Mayflower passengers—based on the recollection of one Thomas Faunce, son of an early colonist.

According to Faunce, several original Mayflower passengers told him this was the exact spot. He made that claim in 1741 at the age of 94, 121 years after the landing.

So whether you want to take it all with a pinch of salt, there’s no denying that the rock is imbued with a certain symbolism.

The boulder sits under a Doric portico, and you can make out the scar caused in 1774 when the town broke the rock into two, with one piece relocated to Town Square. After moving to Pilgrim Hall in 1834, this was finally reunited with the rest of the rock in 1880.

9. Mayflower II

In the mid-1950s an exact replica of the Mayflower was constructed as a tribute to the cooperation between the United Kingdom and the United States during WWII.

Using reconstructed blueprints, the project involved manual construction by English shipwrights, setting sail from Plymouth, Devon in April 1957 and arriving in Plymouth, Massachusetts two months later.

When we wrote this article, Mayflower II was berthed at State Pier in Pilgrim Memorial State Park, and visitable as a museum ship.

The four-masted vessel is 106 feet long and 25 feet wide, and you may wonder just how 102 people, including three pregnant women, endured a ten-week crossing in such a confined space.

10. The Jabez Howland House

A brief stroll along Sandwich St from Brewster Gardens will bring you to the only surviving house in Plymouth where Mayflower Pilgrims are known to have spent time.

This is the Jabez Howland House, built in 1667 by Jacob Mitchell, who was the son of Pilgrim Experience Mitchell.

The property was purchased by Jabez Howland, the son of Mayflower passengers John Howland and Elizabeth Tilley Howland, who remained here until 1680.

The house was a private residence until it was converted into a museum in 1912, and is endowed with period furniture and captivating 17th-century artifacts unearthed nearby at Rocky Nook in Kingston, MA.

11. Plymouth Long Beach

Near Plimoth Patuxet along Route 3A is the exit for the breathtaking barrier beach jutting out into Plymouth Bay for three miles.

Long Beach is patrolled by lifeguards May 28 through Labor Day, and if you come on a sunny day this could be the perfect break from Plymouth’s weighty historical pursuits.

Washed by knee-high waves (these can vary), the shore is mostly sandy, but also has some coarse gravel and a lot of large rocks, so water shoes will come in handy here.

Close to the exit sits Sandy’s, a hut serving South Shore favorites like lobster rolls, fried scallops and fried clams.

12. Nelson Memorial Beach Park

Arguably the best place in Plymouth just to stop and appreciate the ocean is this public park not far north of Plymouth Jetty.

The Nelson Memorial Beach Park has a small patch of coarse sandy shore, ideal for a walk or hanging out by the bay.

For kids the highlight has to be the state-of-the-art splash pad, installed in the 2010s and open throughout the summer.

There’s also a traditional playground, picnic tables, benches and a launch ramp for canoes and kayaks. Just behind is the North Plymouth Rail Trail, along a former branch of the Old Colony Railroad (1845), and continuing for 1.2 miles to the Cordage Park commercial area.

13. Plymouth Farmers’ Market

A fitting activity in a place like Plymouth is visiting a market where everything for sale is seasonal and locally sourced.

Outdoors on Thursday afternoons, mid-May through October, the Plymouth Farmers’ Market is held at Plimoth Patuxet and has an abundance of seasonal fresh produce, farm-raised meats, cheeses, honey, and delicious prepared foods.

Think wood oven pizza, homemade pies, artisanal toffee and frozen desserts made with seasonal produce.

There’s always live music while you shop, but also plenty of fun for children, with storytime via the Plymouth Public Library and face painting.

14. The Jenney Interpretive Center

On the other side of Town Brook from the Plimoth Grist Mill is The Jenney, which looks at the ongoing impact of the 51 Pilgrims on American life.

Inside you can pore over detailed exhibits studying the lives of the stories and beliefs of the people who arrived on the Mayflower, touching on topics like faith and family, but also slavery and abolition.

The Jenney is known for its interpretive walking tours, given by guides in period clothing. The most popular tour is a 90-minute walk around Plymouth, stopping at important locations like Plymouth Rock, Brewster Gardens and Plymouth Center, all colored with info about protagonists and important events some 400 years ago.

There’s also a guided walk for more context about the National Monument to the Forefathers.

15. Myles Standish State Forest

In Plymouth’s hinterland you can escape to an immense public recreation area, encompassing more than 12,000 acres of pitch pine and scrub oak forest.

Myles Standish State Forest is a water-rich landscape known for its ponds, with more than 20 ranging from 2 acres to 86 acres in size.

The forest’s four campgrounds are set on the banks of these water bodies, and swimming is available at College Pond in the summer months.

If you come with a bicycle, there are more than 15 miles of paved trails, with in-depth brochures and trail info available from Forest Headquarters by East Head Pond in Carver.

There’s also 13 miles of hiking trails and 35 miles of horse trails, with a designated horse camping area at Charge Pond.

15 Best Things to Do in Plymouth (MA):

• Pilgrim Hall Museum
• Plimoth Patuxet
• The Plimoth Grist Mill
• Plymouth Center
• National Monument to the Forefathers
• Brewster Gardens
• Burial Hill
• Plymouth Rock
• Mayflower II
• The Jabez Howland House
• Plymouth Long Beach
• Nelson Memorial Beach Park
• Plymouth Farmers’ Market
• The Jenney Interpretive Center
• Myles Standish State Forest

The Essential Guide to Plymouth, MA

Famed as the site of the first Pilgrim settlement, Plymouth, MA, is loved for its classic New England charm.

By Cathryn McCann

Jul 06 2022

Guide to Plymouth, MA | Harbor

Founded in 1620, Plymouth, MA, is a coastal town south of Boston that’s anchored in history as the site of the first Pilgrim settlement. But while all its historical markers and sites may be the initial draw, Plymouth has a quintessential New England feel and historic architecture, downtown shops, and expansive ocean views that keep visitors coming back year after year. From tasty cuisine to cranberry festivals, there’s always plenty to do in “America’s Hometown.”

Intrigued by this seaside town that is equal parts historical and modern New England? Here are some of our favorite places to eat, things to do, and places to stay in Plymouth, MA.

Things to Do in Plymouth, MA

Plimoth patuxet.

This living history museum (formerly Plimoth Plantation) allows visitors to immerse themselves in the past as they walk through a 17th-century English village, tour a replica of the Mayflower (the ship is currently receiving a full restoration and will return in 2019), and visit the Wampanoag Homesite and the beautiful and iconic Plimoth Grist Mill . The plantation, with its interactive elements and ocean view, is a great destination for families. Named a 2017 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Best Historical Experience.”

Plan Your Perfect Summer Adventure: Get The Free Ultimate New England Summer Guide!

SEE MORE: Plimoth Patuxet| New England Living History Museum

PLYMOUTH FARMERS’ MARKET

Set on the grounds of Plimoth Plantation, this market gets extra points for its scenic backdrop and living-close-to-the-land vibe. Held outdoors every Thursday from May to October (and once a month indoors during winter), it rounds up the region’s bounty from 40 vendors that run the gamut from farmers and fishermen to beekeepers and bakers. Relatively speaking they’re a small group, but one clearly devoted to a larger mission—our Pilgrim forebears would no doubt have approved. Named a 2018 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Best Farmers’ Market.”

HISTORIC SITES

While you shouldn’t miss Plymouth Rock, touted (more as legend rather than fact) as the first bit of land touched by the Pilgrims after their voyage across the ocean, there are also many historical sites available for touring — including homes of original Mayflower passengers. Among the options are the Jabez Howland House, the Richard Sparrow House, the Spooner House, Hedge House, and Harlow Old Fort House. And be sure to take a moment to view the National Monument to the Forefathers, a towering 81-foot-tall statue on the Allerton Street hilltop that commemorates the Pilgrims.

PILGRIM HALL MUSEUM

For history you can enjoy indoors, head to Pilgrim Hall Museum, easily spotted from the street thanks to its ornate architecture and stone columns. Built in 1824, it’s among the oldest public museums in America and brimming with American Indian and Pilgrim artifacts. You can even touch a piece of Plymouth Rock here.

OUTDOOR EXPLORATION

Given Plymouth’s setting on the coast of Massachusetts, there are plenty of lovely natural areas to explore here. Check out Pilgrim Memorial State Park, Nelson Memorial Park, Myles Standish State Forest, Ellisville Harbor State Park salt marsh estuary, or White Horse and Plymouth Long beaches. You can hike the Town Forest Trail (7.9 miles), Center Hill Preserve Trail (1.7 miles), or Russell and Sawmill Pond Trail (1.8 miles), or head to some of the preserves and conservation areas for more options. For a little exploration from the water, try Billington Sea Kayak.

Otherwise known as the Spire Center for Performing Arts, this impressive three-story, 225-seat performance hall downtown is the place for enjoying theatrical and musical productions while visiting Plymouth.

CRANBERRY HARVEST CELEBRATION

Every October, locals and visitors alike gather in nearby Wareham for this weekend celebration of the Massachusetts state berry. Hop on a bus for a ride to a stretch of bogs to learn about the harvest process, or slip on some waders and get right into the flooded cranberry bog. Enjoy food, music, crafts, paddleboat rides on Tihonet Pond, children’s activities, cooking demonstrations, wagon rides, and even helicopter rides.

COLONY PLACE SHOPPING

If you’ve had your fill of history, head to Plymouth’s premier shopping and dining destination, Colony Place. At the region’s largest open-air retail center, located just minutes from downtown, you can browse among 40 stores and get a bite at any of nearly a dozen restaurants on-site.

Places to Stay in Plymouth, MA

A 50-guestroom retreat in a French manor house, Mirbeau surrounds its guests in beauty, thanks to detailed architecture, Monet pond gardens, and lovely landscaping and decor. On-site dining is available at the Bistro & Wine Bar. Named a 2015 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Best Chateau Lodging.”

THE JESSE HARLOW HOUSE

This bed-and-breakfast on Watson’s Hill, overlooking downtown and the harbor, offers a perfect blend of history (it was once the home of Revolutionary War captain Jesse Harlow) and modern luxury (full gourmet breakfast, silk drapes, landscaped gardens). Plus, it’s within walking distance of many Plymouth attractions and dining options.

WHITFIELD HOUSE BED & BREAKFAST

If you want to be in the heart of history, consider the Whitfield, an 1782 Federal home on Plymouth’s second-oldest street. Located in the historic waterfront district, the house was occupied by descendants of the original owner for 200 years before being passed to its current owner, in 1987.

JOHN CARVER INN & SPA

This 80-room boutique hotel is a solid option for families, as it provides a range of amenities that appeal to all ages. The on-site Pilgrim Cove Indoor Theme Pool features an 80-foot water slide, waterfalls, and a Jacuzzi. Pamper yourself at the Beach Plum Spa, dine at the Hearth ’n Kettle Restaurant or WaterFire Tavern, and then settle into one of the spacious rooms or fireplace suites. Named a 2014 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Best Indoor Pool.”

PINEWOOD LODGE CAMPGROUND

For fans of the great outdoors, Pinewood Lodge Campground — with its 200 acres of white pine forest, 3,000 feet of lake frontage, six-acre island, and 300 campsites — is a great option. Enjoy fishing, swimming, boating, exploring, or just relaxing. The campground has a store with all the supplies you may need, plus modern bathroom facilities and RV hookups.

PILGRIM SANDS HOTEL

If you like the idea of walking out of your room and onto the beach, Pilgrim Sands might be the place for you. Its private beach leads to Plymouth Long Beach, which offers miles of seaside strolling. If the ocean doesn’t beckon you, however, Pilgrim Sands features both an indoor and outdoor pool, plus beachfront dining and a lounge. Named a 2012 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Best Base for Families.”

Where to Eat in Plymouth, MA

Leena’s kitchen.

This downtown dining destination specializes in farm-to-table cooking that spotlights seasonal ingredients from local producers. From beet salad to braised lamb, there’s a dish for every palate at this inviting and relaxing eatery.

KKATIE’S BURGER BAR

Sometimes you just really need a good burger, and that’s what you’ll get at “Kuh-Katie’s,” served fresh and prepared to order. With a full menu of burgers (plus other options), there’s plenty to choose from, but we suggest trying “The Plymouth Rock”: four quarter-pound patties stacked with cherrywood-smoked bacon, cheese, crispy onion rings, and “special sauce” on a grilled roll.

Built in 1792 by Josiah Cornish, the building that is now Rye Tavern was for years a popular inn, tavern, and stopping place for horse-drawn carriages. The tavern now has a new name, but it looks and feels much the same as it did centuries ago, with its preserved historic details and welcoming atmosphere.

THE NEW WORLD TAVERN

With 32 drafts on tap and more than 120 bottle selections, the New World has a beer to complement anything on its menu of hearty tavern food. Plus, it often hosts live entertainment, so stop by to grab a meal or just to enjoy some music while sipping a cold one. Named a 2015 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Best Beer List.”

LOCAL YOLK COMPANY

If you’re all about a good breakfast, look no further than Local Yolk Company. The breakfast and lunch restaurant uses locally sourced ingredients to provide made-from-scratch meals every day, from savory Southwestern frittatas to sweet cinnamon bun crepes.

DILLON’S LOCAL

There’s something about visiting the New England coast that can whet your appetite for a bowl of clam chowder. You can find it — as well as everything from comfort food to cocktails — at Dillon’s Local, overseen by a chef who is also a Plymouth native.

Have you ever been to Plymouth, MA? Tell us about it!

This post was first published in 2017 and has been updated. 

SEE MORE: Plimoth Patuxet  | New England Living History Museum The Plymouth Grist Mill | Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, MA Plymouth Rock | Facts and Trivia

Cathryn McCann

As Digital Assistant Editor, Cathryn writes, manages, and promotes content for NewEngland.com and its social media channels. Prior to this role, she lived and worked on Martha’s Vineyard as a newspaper reporter, covering everything from environmental issues and education to crime and politics. Originally from New Hampshire, Cathryn spends most of her time out of the office on the trails, slopes, or by the water.

18 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Plymouth, MA

Written by Barbara Radcliffe Rogers Updated Dec 25, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Plymouth, a small coastal town in Massachusetts, should be high on the list of places to visit for travelers who want to experience and savor American history where it took place. European settlers and Native Americans lived here in peace for about a half century, and it was here that the first written pact among ordinary people establishing a working democracy was signed. Plymouth is also a beautiful, small New England town, where visitors can enjoy the seacoast while getting a taste of its history.

Although it has been four centuries since the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, their footprints are everywhere: in museums that display their possessions, in homes built by their descendants, in carved stones marking their burial places, in authentic replicas of their original homes, and even of the ship they arrived on.

The Plymouth Village Historic District includes part of the area of the Plymouth Colony's earliest settlement, as well as streets lined with houses from the late 17th and early 18th centuries. One home remains that was built from the wood and timbers of the Pilgrims' original defensive fort. Early homes are well kept, for Plymouth has always recognized and preserved its heritage.

Although Plymouth is close enough to be a good day trip from Boston , you may want more time to see its many historic sights. Plan your family's visit with our list of things to do in Plymouth.

See also: Where to Stay in Plymouth

1. Plimoth Patuxet Museums: 17th-Century English Village

2. patuxet homesite, 3. mayflower ii, 4. plymouth rock and pilgrim memorial state park, 5. national monument to the forefathers, 6. pilgrim hall museum, 7. burial hill, 8. plimoth grist mill, 9. brewster gardens and leyden street, 10. cruises, whale watching, and deep sea fishing, 11. jabez howland house, 12. sparrow house, 13. native plymouth tours, 14. mayflower society house, 15. hedge house museum, 16. w. russell blake planetarium, 17. take in a show at americana theatre company, 18. plymouth waterfront festival, where to stay in plymouth for sightseeing, plymouth, ma - climate chart.

Several historic sites are now under the umbrella of Plimoth Patuxet Museums (formerly known as Plimoth Plantation), the largest of which is the 17th-century English Village. On ground carefully chosen to reflect the topography of the Pilgrims' original settlement, and following the same street layout, the village authentically recreates the reality of those hard first years in the Plymouth Colony.

A rough plank stockade fence encloses the fortified community, which includes replicas of the two-story fort and the houses of the Reverend Brewster, Governor Bradford, Miles Standish, and other founders. The harsh and uncertain world they stepped into is portrayed in the rough buildings made of small trees plastered with a mixture of straw and mud.

More than just an attraction for sightseeing, Plimoth Patuxet Museums is an immersive experience, with houses to enter and period activities to see. This makes it one of the most popular things to do in Plymouth for families.

Address: 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, Massachusetts

Official site: www.plimoth.org

Outside the gates of the English Village, another of the Plimoth Patuxet Museums recreates the other half of the picture: that of the Native Americans that were here before Europeans arrived. Carefully reconstructed, a small Wampanoag settlement introduces native life and customs.

Interpreters here are Native Americans committed to the preservation of their ancestors' traditions and crafts. The site contains the only three-fire wetu (a family house sometimes referred to as a wigwam) in New England. This large commodious structure is built of saplings bent into arches and covered in overlapping layers of heavy tree bark.

Interpreters are busy with household tasks around the cooking fire, hollowing a log for a canoe, tending a garden of plants that were grown and used here in the 1600s. The Patuxet Homesite gives 21st-century travelers a realistic picture of two cultures living in peace, as they did for more than 50 years.

Within view of the hillside where the original Pilgrims' settlement stood, the tall masts of Mayflower II rise above her decks, a reminder of how this all started. Built in England during the early 1950s, the ship arrived in Plymouth in 1957 and today serves as an important way to relate the tale of European settlement in America. As well as can be determined, the ship is a full-scale replica of the original.

Visitors can climb aboard, examine the decks and between-decks areas, see how the ship is constructed, and try to imagine life aboard for the 102 settlers and their crew of 25 or 30 men. Interpreters tell about the journey during which two settlers died aboard ship, and two of the three pregnant women aboard gave birth before they settled in Plymouth. The ship is currently undergoing repairs, and restoration and will not be at its usual place until these are completed.

The ship underwent a multi-year restoration at Mystic Seaport in Connecticut, returning to its usual place at the Pilgrim Memorial State Park in the spring of 2020 to celebrate the 400 th anniversary of the original Mayflower's arrival.

The ship underwent a multi-year restoration at Mystic Seaport in Connecticut, returning in 2020 to celebrate the 400 th anniversary of the original Mayflower's arrival. It is now part of the Plimoth Pawtuxet Waterfront Exhibit at the Pilgrim Memorial State Park .

When the first settlers first stepped onto land here, they did so because of the protected bay. Early in the 18th century, nearly a century after the landing, one of their descendants identified a certain rock as the place of that first landing. The famed rock, which has been broken, moved, and put back together, now sits at the seashore protected under a classical columned canopy.

Despite its dubious status as the actual rock on which the Pilgrims set foot, Plymouth Rock is a treasured American icon, a symbol of the nation's beginnings.

Dedicated in 1889, the 81-foot-tall monument was commissioned by the Pilgrim Society to commemorate the founders of the Plymouth Colony and is thought to be the largest solid granite monument in the world. It was originally designed to be nearly twice the current height, almost as tall as the Statue of Liberty.

The inscription on the monument reads, "National Monument to the Forefathers. Erected by a grateful people in remembrance of their labors, sacrifices, and sufferings for the cause of civil and religious liberty." The monument is listed on the National Register of Historic Places .

Address: Allerton Street, Plymouth, Massachusetts

The Pilgrim Hall Museum puts the Pilgrims' story into perspective, and of all the places to visit in Plymouth, this is the only one with artifacts from the original Pilgrim settlers and their voyage. Filled with original items belonging to the Pilgrims, this tourist attraction offers well-presented interpretation about them, their motivation, and their lives.

Personal possessions include furniture, books, and belongings that bring them to life for visitors. Among these are Myles Standish's sword; Governor Bradford's bible; and the cradle of Peregrine White, who was born on the Mayflower. Also here are the remains of the Sparrow Hawk, a wooden ship wrecked off Cape Cod in 1626.

In the main hall, heroic-size paintings reflect how different generations of Americans have seen the Pilgrims', their challenges, and their relations with the Native Americans they encountered. The changing perceptions of these people are explored as are the ways in which Americans have interpreted them in the past.

Address: 75 Court Street, Plymouth, Massachusetts

Official site: www.pilgrimhall.org

From Old Town Square, the center of town life in the early days (the two churches there are descended from parishes established by the Pilgrims), a path leads up onto Burial Hill. A monument marks the location of the original fort, built to protect the settlement, and many of the original settlers are buried here, including Governor William Bradford.

Burial Hill is on the National Register of Historic Places . With views to the harbor below, it is a peaceful place to contemplate history.

Address: School Street, Plymouth, Massachusetts

Formerly known as the Jenney Grist Mill and now one of the Plimoth Patuxet Museums group, this is an authentic reproduction of the original mill built on this spot in 1636 to grind the grains grown by the settlers. The mill grinds corn today in the same way its predecessor did, its great 14-foot wheel powered by Town Brook.

On Fridays, you can watch the grinding wheels and giant gears in action as they grind organic corn. Along with watching the mill operate, visitors can join in hands-on activities from earlier eras that are especially popular with children.

Address: 6 Spring Lane, Plymouth, Massachusetts

Leyden Street was the first settlers' main street. Its lower end, near the shore, is now a park, covering much of the land of the earliest settlement. Monuments to the settlers were erected for the tercentenary celebrations of 1920. Town Brook, the settlers' earliest source of fresh water, still flows through the gardens and is bordered by a nature trail.

Coles Hill also served as the burial place of the many settlers who died during the first brutal year, and their recovered bones rest in a sarcophagus on the hill, along with a monumental statue of Massasoit, the Patuxent Chief with whom they made peace. Later buildings, from the 18th and 19th centuries, now line Leyden Street.

Plymouth Harbor is a busy place with plenty of things to do. Boats docked here offer a wide variety of cruises and excursions, from deep-sea fishing charters to ice-cream and pirate cruises for kids. You can even take a day or overnight trip by ferry to Provincetown , on Cape Cod, from here.

Especially popular are whale watching trips to Stellwagen Banks, one of the richest whale spotting areas on the east coast. It is not unusual for passengers on these cruises to see 20 or more whales at close range. Some boats have marine biologists on board to enrich the experience, but all have narration and staff to point out and identify sea life. If you want to see Plymouth from the water, you can board a paddle-wheeler for a 90-minute harbor cruise.

The only remaining house in Plymouth where Pilgrims lived, the Howland House began about 1667 as a two-story, timber-framed house built by Jabez Howland. He was the son of John Howland and his wife, Elizabeth Tilley Howland, both of whom arrived on the Mayflower. The elder Howlands spent winters here with their son and his family.

The house, which grew over the years from the original single-story, two-room dwelling, has been restored to its late 17th-century appearance and is furnished with period antiques; it also displays documents and artifacts from other Howland properties. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Address: 33 Sandwich Street, Plymouth, Massachusetts

Official site: www.pilgrimjohnhowlandsociety.org

The oldest house in Plymouth and one of the oldest wooden buildings in North America, the Richard Sparrow House dates from between 1636 and 1640. Richard Sparrow arrived from England with his family in 1633 and built a two-story house on the banks of Town Brook.

It would have been one of the grander homes of its time, with paneled walls and leaded glass windows. The house had additions over the years, but the old part remains intact and is open to visitors. The newer part of the house is a shop featuring fine American-made handcrafts.

Address: 42 Summer Street, Plymouth Massachusetts

Official site: www.sparrowhouse.com

To see Plymouth and its history from the perspective of a Native American, take a 90-minute walk with Native Plymouth Tours. The lively and engaging tour is led by a former interpreter and manager of the Wampanoag Indigenous Program at Plimoth Patuxet Museums (then Plimoth Plantation), who makes it clear that the tour is not just about the Wampanoag, but about the Pilgrims, the Mayflower, and more of Plymouth's history told from a Native perspective.

The tour takes visitors to the unmarked home site of Wampanoag leader, Hobbamock, and to the only American Indian statue in the region, while relating details of 17 th -century life. The historically accurate accounts of the lives of the Pilgrims and Wampanoags before and after the Pilgrim landing are based on years of research and work with local historians.

Built in the 1700s by Edward Winslow, grandson of pilgrim Edward Winslow, the Mayflower House has several centuries of interesting history to tell. Self-guided audio tours and those led by docents are offered from May through October, when you'll learn about the Winslows' experiences as Loyalists during the American Revolution, a side of that era that is rarely heard.

You'll also see the room where Ralph Waldo Emerson was married, and hear accounts from the house's World War II history when it was headquarters for the Red Cross.

Address: 4 Winslow Street, Plymouth, Massachusetts

Official site: www.themayflowersociety.org

One of Plymouth's best examples of Federal period architecture, Hedge House was built in 1809 by sea captain William Hammatt. It changed hands in 1830, when a three-story ell was added. When its site was chosen for building Memorial Hall, Hedge House was moved to its present location overlooking the harbor.

Its period rooms, which include unique octagonal rooms in the main house, demonstrate the elegance of 19 th -century life for the wealthy in Plymouth, with furniture, paintings, textiles, Chinese porcelain, and other artifacts from the China Trade. The gardens are planted with flowering perennials. Guided house tours are offered June through August.

Address: 126 Water Street, Plymouth, Massachusetts

The DigitalSky projection system in this full-dome planetarium projects images of the night sky across the entire dome interior and immerses visitors in sound, as well as the astronomic splendors. You can learn how to use a sky map and how to identify constellations, planets, bright stars, and learn about other wonders of the universe.

Public programs also include those designed especially for children, so if programs are offered during your stay in Plymouth, this is an especially good thing to do for families with kids who have grown tired of the historic attractions.

Address: 117 Long Pond Road Plymouth, Massachusetts

The year-round professional theater company began as a summer theater, then added an education feature, with classes for young people in acting, dancing, and theater production arts. Along with professional actors, the company includes top-line set designers and directors for a well-rounded theater experience.

Presenting a varied schedule that includes musicals, comedies, family shows, drama, and mysteries, the theater has, in recent seasons, performed Man of La Mancha , It's a Wonderful Life , The 39 Steps , Grease , Hound of the Baskervilles , Bye-bye Birdie , Alice in Wonderland , Clue , and more. Tickets are reasonably priced, and the theater is located close to restaurants, making it a good choice for a night out.

Address: 25 1/2 Court Street, Plymouth, Massachusetts

Official site: https://www.americanatheatre.org

Each August, the parks and streets along Plymouth's shore are filled with the colorful tents and activities of the Waterfront Festival. The historical area hosts more than 200 exhibitors, selling art, crafts, foods, and other locally made products. Restaurants set up booths, so visitors can sample their dishes.

There is a Duck Race in the pond at Brewster gardens in the afternoon, and from 11 to 2, a cruise-in car show is at Plimoth Grist Mill. Entertainment continues all day at the Plymouth Waterfront Amphitheater. The Waterfront Festival is the biggest annual event, and is attended by more than 30,000 people each year.

Address: 79 Water Street, Plymouth, Massachusetts

Official site: https://plymouthwaterfrontfestival.com

We recommend these highly rated hotels in Plymouth near the most popular tourist attractions and things to do:

Luxury Hotels:

• The four-star boutique Mirbeau Inn & Spa Plymouth looks like a French manor house sitting amid its beautiful gardens. Its 50 guest rooms have fireplaces, and the inn has a full-service spa.
• For a more intimate inn experience, by contrast the Inn at 38 Oak Bluff Circle sits atop the cliffs overlooking the bay. Breakfast is included, and there are family-sized rooms.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• John Carver Inn & Spa is a hit with the whole family for its spacious rooms and suites, and for the indoor pool with an 80-foot water slide, waterfalls, lap lanes, and whirlpool. Two restaurants and a full-service spa make this a small self-contained resort.
• The Hotel 1620 Plymouth Harbor is in a great location, with large rooms, a restaurant, indoor pool, and sauna.
• A short drive out of the center of town, the Hilton Garden Inn Plymouth has an indoor pool and hot tub, along with a fitness center.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Where to Go from Plymouth: If you're interested in American history, there are many more places to visit in Massachusetts . In addition to the historic sights in Boston and Cambridge , you can easily visit historic Salem and Cape Ann on a day trip from Boston.

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The 15 Best Things to do in Plymouth, Massachusetts

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When you visit Plymouth , Massachusetts , there’s history everywhere you look. Dating back to 1620, Plymouth’s story is one of perseverance. The Pilgrims arrived in Plymouth after a long and challenging journey from England to create a new home where their future children could prosper.

But the story of Plymouth is also greatly misunderstood, with many people being unable to tell the facts from the myths. When you plan a trip to Plymouth, you can immerse yourself in the real history of this legendary location. From living history museums to houses preserved in their heyday, you’ll learn about the people who came across the world to call this land home, as well as the people who called it home for generations prior.

Planning a trip to this historic destination? We’ve compiled a list of the best things to do in Plymouth, from cruises with stunning views to tours that take you into a world you’ve never seen before. Stick to this Plymouth bucket list, and you’re bound to have an amazing time in this famous colony.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).

The 15 Best Things to do in Plymouth, MA

1. take a cruise on the pilgrim belle.

While Captain John Boats may run all kinds of cruises, with a fleet of five different boats that visitors can climb aboard, there’s nothing quite like a ride on the Pilgrim Belle . Taking a cruise on the Pilgrim Belle is one of the most unique things to do in Plymouth, as it’s a stunning, authentic paddlewheel boat that feels perfectly at home in Plymouth’s historic harbor.

The Pilgrim Belle offers cruises through the beautiful harbor, where you can soak up the sun on the deck or relax in the climate-controlled cabin on your 75-minute, narrated journey. You’ll bob around the water as you take in the sights of Plymouth from the comfort of the classic ship. A full bar is also available aboard the boat but requires cash.

Harbor cruises are available during the day, or you can book a special sunset cruise. With a cocktail in hand, you can watch as the sun descends over the harbor and take in the evening air over the ocean. 

2. Explore Myles Standish State Forest

Looking to get out in nature during your trip to Plymouth? Then, Myles Standish State Forest belongs on your Plymouth bucket list. Named for the military advisor to the Pilgrims, Myles Standish State Forest offers tons of recreational opportunities to have you get out and enjoy the great outdoors. With over 12,400 acres to explore, you’re bound to see all types of beautiful creatures in this forest.

Take in the fresh smell of the pine trees as you traverse 13 miles of hiking trails. There are many routes to take in this state forest. Take the Rocky Pond Cranberry Bog Trail to see a seven-acre commercial cranberry bog in operation in the state forest. Or go biking on over 15 miles of paved bike paths. Hiking and biking are particularly beautiful in the fall, as the forest becomes a sea of reds, golds, and yellows mixed in among the green.

Or perhaps you’re planning a summer trip. With the forest’s many ponds, you can go swimming, canoeing, or fishing on the water. 

3. Step Back in Time at Plimoth Patuxet Museums

Formerly known as Plimoth Plantation, Plimoth Patuxet Museums offer you a chance to explore what life was like back during the age of the Pilgrims. These living history museums provide one of the coolest things to do in Plymouth if you want to be truly immersed in history.

Plimoth Patuxet Museums includes several exhibits that bring to life the original Plymouth colony and the history of the Indigenous tribes who have long inhabited here. In the Historic Patuxet exhibit, you’ll learn about the Native Wampanoag people who lived in this area for over 12,000 years. 

You’ll explore their homes and see how they lived, from playing their games to helping to make a mishoon, which is a dug-out canoe. You may even try a bite of a traditional Wampanoag meal as you learn about how their people harvested and prepared food.

Over in the 17th-Century English Village, you’ll meet villagers who can tell you all about historical events in the 1600s and what their day-to-day life is like. Here, you’ll participate with the Pilgrims in their goings-on, from making remedies for the home to helping to keep the town safe to simply playing traditional Pilgrim games. 

Near the 17th-Century English Village, you’ll find the Craft Center, where you can learn about crafts and herbal remedies from the 1600s. In the Humoral Gardens, you’ll find medicinal herbs that demonstrate the Doctrine of the Humors, the leading medical theory in the Plymouth colony. 

Inside the Craft Center, you’ll learn about how those herbs were used and see how they were turned into treatments. Also in the Craft Center, you’ll see skilled artisans hard at work recreating historic items from the 17th century.

4. Tour the Mayflower II

The Mayflower II functions both as a part of and independently of the Plimoth Patuxet Museums. You can buy a ticket that gets you access to the other museum sites and the Mayflower II, or you can simply grab a ticket that gets you onboard this historic replica.

The Mayflower is one of the greatest pieces of American history, which is why visiting its replica, the Mayflower II, is one of the must-do things in Plymouth. This replica, which has become the centerpiece of Plymouth Harbor, is a monument to the journey that was taken more than 400 years ago that led to the America we know today. 

While no one knows what happened to the Mayflower, its replica is a historic ship in its own right, having been added to the National Register of Historic Places following its return to Plymouth in 2020. The Mayflower II is a working vessel, having sailed from Plymouth, England, to Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1957. It was restored in 2020 and found a home at the Plimoth Patuxet Museums, now functioning as its own exhibit.

5. Step Inside the Plimoth Grist Mill

Like the Mayflower II, the Plimoth Grist Mill is a part of the Plimoth Patuxet Museums, but you can either purchase a ticket to this Plymouth attraction as a part of your pass to the other parts of the museum or just pick admission to the mill. The mill itself is located on Town Brook, the waterway that powers it.

The Plimoth Grist Mill is a real working mill working to rebuild regional grain economies, which you can support by purchasing the stone-ground grains when you come for a tour of this mill. It’s a recreation of the original 1636 grain mill that the Pilgrims once used, but it’s historic in its own right, using 200-year-old millstones to grind the corn.

Outside the mill, you’ll see how water diverted by the Town Brook turns the waterwheel to power the mill. Inside, you’ll see how the mill works to cut the corn into finer and finer pieces. If you plan on visiting the Plimoth Grist Mill, you may want to aim to arrive on a Saturday afternoon, which tends to be when the millers are hard at work. 

You can also interact with the mill in the hands-on exhibit area, where you’ll experiment with simple machines to learn how water power works and learn about the river herring that migrate past the mill every spring.

6. See a Show at Priscilla Beach Theatre

What’s so special about Priscilla Beach Theatre ? Seeing a show means traveling back in time to the days when barn summer stock theaters were popping up around the US. In fact, this historic theater was one of the first such theaters in the nation, dating back to 1937, which is why it remains one of the coolest Plymouth attractions.

Located one block from Priscilla Beach, this theater is set on a charming two-acre campus, with its beautiful barn as the centerpiece. Priscilla Beach Theatre produces six shows from May to October, so if you’re planning a trip in the late spring to early fall, catching a show is one of the best things to do in Plymouth. 

Got a little one interested in acting? You can also consider signing them up for the theater’s training camp. Many young actors have gotten their start at this iconic theater, including Paul Newman, Rob Reiner, Peter Gallagher, and Jennifer Coolidge.

7. Visit the Iconic Plymouth Rock

Seeing the world-famous Plymouth Rock is just a must-do thing in Plymouth. When you see it, admittedly, there’s not much to it – unless you know the story behind it.

Located in Pilgrim Memorial Park on the shore of Plymouth Harbor, Plymouth Rock may be something that we can see and admire, but it’s more of a legend than anything else. We will likely never know the exact landing spot of the Pilgrims who came over on the Mayflower, but there’s one story that’s made Plymouth Rock an iconic symbol of freedom. 

The boulder actually became famous 121 years after the arrival of the Mayflower. When Thomas Faunce, a church elder, heard that a wharf was to be built over the rock, he claimed that he must say a final goodbye. His father, who did come over on the Mayflower, assured him that the rock was the Pilgrims’ landing site. The story spread, and Plymouth Rock has been a historical landmark ever since. 

From Memorial Day through Labor Day, you can hear the story and more about the famous rock in a 10-minute talk at the rock’s site. Talks typically happen every 30 minutes.

8. Go on a Whale-Watching Tour

In addition to the Pilgrim Belle, Captain John Boats also offers whale-watching tours in Plymouth . If you’re visiting during their whale-watching season, running from April to October, hopping on board to witness gentle giants at sea is one of the top things to do in Plymouth.

Departing from Plymouth Harbor, your four-hour journey will be led by a naturalist. Not only are you likely to see stunning creatures in the water, but you’ll also learn about them from a knowledgeable expert. You’ll venture out to Cape Cod Bay and Stellwagen Bank, a marine sanctuary and one of the primary feeding grounds for several types of whales.

What whales might you see out in the water? Some of the most commonly sighted include humpbacks, finbacks, and minke whales. But you might also catch a glimpse of some of the less commonly spotted types, like the pilot whales and the endangered right whales.

Be sure to dress warmly if you intend to stand out on the deck, but you also have access to the climate-controlled cabin. Food and beverages, including alcohol, are available on board, but both are cash only.

9. See History Preserved by the Plymouth Antiquarian Society

The Plymouth Antiquarian Society is the city’s largest organization dedicated to preserving historic sites. They strive to tell the story of everyday life in Plymouth from the mid-17th century through today through their exhibits, tours, and special events. 

Visiting the historic sites this society has preserved is one of the coolest things to do in Plymouth because you get to explore Plymouth’s history beyond the Pilgrims. Learn about the Native people of the area at the ancient Sacrifice Rock, an essential stop by Wampanoag wayfarers throughout time. 

Or venture back to the 17th century at the Harlow House, built in 1677 as the family residence of the settler William Harlow, who served as a sergeant of the local militia. It is today one of the few remaining 17th-century buildings in Plymouth.

The Spooner House takes you into the 18th century, having been built in 1749. Though it was built for the widow Hannah Jackson, it became known as the Spooner House as the Spooner family inhabited it for over 200 years.

One of the best examples of Federal period architecture in Plymouth, the Hedge House, dates back to 1809. It was built by shipowner William Hammatt, but when merchant Thomas Hedge purchased it in 1830, he built upon it to accommodate his large family.

Tours of the historic sites are available seasonally or by appointment. Special events may also open the houses up for visitation.

10. Learn About our Past at the Pilgrim Hall Museum

As it’s in a city that’s filled with history, it should come as no surprise that one of the best things to do in Plymouth is visit the oldest public museum in continuous operation in the US. Pilgrim Hall Museum dates back to 1824 and is filled with early Plymouth artifacts that can teach you about how the Pilgrims and the Native Wampanoag people lived.

Collections include historical paintings, furnishings, texts, patents, and the Sparrow-Hawk, a small vessel that only housed 25 passengers who were attempting to land in Virginia. They encountered a horrible storm that led to them landing in Plymouth, though many lives were lost at sea.

The museum is open from April through December. Throughout this time, it features both permanent and rotating exhibits. Here, you’ll learn about the interactions between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag, from their first meetings to the terrible days of King Philip’s War. You’ll also see pieces of history that date back to the Mayflower’s crossing, like Governor William Bradford’s Bible and military leader Myles Standish’s sword.

11. Unearth the Pilgrims’ World at the Jabez Howland House

There’s history everywhere you look in Plymouth, and perhaps one of the best Plymouth attractions for history fans is the Jabez Howland House . The house is the only existing house in Plymouth where the Pilgrims actually spent time, though the homeowner did not come over on the Mayflower himself. The house, a two-story timber-framed structure, was owned by Jabez Howland, the son of Mayflower passengers John and Elizabeth Howland.

Jabez lived there until 1680, and it remained a private residence until 1912, when it was bought and turned into a museum. It now holds a place on the National Register of Historic Places. In the 1940s, it was returned to the way it looked when Jabez owned it, so stepping foot in this house is indeed much like stepping into a Pilgrim’s home.

The museum has an extensive collection of artifacts from the age of the Pilgrims, including 17th-century furnishings, archaeological digs from the Rocky Nook homes of John and Elizabeth, items uncovered from their son Joseph’s farm, letters to the Howland family from descendants of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, and much more.

12. Stroll Around the Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary

The Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the top things to see in Plymouth. Once a working cranberry farm, the sanctuary underwent the largest freshwater ecological restoration project in the Northeast. The result was a 481-acre haven for outdoor enthusiasts, with tons of trails to explore, filled with unique flora and fauna. Here, you’ll find cold-water streams, ponds, forests, woodlands, and the many creatures who call these environments home.

Currently, there are four miles of trails to traverse throughout this sanctuary, though more are being developed. The trails will take you past old cranberry bogs, cattail marshes, and many more unique ecosystems. 

While you can explore here on your own, the sanctuary also offers many programs that will help you learn more about what you’re seeing. From guided walks to reading groups, these programs are a great way to connect with nature while also getting to know the people of Plymouth and your fellow travelers.

13. Have a Day at the Beach

If you’re visiting when the weather’s warm, you may want to add a beach day to your list of things to do in Plymouth. Plymouth is home to a diverse array of beaches, each offering something a bit different.

Long Beach is as popular for people as it is for migratory birds. If you want to do some bird-watching, this beach is a great place to go. It’s also great for long walks in the sand at sunset.

Or head to Ellisville Harbor State Park if you want to experience the beach alongside other spectacular ecosystems, including a beautiful red pine forest. If you’re visiting in the winter months, you’ll still want to head to this beach to hopefully catch a glimpse of harbor seals.

Visiting with little ones? Stop by Nelson Memorial Beach Park . In addition to the beach, you also get many amenities here, including a play area and splash pad for kids. If you’re worried about your children not being ready for the ocean, you can still enjoy the stunning views while your little ones have some fun in the splash pad.

14. Take a Cranberry Bog Tour

Plymouth and its surrounding communities are filled with cranberry bogs, and visiting these bogs is one of the most unique things to do in Plymouth. But there’s a very limited amount of time to see the harvest in action.

Massachusetts Cranberries offers tours from their barn in nearby Carver. From there, they take groups out on rented school buses to bring them up close to where the wet harvest is happening. But tours only run for the public on the weekends during the harvest season. They begin at the end of September and last until the first weekend in November.

The cranberry harvest is a stunning sight. Plus, you’ll learn about what it takes to harvest these crimson beauties and how your favorite cranberry treats are made! And when the tour ends, you can take home some cranberries and cranberry-filled products from the company’s small shop.

15. Have a Spooky Good Time on a Ghost Tour

In a place known for its history, it makes sense that there might be more than a few spooky specters hanging around Plymouth. Gear up for some scary Plymouth sightseeing on a tour with Dead of Night Ghost Tours .

On their Nightly Twilight Lantern Ghost Tour, you’ll go on a two-hour walking tour of the most historically haunted areas of the city. As you walk along the oldest streets in the US, you’ll hear tales of the paranormal and make your way to where the most frequent ghost sightings happen in Plymouth.

Visit the old Town Square, said to be forever cursed by Wampanoag sachem Metacom, known to colonists as King Philip. Venture through Burial Hill, the burying ground of many Pilgrims. And hear tales of local legends and folklore that date back centuries. 

Your guide has been studying the paranormal for decades, and she can tell you about the many encounters she’s had over the years, including one that led to the creation of this very tour. Be sure to bring your camera, as many a chilling sight has been caught on film on this tour!

There you have it! The 15 best things to do in Plymouth. What’s your favorite thing to do in Plymouth? Let us know in the comments!

Planning a trip to Massachusetts? Check out our favorite books and travel guides!

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Jacqueline is a writer and editor pursuing the freelance life to explore the world. Born and raised in New Jersey, she spent her college years in Boston before settling down with her partner and puppy in Monterey, California. When she’s not writing, you can often find her planning her next trip. Road trips are her favorite, whether it’s driving across the country or simply exploring a new city in her own backyard. She loves uncovering the history of every new place she goes. Jacqueline has a restless passion for learning and makes it a goal to pick up a new skill every year. She’s picked up embroidery, crocheting, knitting, and cross-stitching, but she’s hoping to master more languages to help her in her travels. She’s also a published author, with short stories and poetry appearing in several anthologies.

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How To Spend A Fantastic Day In Plymouth, Massachusetts

Sharon Odegaard

• Activities and Interests
• Destinations
• History and Culture
• Massachusetts
• United States

Plymouth spreads out along the coastline of Massachusetts and carries the label of “America’s Hometown.” Here, in 1620, the Mayflower made landfall, the sea-weary passengers stumbled off the ship, and soon the village of Plymouth took shape. After spending months tossed about on the waves of the Atlantic, the group was happy to come ashore, form a colony, and begin a new life.

Just a 45-minute drive south of Boston, the town of Plymouth is an ideal day trip. It’s also just a short drive from Cape Cod. In Plymouth, you can tour reproductions of the Mayflower and the first English settlement, called Plimoth Plantation. The daily life of the Native Americans, here long before the English, is on display at Patuxet. Add to your day a visit to a grist mill, a look at (tiny) Plymouth Rock, and sampling local beers, and you have lots of possibilities for enjoyment.

Pro Tip: If you time your visit for the fall, Plymouth will be showing off its splendid leaves of red and gold. And you can also go to a nearby cranberry bog as the berries are floated up to harvest. The red-colored bogs are an unforgettable sight.

Step Aboard The Mayflower

This full-size reproduction of the Mayflower is newly restored and recently re-docked in Plymouth Harbor. You’ll find the Mayflower at the State Pier in Pilgrim Memorial State Park in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of its arrival in New England. Step onboard this ship and experience firsthand what it was like to live in this confined space for weeks at sea.

This is a living history museum, with people dressed in period clothes and talking with you about their voyage. Be sure to strike up conversations as you move through the ship. You can learn about the mechanics of sailing the ship, as well as daily life onboard.

What struck me immediately was how small this vessel is. It must have been difficult for passengers to spend day after day in the dark confines below deck. The Mayflower picked up people at different ports in England, so some spent as long as nine months on the ship.

Allow about an hour at the Mayflower.

Pro Tip: I began my day here, then headed to Plimoth Plantation and Patuxet Museum, free to spend the remainder of the day, as there’s more to see there. Also, you will beat the crowds by going to the Mayflower early in the day.

Immerse Yourself In The Daily Life Of The Pilgrims At The Plimoth Plantation

Follow the signs and drive about three miles inland from the Mayflower to Plimoth Plantation . This recreation of the English settlers’ first village includes about a dozen buildings, gardens, fences, woodpiles, and livestock. Life in the 1600s is on display, and you can walk through it all. You meet living history guides of all ages who will tell you what they are doing and talk about life in the early days of the village.

The first village was located about three miles away, also on a hill above the water. Plimoth has been recreated using notes, journals, drawings, and archeology. The result brings colonial Plimoth vividly to life. You will feel you have traveled back in time. Interpreters will explain what they are eating for lunch or how they chopped wood for that big pile to prepare for winter. On my first visit, I went with my dad, and he helped build a fence. The wooden nails fascinated him. On my next visit, I watched a young man put on a roof as he explained the process to us.

Feel free to ask the costumed colonists anything about their lives. Nothing is off the table. Discuss religious views, healthcare, education and raising children, cooking, and how they get along with the Native Americans who live nearby. Also, take time to relax on a wooden bench and revel in the historic atmosphere.

Animal lovers will be pleased to know about the plantation’s Rare and Heritage Breeds Program. Many animals originally living here are no longer used in agriculture and are endangered. At Plimoth, these historic breeds are being saved. As you tour, you may see Milking Devon and Kerry cattle, Wiltshire Horned sheep, and San Clemente Island goats. Head for the Nye Barn to find out more.

You may wonder why the plantation spells its name different from the town, substituting “Plimoth” for “Plymouth.” In the 17th century, words were often spelled phonetically without consistency from document to document. Governor William Bradford wrote his history of the colony using “Plimoth,” so the administration of the historical site chose to use his version.

Learn About Wampanoag Culture At The Patuxet Museum

The outdoor Patuxet Museum , located along the banks of the Eel River, is adjacent to Plimoth Plantation and portrays the life of the native Wampanoag people. The Native people you meet here are planting crops, fishing, gathering wild herbs and berries for food, and fashioning reeds into mats and baskets. Homes in this village include the mat-covered wetu and a longer, bark-covered house with three fire pits inside. Food is cooked over an open fire using only the ingredients that were available in the 1600s.

Your experience here differs from Plimoth Plantation because the staff members are not playing a role. They are Native people, dressed in the deerskin style of the 17th century, but they speak from a present-day viewpoint. They will greet you and invite you inside a wetu or talk about what’s growing in the garden. You can learn about Wampanoag history, hear stories, and play a traditional game of hubbub. The Wampanoag People have lived in this region for more than 10,000 years, and they are pleased to share their culture with visitors.

Stop At The Visitor Center

The visitor center at Plimoth Plantation and Patuxet Museum offers museum shops that carry everything from books and toys and specialty foods to Native jewelry.

If you’ve worked up an appetite during your tours, the Plentiful Cafe features menu items adapted from both English colonial and Native cultures. Eat in the spacious restaurant or take your food to go and spread out a picnic on the lawn overlooking Cape Cod Bay.

Find Plymouth Rock

You’ve likely heard that famous Plymouth Rock can disappoint when you finally see it. Still, you must stop by this small boulder when you are in Plymouth. It’s legendary.

The rock became famous through oral history as the landing place of the English colonists. Early settlers would take their children to stand on the rock. Stories of the Mayflower voyage and landing here were imparted from generation to generation.

The rock became a symbol of liberty after the American Revolution. It’s fenced off for protection and awaiting your visit, just a few steps from the Mayflower.

It’s worth knowing that Plymouth is actually the second place the Mayflower landed after its historic voyage. The destination had been the mouth of the Hudson River. But, blown off course, the Mayflower landed far to the south. On November 9, 1620, passengers spied land at last after a long, tortuous voyage and docked at what is now Provincetown, Massachusetts, at the tip of Cape Cod. After a few days here, the Mayflower sailed across Cape Cod Bay to present-day Plymouth. And it was in Plymouth that the group settled.

Learn About Milling At The Plimoth Grist Mill

Mills were essential to an economy that grew corn, and Plymouth had a beautiful one. Plymouth’s Grist Mill is recreated to look as it did in 1636. This fully functional mill runs on water power from Town Brook. Two huge millstones grind corn. Tour the mill, then stop to buy stone-ground cornmeal at the shop.

Savor Local Cuisine (And Beer)

Plymouth is home to a local brewery that produces unique, high-quality ales and lagers. The Mayflower Brewing Company opened in 2007 and is dedicated to “celebrating the history and legacy of beer in America.” Founded by a descendant of John Alden, who was the beer barrel cooper on the Mayflower, this brewery makes traditional-style beers and serves them on the patio. Enjoy food from a variety of food trucks as you sip your lager.

For a delicious restaurant dinner, you can’t go wrong at Carmela’s Restaurant . The Viscariello family runs a successful Italian restaurant in Kingston, Massachusetts, and opened a second location in Plymouth. Fresh ingredients go into their pastas and flatbread pizzas. And gluten-free menu items are available.

Plymouth fans out from the water and climbs up gentle hillsides. The views and fresh sea air alone are worth a visit. Add to that the rich heritage of the area and the opportunities to travel back in time, and you have a fascinating place. You’ll be glad you spent a day reveling in the beauty and history of Plymouth.

Related Articles:

• 11 Best Small Towns To Visit In Massachusetts
• 10 Best Things To Do In Adorable Manchester-By-The-Sea, MA
• 11 Tips For Experiencing Boston’s Freedom Trail

As the owner of the travel blog, Exploring Our World , Sharon enjoys taking her readers on a journey with her. Articles often delve into the history of a place, and by adding in a generous number of photos, she inspires others to explore for themselves. In her early travels, she was most frustrated by coming back home and learning that she had missed a fascinating sight or a hidden gem. Now she helps travelers prepare for a trip by passing along travel tips, pointing out lesser known things to see, and alerting them to enjoyable day trips from major cities.

Her travel articles have been published by Stripes Europe Newsletter and the World War 2 Writing and Research Center. Whether she's discovering more about her hometown of San Diego, California or flying to faraway places, she enjoys sharing with travel lovers around the world.

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See plymouth county, ma, see & experience all we have to offer.

No matter the time of year, the gorgeous landscapes and historic charm of Plymouth County, MA are a sight to be seen. Step into the country and region's past in America's Hometown of Plymouth, MA on your New England trip! Visit Plimoth Patuxet Museums and Mayflower II , where the stories of New England's first European settlers comes to life. Experience the recreated English Village, the Historic Patuxet Homesite , and board the reproduction 17th-century merchant ship that brought these hearty souls to the "New World". As you'll discover, the history is just the beginning in the area. You'll also find great places to get outdoors to explore, have some family fun, enjoy a great meal or live entertainment. The ocean is always present, offering the chance for a fishing trip, sunset cruise, or day at the beach in Plymouth, Duxbury and Scituate, MA , There's great shopping in the area too, from outlets in Kingston and Brockton, MA to boutiques to farm shops & markets in Carver and Marshfield, MA . And when the day's done, there's lovely inns and resorts in the area to choose for a good rest.

Plymouth Quick Links : Things To Do - Events Calendar - Visitor Information & Maps

Mayflower II

Around plymouth county & the south shore.

Life along the Massachusetts South Shore is lovely any time of year. These typical New England towns with church steeples and town greens will make your drive a comfy, relaxing experience especially when you find the perfect place to rest . Amble along the downtown streets where unique one-of-a-kind shops offer treasures, gifts and memorabilia.

• John & Priscilla Alden made their home in the Town of Duxbury, MA where visitors are always welcome and encouraged to explore this historic site.
• The Metrosouth region of Plymouth County has one of the finest craft museums in the country, the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, MA .
• While there, head downtown to see the incredible Civil War era architecture of City Hall or take in the history of the city's shoemaking claim to fame at the Brockton Historical Society .

Inn at Scituate Harbor, Scituate, MA

Cranberry country.

A colorful outdoor experience awaits in Cranberry Country where area farms in the towns of Plymouth, Carver, Acushnet, Freetown and Wareham, MA provide visitors with a view of fall harvesting of this truly American berry.

• Log on to Cranberries.org to see what Massachusetts Cranberries has in store at our local cranberry bogs and harvest tours.
• Also in the area is Myles Standish State Forest , an expansive area with trails for hiking, biking and wildlife peeking, lakes with beaches for swimming or fishing, and a few campsites to complete the experience.
• Families return regularly to enjoy Edaville Family Theme Park in Carver, MA , which is a great day out and quite affordable!

Eat and Drink

Plymouth, MA restaurants are a treat for hungry visitors as well as locals.

• While on your stroll along Plymouth Harbor , head to lunch at an outdoor picnic table or open-deck seating at one of the many restaurants on Town Wharf . It's here that you'll find the Lobster Hut and Wood's Seafood - some of the most basic and best New England seafood dining experiences.
• Near the wharf on Water Street is where you can find the Shops at Village Landing - a collection of boutiques, restaurants and eateries. This is where you'll find Local Roots , an eatery with a water view, great food and a selection of smoothies and cocktails.
• Head up to Court Street and find cozy corners, full-out formal dining, or outdoor patios. A great spot to check out is the Food Court Craft Kitchen , which has a widely varied menu that changes seasonally. And a craft bar, too. If you're looking for something more formal, Martini's Bar and Grill is the spot.

Whether fresh seafood, a variety of ethnic choices, casual dining , or a formal experience, your culinary curiosity will be satisfied in this historic town.

Historic Museums

Plymouth County's museums bring the history of the area and its people to present time for you to experience.

• Hull Lifesaving Museum in nearby Hull, MA honors maritime heritage.
• Scituate, MA hosts the Maritime & Irish Mossing Museum and Mann Farmhouse & Museum .
• The Middleborough Historical Museum in Middleborough, MA features Tom Thumb memorabilia.
• Pilgrim history abounds at the Alden House Historic Site in Duxbury, MA .
• Right in Plymouth, MA , Pilgrim Hall Museum showcases items brought over on the Mayflower voyage and Plimoth Patuxet Museums brings the Pilgrims and Wampanoag story to life at their Native Homesite and English Village.

Plymouth County has been welcoming visitors since the Mayflower Pilgrims arrived in 1620. If you haven't made it here, you owe it to yourself to experience a piece of Americana that has long held the heart and history of New England. Treat yourself and See Plymouth!

Featured Plymouth Area Destinations

See Plymouth, MA

History comes alive at the magnificent Mayflower II , Plymouth Rock, the Pilgrim Hall Museum , and the English village and Wampanoag Homesite at the Plimoth Patuxet Museums . There’s also whale-watching, pirate and harbor cruises, ghost tours, great beaches, parks with hiking and biking trails, sea kayaking and festivals and celebrations.

Captain John Boats

See Plymouth from a unique perspective with Captain John Boats . Take a harbor cruise on the Pilgrim Belle paddlewheel boat. Or head out onto Cape Cod Bay on a whale watch or deep-sea fishing excursion. A fast ferry to Provincetown, MA takes you to the Cape's furthest point in 90 minutes.

Discover Quincy

At Quincy, MA , visit the Adams Homesteads and presidential library or board the USS Salem to visit the U.S. Naval Shipbuilding Museum . Hike or bike the Blue Hills Reservation or the Presidents Trail , an urban walk lined with shops and eateries. Take a harbor cruise or enjoy the Quincy Shores Reservation .

Hotel 1620 at Plymouth Harbor

Just steps from the Hotel 1620 at Plymouth Harbor you can dive into a day of exploring Plymouth Rock , the Mayflower II , and the Pilgrim Hall Museum . Go on a whale watch; enjoy the Plimoth Grist Mill . The Plimoth Patuxet Museums illustrates the lives of the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people.

Inn at Scituate Harbor

Up the coast from Plymouth is charming Scituate, and the Inn at Scituate Harbor , a seaside respite. Wake to a magnificent sunrise and views of the harbor and lighthouse. Dine with water views; walk a nature trail; go golfing, kayaking, beach combing or a swim in the inn’s heated pool.

Pilgrim Hall Museum

Pilgrim Hall Museum houses everyday objects from the 17th century, including William Bradford’s Bible; a cradle from the Mayflower ; and the earliest American-made sampler. Exhibits describe the Wampanoag, the indigenous people of the area. The Museum features films on Plymouth County history, 17th century furniture and original artworks of the time.

Plimoth Patuxet Museums

See history in a new light at Plimoth Patuxet Museums : Historic Patuxet Homesite, where visitors hear about Native Wampanoag culture; and the 17th-Century English Village, with timber-framed houses and heritage-breed livestock. Kids can join a muster drill and learn Colonial games. In the harbor, step aboard the magnificent Mayflower II .

Salem Witch Museum

For more dramatic history, drive up the North Shore to Salem, where the Salem Witch Museum describes the 1692 witch trials through life-size stage sets, figures, dramatic lighting and narration. The exhibit “Witches: Evolving Perceptions,” examines the word “witch” and historic scapegoating. A museum store offers spell books, tarot cards and apparel.

The Steamship Authority

For blissful island life, head to Cape Cod via The Steamship Authority . Ferries to Martha’s Vineyard leave from Woods Hole, MA ; ferries to Nantucket leave from Hyannis, MA . Pets, bikes, and surfboards are welcome! Don’t miss the Oak Bluffs, MA gingerbread houses, Aquinnah Cliffs on the Vineyard or the Nantucket Whaling Museum .

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17 Of The Best Things To Do In Plymouth, MA

Plymouth, Massachusetts is the site of the first Pilgrim settlement in the early 1600’s.

The small coastal town is now a tourist destination for those interested in the earliest history of the United States.

Popular attractions such as Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower II, plus fun restaurants and art galleries, draw in a million visitors each year.

Planning a visit and wondering what to do? Read on for some of the best things to do in Plymouth, MA.

Note: Many Plymouth businesses close for the winter, following Thanksgiving. If visiting in the colder months, be sure to check for seasonal closures before heading out.

Table of Contents

The Best Things To Do In Plymouth, MA 

Walk the shops & restaurants .

Downtown Plymouth has two main areas with a variety of restaurants and boutique shops.

Water Street, which overlooks Pilgrim Memorial State Park and the harbor, and Court Street, which runs parallel.

Between the two, there’s a handful of tourist-friendly attractions like shops, art galleries, restaurants, bars, and museums, all within a small area.

Jabez Howland House

During your visit to Plymouth, MA be sure to check out the Jabez Howland House, which is the only remaining house of the pilgrims from the earliest days of settlement.

The home is nearly 400 years old and has traded hands many times. It was revamped in the 1940s, bringing it back to its original appearance before being added to the National Register of Historic Places.

It’s now adorned with period-relevant furniture, artifacts discovered on the Howland property, and other letters and documents from the family’s history.  

The historic home is open seasonally on select dates. 

Pilgrim Memorial State Park 

Pilgrim Memorial Park is the focal point of Plymouth. It’s a small park sitting between Water Street and Cape Cod Bay, housing the town’s main attractions: Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower II. 

Pilgrim Memorial is ran by the National Park Service so there are often park rangers on site to explain the historical significance of the park.

The park is free and is open from sunrise to sunset. 

Note: Nelson Memorial Park is located just a mile north of this state park and has lots of kid friendly attractions such as a playground, picnic area, and water access.

Plymouth Rock

Plymouth Rock is believed to be the rock the pilgrims first step foot on when arriving in America in the 17th century — it was moved to this location from Provincetown, Massachusetts.

The rock is under a large veranda overlooking the Cape Cod Bay. 

During our visit on a Saturday in summer there was a park ranger on site providing information about the rock and America’s original pilgrims.

Mayflower II 

Mayflower II is a full scale replica pilgrim ship gifted to the United States from England following WWII.

Visitors are able to walk through the ship and imagine what life would’ve been like for the Mayflower passengers during the 2 month sail across the Atlantic.

The Mayflower was small and had very few amenities — it’s hard to imagine spending more than a few days living on this ship let alone 2 months. Exploring the ship is definitely one of the most popular things to do in Plymouth, MA.

Touring the ship requires a small fee.

Tip: If you wish to also visit the Plimoth Patuxet Museum and Plimoth Grist Mill, purchase a Heritage Pass , which grants admission to all three for a lower price. 

Richard Sparrow House

The Richard Sparrow House is another historic landmark dating back to the early 17th century.

Built in 1640, it is one of the oldest surviving homes in New England and offers visitors a glimpse into Colonial era life.

The home is furnished with period-appropriate artifacts and features a small museum and gallery, providing a glimpse into the region’s history and architectural heritage.

Brewster Gardens

Located between Jabez Howland House and Pilgrim Memorial State Park are the lovely Brewster Gardens.

Town Brook Stream runs through the middle of this small park, decorated with beautiful flower beds and walking paths.

The park is free and we enjoyed walking around here for a bit to get away from the crowds in the state park.

Plimoth Patuxet Museums

Plimoth Patuxet is an interactive, living history museum depicting the early Plymouth colony and their original settlement.

The museum has several different sites which together take visitors on a journey through the past and engulf you in Plymouth’s former way of life. The museum includes the perspective of the area’s indigenous peoples throughout their exhibits.

This is definitely one of the most comprehensive museums here making it one of the best places to visit during a trip to Plymouth, MA.

Note: Plimoth Patuxet recently changed its name, it was formerly called Plimoth Plantation.

The museum is open 7 days a week from about April through December. Plimoth Patuxet tickets can be purchased individually or in combination with Plimoth Grist Mill and Mayflower II.

Plimoth Grist Mill

If visiting Plimoth Patuxet, be sure to also check out the grist mill.

Grist mills grind grain into flour and are often powered by water wheels. They’ve been around for centuries and were among the first things built by pilgrims arriving in the New World. 

While here, explore the mills inner workings, the ecology of the water used to power the mill, and even take home some of your own cornmeal to try.

Fun Fact: Plimoth is the old-fashioned spelling of Plymouth.

Burial Hill Cemetery 

This cemetery is the final resting place for some very important early pilgrims, including the last surviving Mayflower passenger, Mary Allerton. 

There are more than 2,000 marked graves here, ranging from 1680-1957.  The location also puts you roughly 150 feet above sea level, and the views of the coastline are quite stunning.  

The cemetery is open sunrise to sunset and is free to visitors. 

See The Historic Homes On Leyden Street

Just a short distance from Pilgrim Memorial State Park is Leyden Street, one of the original roads built by the pilgrims.

It’s believed to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited streets in New England, the homes here are really picturesque and definitely worth a quick walk through while exploring Plymouth.

National Monument To The Forefathers

The National Monument to the Forefathers, formerly referred to as the Pilgrim Monument, commemorates the Mayflower Pilgrims.

It’s one of the largest solid granite monuments in the world and is surrounded by open green space and simple gardens.

Visiting the monument will only take a few minutes and is free to all visitors.

Pilgrim Hall Museum 

Pilgrim Hall Museum, opened in 1824, is the oldest public museum in the United States.

It tells the story of the early pilgrims and their voyage, and has many prized possessions and artifacts which immerse visitors in what life must have been like in those hard, early years.  

The museum also does a nice job displaying artifacts and telling the stories of Native Americans during the arrival of pilgrims.

The museum is open seasonally Wednesday – Sunday. 

America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration

Spanning several days in November, Plymouth puts on the ultimate Thanksgiving celebration.

The lively event features a variety of festivities, including parades, concerts, historical reenactments, and a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

It attracts thousands of visitors from across the country, who participate in the fun event honoring the spirit of gratitude which defines Thanksgiving in America’s Hometown.

Myles Standish State Forest

Located about 5.5 miles south of Plymouth is Myles Standish State Forest.

The park is one of the largest publicly owned recreation areas in Massachusetts and offers camping, swimming, horseback riding, and lots of hiking trails. 

The forest is open sunrise to sunset and is free, but there’s a small fee for parking. Those interesting in camping need to secure a permit in advance at Myles Standish State Forest Camping . 

Jenney Interpretive Centre

Named after John Jenney, one of Plymouth’s original settlers, the Jenney Museum offers guided tours which explore significant landmarks and artifacts related to the Pilgrims’ journey and the founding of the area.

Through exhibits and educational programs, visitors can further understand this pivotal period in American history and its impact continent’s future.

Their Discover Plymouth’s History Walking Tour is especially recommended.

Where To Eat In Plymouth, MA 

Some popular restaurants in Plymouth include:

• Tavern on the Wharf
• Martini’s Bar & Grill
• Will & Co. Cafe (this is where we had breakfast, they have vegan options in addition to meat options.)
• Dillon’s Local
• East Bay Grille
• Surfside Smokehouse

Following your meal, grab a local brew and enjoy live music at Mayflower Brewing Company.

Tip: We found the restaurants on Court Street to be a little less busy than those on Water Street. 

How To Spend A Day In Plymouth, MA

If spending a day in Plymouth, Massachusetts consider the following activities:

• See the Mayflower II and Plymouth Rock in Pilgrim Memorial State Park. 
• Walk the shops and grab a bite to eat along Water & Court Streets.
• See the Jabez Howland House.
• Explore Plimoth Patuxet.

For my exact one day itinerary, check out Day Trip To Plymouth, MA Itinerary .

Where To Stay In Plymouth, MA 

For hotels within walking distance of Plymouth’s main attractions check out:

• Hotel 1620 Plymouth Harbor
• Harbourtown Suites
• Best Western Plus Cold Spring
• John Carver Inn & Spa

These are hotels are in Plymouth, but will require driving to the main tourist attractions:

• Holiday Inn Express Plymouth
• Hilton Garden Inn Plymouth
• Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Plymouth
• Hampton Inn & Suites Plymouth
• Mirbeau Inn & Spa

Getting To Plymouth, MA

From boston, ma.

Plymouth is just a short drive from Boston. It’s located about 40 miles south of Massachusetts’ capital city, and driving here requires 45 minutes to an hour. 

If visiting without a car, take the bus from Boston – South Station to Plymouth Park & Ride, the bus takes an hour. From here you’ll need a taxi or Uber/Lyft to get to downtown Plymouth, located about 2 miles away.

From Providence, RI 

Providence, Rhode Island is about 55 miles west of Plymouth, the drive usually takes about an hour.

There is no direct public transportation between Providence and Plymouth.

Where To Park In Plymouth, MA

There’s a large, free lot near Summer Street and Spring Lane, right by the Plimoth Grist Mill. The location is labeled as “Free Parking” in Google Maps. From the lot it’s just a short walk to Plymouth’s main attractions. 

Additionally there are paid lots along Water Street and paid meter spots throughout town. Meter spots offer the best rates but have time limits.

Water Street sees the most traffic so we parked on Court Street to avoid delays. 

What Is Plymouth, MA Known For?

Plymouth, Massachusetts was the first home of English pilgrims in what is now the United States.

The town has famous historic sites such as Plymouth Rock and Mayflower II, a full scale replica of the ship used by the pilgrims to cross the Atlantic.

Plymouth is not where the Mayflower first came ashore, that was Provincetown, Massachusetts, located just across Cape Cod Bay.

Is It Worth Visiting Plymouth, MA?

Plymouth, MA is a great place to visit for those interested in American history, especially the country’s earliest years.

For most, a day is about all that’s needed to see the highlights.

As you can see, there’s tons of great things to do in Plymouth, MA! Any questions or additional ideas? Please leave a comment below.

If you’d like to follow along with my travels in real time, check out  @seen.by.amy on Instagram or  @seenbyamy on TikTok !

Looking for more ideas? Check out my additional Plymouth and Massachusetts guides below or head on over to See Plymouth !

More Information For Your Massachusetts Vacation:

• Plymouth, MA: Day Trip Itinerary
• Boston, MA: Weekend Guide
• Boston, MA: Free Things To Do
• Cape Cod: 4 Day Vacation Itinerary
• Nantucket: Everything To Know About A Day Trip
• Salem, MA: Everything To Know For A Day Trip
• Salem, MA: Top Haunted Places To See
• Salem, MA: Haunted Hotels

More Information For Your New England Travels:

• Southern New England Road Trip: 9 Day Itinerary
• Mystic, CT: How To Spend One Day Here
• Mystic, CT: Top Things To Do
• Stowe, VT: Day Trip Itinerary
• New Hampshire White Mountains: Top Things To Do

More Information For Your East Coast Travels:

• Rehoboth Beach, DE: Top Things To Do
• Greenport, NY: Best Things To Do
• East Hampton, NY: Top Things To Do
• Southampton, NY: Best Things To Do
• Montauk, NY: Top Things To Do

Hey! I’m Amy, author of this article and owner of this website. I've lived in Denver, Chicago, New York, Utah, and Arizona. I’ve visited almost all 50 states, and traveled in nearly a dozen countries. I enjoy writing about places I've lived and the many incredible destinations I've visited worldwide. My hope is that my love for travel will inspire others to see more of this beautiful planet.

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One Comment

Awesome post, thank you for sharing! Definitely a great way to explore Plymouth. Thank you for sharing such great content!

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My Itchy Travel Feet

The Baby Boomer's Guide To Travel

Visiting Plymouth, Massachusetts on a Boston Day Trip

This article may contain referral links. Read our DISCLOSURE

Are you interested in visiting Plymouth, MA? It’s an easy day trip from Boston that is filled with American history that takes you back to the time of the pilgrims. And, of course, there’s the historic Plymouth rock to see.

Cheryl Maguire offers tips for a one-day itinerary to Plymouth from Boston. Or make Plymouth part of your Massachusetts early American road trip . It’s an historic town that’s well worth a visit!

Table of Contents

How to visit Plymouth, Massachusetts

You don’t have to be a history buff to enjoy all Plymouth, Massachusetts has to offer. Located 40 miles south of Boston, Plymouth is one of America’s first towns. It was named after Plymouth, Devon England due to the physical similarity.

The downtown area along the Plymouth Bay offers scenic water views while you shop or dine in one of the many restaurants . Be sure to check the calendar for special events such as the Plymouth Ice Festival, Art in the Park, concerts in Kellogg Park all summer long, Fall Festival and Santa’s Arrival.

Inspecting Plymouth Rock

Plymouth Rock is located in Pilgrim Memorial State Park , near the Mayflower II and the Brewster Gardens. The park has picturesque views of Plymouth Harbor and the Mayflower II.

Most people who see Plymouth Rock are disappointed with the small size, but it is still viewed by more than 1 million people per year. There isn’t any evidence Plymouth Rock was the actual stepping stone for the Pilgrims but it was identified for being the spot by Thomas Faunce whose father arrived in Plymouth on the original Mayflower.

Exploring Plimoth Plantation

Plimoth Plantation offers you a chance to experience life in the 17 th century . There is a recreation of an English village built by Pilgrims as well as a Wampanoag Homesite.

The Pilgrims are actors dressed in costumes and they speak with accents. The Pilgrims fully immerse themselves into their roles and will answer questions based on how their character would answer that they are impersonating. They use both documented facts about their character (a real historical person) along with general information about the time period.

The Wampanoag Homesite staff are not actors. They are either Wampanoag or from another Native Nation. They also will answer questions about their culture but from a present day perspective.

Some of the staff  demonstrate how to play an ancient tribal game hubbub which is still played today. Other staff reenact different types of cooking and food they ate.

You could easily spend an entire day talking to Pilgrims and Wampanoag people, wandering through the various refabricated homes and learning about the 17 th century history.

Visiting Mayflower II

Mayflower II is a part of Plimoth Plantation museum located in downtown Plymouth, about a 10 minute drive from the main location. The boat is a full-scale reproduction of the ship which brought the Pilgrims to Plymouth in 1620.

This replica was built in 1955-1956 in England and is an actual working ship that sailed to Plymouth, MA. Similar to the English village, there are actors aboard the ship to recreate the experience of the 17 th century and answer questions.

Stopping at Plimoth Grist Mill

Plimoth Grist Mill is also a part of Plimoth Plantation museum, located a short walk from the Mayflower II.  The mill is a replication of the original Jenney Grist Mill used by the Pilgrims in 1636 for grinding corn. It is powered by water.

Inside the museum you can grind corn and sift it to make cornmeal. There is a small water wheel to see how it works and you can interact with it.

Strolling through Brewster Gardens

Brewster Gardens is located outside of the Plimoth Grist Mill. It is a beautiful stroll through the gardens back to the waterfront area. The Town Brook stream runs throughout the garden and is used by the Grist Mill.

In the 17 th century the stream provided drinking water for the Pilgrims. The park contains a statue of The Pilgrim Maiden by Henry Hudson Kitson (1922) and The Immigrant Memorial by artist Barney Zeitz (2001) in honor of the Pilgrim settlers.

Boomer Travel Tip

Interested in checking out Plymouth Plantation? Check out a list of hotels in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Frequent asked questions

You can get a discounted Plimouth Plantation visitors pass from the library if you have a library card or know someone who does. Every year the Highland Foundation offers one Friday (date varies every year) when admission is free to everyone for Plimoth Planation, Mayflower II and Plimoth Grist Mill.

There are many significant historical buildings and museums to explore beyond Plymouth Plantation, Plymouth Rock and Mayflower II. If you have the time, Jenney Museum, Pilgrim Hall Museum, Brewster Gardens and Burial Hill are worth a visit.

You’re here so you might as well see it. However a quick look-see at the rock (no, the Pilgrim’s didn’t actually step on it) is all the time you need.

You can easily explore the area on a day trip from Boston. However history fans should allot more time for a thorough visit.

Summer months, June through August, offer the best weather, but they are also the most crowded. May or September are good alternatives.

Plymouth, located 40 miles south of Boston, is about a one hour drive.

There are plenty of Bed and Breakfast or hotels to stay in if you plan an overnight visit.

There are two public beaches, Plymouth Beach and White Horse Beach.

 While visiting the Boston area, here are two more off-the-beaten-path things to do:

• Explore the beautiful beaches of Hull
• Visit the Boston Harbor Islands

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Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Launches New “Made Possible” Tourism Campaign to Promote State History and Culture, Attract New Travelers

Media contact   for healey-driscoll administration launches new “made possible” tourism campaign to promote state history and culture, attract new travelers, karissa hand, press secretary.

Boston — Today, Governor Maura Healey announced a new tourism campaign called “Made Possible” to showcase Massachusetts as a dynamic travel destination for visitors across the globe and the best place to live, raise a family, and build a business. The campaign builds off of the administration’s “Massachusetts For Us All"  campaign, which ran in the Summer of 2023, as well as proposed investments in arts, culture and tourism in the Mass Leads Act. 

“Our state is full of go-getters and change-makers, each with an amazing story to tell and invaluable contributions to make in our diverse communities,” said Governor Healey . “Everyone is welcome here, and we proudly showcase this on a global scale. The Made Possible campaign will engage a new generation of travelers and future residents and demonstrate that anything is possible here in Massachusetts.”

“Through Made Possible, visitors can find themselves in every corner of Massachusetts – in our small businesses, downtown areas, and cultural centers,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll . “Through this new campaign, we want residents and visitors to feel connected to our state’s rich heritage and legacy of possibility. We look forward to sharing our story.”

The campaign will emphasize digital and social engagement and aim to increase tourism to Massachusetts’ many historic, cultural, and natural destinations, from Boston to the Berkshires and Provincetown to Plymouth. Launching in June during Pride Month, the campaign will also highlight Massachusetts as a welcoming place for the LGBTQIA+ community through creative billboards and digital advertising in New England states, Texas, and Florida. The campaign will grow over the next 12 months, targeting domestic travelers through a mixed media approach that will include television, radio, digital, print, and billboards that target consumers who are planning travel to Massachusetts.

Made Possible’s creative builds off of the successful launch in 2023 of “Massachusetts For Us All,” which ran from June 2023 to September 2023 on highway billboards and social media in Texas, Florida, New York, and New England, promoting Massachusetts as a welcoming and safe place for all. The campaign resulted in 1.6 million impressions and 12,000 website visits.

“Massachusetts is a hub of innovation, new ideas, and the spirit of possibility, and we are excited to show the world our vibrant history and promising future through this new campaign,” said Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. “Made Possible will help drive visitors to our many cultural, recreational, and historic sites and support local and regional economies throughout the state.”  

“From our revolutionary roots and rich historical sites to our beautiful mountains and picturesque coastlines, Massachusetts has it all,” said Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism Executive Director Kate Fox . "We're teaming up with Hill Holliday to welcome everyone to explore our vibrant cities and towns, stunning landscapes, and endless adventures. Massachusetts awaits!"

The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism selected Hill Holliday, the award-winning integrated creative and media agency, as the creative partner developing and implementing the Made Possible campaign. 

“Since its founding in 1968, Hill Holliday has been an advocate for Massachusetts and all its unique offerings across this amazing state. We are incredibly proud to represent the state we call home,” said Peter Nicholson, Chief Creative Officer, Hill Holliday . “This summer, we will launch a bold and fresh integrated campaign that celebrates our many destinations as well as our unique culture.” 

In March 2024, the Healey-Driscoll administration unveiled the Mass Leads Act , the administration’s first economic development bill that contains the tools and resources needed to make Massachusetts the best place in the nation for individuals to pursue rewarding careers and for companies to start, scale, and succeed. The bill makes critical investments in the tourism, arts, and culture industries, including $40 million for capital improvements at tourism assets across the state, $50 million to improve cultural facilities like museums and theaters, the creation of an artist in residence and poet laureate for the state, and support for Massachusetts’ celebration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.

About Hill Holliday

Hill Holliday is proud to be one of the top creative marketing agencies in the country, with over 200 cross disciplinary talents across the network. Since 1968, Hill Holliday has been on a mission to create transformative work that doesn’t just turn heads and stop thumbs, but consistently drives growth. Blending communications planning, media, and technology with superior creative, the agency approaches problems holistically to create work that punches above its media weight.  For more about Hill Holliday’s people, work, and culture, visit www.hhcc.com .

About The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT) 

The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT) is the state agency dedicated to promoting Massachusetts as a leisure travel destination. An essential part of the state’s economy, tourism generates $1.9 billion in state and local taxes and $24.2 billion in tourism-related spending, supporting 131,100 in-state jobs. Learn more at www.visitma.com . 

Meggie Quackenbush, Director of Communications

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Home » Public Restrooms & Info Centers

See Plymouth Headquarters Downtown Plymouth

The official website for the town and county of Plymouth, MA tourism industry, seeplymouth.com promotes and markets the town and county as a leading travel destination.

See Plymouth operates tourism offices at 4 North Street in downtown Historic Plymouth MA, the Waterfront Visitor Center, 130 Water Street on the Plymouth Waterfront/Harbor, and the Massachusetts Visitor Center located just off the Highway at Route 3, Exit 13 (old Exit 5) in Plymouth.

4 North Street | Plymouth, MA

(508) 747-0100

Services & Resources

• See Plymouth Brochures
• Brochures for Plymouth & Plymouth County & Beyond attractions, restaurants, shopping and lodging
• Please NOTE: No Public Restrooms at this location

Open: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.

Waterfront Visitor Information Center

More than 100,000 visitors from all over the world come through this center each year. Its convenient location (at the rotary across the street from Plymouth Harbor) makes it the perfect first stop when you arrive in Plymouth. You’ll be greeted by our friendly and knowledgeable staff, eager to help you navigate your way around America’s Hometown!

130 Water Street | Plymouth, MA

(508) 747-7525

• Brochures for Plymouth attractions, restaurants, shopping and lodging
• Special event schedules
• Clean restrooms

Hours 2024: Open for the season April 1, 9am-5pm daily.

Massachusetts Visitor Information Center

This state of MA Information Center is conveniently located in Plymouth at the Park and Ride Travel Plaza on Route 3, Exit 13 ( Old Exit 5), inside the building with the McDonald’s Restaurant.

5 Long Pond Road | Plymouth, MA

(508) 746-1150

• See Plymouth brochures
• Brochures for Plymouth County attractions, restaurants, shopping and lodging
• Picnic tables​

Brochures available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round.

Staff hours 2024: Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-2pm beginning April 3. Also, Friday and Saturday March 29 & 30 10am-2pm.

Advertise in the MA Visitor Information Center! The MA Visitor Information Center is a major stop for visitors traveling to and from Boston, Plymouth, Cape Cod and throughout all of New England. Get your message out to this huge influx of visitors. Sign up now to guarantee your space.

Public Restrooms

See Plymouth Visitor Center -130 Water Street

Daily: 9:00am - 5:00pm Summer: Daily 8:00am - 8:00pm

Pilgrim Memorial Park (by The Rock)

Daily: 8:00am – 6:00pm Summer: 8:00am – 9:00pm

Village Landing, 170 Water Street (by Hotel 1620)

Opening mid-April Hours: 8:00am – 8:00pm

Harbor Master Building, 185 Water Street (behind East Bay Grille)

Opening April 15th: 8:00am -5:00pm Summer Hours: 7:00am – 9:00pm

1749 Courthouse, 4 Town Square (at Church Street)

Open May 28 - Oct 10 Daily Hours: 9:00am -5:00pm Opens in November for town events only

Nelson Park, 235 Water Street

Open Daily May 28 to September 5 Hours 9:00am – 7:00pm

Town Hall, 26 Court Street (at South Russell Street)

Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 7:30am – 4:00pm Tuesday: 7:30am – 6:30pm Friday: 7:30am – 12:00pm (noon)