Plymouth is a very walkable coastal town which is located within the Greater Boston area of Massachusetts. It is one of the most historical spots that you can travel to in the United States, and is famous and best known for its interesting folklore. This travel guide will help you with ideas on how to spend your day there with many fun activities that the whole family can enjoy.

It is definitely worth visiting, and in so many of the areas, you will find that the history is brought to life in the present, and examined in a way that we can reflect upon today.

Also in this article, you will see both of the spellings for Plymouth/Plimoth. Plimoth was the old-fashioned spelling utilized by Governor William Bradford during his history at the colony. (He was one of the original settlers in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and was extremely influential in setting up their early systems of government. Due to his influence in the area, some of the locations still use his original vocabulary to this day.)

Pilgrim Memorial State Park

The Pilgrim Memorial State Park has a multitude of historical monuments and statues that are dedicated to the beginning history of the United States. You will see incredible views of the Plymouth Bay from this area, and this location is also home to the Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower II Museum.

You can find this park at 79 Water St, Plymouth, MA 02360. There is also a small fee for 2 hour parking, but it is worth it with all the places to explore here. (As a side note, there are also restrooms available, which is always awesome when you are traveling!)

https://www.mass.gov/locations/pilgrim-memorial-state-park

Plymouth Rock

One of the most famous and iconic landmarks that you will find in Massachusetts, is the Plymouth Rock. The rock is actually a granite slab, which according to tradition and legend, was what the Pilgrims first stepped upon into their entrance to the United States from the Mayflower. Today, this iconic landmark is located at 79 Water Street, Plymouth, MA 02360 right in the Pilgrim Memorial State Park.

The Plymouth Rock In Massachusetts

Mayflower II

Located on the same bay as the Plymouth Rock, the Mayflower II is a full reproduction of the first Mayflower ship, and is currently a working vessel, floating classroom, and museum! It is so interesting to go under the deck to learn more about the journey and voyage the first Pilgrims had went on, and how they managed to live on the ship.

https://plimoth.org/plan-your-visit/explore-our-sites/mayflower-ii

Brewster Gardens

After you visit the Plymouth Rock, and Mayflower II, I highly suggest making the short walk over to the beautiful Brewster Gardens. This delightful park was created in the 1920s and dedicated to the early settlers, and especially the Pilgrim women. In it, you will find the iconic Pilgrim Maiden Statue, memorials, and the beautiful Town Brook stream that meanders through it. The address of the Brewster Gardens is 30 Water St, Plymouth, MA 02360.

Plimoth Patuxet

You can find the Historic Patuxet Homesite and the 17th-Century English Village at one location at 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, MA 02360. This is a museum complex that you can walk through, and you will find the different sections of it both outdoors, and indoors.

The Historic Patuxet Homesite is an area where visitors have the opportunity to learn about the Native tribes that inhabited the Northeast region for thousands of years. You can also walk through the wetus (houses) to learn more about the daily life of the Indigenous Wampanoag communities in the 17th-century.

The 17th-Century English Village is very interesting, because it is a recreation of early Plymouth, and it showcases the houses that people of that time may have lived in, and the tools that they utilized during that time period. There are also kitchen gardens surrounding these houses, along with livestock that you would have found then.

Another neat aspect of the village is that the workers are dressed in appropriate clothing from that time period, and they are playing the role of an actual inhabitant from the colony. These individuals actually act out their stories, and will also talk to you about the events that were happening in the 1600s. Plimoth Patuxet would be an amazing day trip for a family to enjoy, and is an awesome educational spot.

https://plimoth.org/plan-your-visit/hours-tickets-directions

Plimoth Grist Mill

The Plimoth Grist Mill is an amazing reproduction of the Plymouth Colonists’ original 1636 grain mill on Town Brook, and is also currently a working mill. I highly recommend taking a tour of it, and the guide/miller will detail the mechanics of how they produce cornmeal and sampe, which is a northern form of grits. They also use grains from local farms in the area, which is amazing! You can find the Plimoth Grist Mill at 6 Spring Ln, Plymouth, MA 02360.

https://plimoth.org/plan-your-visit/explore-our-sites/plimoth-grist-mill

Jenney Interpretive Center

If you are interested in learning about the the lives of the Pilgrims starting out their journey in Plymouth, Massachusetts, you have to book at tour at the Jenney Interpretive Center. They offer a multitude of walking tours around the historical sites in the area, and have amazing guides as well. There are also indoor presentations if you do not wish to walk, and from experience, I have to say these are very detailed and worth it too. (When my husband and I traveled there, it was pouring rain outside, so we ended up inside the building for the tour. Our guide was such a great story teller that you felt transported to the time of the Pilgrims, and it was an extremely informative experience.)

After the tour, you will want to walk around the Jenney Interpretive Center, because they have so many interesting exhibits and displays the Pilgrims beliefs and how they have impacted the country as a whole. They are located at 48 Summer St, Plymouth, MA 02360.

https://thejenney.org/

Burial Hill 

Located on School Street in Plymouth, this hill has been used for burials of its local residents since the 1620s. Originally, it was also the location of the English settlers first fort and meeting house. There are passengers from the Mayflower that are buried here, which include William Bradford, and also William and Mary Brewster. If you do walk through this area, it is important to be respectful of the stones, and not to touch them. So many of them are historical records, and are also irreplaceable works of folk art.

https://plymouth-ma.gov/216/Burial-Hill-Cemetery-1622

The First Parish Church In Plymouth

As you make your way through Plymouth, you will want to visit the very historical First Parish Church. This church is considered to be the birthplace of religious and civic freedom in America. Since there are records dating back to 1606 in Scrooby, England where the religious Separatists were forced to worship in secret in William Brewster’s manor house, Plymouth’s First Parish is possibly the oldest continuous western place of worship in America. You can find this church at 12 Church St, Plymouth, MA 02360.

https://firstparishplymouth.org/worship/about/our-history

National Monument To The Forefathers

The National Monument To The Forefathers is thought to be one of the largest granite monuments within the United States. It is an 81 foot tall (about 24.7 meters) statue that is meant to honor the passengers of the Mayflower. Sculptor Hammatt Billings from Boston created this monument that depicts the virtues of Liberty, Law, Morality, Faith, and Education. It is definitely worth checking out, and the artwork on the statue is really beautiful. You can find it at 72 Allerton St, Plymouth, MA 02360.

https://seeplymouth.com/listing/national-monument-to-the-forefathers/

Notable Mentions-

Plymouth Long Beach

If you are traveling to this area in the summer, and enjoy a nice swim, you will want to check out the Plymouth Long Beach. It is a barrier beach that is about 3 miles in length. In addition to swimming, you can also go fishing, picnicking, and hiking.

You can find this beach at 1 Ryder Way, Plymouth, MA 02360. If you are taking Rt. 3A south from the Plymouth Center, it is only about 2.5 miles away. You will see the entrance on your left just after passing Plimoth Patuxet Museums (137 Warren Ave). There are also restrooms available on the beach, and a highly recommended place to eat called Sandy’s Restaurant.

https://seeplymouth.com/listing/plymouth-long-beach/

Ellisville Harbor State Park

If you are interested in checking out harbor seals in your travels, you will want to visit the Ellisville Harbor State Park. When you hike this area you will see a red pine forest, fishing boats off the coast, and rolling meadows from the shore line. In the winter, you can also enjoy cross-country skiing! There is a free parking lot that is on-site as well. You can find this location at 1861 State Rd, Plymouth, MA 02360.

https://www.mass.gov/locations/ellisville-harbor-state-park

Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary

If you enjoy hiking on your travels, you will want to check out the beautiful Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary. At one time, this spot was a working cranberry farm, and now it is a is a 481-acre property that is home to a variety of cold-water streams, ponds, woodlands, and forest that can be explored through their various trails. They also have interesting classes and programs for people of all ages to enjoy, and learn more about the local environment. You can find them at 60 Beaver Dam Rd, Plymouth, MA 02360.

https://www.massaudubon.org/places-to-explore/wildlife-sanctuaries/tidmarsh

Plymouth, Massachusetts is one of the most historical and fascinating places that you should visit if you are traveling to the Northeastern region of the United States. It has had such an impact on the country as a whole, and you truly get the sense of where the roots of this nation started, and continued to grow. I hope that this guide helps you in your journey to Plymouth, and you will have to let me know in the comments what you think of the area as well! I hope that you are having a wonderful day, and remember to click the like and subscribe button!

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NortheastAllie

For generations, my family has lived in the Philadelphia area, and my writing reflects these influences. This blog explores perspectives on life, encouragement, travel, health, and local living.

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