Top 15 Must-Experience Activities in Plymouth, MA

Situated by a natural harbor on the South Shore, Plymouth is historically significant as the landing site of the Pilgrims from the Mayflower in 1620.

Visitors can engage with this transformative history at numerous attractions and landmarks, ranging from immersive experiences at Plimoth Patuxet to the distinguished Pilgrim Hall Museum, which houses preserved personal artifacts of several Pilgrims.

In “America’s Hometown,” one gains insights into the lives and values of the Pilgrims, while also understanding the Native American Wampanoag tribe, whose support was vital to the early settlers.

In addition to its rich historical background, Plymouth offers the quintessential elements expected from a New England coastal town, including a charming downtown, breathtaking ocean views, and picturesque beaches.

1. Pilgrim Hall Museum

A wealth of Pilgrim artifacts can be found at the Pilgrim Hall Museum, recognized as the oldest public museum continuously operating in the United States.

Established in 1824, it features a notable Greek Revival main structure crafted from Quincy granite, serving as an ideal starting point for exploring Plymouth’s history.

The museum offers an extensive collection of original Pilgrim objects, providing a profound perspective on the crossing and early colonial life.

Significant items displayed include the turned chair of the colony’s spiritual leader, William Brewster, a bible owned by Governor William Bradford, and a cradle brought by Mayflower passenger and expectant mother Susanna White.

A particularly noteworthy exhibit is a 1651 painting of Edward Winslow, recognized as the only surviving portrait of a Pilgrim painted from life. The exhibition also highlights the narrative of the Wampanoag, the indigenous people who had inhabited the region for millennia before the arrival of the Mayflower, and who remain present today.

2. Plimoth Patuxet

Plimoth Patuxet comprises a series of living history museums located around Plymouth.

The primary site, situated on the eastern side of the town by the Eel River, features a reconstructed 17th-century English Village and Historic Patuxet, a settlement for the Wampanoag tribe.

The English Village faithfully mirrors early Plymouth life, showcasing timber-framed homes, kitchen gardens, and accurate replicas of period objects.

Costumed reenactors provide insights into the era, while interpreters are available for additional context.

At Historic Patuxet, visitors can explore a wetu to gain understanding of domestic family life within the Wampanoag communities.

Outside, craftspersons may be observed constructing a mishoon (traditional canoe), and cooking demonstrations often highlight native dishes, alongside crops like squash, corn, and beans flourishing in the gardens.

3. The Plimoth Grist Mill

A significant component of the Plimoth Patuxet Museums is a detailed and functioning reconstruction of the water-powered mill established by the Plymouth Colonists in 1636 on Town Brook.

Managed by John Jenney (1596-1644), this mill revolutionized life in Plymouth by mechanizing the labor-intensive corn-grinding process taught by the native Wampanoag.

Opened in 1970, the Plimoth Grist Mill resides on the same site as its predecessor (destroyed by fire in 1837), incorporating historic elements, such as 200-year-old millstones salvaged from a site in Pennsylvania.

A visit to the mill is highly educational as it provides insights into every step of the 17th-century corn milling process, with friendly staff available to explain their roles while they work.

4. Plymouth Center

One of the most enriching experiences in Plymouth is to explore at your own pace, taking in the views of Plymouth Bay and navigating the town’s historic streets.

No street is more significant than Leyden Street, the first to be plotted in Plymouth in 1620, and recognized as the oldest continuously inhabited street in the original thirteen colonies.

This pathway ascends towards the Town Square, where the First Parish Church, located at the base of Burial Hill, continues the legacy of the original Pilgrim Church from four centuries ago.

To the opposite direction, at the foot of Leyden Street lies Cole’s Hill, the site of the first cemetery established for the Mayflower Pilgrims, which has since become a public park dotted with fascinating monuments, overlooking the bay.

5. National Monument to the Forefathers

Overlooking Plymouth from the southwest is the extensive National Monument to the Forefathers.

Reaching a height of 81 feet, this structure is considered the largest solid granite monument in the nation, honoring the principles embraced by the Pilgrims, as interpreted in the 19th century.

Allegorical representations of the virtues of Education, Law, Liberty, and Morality are depicted, while Faith ascends from the center with her right hand raised toward heaven.

Conceived in 1820, this monument was a long-term project, finally completed in 1888 and dedicated in 1889. Up close, visitors can view the names of the 51 individuals who traveled on the Mayflower inscribed on the right and left panels.

6. Brewster Gardens

Adjacent to Town Brook in Plymouth Center is a delightful public park, located on the original garden plot granted to Elder William Brewster (1566–1644), a prominent community leader.

This area was ideally suited for settlement by the Pilgrims, given its abundant freshwater resources and the grasses along the banks providing essential building materials.

This historical context enhances your experience as you walk the brookside nature trail through Brewster Gardens, which leads from the mouth at Water St, upstream toward the Plimoth Grist Mill.

Established in the 1920s, the park features a variety of monuments, including the iconic Pilgrim Maiden Statue (1922) by Henry Hudson Kitson, dedicated to the enduring spirit of immigrant women.

7. Burial Hill

No walking tour in Plymouth would be complete without a trek up to this historic cemetery, which offers a remarkable view of the coastline and town.

This prominent hilltop initially functioned as a fort and later served as a meeting house and parish church. A burial ground was established here during the 1620s, although the exact date remains uncertain as the first burials were marked with wooden markers.

The earliest stone marker dates back to 1681 (Edward Gray), and several graves of Mayflower passengers can be located here.

A significant aspect of visiting Burial Hill is appreciating the early 17th and 18th-century stone markers, which are regarded as invaluable examples of early Euro-American folk art.

8. Plymouth Rock

Alongside the National Monument to the Forefathers, the other significant feature of the Pilgrim Memorial State Park is the glacial erratic boulder situated in the harbor, integral to the Mayflower’s mythology.

This rock is recognized as the landing point of William Bradford and the Mayflower passengers, based on the account of Thomas Faunce, the son of an early settler.

Faunce claimed several original passengers indicated this was indeed their landing spot, a statement made in 1741 when he was 94 years old, notably 121 years after the landing.

While the authenticity of this claim may be debated, it is undeniable that the rock carries significant symbolism.

The boulder is sheltered beneath a Doric portico, with visible scars from 1774 when the town divided the rock, relocating one piece to Town Square. After its transfer to Pilgrim Hall in 1834, the fragments were finally rejoined in 1880.

9. Mayflower II

In the mid-1950s, a faithful replica of the Mayflower was constructed as a symbol of friendship between the United Kingdom and the United States during World War II.

The endeavor utilized reconstructed blueprints and involved manual construction by skilled English shipwrights, with the vessel departing from Plymouth, Devon in April 1957 and docked in Plymouth, Massachusetts two months later.

As of the time this article was written, Mayflower II was moored at State Pier in Pilgrim Memorial State Park and accessible as a museum ship.

This four-masted vessel measures 106 feet in length and 25 feet in width, prompting curiosity about how 102 individuals, including three pregnant women, managed a ten-week journey in such constrained quarters.

10. The Jabez Howland House

A short walk along Sandwich St from Brewster Gardens leads to the only surviving house in Plymouth that is confirmed to have been occupied by Mayflower Pilgrims.

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

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

The house remained a private residence until it was transformed into a museum in 1912, featuring period furniture and remarkable 17th-century artifacts excavated nearby in Rocky Nook, Kingston, MA.

11. Plymouth Long Beach

Situated near Plimoth Patuxet along Route 3A, visitors can access the stunning barrier beach that extends three miles into Plymouth Bay.

Long Beach is supervised by lifeguards from May 28 through Labor Day, making it an ideal retreat on sunny days, providing a welcome respite from the region’s historical exploration.

Bathing in generally knee-high waves, with variations, the shoreline is predominantly sandy, interspersed with coarse gravel and large rocks, suggesting that water shoes may be beneficial.

Nearby, Sandy’s serves South Shore delicacies, including lobster rolls, fried scallops, and fried clams.

12. Nelson Memorial Beach Park

Arguably the optimal location in Plymouth for simply enjoying the ocean is this public park located just north of Plymouth Jetty.

Nelson Memorial Beach Park features a small section of coarse sandy shore, perfect for leisurely walks or relaxing by the bay.

For children, the highlight is a state-of-the-art splash pad, installed in the 2010s and operational throughout the summer.

The park also includes a traditional playground, picnic tables, benches, and a launch ramp for canoes and kayaks. Additionally, the North Plymouth Rail Trail, which follows a former branch of the Old Colony Railroad (1845), continues for 1.2 miles towards the Cordage Park commercial area.

13. Plymouth Farmers’ Market

An excellent activity in a region such as Plymouth includes visiting a market featuring seasonal and locally sourced products.

Held outdoors on Thursday afternoons from mid-May through October, the Plymouth Farmers’ Market, hosted at Plimoth Patuxet, offers a wide array of fresh seasonal produce, farm-raised meats, cheeses, honey, and delectable prepared food.

Expect culinary delights such as wood-fired pizza, homemade pies, artisanal toffee, and frozen treats made from seasonal ingredients.

Live music enhances the shopping experience, alongside entertainment for children, which may include storytime hosted by the Plymouth Public Library and face painting.

14. The Jenney Interpretive Center

Across Town Brook from the Plimoth Grist Mill is The Jenney, which examines the lasting influence of the 51 Pilgrims on American society.

Within, detailed exhibits explore the narratives and beliefs of the individuals who arrived on the Mayflower, addressing topics such as faith and family, as well as slavery and abolition.

The Jenney is distinguished for its interpretive walking tours, delivered by guides in period attire. The most sought-after tour lasts 90 minutes and traverses Plymouth, stopping at critical sites like Plymouth Rock, Brewster Gardens, and Plymouth Center, enriched with information about influential figures and pivotal events from 400 years ago.

Additionally, there is a guided walk offering further context on the National Monument to the Forefathers.

15. Myles Standish State Forest

In the outskirts of Plymouth, visitors can retreat to a vast public recreation area comprising over 12,000 acres of pitch pine and scrub oak forest.

Myles Standish State Forest is characterized by its ample water resources, featuring more than 20 ponds ranging in size from 2 to 86 acres.

Four campgrounds within the forest are situated along these waterways, with swimming available at College Pond during summer months.

Bicyclists can enjoy over 15 miles of paved trails, with comprehensive brochures and trail details accessible from Forest Headquarters near East Head Pond in Carver.

Hiking enthusiasts can explore 13 miles of trails, while equestrians have 35 miles of designated horse trails, including a camping area for horses at Charge Pond.