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.
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 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 changed its name a few years ago, it was formerly called Plimoth Plantation.
The museum is open 7 days a week from about March 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:
These 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.
Any questions? Please leave a comment below or reach out on social media.
Looking for more ideas? Check out my additional Plymouth and Massachusetts guides below or head on over to See Plymouth!
More Information For Your Trip To Plymouth, MA:
More Information For Your Massachusetts Vacation:
- Boston, Massachusetts Guides
- Cape Cod & The Islands Guides
- Salem, Massachusetts Guides
- Southern New England Road Trip: 9-Day Itinerary
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Awesome post, thank you for sharing!
Definitely a great way to explore Plymouth. Thank you for sharing such great content!