The Open Road Travel

Plymouth is a small town that that doesn’t often top peoples list of vacation destinations in the United States, despite being one of the nation’s most historic towns. In the following article on the 15 best things to do in Plymouth, Massachusetts, we aim to change that.

From historic locations to iconic events and landscapes, Plymouth has plenty to offer for all kinds of different tourists. We hope to give you everything you need to plan a dream travel itinerary for when you inevitably decide to visit Plymouth for yourself.

Founded in 1620, Plymouth Massachusetts is the oldest permanent settlement in New England and 9th oldest in the entire United States. It is infamous for being the site where the Mayflower first docked with its passengers who had made the long voyage to “The New World”.

One of the original Thirteen Colonies, it is a city well known for its abundance of historic buildings and attractions. It is also regarded as the location of the first prominent Thanksgiving feast to be held in the United States, which took place in 1621.

Located in southern Massachusetts, on Cape Cod Bay, Plymouth is also surrounded by some of the most stunning coastal landscapes in the nation. Despite its significance and proximity to the city of Boston, it has managed to maintain a largely traditional feel.

Those seeking the best time to visit Plymouth, Massachusetts will likely want to choose one of two windows.

Mid-June to the end of August is when Plymouth experiences its warmest, driest period, making it the best time to visit for those who want to explore without worrying about the weather.

October and November then allows you to experience things like the iconic New England fall foliage, the region’s legendary Halloween season, and Plymouth’s famed Thanksgiving celebrations.

As we move to our list of the 15 best things to do in Plymouth, Massachusetts, I am going to suggest a broad range of options. These will include things to appeal to travellers of all different interests, while ensuring you have something to cover everything that Plymouth is known for.

The Jenney Interpretative Center is an education center that features rotating exhibits on Plymouth and Pilgrim life, while also running guided tours around the town.

It is a great option for those who want to learn the little bits of insider knowledge that most will miss, and it always has something new on display, so is equally suited to return visitors as well.

48 Summer St, Plymouth, MA 02360, United States

Established in 1947, the Plimoth Patuxet Museums are a complete recreation of a Pilgrim village from the 1600s. This makes it an ideal destination for those wanting to experience the town’s history with their own eyes.

Designed using records, accounts, paintings, and artefacts from the area, it is as historically accurate as possible. The recreated buildings include houses, livestock enclosures, a blacksmith shop, and fort, as well as artefacts like Native American canoes.

With actors in period dress giving performances and tours and the buildings all filled with artefacts and décor from the time, the Plimoth Patuxet museums will immerse you in the Pilgrim way of life better than anywhere else on Earth.

137 Warren Ave, Plymouth, MA 02360, United States

The Plimoth Grist Mill was built in 1969 and is a recreation of the historic 1636 Jenney Grist Mill, which stood on the same site. Still a fully operational grist mill, it continues to process barley, corn, rye, and wheat to this day.

Now boasting a museum that shows visitors the historic equipment and techniques that were used to produce food, it is a beautiful and educational location that gives us more than just a glimpse into the traditional Pilgrim way of life.

6 Spring Ln, Plymouth, MA 02360, United States

Having been established in 1824, the Pilgrim Hall Museum is the oldest public museum in the entire United States. Housed in a Greek Revival style building, it is an establishment full of history and beauty both inside and out.

Its collections include artefacts, archives, works of art, and a library, all dedicated to the history of both the Pilgrims and the Plymouth Colony. Boasting countless items owned and used by the Pilgrims themselves, it is a great place to get a better understanding of how the U.S came to be.

75 Court St, Plymouth, MA 02360, United States

The Duxbury Pier Lighthouse, which is also affectionately known as the Bug Light, was erected in the waters of Plymouth Harbor in 1871 to warn ships of the dangerous shoals in the surrounding area.

The oldest sparkplug lighthouse in the United States, it has survived multiple storms and threats of replacement through the years. Whether you choose to view it from the shore or hop on a boat for a closer look, it is truly one of the region’s most iconic landmarks.

Plymouth, MA 02360, United States

Erected in 1889, the National Monument To The Forefathers stands 81 feet (25 metres) tall and was created to honour the legacy of the Pilgrims. A truly stunning monument, it is said to represent the main principles upon which the Pilgrims based their society.

At the centre of the memorial is a giant figure pointing to the heavens and clutching a bible which is meant to represent faith. She is then surrounded by four smaller figures which represent education, law, liberty, and morality.

The largest solid granite monument on Earth, it has been listed on the United States National Register Of Historic Places since 1974.

72 Allerton St, Plymouth, MA 02360, United States

Plymouth Beach is a village and beach that sit on a barrier island jutting out into Plymouth Bay.

With 3 miles (4.8 km) of golden sands, a restaurant and motel, an abundance of rare migratory birds nesting on the shores, and a small range of beach activities to enjoy, it is a fabulous place to spend a relaxing day eating, swimming, sunbathing, and taking in the scenic views.

Plymouth, MA 02360, United States

Cape Cod Bay is a stunning expanse of water that is surrounded by some of the most historic and iconic towns and islands in the entire United States.

With various places around the Plymouth Harbour offering tours and boat rentals you can sail the waters to see the sights, visit some of the destinations, or simply unwind away from humanity for a truly relaxing experience.

Plymouth Harbor, 108 Water St, Plymouth, MA 02360, United States

Known as both Gurnet Light and Plymouth Light, this attraction is a historic lighthouse that was built in 1842 and sits on the Gurnet Point peninsula at the entrance to Plymouth Bay. It is the 3rd lighthouse to stand on its spot, having replaced prior structures that were built in 1768 and 1801.

The oldest wooden lighthouse in the nation, it stands 33 feet (10 metres) tall and is the first thing ships entering the bay will see. Whether you choose to catch a both across to it or hike along the peninsula, it is a sight not to be missed when you visit Plymouth.

1 Grant St, Plymouth, MA 02360, United States

Burial Hill is a historic graveyard that was established in 1620 and contains the graves of many of the original Pilgrims who made the voyage to the United States.

One of the oldest cemeteries in the nation, it is a great place to see beautiful cenotaphs and the graves of the country’s founders, giving you the opportunity to pay your respects. It has been listed on the United States National Register Of Historic Places since 2013.

School St, Plymouth, MA 02360, United States

Built in 1677, the Harlow Old Fort House earned its name by being made from wood from the original Plymouth Colony fort, which had been torn down earlier that year. It was owned by the Harlow family for almost 250 years, from its construction to the early 20th century.

After being restored, the Plymouth Antiquarian Society opened the house to the public as a museum in 1921. Boasting colonial era décor and furniture, as well as actors dressed in period attire, it is a great place to learn about Plymouth’s early history.

119 Sandwich St, Plymouth, MA 02360, United States

The Mayflower II is a full sized replica of the Mayflower, the historic vessel that brought the original Pilgrims across to the United States. Created in 1955, it is said to be extremely faithful to the original design, with only a couple of changes, such as the addition of electric lights.

Tours of the vessel are led by costumed guides to help immerse you in the spirit of your location as you learn about the voyage, see artefacts from the time, and get a better understanding of what the lives of the 132 people on the original ship would have been like during their 10 week voyage.

A seaworthy vessel that even makes occasional voyages, it is a perfect place to learn what life would have been like for the people who founded the United States. It was added to the U.S National Register Of Historic Places in 2020 to mark the 400th anniversary of the original ship’s arrival.

Water St, Plymouth, MA 02360, United States

The Mayflower Society House is a stunning mansion that was built by a descendant of Edward Winslow, a passenger and prominent leader on the Mayflower. Erected in 1754, it was given to the Mayflower Society and turned into a museum in 1897.

It contains records, archives, and documents on all the Mayflower passengers, as well as all known descendants, all housed in a building containing décor and furnishings from the time it was built.

Visitors can take guided tours to learn more about each one of the people who made the voyage to the new world and perhaps even see if you could be related to one of them yourself, as more than 10 million Americans are.

4 Winslow St, Plymouth, MA 02360, United States

Plymouth Rock is the legendary site said to mark the location where the passengers on the original Mayflower first disembarked. While the rock once broke in half and part of it was moved, it has stood complete in its current location since its inscription and a canopy were added in 1880.

While there are some doubts on the validity of the claims of the site as the original landing spot, most consider it to be genuine. This allows visitors to view the very landscape that the Pilgrims saw first when they landed with their own eyes and imagine how it has changed through the years.

Plymouth Rock was added to the United States National Register Of Historic Places in 1970.

79 Water St, Plymouth, MA 02360, United States

The Richard Sparrow House is believed to be the oldest building in Plymouth still standing, having been erected in 1640. It was then added to the U.S National Register Of Historic Places in 1974.

Having been converted into a house museum filled with period furniture, art, and artefacts, it is the place to go for those who want to see the earliest examples of permanent settlements still remaining in the town.

42 Summer St, Plymouth, MA 02360, United States

Pilgrim Sands On Long Beach is a beautiful hotel, located right on the waterfront, near the heart of Plymouth. It provides the perfect combination of comfort, easy access to attractions and the beach, and stunning views of the water.

Rooms all boast a flat screen satellite TV, private bathroom, hairdryer, and free toiletries, as well as access to the free Wi-Fi that covers the entire site. Some rooms will also have a private balcony.

In the communal areas, you will then find amenities like a private beach, 2 swimming pools, a bar, lounge, and meeting facilities. Free parking is also offered to all guests.

Plymouth, Massachusetts is a fabulous, historic town and a great place to explore, whether it is your final destination or a stop on a New England road trip. No matter why you visit, our list of the 15 best things to do in Plymouth should have all you need to plan a dream travel itinerary.

All you have left to do now then is start getting your perfect vacation booked, so you don’t miss out on any of the highlights when you visit Plymouth for yourself.