Plymouth was incorporated in 1620 and is the oldest town in Massachusetts. It's also one of the richest areas in colonial history and charm. For most of its existence, Plymouth was an isolated seacoast area where economic fortunes were linked to the sea and shipping. The site of the original 1620 settlement is now a portion of today's Downtown/Harbor District. The town's beautiful harbor an many fascinating historical attractions draw visitors to the community year-round.
Things to do in Plymouth
Art Complex Museum
Housed in a splendid modern structure, and found in nearby Duxbury, this museum features changing exhibitions of contemporary art, as well as exhibitions of its permanent collections that include such diversity as Asian art, Shaker furniture, as well as American paintings and prints; the museum also regularly offers concerts, lectures, and other events. Call 781-934-6634 for more information.
189 Alden Street, Plymouth, MA
Atlantic Country Club
This country club course is open to the public, and sprawls over one hundred ninety seven acres, offering eighteen holes of enjoyable and challenging play; the course offers something for those of all age and experience levels. Call 508-759-6644 for more information.
Capt. John Boats
Whale Watching leaving from the Plymouth Town Wharf. Take a 4-hour unforgettable excursion to Stellwagen Bank to see the whales' feeding or go deep-sea fishing for cod, haddock, Pollack, mackerel, & flounder. Call 508-746-2643 for more information.
117 Standish Avenue, Plymouth, MA
Cartland
Have some fun and enjoy the Go-carts, bumper boats, batting cages, video arcade, children's railroad, kiddy's rides, air cannons, mini golf & ice cream. Call 508-295-8360 for more information.
Championship at Waverly Oaks Golf Club
18 hole public course. Call 508-224-6016 for more information.
444 Long Pond Road, Plymouth, MA
Children's Museum,
This museum is geared towards children and includes a number of hands-on exhibits and a whale watching boat. Call 508-747-1234 for more information.
46 Main Street, Plymouth, MA
Colonial Lantern Tours
Tours are offered twice nightly at 7:30pm & 9pm. The mile long walks explore Plymouth's history and the later walk incorporates Plymouth's macabre past and ghostly legends. Call 508-830-0230. for more information.
Courthouse Museum (circa 1749)
The oldest wooden courthouse in existence in the country, this courthouse was built in 1749 and retains its period authenticity architecturally, as well as standing on the spot that was used as far back as 1620 by the Pilgrims for elections, voting, and legislation of laws. Located at Town Square. Call 508-830-4075 for more information.
Crosswinds Golf Club
Dramatic elevation changes, panoramic views and comfortable spacing between holes gives this daily fee course a resort-style feel. Open year round, weather and site conditions permitting; 18 holes, Par 72. Call 508-830-1199 for more information.
424 Long Pond Road, Plymouth, MA
Edaville Railroad
Travel back into the last century on our historic railroad with its steam and diesel engines. Join us for a relaxing 35 minute ride through our 1,300- acre cranberry plantation and the New England woods. Catch the old-time magic of carousels, midway games and cotton candy. Visit Cranberry World and take a hayride through cranberry bogs. Watch for special appearances of Thomas the Tank Engine. Call 877-332-8455 for more information.
Forefather's Monument
The largest granite monument in the United States, this monument portrays the heroic figure of a personified Faith with her foot on Plymouth Rock, and her finger pointing heavenwards; below the main figure are a number of relief sculptures that depict important moments in the history of the Pilgrims and the heritage they left to this country. Located on Allerton Street. Call 508-746-1620 for more information.
Harlow Old Fort Museum
The Old Fort Museum is a working museum representing life in old Plymouth County. Visitors can learn to dip candles and spin & weave wool at the Heritage Crafts Center. Call 508-746-3017 for more information.
17 Sandwich Street, Plymouth, MA
Hedge House (circa 1809)
This Federal style home was first built in the early Nineteenth Century by a Plymouth merchant and ship owner, and now serves as the headquarters of the Plymouth Antiquarian Society, is furnished with lush Nineteenth century pieces, and is host to changing exhibits of the vast collections owned by the society. Call 508-746-0012 for more information.
126 Water Street, Plymouth, MA
Independence Mall
The area's largest and most conveniently located shopping area, and includes over two hundred specialty shops, movie cinemas, department stores, dining options, and much, much more. Call 781-582-2445 for more information.
101 Independence Mall Way, Plymouth, MA
Jabez Howland House
The only known surviving house that was once the residence of a Mayflower passenger; the house was then owned by the son of the original pilgrims, and is of particular interest because it reflects the changing fashions and times of the century that followed its construction, and the house is resplendent with period furnishings and details. Call 508-746-9590 for more information.
33 Sandwich Street, Plymouth, MA
Jenney Grist Mill
This is a working museum with a gifts and ice cream shop. This restored mill was constructed by John Jenney in 1636 and still operates with the same water powered technology used over 360 years ago. Call 508-747-4544 for more information.
6 Spring Lane (off Summer Street), Plymouth, MA
Lobster Tales
A Cruise that you will remember. Offering a "hands-on" lobstering experience, this one-hour excursion takes you out to haul lobster traps from historic Plymouth Harbor. In an informal small group atmosphere, visitors learn how lobsters are caught. A detailed commentary includes lobster history, biology and the daily life of a New England fisherman. Located at Town Wharf. Call 508-746-5342 for more information.
Long Beach
The entrance to Long Beach is located just south of Plymouth Center. It is a three-mile barrier beach that can be seen from Plymouth Center's waterfront. While providing storm damage protection to Plymouth Harbor, the beach also provides an important wildlife habitat. This beach features a beautiful 3-mile walk to its point, there is a cart road but access is limited to pedestrians and 4 wheel drive permit holders.
Mayflower II
Try to imagine yourself crowded for months along with 100 others and a crew of 25 in an old, leaky sailboat used previously for transporting wine between England and Holland. The Mayflower was 90 feet long - that's three first downs on a football field. Take the time to visit the replica in our harbor to feel what our founding parents went through to create America. Located at State Pie. Call 508-746-1622 for more information.
Mayflower Society Museum
This museum is a handsome 18th century mansion overlooking Plymouth Harbor. Call 508-746-2590 for more information.
4 Winslow Street, Plymouth, MA
Myles Standish State Forest
Along with all of the wonderful, natural scenery to be found in this forest that is a state park, one will find, beside hiking opportunities, over sixteen miles of bike trails for cycling adventures. Call 508-866-2526 for more information.
Myles Standish State Forest
Sprawling across the southern sections of Plymouth and Carver, Myles Standish State Forest is the largest publicly owned recreation area in southeastern Massachusetts. Two day-use areas offer picnicking, swimming, fishing, canoeing. Fifteen miles of bicycle trails, 35 miles of equestrian trails and 13 miles of hiking trails take visitors deep into the forest, which includes one of the largest contiguous pitch pine/scrub oak communities north of Long Island. Located on Cranberry Road in Carver. Call 508-866-2526 for more information.
Myles Standish State Forest
Sprawling across the southern sections of Plymouth and Carver, Myles Standish State Forest is the largest publicly owned recreation area in southeastern Massachusetts. Two day-use areas offer picnicking, swimming, fishing, canoeing. Fifteen miles of bicycle trails, 35 miles of equestrian trails and 13 miles of hiking trails take visitors deep into the forest, which includes one of the largest contiguous pitch pine/scrub oak communities north of Long Island. Located on Cranberry Road in Carver. Call 508-866-2526 for more information.
Pilgrim Bell
An hour-long Plymouth Harbor Cruise with a mariner's view of Mayflower II, Plymouth Rock, the picturesque harbor, it's two lighthouses and learn the most fascinating seas stories afloat. Call 800-242-2469 for more information.
Pilgrim Hall Museum
The museum chronicles the brave struggle of the Pilgrims who came to the New World for freedom of religion and belief, and showcases such objects of interest as the William Bradford Bible, Peregrine White's cradle, an actual portrait of a Pilgrim that was painted from life, as well as paintings, furniture, household objects, and antique artifacts that help to illustrate the history of the pilgrimage to and settlement in America of these religious purists; the museum also boasts a library and research centre. Call 508-746-1620 for more information.
75 Court Street, Plymouth, MA
Pinehills Golf Club - Jones Course
300 acres of rolling hills punctuated by dramatic, glacially carved kettles and kames is the setting for two, new 18 hole championship courses. Call 508-209-3000 for more information.
54 Clubhouse Drive, Plymouth, MA
Pinehills Golf Club - Nicklaus Course
Nicklaus Design course at Pinehills offers a totally different and unique experience. The name Nicklaus has long been associated with the highest quality in golf course design, utilizing the natural environment while creating courses that are both challenging and enjoyable for players of all levels. Call 508-209-3000 for more information.
54 Clubhouse Drive, Plymouth, MA
Plimoth Plantation
Plimoth Plantation is Plymouth as it was in the 17th century. Here you can see centuries-old Wampanoag homesite, hear townspeople speaking the poetic language of Shakespeare's England, breath in the smell of gunpowder during a military drill, and learn about life in a 1627 Pilgrim Village. Call 508-746-1622 for more information.
Plymouth Antiquarian Society
Three museum properties make up the Plymouth Antiquarian Society. The Harlow Old Fort House located at 119 Sandwich Street, the Spooner House located at 27 North Street & the Hedge House Museum located at 119 Water Street. Call 508-746-0012 for more information.
Plymouth Antiques Trading Company, Ltd.
One can find an extensive range of antiques that reflect the colorful history of the Plymouth area, at this antique mall that often features over one hundred dealers with a great variety of items for sale. Call 508-746-3450, for more information.
8 Court Street, Plymouth, MA
Plymouth Bay Winery
Featuring wines made not only from grapes, but also cranberries and cranberry blends, offers tours and tasting events. Call 508-746-2100 for more information.
170 Water Street, Plymouth, MA
Plymouth Colony Winery
Family owned winery offers tours and wine tasting. Located on Pinewood Road. Call 508-747-3334 for more information.
Plymouth Country Club
18 hole semi-private course. Located on Warren Avenue. Call 508-746-0476 for more information.
Plymouth Downtown Merchants
One may walk through the charming, captivating and picturesque streets of historic downtown Plymouth and literally wear one's self out trying to explore the fine variety of shops and merchants to be found in this inviting, historic setting. Call 888-393-4338 for more information.
Plymouth National Wax Museum
The museum houses more than 180 figures in 26 life-scenes of Pilgrim life, including early Pilgrim struggles and the first Thanksgiving. A display depicts the settlers disembarking on Plymouth Rock. Each scene is enhanced by music and lighting effects. Open daily 9am - 9pm in July & August; 9am - 7pm June & September. Call 508-746-6468 for more information.
16 Carver Street, Plymouth, MA
Plymouth Public Library
In addition to a vast collection of books and reference materials that cover a wide range of subjects, this library houses special collections and materials having to do with the history of Plymouth, and a great number of genealogical resources. Call 508-830-4250 for more information.
132 South Street, Plymouth, MA
Plymouth Rock
Since 1620, Plymouth Rock has been a valued landing place for ships because it was seldom underwater and was used as a sort of wharf. By 1776, it was known as Forefather's Rock and is now valued as a symbol of liberty. Workmen accidentally split the rock in two moving it to Town Square. The Pilgrim Society acquired a waterfront site and moved the still-languishing lower part of the rock there to protect it from souvenir hunters. They later brought the two halves of the rock together and rejoined them with cement and engraved it with the date 1620. Located on Water Street.
Plymouth Rock Trolley
This trolley tour conveniently picks up at the door to the Best Western. Enjoy a complete historical narrated tour giving you an orientation to the area. Call 508-747-4161 for more information.
5 North Street, Plymouth, MA
Richard Sparrow House (circa 1640)
Dating back to the early Seventeenth Century, this house is a testimony and remembrance of the Richard Sparrow family that settled in the area in the 1630s; the house serves not only as a museum that teaches of the ways of those early days, but also offers a gallery that features changing exhibits and sales of paintings, jewelry, sculpture, pottery and more; there is also a gift shop. Call 508-747-1240 for more information.
42 Summer Street, Plymouth, MA
Southers Marsh
Southers Marsh Golf Club is a public executive-style golf course that plays like a championship layout. Call 508-830-3535 for more information.
30 Southers Marsh Lane, Plymouth, MA
Splashdown Amphibious Tours
Tour Plymouth's historic downtown district and then splash down into the harbor for a seaside look at Mayflower II, Plymouth Rock and Plymouth's waterfront. Call 508-747-7658 for more information.
Spooner House (circa 1747)
A charming house that takes you through the history of the Spooner family and the history that the family lived through and reflected; having been continuously occupied by five successive generations of the family, the house now traces the successive generations with the furnishings and heirlooms that were collected over the years. Call 508-746-0012 for more information.
27 North Street, Plymouth, MA
Squirrel Run Country Club
18 hole public course. Located on Carver Road. Call 508-746-5001 for more information.
Village Braider Antiques, Inc.
A family owned business with over a quarter of a century of experience in buying and selling antiques, and offers a great variety of interesting objects from which to choose. Call 508-746-9625 for more information.
48 Sandwich Street, Plymouth, MA
Village Landing Market Place
A picturesque shopping area includes a variety of specialty shops and boutiques, as well as several appealing dining options. Located at Village Landing. Call 508-746-5355 for more information.
Waverly Oaks
Waverly Oaks was voted to be one of the top ten golf courses in 1999 by Golf Magazine, and features an eighteen-hole, par seventy two, seven thousand one hundred fourteen yard Championship course, as well as a nine-hole Executive course. Call 508-224-6700 for more information.
444 Long Pond Road, Plymouth, MA