Top 5 Things To Do in Plymouth, Massachusetts
Plymouth Harbor, Plymouth, MA
Top 5 Things To Do in Plymouth, Massachusetts
Known as the landing place of the Pilgrims back in 1620, Plymouth, Massachusetts is a coastal town filled with American history. Overlooking Cape Cod Bay, it’s located about an hour south of Boston - a perfect day trip destination in New England!
Although its history can make it a more “touristy” destination, you just might be surprised with how quiet and peaceful it can be (even on a weekend!) to spend an afternoon walking along the water, wandering into all of the local shops, and grabbing a bite (or two!). Here’s how you can spend a day in Plymouth, MA (including our top 5 things!):
1. Mayflower II
Yes… the Mayflower ship… well, a replica anyways. Step into 1620 by spending some time aboard the Mayflower II, a reproduction of the 17th century ship, the Mayflower. The Mayflower II honors the original ship, which was known for transporting the Pilgrims from England to the New World (to what is now modern-day Massachusetts). The Mayflower II was built in England, launching in 1956 in Plymouth, and the museum now shares about the journey that started a nation.
2. Plymouth Rock
Moving on to another historic sight to see… Plymouth Rock. Plymouth Rock is known as the site where the Pilgrims first set foot on land in the New World.
Now before you wander over to it, I do have to admit that Plymouth Rock tends to fall short of expectations (it sure didn’t meet my own!), and can be underwhelming depending on your perspective. After reading about it in history books as a kid, you almost picture Plymouth Rock to be this huge boulder, when realistically, it’s about 10 tons.
Once you get over the disappointment about its size, and once you realize that there’s no historical evidence to confirm Plymouth Rock as the Pilgrims’ first stepping stone onto what is now American land, you start to understand that it merely exists to stand as a symbol of history. And with that perspective, you can start to see why it’s now known as an American icon (although I still wouldn’t spend more than 15 minutes looking at it ;) lol).
3. Lunch with a View
Now that you’ve checked off the two most iconic sites of Plymouth off your history buff bucket list, it’s time for a bite to eat! Luckily, there are plenty of restaurants that share the same street (Water Street) as the Mayflower II and Plymouth Rock, so you’ll have plenty of lunch options within a 10-minute walking distance!
We’ve been to Plymouth a fair amount of times now, but two of our favorites are next-door neighbors: the Lobster Hut and Cabby Shack. Both offer a wide seafood menu and great waterfront views!
4. Walk Along the Plymouth Jetty
After enjoying a seafood lunch, soak in more coastal views by taking a walk along the Plymouth Jetty. Starting behind the East Bay Grille Restaurant, the breakwater/jetty is about half a mile long and makes for a great walk. Watch the waves crash in the distance, or check-out all the boats moored in the harbor!
5. Shopping + Ice Cream!
And finally… how about a treat or two? ;) With all that walking, I think that deserves a treat! There are plenty of sweet shops dotted along Water Street (including Cupcake Charlie’s, Ziggy’s Ice Cream, Fedele’s Chocolates, or Peaceful Meadows Farm Ice Cream), but our go-to spot tends to be Kilwins Chocolates, Fudge, and Ice Cream! During the fall and winter, we like to reach for their fresh fudge or any of their decadent chocolates, and during the summer, their sorbets and ice creams are the perfect sweet treat!
Annnd that’s a wrap!
There’s a lot more to explore in Plymouth, MA! As we explore this city more in the future, I’ll be sure to edit this blog post with more recommendations for what to see and eat. For now, these are 5 Things You Can Do for a fantastic day trip to Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Make it an adventure worth sharing about!
'Til the next one,
Gen
