Plymouth, Massachusetts is a great place to keep busy on those long summer days. It is historical, it is on the beach, there are plenty of great restaurants, but best of all, there are plenty of activities. Not just the walk in the beach in the sun kind of activities, but unique interesting and memorable activities. Here are some of the best summer activities that Plymouth, Massachusetts has to offer.
Colonial Lantern Tours
Colonial Lantern Tours offers several different tours, some of which are seasonal. Guests are equipped with tin lanterns, which they carry around while walking through Plymouth on a themed tour. The following are the two that are offered during the summer months.
This one hour and 30 minute walk takes you to some of the spooky, “haunted” sites in Plymouth, Massachusetts. This tour meets and begins at the John Carver Inn at 8 p.m. It is suggested that you reserve and buy your tickets by calling 1-774-454-8126 or by going online at www.lanterntours.com. Walk-ups are welcome to meet the tour guide at the John Carver Inn, but placement on the tour is only guaranteed for reserved guests.
Historical Colonial Lantern Tour
This tour is also one hour and 30 minutes long. The tour guide takes his/her guests to numerous historical sites in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The tour meets and begins at Plymouth Rock. As with the Ghosts & Legends tour it is suggested that you reserve and buy your tickets by calling 1-774-454-8126 or by going online at www.lanterntours.com. Walk-ups are welcome to meet the tour guide at Plymouth Rock, but placement on the tour is only guaranteed for reserved guests.
The above tours cost $12 per adult and $10 for children, seniors and AAA members. Other Colonial Lantern Tours are the Halloween, Thanksgiving and Holiday Stroll tours.
Captain John Boats Whale Watch
Captain John Boats’ whale watches are the best whale watches to go out of Plymouth. They guarantee a sighting with every tour. Naturalists narrate the trip and answer questions for guests. The trips last anywhere from 3.5 hours to 4.5 hours and they are worth it. On these whale watches, you may see Humpback whales, Fin whales, Minkie whales and/or Northern Right whales. You may even see Atlantic white-sided dolphins, Harbor seals and Harbor porpoises.
Captain John’s whale watches run at least twice a day, all summer long, weather permitting. However, they do reserve the right to cancel, but will only do so with good reason. Their office is located at 10 Town Wharf in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Whale watches cost $40 for adults, $34 for seniors and $28 for children 12 and under. Children under three are admitted free.
Captain John Boats offer more activities than just whale watching. For more information about whale watches and other activities, or make reservations, go to www.captjohn.com. You may also make reservations by calling 1-508-746-2643.
Pilgrim Belle Harbor Cruise
The Pilgrim Belle is a paddlewheeler that takes guests on tours of Plymouth Harbor every day during the summer. A simple harbor tour comes with narration of the harbor’s history and a one and a half hour boat ride in Plymouth Harbor. These tours cost $16 for adults, $14 for seniors and $11 for children 2-12-years-old. They begin at 11 a.m. and continue until sunset. The Pilgrim Belle also offers Sunset Cruises at a price of two dollars more for adults and seniors and three dollars more for children.
The Pilgrim Belle is available for special occasions like weddings, with reservations, of course. They also do Sunday brunch cruises, dinner cruises and some special holiday cruises. For information about these cruises, times, how to reserve the Pilgrim Belle, prices and menus, go to www.plymouthharborcruises.com or call 1-508-747-3434. The Pilgrim Belle is located at the Mayflower II State Pier.
In my experience, these are the best summer activities in Plymouth aside from the usual, eat on the beach, walk the jetty, or go for a dip kind of stuff. These are the kind of activities that form memories of summer days well spent.
Sources
Colonial Lantern Tours of Plymouth, retrieved 6/6/10, lanterntours.com
Whale Watching, retrieved 6/6/10, captjohn.com/WhaleWatching
Pilgrim Belle, retrieved 6/6/10, plymouthharborcruises.com
