Plymouth Massachusetts is one of the most frequently traveled vacation destinations in the country. Billed as “America’s Hometown” it is the settlement site of the separatists or “Pilgrims” from England who immigrated here in the fall of 1620.
Normally, one of the first knee-jerk reactions people have when they think of visiting Plymouth is the “Plymouth Rock”. The rock is situated in a colonnade on Water Street, right on the waterfront. Although this is an obligatory sight that any tourist should see, it must be noted that it is not only the least interesting, but also the least “historical” relic in the area. The truth be told, the “rock” was found on Clark’s island in Plymouth harbor by a relative of one of the original Pilgrims. Only God knows if it was anywhere near where the Pilgrims landed when they reached Clarks Island. It was moved from the island to the mainland to make it more accessible to visitors. In its travels, at one point it was dropped, splitting it in two. Today, you can see the distinctive line of cement holding the two halves together.
While you are on Water Street, directly across from the Rock is the Plymouth Wax Museum. It is worth the nominal admission to see the full-size depictions of the hardships and struggles the settlers endured in their first two years. Moving north along Water Street, within 100 yards of the Rock, is a replica of the Mayflower, the Mayflower II. Most of the year the ship is accessible for an admission fee to visitors where one can tour the entire ship and meet character actors who play the role of the original crew or passengers of the ship. When you are paying for admission, you can get a discounted rate if you also purchase admission to the Plimouth Plantation, which is perhaps is highlight of most visitor’s trip to Plymouth.
The Plantation is located about two miles south of the Plymouth waterfront, on Rt. 3A. It is undoubtedly the most accurate and detailed representation of colonial living you will find anywhere.
the Plantation, all of the structures are built and maintained using only the tools that were available to the settlers in 1627. The animals have been carefully bred to genetically resemble specific breeds from the 17th century. The character actors are not just under-employed college kids working a part-time job; they are some of the most educated and informative individuals one could ever meet. These people strive for authenticity in a border-line obsessive fashion. Make sure you ask them any and every question that comes to mind, but be mindful that they will answer you only from the perspective of a colonialist in 1627. If you ask for an informative website on pilgrims, you will only get a blank stare, not having any idea what a “website” is. However, if you ask them about the Wampanoag village a short distance away, you will get a detailed description of various interactions the natives from their perspective, unfiltered by either political correctness or fuzzy romantic notions that one might find today.
If you are looking for a decent beach in the area, just across from the entrance of the plantation is the entrance to Plymouth Beach. (About 100 yards south, actually). During the summer months, parking is $15. To find the areas which have the nice, pristine sand, you will need to get out a little bit. The area near the entrance and concession stand tends to have a lot of small rocks and gravel. If you park farther out, you will find finer, white sand, tidal pools, and sand bars.
Where to Eat
Some of the best eating establishments are back at the Waterfront, near the Plymouth Rock and Mayflower. Perhaps the highest reputed is Isaac’s restaurant, which faces the water, just 100 yards from Plymouth Rock. Isaac’s is elegant, serving American cuisine, (beef, seafood, etc) but semi-casual clothes are acceptable.
For something less formal, the very best in Pizza in the area is Momma Mia’s Pizzeria, just next door. Momma Mia’s also has a full Italian menu. If you are looking for seafood, across the street, just North of the wharf, are the Lobster Pot and several other seafood restaurants right on the water.
Other Activities
very popular attraction in Plymouth is the Whale Watch tour that is hosted by the “Captain John” fleet. You will see the “Captain John” ships on the wharf, right across the street from Momma Mia’s. If you have never seen a Humpback whale breach, or a Minke whale swim right up to you, you won’t want to miss this. The crew (which usually includes a naturalist) has an incredible knack about finding the whales. I haven’t been disappointed yet.
If you wanted to do a day trip to Provincetown, the Captain John’s do an excursion out to the tip of the cape. Taking the boat will save hours in traveling, and you won’t have the angst of the numerous traffic rotaries that one encounters when making the trip by car. There is also a paddleboat which leaves from the dock where the Mayflower is located every evening. It is a pleasant cruise around Cape Cod bay.
At night, many tourists take the “Ghost Lantern” tour around Main and Water Streets. A guide takes visitors on foot to all of the locations that have been reputed to be haunted in the downtown area.
If you are looking for a unique site in that immediate vicinity, the Forefather’s Monument is right off of Rt. 44, just west of the Waterfront. The monument is an 81 foot tall solid granite structure, surrounded by bas relief carvings epitomizing the philosophy and aim of the pilgrims.
How Long to Stay
With all of the activities, one has to figure that you would need couple days in Plymouth just to see and experience every thing.
Since you can quickly reach Provincetown by boat, and Boston by car, it makes a decent, central location to stay if you want to experience all that Massachusetts has. Book a motel or hotel for a week, and count on spending at least two days exploring Plymouth with the above activities. Utilize another day for the Whale Watch and the Beach. Another for a day trip out to Provincetown, and a couple of days to shoot up to Boston to see the New England Aquarium, and the Museum of Science, if those suit you.
It will be a truly memorable vacation.
