Plymouth, MA

Travel Guide

Plymouth featuring shopping
Pilgrim Hall Museum which includes flowers
Burial Hill which includes a cemetery
Plymouth featuring 4 wheel driving
Plymouth showing a church or cathedral
Originally settled in 1620, the birthplace of Thanksgiving remains a great place to connect with the origins of American history. 

For many, Plymouth remains a distant, folkloric place more often read about than seen. The oceanfront view from Burial Hill is where Colonial Pilgrims first landed in the New World. In this community the Pilgrims braved harsh conditions to establish a haven for religious and political freedom. Come to Plymouth to deepen your understanding of this town’s special spot in American history and stay for the fruits of its New England maritime industry.

History tourism in Plymouth centers on Plymouth Harbor. Walk down the coast from Mayflower II, the working replica of the original Mayflower boat on which the Pilgrims arrived. Relax in the oasis of Brewster Gardens. Wander to the end of the gardens to find the Jenney Museum, showcasing the Pilgrims’ industrial and agricultural life.

Continue the Pilgrim experience at Plimoth Plantation, a full-scale reenactment of Pilgrim society in the 17th century. See a sweeping collection of objects from Pilgrim art, culture and daily life at the Pilgrim Hall Museum.

Plymouth also features coastal attractions that proudly represent New England maritime culture. Look out onto the harbor during sunrise or sunset and watch fishing boats make their rounds. Enjoy their catches at casual cafés or fine dining restaurants. Wherever you eat, sample the fresh fish and boiled lobster that this region is known for.

Boat trips are a popular summer pastime. The Pilgrim Belle offers a paddlewheel tour of several of Plymouth’s historical sites, as well as Clark’s Island and Gurnet Point. If you have a longer stay, ride the Plymouth-Provincetown Express Ferry to Plymouth’s bohemian neighbor, Provincetown, Massachusetts. This pleasant cruise is worth the trip in itself.

Plymouth is a 45-minute drive from Boston and an hour from Providence. Fly into Boston’s Logan International Airport or the airport at Warwick near Providence and drive down the coast. Most of Plymouth’s historic sites and many hotels are walkable distances from each other. Plan enough time to appreciate the significance of the historic events that unfolded here.

Where to stay in Plymouth

Mayflower II which includes sailing

Plymouth Downtown Waterfront District

If you're spending some time in Plymouth Downtown Waterfront District, Pilgrim Memorial Hall Museum and Mayflower II are top sights worth seeing.

Plymouth Downtown Waterfront District
Plymouth featuring kite surfing

Plymouth Cultural District

4.5/5(97 area reviews)

While visiting Plymouth Cultural District, you might make a stop by sights like Spire Center for the Performing Arts and Mayflower II.

Plymouth Cultural District
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North Plymouth

Though North Plymouth might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like National Monument to the Forefathers and Plymouth Harbor.

North Plymouth
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Ponds of Plymouth

When in Ponds of Plymouth, you can plan a visit to Water Wizz and The Strand, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Ponds of Plymouth
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Buttermilk Bay

When in Buttermilk Bay, you can plan a visit to Water Wizz and Onset Beach, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Buttermilk Bay
John Carver Inn & Spa
John Carver Inn & Spa
3 out of 5
25 Summer Street, Plymouth, MA
The price is NT$4,813 per night from May 20 to May 21
NT$4,813
NT$5,696 total
May 20 - May 21
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Plymouth. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,015 reviews)
"It was fine but hallways smell like pool and warm. Had to leave the hotel due to hotel fire alarm was set off. Fire dept showed up. Was outside for a while"

Reviewed on 2025/5/13

John Carver Inn & Spa
Hotel 1620 Plymouth Harbor
Hotel 1620 Plymouth Harbor
3 out of 5
180 Water St, Plymouth, MA
The price is NT$4,844 per night from Jun 1 to Jun 2
NT$4,844
NT$6,329 total
Jun 1 - Jun 2
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Plymouth. Enjoy free parking, free water park access, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the pool ...
8/10 Very Good! (983 reviews)
"I loved my room. It was so convenient to get to the pool with my little ones. Although there where atleast two weddings there that night I couldnt hear a thing."

Reviewed on 2025/5/12

Hotel 1620 Plymouth Harbor
Holiday Inn Express Plymouth by IHG
Holiday Inn Express Plymouth by IHG
2.5 out of 5
155 Samoset St, Plymouth, MA
The price is NT$4,321 per night from May 26 to May 27
NT$4,321
NT$4,826 total
May 26 - May 27
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Plymouth. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
"Awesome"

Reviewed on 2025/5/12

Holiday Inn Express Plymouth by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Harbourtown Suites Luxury Condo
Harbourtown Suites Luxury Condo
4 out of 5
150 Water St, Plymouth, MA
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly condo in Plymouth. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Plymouth Harbor and Plymouth ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (58 reviews)
"Location was great, condo was very clean. Only downside was the keypads for entry, difficult to use and didn’t work most of the time."

Reviewed on 2025/5/4

Harbourtown Suites Luxury Condo
Thomas Sea Suites
Thomas Sea Suites
3.5 out of 5
150 Water St, Plymouth, MA
Stay at this 3.5-star condo in Plymouth. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Plymouth Harbor and Plymouth Rock are located ...
"Our stay was amazing the place is clean and beautiful. All the kitchen appliances are in good working order. You can cook anything you want. For the bedroom I would suggest you change the curtains to light blocking to prevent waking up earlier than you want. Otherwise our stay was very nice we enjoyed ..."

Reviewed on 2025/3/23

Thomas Sea Suites
The Club at New Seabury
The Club at New Seabury
3.5 out of 5
95 Shore Drive West, Mashpee, MA
Stay at this 3.5-star beach condo in Mashpee. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions South Cape Beach State Park and Popponesset ...
9/10 Wonderful! (313 reviews)
"Tired unit. Primary bath water closet leaked around base. No soap or paper towels."

Reviewed on 2025/1/15

The Club at New Seabury
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Plymouth

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
178
5 - Excellent 56%
4 - Good
124
4 - Good 39%
3 - Okay
14
3 - Okay 4%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Great place.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Unfortunately, the day we stayed, there was bad weather so it severely limited what we could do.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Quaint New England town. Lots of history. Spend more than one night, too much to see and do in a day.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

We were there to watch our grandson/nephew play in the state championship game at Gillette stadium and our son lives in Plymouth which is why we did no sightseeing

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Visit Plymouth plantation and do not rely on info in the web concerning opening hours of Plymouth restaurants and sights 

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Nice town center. There was a wonderful parade in anticipation of Thanksgiving.

Cities near Plymouth