Affectionately known as ‘America’s Hometown’, Plymouth is famous for being the site where the Mayflower pilgrims established the first colony of New England in 1620.
I have long been fascinated by the place, so lI was keen to go there to get a sense of what life must have been like for my fellow countrymen when they first settled in the area.
Coincidentally, I did this in December, almost 400 years to the day the Separatists arrived. While this was not by design, it felt somewhat poetic, as I also arrived there by boat.
Where is Plymouth?
Plymouth is a town in Greater Boston, Massachusetts, about 40 miles south of the state capital.
I travelled there via Provincetown, not on the Mayflower, but on the fast ferry operated by Captain John Boats, who had previously taken me whale-watching in Cape Cod Bay on a previous trip.
Even though it was cold, I spent some time during the 90-minute journey standing on the deck. As the first glimpses of Plymouth came into view, I began to feel a sense of excitement and anticipation, and I couldn’t help but wonder if those original pilgrims had experienced the same.
If you don’t fancy arriving by boat, the best way to get to Plymouth is to fly into Boston and/or drive there from that city. Alternatively, you can do the same from Providence in Rhode Island.
Best Time of Year to go to Plymouth
I visited Plymouth in December, and I found it very cold. The temperatures regularly hovered around 6° degrees, and one night, it got down to -2°!
Coming straight from the start of the Australian summer, it was quite a culture shock! However, I wrapped up very warm every time I went out, wearing multiple layers and a beanie, so I was able to cope.
That said, as Plymouth is a city where you can do a fair bit of walking, the winter chill was a bit unpleasant at times. So, if I were to return, I would come between June and August, when it’s warmer. I would expect a lot more tourists around that time, though.
Main Highlights
As you might expect, given its history, Plymouth has some major historical sites. Here are my favorites.
Plymouth Rock
The first place I went to was Plymouth Rock, which is recognized as the point where William Bradford and the rest of the Mayflower pilgrims disembarked the ship.
It is located in Pilgrim Memorial State Park, and although it is essentially just a rock, it was more significant than that to my mind.
It forms a symbolic and possibly direct connection to the 132 passengers and crew who successfully made it over from England.
Mayflower II
Located in Plymouth Harbor is a full-scale replica of the Mayflower II, which you can go inside.
I loved walking around its main deck because it gave me a sense of what the Separatists must have experienced on board the vessel during the three-month voyage.
At just 106 feet long and 25 feet wide, I was fascinated by how small it was. Conditions must have been very cramped for all its crew and passengers.
The Pilgrim Hall Museum
Opened in 1824, this is the oldest continuously operated museum in the USA. I found its many Pilgram-related exhibits fascinating and would recommend visiting it to every tourist.
Plimoth Patuxet
Plimoth Patuxet is a living history museum that offers a unique glimpse into the early 17th century. Also known as Plimoth Plantation, it recreates the original settlement of the Pilgrims as well as the indigenous Wampanoag homeland. You can explore meticulously reconstructed homes, interact with costumed interpreters who portray historical figures, and learn about the daily lives of both the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people.
Where to stay
Unlike those poor pilgrims who had to sleep on the Mayflower until their houses were built, there are quite a few accommodation options in Plymouth now.
As I only had a couple of days available, I stayed at Hotel 1620 Plymouth Harbor. It was in a great location just across the street from the bay and was also close to several of the town’s main attractions.
My room was very warm and comfortable and offered excellent views of the harbor. It had a king-size bed, a coffee machine, and a very big TV. The fridge was useful for storing milk and other food items.
However, what I most liked about this hotel was its heated swimming pool and hot tub, which I spent some quality time in after each long day of sightseeing.
The hotel was quite expensive – it is New England overall – but it was a very good standard of accommodation.
Where to eat
While Plymouth’s main drawcard is its historical sites, it also has a fabulous food scene, which I very much enjoyed exploring.
I love burgers, so I made a point of asking a few locals where a good place to get one is. The first three people I asked all said KKatie’s Burger Bar on Samoset Street, and I am glad I did this research because I had a fantastic bacon cheeseburger there.
This cool place has a lively sports bar feel, with massive big-screen TVs. I enjoyed staying there for a while after I had eaten and watched a football game.
I also ate at the Surfside Smokehouse on Union Street, where I had superb barbecue wings and brisket. Dillon’s Local on South Park Avenue, was a cool, European-style cafe that served classic brunch dishes, including the Portuguese Hash I ate.
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