Plymouth

Understand

Plymouth is the largest town in the state of Massachusetts, by both area and population. It had a population of about 61,200 in 2020. Because of this, the town is often divided into neighborhoods, which all have different characteristics. The center of tourist activity is in Plymouth's historic downtown and waterfront neighborhoods, and other villages include Manomet, North Plymouth, and West Plymouth. Although somewhat homogeneous on the surface, each village has its own unique characteristics which makes it worth venturing outside the harbor-side to visit.

• North Plymouth was once home to the Cordage Company, the largest rope-maker in the world. Cordage employed many Italian and Portuguese immigrants who settled in company housing in this part of town, which many of their descendants still proudly call home. The Holy Ghost Festa, a major holiday for Portuguese of Azorean descent, is still widely celebrated in North Plymouth each summer.
• Manomet is home to White Horse Beach, and a small downtown area of its own, including its own post office, fire station and many businesses.
• West Plymouth is home to many strip malls and the larger Colony Place area, and is arguably the most commercialized section of town.
• Chiltonville is home to the Plimoth Patuxet Museum and is almost exclusively residential.
• Plymouth Beach and Wellingsley are located between Manomet and the downtown area, and include some hotels and businesses, but are still mostly residential and quiet

Plymouth still has many residents who can trace their ancestry to the original Mayflower passengers and/or Native American tribes. Plymouth receives many visitors who are interested in researching their own colonial ancestry, and provides several key resources for doing so. The General Society of Mayflower Descendants is the recognized authority on Pilgrim ancestry and has plenty of resources to assist you. Plymouth Public Library also maintains a large room dedicated to genealogy.

It should go without saying that Plymouth residents feel Thanksgiving Day belongs to them; after all, the holiday commemorates a feast shared by the surviving Mayflower passengers and local Native Americans following the Pilgrims' first harvest in 1621. Thanksgiving in Plymouth isn't celebrated that much differently than in most places, however: local activities include a morning parade through town and a local high school football game between cross-town rivals Plymouth North and Plymouth South. For tourists, Plimouth Plantation offers a Thanksgiving Dinner on location at their site with the opportunity to learn more about the facts and fictions surrounding the historical event. Since 1970, the United American Indians of New England (UAINE) have observed the National Day of Mourning on Thanksgiving Day. Observance takes place annually at noon on Cole's Hill, acknowledging European settlement as the beginning of the genocide and forcible relocation of millions of Native Americans.

As a final note, "Plimoth", the old English spelling, is sometimes used to denote a historic site (e.g. Plimoth Plantation), while town sites will be spelled with the modern spelling, "Plymouth" (e.g. Plymouth Town Hall). Keep this in mind to avoid confusion if you notice signage such as the exit marker on Route 3 that helpfully reads, "Plymouth / Plimoth Plantation."

Get in

Plymouth makes an excellent day trip (or several days' trip) when exploring the Boston, Providence, or Cape Cod areas.

By car

Plymouth covers four exits along Route 3, extending from Exit 12 (serving Manomet) to Exit 16 (serving the Route 44 expressway). Downtown Plymouth is accessed via Exit 15A, and the strip malls and hotels of West Plymouth are accessible via US-44 west. Metered parking is available downtown at both public lots and on street. The lots often have ticketing machines while street spots have individual meters. All parking fills up quickly during summer tourist season and during events such as festivals and parades. Get an early start or plan to do a lot of circling to find a spot.

From Boston and points north: Plymouth is about an hour south of Boston, Massachusetts via Interstate 93 South to Route 3 South. Traffic is notorious during weekday rush hours, especially in the summer months where Route 3 is congested with vacationers heading south past Plymouth towards Cape Cod. Travel in off-peak hours is strongly advised for an enjoyable and timely trip. Route 3A, a two-lane back road which runs parallel to Route 3 from Boston down through the South Shore and directly through Plymouth, was the original road from Plymouth to Boston prior to the national highway system being built in the 1950s. Although quite scenic, it is a lengthy drive and not typically worth traveling the entire route.

From Providence, Rhode Island and points west: Plymouth is connected to the west via Route 44, which runs into the western part of Plymouth through Carver. Major interstates to the west such as Interstate 95 connect somewhat haphazardly with Plymouth via I93/Route 3 on the more northern part of I95, and I495/Route 44 on the more southern end.

From Cape Cod and points south: Plymouth connects to the Cape via Route 6 over the Sagamore Bridge, which turns into Route 3 North. It is also accessible via Route 28 on the Cape, which goes over the Bourne Bridge. From Bourne, you can take Route 6 to connect to Route 3 North, or continue north on I495 to Route 44.

By plane

For those who don't wish to pilot themselves into town, travelers arriving by plane usually land at Boston's Logan International Airport (BOS). Coach bus and MBTA rail connections can be made from Boston Logan to the Plymouth area. Other travelers may elect to arrive at Rhode Island's T.F. Green Airport (PVD) as flights are often cheaper, but there are no direct public transit options to Plymouth from Warwick.

By train

There is no train service to Plymouth. The nearest station is Kingston station on the Kingston Commuter Rail line. It's about 5 mi from Plymouth Rock, roughly a 15-min drive or 30-min bike ride.

By bus

Motor coach service from Boston's South Station and Logan Airport to the exit 5 service plaza on Route 3 is available via the Plymouth and Brockton Street Railway Co. The bus service continues south after the Plymouth stop to Cape Cod, and is used often by residents commuting into the city. Parking for the bus at the exit 5 plaza is free, and there is a McDonald's located at the exit 5 area, as well as an ATM and pay phones. The plaza is not a walkable distance to any particular location, however, so it is advisable to plan to take a GATRA bus or a taxi to your final destination.

By boat

Ferry service to Plymouth from Provincetown on Cape Cod is available via the Plymouth-Provincetown Fast Ferry. Seasonal ferry service runs June through September, seven days a week. The ferry departs and arrives in Plymouth at the state pier on Water Street in the heart of downtown Plymouth, and all downtown attractions and hotels are within walkable distance.

Get around

The main tourism areas are all very walkable, especially if you are staying at one of the downtown or waterfront area hotels. The "Pilgrim Path" is similar in design to the Freedom Trail in Boston, taking you on a self-guided walking tour past most of the major historical sights downtown. The trail is designated by painted little Pilgrim hats along the sidewalk. You can pick up a pamphlet guide, Pilgrim Path, A Walk Through History at the Visitor Center on Water St. There you can also speak with helpful staff, pick up local maps, and purchase postcards, cameras, and tour tickets.

The downtown area also has a few, but not extensive, public transit options:

Outside of downtown, a car remains the easiest way to travel between points of interest. Most visitors arrive in Plymouth via car, so this is not an issue, but if you are without a ride renting a car for the day is your best bet. Several car rental agencies are located in the downtown area.

Stay safe

In Plymouth dial 911 if there is an emergency. This free call will summon police, medical, and fire services to assist you.

Crime is relatively low for a town of Plymouth's size, but take the normal precautions and don't leave your belongings unattended in public spaces, such as public beaches. Plymouth has been a part of the region's larger opiate epidemic, but you are unlikely to encounter many drug-related problems in any of the major tourist areas. However, keep an eye out for spent hypodermic needles which can be found alongside roads or on beaches.

Most beaches in Plymouth do not have lifeguards and many experience drastic tidal differences as sandbars are numerous. Follow the advice of locals and check tidal calendars before venturing off too far onto mudflats or long walks around bluffs - you may find yourself having to swim back when the beach disappears without much warning! Also take care when boating in the area; unexpected mudflats or large glacial rocks can be closer to the surface at certain tidal points, causing unassuming craft to run aground.

Plymouth has, along with Cape Cod, experienced a drastic rise in great white sharks as the harbor seal population, which is their main source of food, has exploded. Sharks can appear close to shore along Plymouth beaches and have made encounters with some kayakers, though despite knocking them into the water no injuries have been reported. The best defense is to stay alert and understand that the sharks are much more interested in finding seals than hurting you. To avoid being confused for their food, avoid swimming in murky water or anywhere near where seals can be spotted jumping, swimming, or sunbathing. Often times you can hear the seals barking before seeing them. If you spot a shark, exit the water immediately. If at a public beach, follow any warnings given by lifeguards or warning flags which may be posted along the shore.

Stay healthy

Plymouth has its own fully-equipped hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, which is the largest facility on the Cape end of the South Shore. Note that this facility was called the Jordan Hospital for over 100 years from its opening in 1901 until 2014. It is very common for locals to still refer to the hospital as "Jordan"; i.e. "They're taking him to Jordan," when referring to the Beth Israel facility.

Go next

• Boston is only about 45 minutes away by car or 30 minutes by commuter rail. Massachusetts' capital city has plenty of attractions for history buffs, such as the Freedom Trail and the USS Constitution. It is also a mecca for sports fans, and no trip is complete without a visit to Fenway Park. There are plenty of cultural attractions such as the Museum of Fine Arts and Museum of Science, and on a beautiful day a stroll through Boston Public Garden and a ride on the Swan Boats is a must. Boston is also a major transport hub, and you can access both its international airport and train and bus connections to other major cities along the East Coast.
• Cape Cod, including the towns of Sandwich, Hyannis, and Provincetown are all a relatively easy drive south from Plymouth, especially in off-peak travel hours. Provincetown can also be accessed from Plymouth by a daily ferry running seasonally from the harbor. The Cape is known for its beaches, and a visit to the Cape Cod National Seashore is highly recommended.
• Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, Cape Cod's main islands, can both be accessed via ferry from Hyannis.
• Providence, Rhode Island is about 40 minutes away via car. Roger Williams Park and Zoo is a great place to visit and holds many annual events. An evening trip during one of its Waterfire celebrations is also worth experiencing; check out Waterfire.org for their annual schedule and to plan ahead.
• From Plymouth to Hampton Roads is a 600-mile historical route through the colonial and antebellum United States.