Plymouth

Plymouth combines the history of Plymouth Colony with Indigenous culture, coastal landscapes and a wide range of nature experiences. When choosing a holiday rental, your preferred daily itinerary is therefore particularly important: Would you like to explore museums and historic sites, spend time at the beach, discover natural areas or take excursions on the water?

Experience History and Culture Firsthand

The Pilgrim Hall Museum dedicates its permanent exhibitions to the English colonists of early Plymouth, the Wampanoag and the development of Plymouth Colony. At the Eel River, the Historic Patuxet Homesite provides insights into Indigenous heritage and Indigenous peoples who have lived in this area for more than 12,000 years. Together with the Plimoth Patuxet Museums, it offers an insight into the histories of the Indigenous population and the English colonists who encountered one another on the historic shores of Plymouth in the 17th century.

At the 17th-Century English Village, visitors may be able to take part in a military drill and learn about defense in the 17th century. The Plimoth Grist Mill tells the story of the grain mill built by the Pilgrims in Plymouth Colony. At the Craft Center, experienced craftspeople and museum historians share knowledge about life in the 17th century. Visiting the Plimoth Patuxet Museums requires walking about half a mile over uneven terrain – a practical point to consider when planning your day.

Plymouth Rock was identified in 1741, 121 years after the arrival of the Mayflower, as the landing place of the Pilgrims. However, historical evidence does not confirm that the rock was actually their stepping stone into the New World. Its later significance as an American symbol and tangible monument to freedom can be explained in the approximately ten-minute program “It’s All About That Rock,” offered from Memorial Day through Labor Day. At the Pilgrim Hall Museum, treasure hunts for all age groups are also available on public opening days.

Beach, Forest and Special Excursions

Those who want to include nature alongside culture will find year-round opportunities for camping, swimming and exploring nature in Myles Standish State Forest. There are also 35 miles of horseback riding trails. Duxbury Beach is 4.5 miles long and open to visitors year-round. Two sections of the beach are supervised by lifeguards; areas of sand and gravel invite visitors to walk, sunbathe and explore. The coastal habitats serve as breeding and feeding grounds for many species throughout the year.

At Benson’s Pond, landscape and agriculture meet. The area includes 80 acres of cranberry bogs and woodland. Guided tours, excursions and seasonal harvest events provide insights into cranberry cultivation; experiences also include a farm-to-table harvest dinner. For an excursion on the water, Captain John’s whale-watching tours depart from Plymouth Harbor and travel across Cape Cod Bay to Stellwagen Bank. Captain John also offers deep-sea fishing trips for beginners and experienced anglers.

The Plymouth-to-Provincetown Fast Ferry departs from the State Pier in Plymouth, 77 Water Street, and offers views of historic Plymouth Harbor and Cape Cod Bay. Another seasonal experience is King Richard’s Faire in Carver: The open-air autumn Renaissance festival combines hundreds of performers and craftspeople with rides, games, food and beverages. The Fuller Craft Museum presents contemporary craft through exhibitions, collections, educational offerings and public programs. Private tours of the permanent and special exhibitions must be reserved three to four weeks in advance; the museum is located on 22 acres of woodland along the shore of Upper Porter’s Pond.

The Right Base for Your Trip

When searching for a holiday rental in Plymouth, you can use your preferred daily destinations as a starting point. For historical experiences, you should allow time for museums, the Plimoth Patuxet Museums and Plymouth Rock. If nature, beaches or water activities are the focus, Myles Standish State Forest, Duxbury Beach, Benson’s Pond and Captain John’s offerings provide different areas of emphasis. Those arriving by bus can take the Plymouth & Brockton Bus to the Plymouth Park and Ride Station and then continue by rideshare app to the Plimoth Patuxet Museums.

For further orientation, you can also view the pages on Plymouth, Brockton, Middleboro, Rockland, Hull, Marshfield, Wareham, Bridgewater, West Bridgewater, Scituate, Pembroke and Hanover. This allows you to connect your accommodation search with the experiences that matter most for your trip to Plymouth.

For the overarching travel overview: Massachusetts.