If you grew up around here, you probably took a mandatory field trip to Plymouth. Perhaps your enduring memory is tinged with disappointment; after all, erosion and souvenir hunters haven’t been kind to Plymouth Rock. However, the town’s other main historical attraction is certainly no letdown.
Plimoth Plantation (the spelling is different than that of the town) is located 44 miles south of Boston, at 137 Warren Avenue in Plymouth.
Start your journey back in time at the visitor center, where you can watch a movie produced by the History Channel, specifically for the plantation. This provides a helpful refresher – or primer – about the Pilgrims and the Native Wampanoag people.
Meander your way along the paths to the Wampanoag Homesite.
The staff here are dressed in period-appropriate clothing, but they aren’t actors. Feel free to strike up conversations and learn more about Native heritage as you explore Wampanoag homes and boats.
Be sure to stop by the Craft Center, where you can watch artisans creating handmade goods using methods and supplies that were popular in the 1600s. It’s fascinating to see how labor-intensive it was to create everyday items.
The costumed employees you encounter here are actors, but they aren’t fictionalized. Each one has adopted the persona and biography of a past resident.
While the setting is beautiful, the hardship of life in this time period becomes clear as you amble through homes set up as they would have been in the 17th century.
Bear in mind that the Mayflower II, a reproduction of the 1620 original vessel, is currently being restored. Work is expected to be completed in 2019, so that's one attraction you won't be able to see just yet.
After the village, visit the Grist Mill to discover how the Pilgrims made a corn mill that was powered by water. If you’re lucky, you may see the mill in motion – it still produces organic cornmeal.
The experience wouldn’t be complete without sampling some historically inspired food. You don’t see Indian pudding on menus in many places anymore, but you can try some at Plentiful, the restaurant inside the visitor center.
Plimoth Plantation offers a robust special events calendar with opportunities to explore indigenous foods, and attend liquor tastings, live musical performances or the beloved Breakfasts with Santa in December.
Plimoth Plantation is open every day from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
