If you’re looking for a coastal Massachusetts town that’s close to Boston, then Plymouth, Massachusetts is the place to go. It’s the site of the first Pilgrim settlement in America, and you’ll find the Plymouth Rock in the Pilgrim Memorial State Park. You can also visit the Mayflower II, a full-scale replica of the original Pilgrim ship.
Pilgrim Memorial State Park
Pilgrim Memorial State Park in Plymouth, MA, is home to the Plymouth Rock and National Monument to the Forefathers. Across Plymouth Bay is Myles Standish Monument State Reservation. Both sites feature a rich history of the Pilgrims. A guided tour of these sites is a must for any pilgrimage.
Pilgrim Memorial State Park in Plymouth, MA is situated on the harborfront and offers a spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean. There are several historical markers and statues in the park, as well as benches and plaques honoring Native Americans. The park is open from April through November.
Nearby attractions include Plymouth Harbor and Mayflower Brewing Company. Plymouth is also home to the National Monument to the Forefathers, Richard Sparrow House, and Spooner House Museum. Guests can also visit Plymouth Harbor and the Waterfront Visitor Information Center. Other notable sights include Pilgrim Hall Museum, the Richard Sparrow House Museum, and Burial Hill.
Pilgrim Memorial State Park in Plymouth, MA is one of the most visited parks in the state. Almost a million visitors visit this historic site each year. It features a replica of the Mayflower II and two monuments. The park is free to enter and offers scenic views of Plymouth Harbor. Visitors can also visit the replica of the Mayflower II and learn about the Pilgrims’ first voyage to America.
Visitors can hike the Pilgrim Trail, an out and back trail that crosses a river and is great for hikers of all skill levels. Dogs are allowed, but must be leashed. If you’re a hiker, you’ll want to check out the Pilgrim Trail, an 1.8-mile heavily-trafficked trail that crosses the river.
Pilgrim Hall Museum
The Pilgrim Hall Museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts houses an incredible collection of objects, artifacts, and manuscripts that tell the stories of everyday pilgrims. The collection includes the Bible of William Bradford and a 1651 painting of Edward Winslow. Visitors can also view the cradle brought over on the Mayflower and the great chair of William Brewster. There are also items on display that depict everyday life for the Pilgrims, including a piece of cloth made by Myles Standish’s daughter.
Visitors can also learn about the indigenous Wampanoag, or “People of the Dawn,” who lived in this region over 13,000 years before the first English settlers arrived. The museum has a number of exhibits and programs that explore the interrelationship between the early colonists and the Wampanoag. The museum also explores the impact of King Philip’s War on the region.
The Pilgrim Hall Museum is the oldest continuously operating museum in the United States. It houses the largest collection of Mayflower Pilgrim possessions and seeks to foster a broader understanding of the region’s colonial origins. The museum has recently commissioned the creation of the Plymouth Tapestry as part of its 400th anniversary legacy project.
During the free, live tours, you’ll get to learn about the lives of many of the people buried on Burial Hill. Many of these individuals were well-traveled in their lifetimes. Visiting the museum gives you a chance to learn about these lives and how they made the pilgrims’ life easier.
Jabez Howland House
The Jabez Howland House is a classic 17th century timber-framed house in Plymouth, Massachusetts. It is believed to be the only remaining home from the time of the Pilgrims. Jabez Howland’s parents lived in the house from 1667 to 1680. The house remained under private ownership until the early twentieth century. It was purchased by the Pilgrim John Howland Society in 1912, when extensive restoration efforts were undertaken to return the home to its original colonial appearance. The house is now a museum and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
This house was built in 1667 by Jacob Mitchell, and is the only one in Plymouth where Pilgrims lived. Jabez was the son of Elizabeth Howland and John Howland, who had sailed from England on the Mayflower. He married Elizabeth Tilley, who was also a Mayflower passenger. The Howland house was restored in 1936-1940, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Jabez Howland House is a historic house that is a must-see in Plymouth. The oldest part of the house was constructed by Jacob Mitchell in 1667, and Jabez Howland added the second floor for his parents. It is now a historic house museum that showcases Jabez Howland’s life and his family’s contributions to the town.
Myles Standish State Forest
You can enjoy several outdoor activities in the Myles Standish State Forest in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The park features a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and more. It also has a day use area where you can picnic. During the warmer months, the park is open for hunting.
Myles Standish State Forest is located in southeastern Massachusetts, 45 miles south of Boston. It is the largest publicly owned recreation area in this region, and features several hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. It is also home to a cranberry bog, one of the largest aquifers in Massachusetts, and endangered species such as the Plymouth red-bellied turtle.
The Myles Standish State Forest was burned numerous times during the past century. The forest has seen multiple fires since 1916. However, firefighting teams now use high-tech equipment like helicopters and large amounts of water to suppress the blaze. The hope is to prevent future fires, such as the one that ravaged Myles Standish in 1964.
The forest is accessible via two main entrances. One is from downtown Plymouth, while the other is off Route 3 just west of the John Carver Inn. One road leads to the forest’s headquarters. The other is accessed via Billington Street, which passes under Route 3. The road eventually becomes Watercourse Road and then Lower College Pond Road. From here, you can hike along the five-mile Charge Pond Loop.
The forest contains many miles of paved trails. One of the easiest ways to access the trails is by parking in the Charge Pond Road parking lot. From there, you can either walk up the road or take a short walk down Sasemine Road. Trail blazes are easy to find on the west side of the road.