36 Hours Itinerary
By Land & By Sea, Experience the Sights and Stories of Plymouth
In Plymouth, Massachusetts, America’s Hometown, relaxed dining, beer gardens galore (thanks to all the local brewing), and history are on tap three seasons of the year, each with its own unique opportunities and tastes of a quintessential seaside New England town. Throughout the spring, summer, and fall, visitors from across the country and around the world visit for the history and stay for the walkable charm, breathtaking views, and endless dining offerings. In commemoration of America 250, Plimoth Patuxet Museums invites you to start your revolutionary journey here. It is the place where the story began in 1620 with the founding idea of a civil body politic—set into motion with the signing of the Mayflower Compact. Revolutionary ideas started in America’s Hometown, and so does your next memorable weekend getaway.
FRIDAY
Friday, 3 P.M. | Settle and Soak Up the Seaside Eats & Charm
Kick off the weekend in New England’s oldest town with a waterfront walk after you check-in at Hotel 1620 to the Lobster Hut. Their full menu of fish, lobster, clams and all the coastal favorites (we suggest the Buttered Lobster Roll, $36.95) will get your weekend off to a tasteful start. After enjoying the views and the eats, take a scenic walk along Town Pier and up Water Street to Hedge House, which was moved to this location in 1924 to save it from demolition. You may even see inside on selected first Fridays of the month when the Plymouth Antiquarian Society offers tours of the elegant 19th-century mansion until 8 P.M.
Friday, 7:30 P.M. | Pints and Plymouth Harbor Under the Stars
After exploring Plymouth’s 19th century history, continue your walk along Water Street to Vitamin Sea Brewing, and enjoy fresh-from-the-tap pints in an adirondack chair on their outdoor patio with Plymouth Harbor as your background. Last call is 10pm and your return walk to Hotel 1620 provides a great opportunity to unwind and get ready for a full day tomorrow.
SATURDAY
Saturday, 7:30 A.M. | Breakfast With the Locals
Start your day off the beaten path with a short drive out of Downtown Plymouth to Hearth Artisan Bread for coffee and mouth-watering breakfast sandwiches ($7.50 for a Bacon, Egg & Cheese on their French Country Bread). If you are a regular early riser, start your day here anytime after 6am. Hearth Artisan Bread is located at 123 Camelot Drive and has plenty of outdoor seating to enjoy—along with delicious breads, pastries, and cookies to take home—or to pack for your seafaring morning. On the drive to and from, you’ll pass the Plymouth Public Library and the Plymouth Training Green.
Saturday, 9:00 A.M. | A Whale of a Tale For All Your Friends Back Home
Get your sea legs ready for an unforgettable morning of whale watching in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary with Captain John Boats ($74/adult ticket). Stellwagen Bank sits east of Boston, Massachusetts between Cape Ann and Cape Cod. Historically important as a fishing ground, New England's only national marine sanctuary now reigns as a premier whale watching destination. You will board with Captain John Boats at Town Wharf, just a short walk from Hotel 1620. Your four hour ocean excursion will be a tale to share, whale sightings are 99% guaranteed and guests have been boasting pictures of Humpback Whales and Finback Whales in recent years. Their expert naturalists will narrate your journey and keep you updated on any sightings. The boats are equipped with a snack bar and seats in and out of the sun.
Saturday, 1:30 P.M. | A Historic Lunch and Experience Begins
After disembarking from Captain John Boats, you’ll get your legs readjusted to land as you walk back to Hotel 1620 for your car, and enjoy a scenic drive south on 3A to Plimoth Patuxet Museums. Upon entry, we suggest you purchase the Heritage Pass ($46). Good for two days, it includes access to all the historic sites at the Museum’s main campus as well those back in town like Mayflower II and the Plimoth Grist Mill. Before heading out to the sites, stop at Plentiful Café to enjoy lunch with a scenic view of the Eel River. With dishes inspired by history, you can savor the flavors of the past before your journey to the 17th century begins. From a full Thanksgiving Dinner ($20) to Native Succotash ($8.25), you’ll be pleased by the hearty offerings after your morning on the water.
Saturday, 2:30 P.M. | Since Time Immemorial on the Historic Patuxet Homesite
Your first walk at the Museum will lead you down a winding forest path to the Historic Patuxet Homesite. Located on the Eel River, here you will learn about the Indigenous People who have lived on this land since time immemorial. Step inside the wetu to learn from the Museums’ culture keepers, watch the burning of a mishoon in the making, or savor the smells of dishes being prepared at the Cooking Arbor. Ask questions about the events of the 17th century and learn more about the Indigenous communities of the Eastern Woodlands today.
Saturday, 3:30 P.M. | Explore the 1620s With a Sweeping Ocean View
Leaving the Homesite, you’ll enjoy more winding paths that will take you by the Museums’ Craft Center (an excellent stop for restrooms and water) before making your way to the 17th-Century English Village. Plymouth Colony comes to life in the recreation of the early town, complete with timber-framed houses, kitchen gardens, and heritage breed livestock. Hands-on experiences abound and you are encouraged to ask questions and help out. From gathering herbs for supper to digging holes and mending fences you will truly experience life in the 1620s. And, if getting work done is not the experience you seek after a morning on the ocean, you are welcome to sit down and chat for a while under the shade of a tree or hearth-side in a house. Stop by the Museum Shop on your way out (conveniently opened past Museum Hours) to find Indigenous crafts, local flavors to bring home, and gifts that you may only find at Plimoth Patuxet Museums.
Saturday, 5:00 P.M. | Get Present with A Treat From the Farm
By land and by sea, you’ve covered some miles after your day at Plimoth Patuxet’s main museum campus. After leaving the Museum, head less than a ¼ mile away to Bramhall’s Country Store. From sweet and savory treats (a single scoop of ice cream is $6.10 plus tax), refreshing beverages, fresh flowers and local souvenirs, this family-friendly and family-run business has been in operation since 1828. Located in a quaint country setting, steps from the Museum, and 5 or so minutes from historic downtown and Hotel 1620, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a treat before heading back to downtown Plymouth circa 2025.
Saturday, 6:00 P.M. | Walking Around America’s Hometown
After returning your car to Hotel 1620, explore downtown Plymouth off the Waterfront trail. Begin with a walk up Court Street to Town Hall, where you’ll walk up to Burial Hill (on the National Register of Historic Places). From here, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of Plymouth Harbor before heading to the Mayflower Meetinghouse (site of the original Fort/Meeting House whose replica you experienced earlier at the Museum). From the front of the building, you’ll be looking down Leyden Street, the original first street of Plymouth Colony. Walk down Leyden Street to Carver Street to explore Cole’s Hill, then cross North Street to Winslow Street where you’ll walk by the General Society of Mayflower Descendants before returning to Water Street.
Saturday, 7:30 P.M. | Dinner, Drinks, and Fun With a View
The walk along Water Street will take you right by a local favorite and staple, Mamma Mia’s. Depending on the weather, enjoy dining outside on the second floor patio or inside in front of the restaurant’s expansive view of the Plymouth waterfront. Delicious cocktails, scrumptious appetizers, and filling pasta dishes and pizza will be the perfect end to your busy day. On the walk back to Hotel 1620, stop at Ryan’s Family Amusements for games and prizes, or head over to Town Wharf for a final drink of the day at The Cabby Shack.
SUNDAY
Sunday, 8:45 A.M. | Harbor-side Breakfast with a National Treasure
Your last morning and final day in Plymouth begins with a walk down Water Street to Pebbles Restaurant. The Hearty Pilgrim Sandwich (Bagel, Avocado, Egg and Tomato with home Fries, $10.99) and Chocolate Peanut Butter Iced Coffee ($4.99) will remedy any lingering pains from the day—or night—before while fueling you up for another day of exploring America’s Hometown on foot. Across the street you’ll find national treasure and iconic symbol of independence, Mayflower II. The ship was named to the National Register of Historic Places following a stem-to-stern restoration that was completed in 2020. Your Plimoth Patuxet Museums’ Heritage Pass ticket from the day before will grant you full access to the ship and its exhibit, which opens at 9:00 A.M.
Sunday, 10:00 A.M. | From the Rock to the Grinding Stones
From Mayflower II you’ll enjoy a scenic, half-mile walk to the final historic site you’ll explore with your Plimoth Patuxet Museums’ Heritage Pass, the Plimoth Grist Mill. Along the way you’ll pass Plymouth Rock before crossing Water Street to walk along Town Brook in Brewster Gardens. The Garden is full of history and has plenty of cozy nooks and park benches with beautiful backdrops for pictures. Prior to the arrival of the Pilgrims, the Wampanoag community of this region, known as Patuxet, used the Brook to sustain life and harvest alewife (herring) who have spawned each spring in the Brook for millennia. As you walk, look out for springs bubbling out of the ground along the pathway. Pilgrim Edward Winslow wrote of this area: “there is a very sweet brook…and many delicate springs of as good water as can be drunk.” The Plimoth Grist Mill is at the end of the walking path along the Brook. As a working mill, it plays an integral part in the local grain economy and your Heritage Pass will provide you entry.
Sunday, Noon | The British Are Here and They’re Serving Tea
A short walk from the Plimoth Grist Mill, Massachusetts'
first authentic English Tea Room is conveniently located in America’s
Hometown, and it is the perfect way to end your visit to Plymouth before
the drive home. You’ll need a reservation for this experience at Shelly’s Tea Room,
and it is well worth it. Their Windsor Tea ($40.95 per person) is a
feast of sandwiches, scones, and sweet cakes, and they have an
impressive book of teas to choose from—with something for everyone,
including those who prefer caffeine-free herbal options. You’ll feel
like royalty as you work your way through a tower or sumptuous delights,
and whatever you are unable to finish will be cheerfully packed for you
to take home.
After your tea, walk a block up Court Street to Pilgrim Hall Museum ($15 per adult) to round out your history tour of America’s Hometown. The Museum boasts an extraordinary collection of artifacts that help guests explore the Pilgrim and Indigenous experiences of this region throughout the 17th century, including items that may have come over on Mayflower in 1620.