Plimoth Patuxet Museums Voted the #1 “Best Open-Air Museum” by USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Third Consecutive Year
The Museum earned the top honor in both 2024 and 2025
Plymouth, Massachusetts (February 18, 2026) – Plimoth Patuxet Museums has been named the number one “Best Open-Air Museum” in the United States by the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for the third consecutive year. First earning the top honor in 2024 and again in 2025, the Museum continues its winning streak in 2026 following a public vote.
Nominated alongside numerous world-class institutions by a panel of subject matter experts, Plimoth Patuxet once again rose to the top, reflecting its enduring impact and national reputation in the field of living history. Winning this honor for a third consecutive year not only affirms the Museum’s excellence, but underscores the vital role public history plays in shaping informed, engaged communities—especially as the nation approaches America’s 250th anniversary. At a moment when the stories of our founding are under renewed examination, this recognition highlights the power of immersive, researched-based interpretation to deepen our understanding of the past.
For more than 75 years, the Museum has welcomed generations of visitors to its immersive outdoor exhibits, including the Historic Patuxet Homesite, the 17th-Century English Village, Mayflower II, and Plimoth Grist Mill. Through thoughtful interpretation and rigorous scholarship, Plimoth Patuxet brings to life the interwoven stories of the Indigenous and English communities of the 17th century.
“It is an honor to be voted the #1 Best Open-Air Museum for a third consecutive year and we are grateful for the continued support from our friends, members, and guests,” said Tom Begley, Executive Director. “This distinction is a testament to the work and dedication of all our staff and volunteers who create welcoming environments filled with powerful educational experiences for learners of all ages. ”
In 2026, the Museum will introduce new initiatives and signature events to commemorate America 250, guided by its interpretive framework, Revolutionary Ideas Started Here.
“At Plimoth Patuxet, we believe that America’s 18th-century story, with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, cannot be fully understood without its 17th-century beginnings,” said Kate LaPrad, Deputy Director of Special Projects & Strategic Partnerships. “We invite everyone to begin their Revolutionary journey with us in 2026 and explore the 17th century in all its complexity.”
Plimoth Patuxet Museums will open for the 2026 season on Saturday, March 14. Mayflower II, currently at Mystic Seaport Museum’s Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard for routine maintenance, is anticipated to return to State Pier during the third week of April. The Museum will be open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. through the Sunday following Thanksgiving Day.
To learn more about program offerings and upcoming events, please visit plimoth.org.
About Plimoth Patuxet
Plimoth Patuxet is one of the Nation’s foremost living history museums. Founded in 1947, the Museum creates engaging experiences of history built on thorough research about the Indigenous and European people who met along Massachusetts' historic shores in the 1600s. Major exhibits include the Historic Patuxet Homesite, the 17th-Century English Village, Mayflower II, and Plimoth Grist Mill. A private, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational institution, Plimoth Patuxet is supported by admission fees, donations, memberships, and revenue from educational programs, gift shops and dining. Plimoth Patuxet receives support from private foundations, corporations, and local businesses. Located less than an hour’s drive south of Boston, and 15 minutes north of Cape Cod, the Museum is open daily from early spring through the Sunday after Thanksgiving. For more information, visit plimoth.org. Follow the Museum on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and X/Twitter.