Plymouth -- fondly known as America's Hometown -- is famous for being the site of the 1620 landing of the Mayflower and the first permanent English settlement in New England. It’s a place where beautiful scenery, historic wonders, and charming businesses can be found at every turn. From the saltwater beaches to the marshlands, state parks, and vibrant downtown district, there are endless adventures awaiting your arrival. Join us for 12 picture-perfect ways to experience fall in the town and county of Plymouth, Massachusetts.
1. Experience history at Plimoth Patuxet
Plimoth Patuxet guides you back 400 years to encounter the Native Wampanoag way of life and the English settlement built as a temporary refuge for the Pilgrims in the New World. Berthed at State Pier, The Mayflower is ship-shape after a 3-year renovation in honor of Plymouth’s 400th anniversary. You can explore the decks that offered refuge to the 102 Pilgrim passengers and the sailors that manned her.
2. Experience Cranberry Country
Cranberry Country refers to the beautiful stretch of land located along the scenic backroads of southeast Plymouth County. The wet harvests take place each year from late September through early November and are recognizable from the famous Ocean Spray™ commercials.
3. Go whale watching at Stellwagen Bank
If you've never experienced the magic of whale watching, it's an activity that belongs at the top of your list when you visit Plymouth. The guided tours offer unforgettable views of pods of whales and calves playing and feeding in the Atlantic.
4. Tour Brewster Gardens
There are few places more charming in the fall than Brewster Gardens. Walk along babbling Town Brook next to Leyden Street where the Mayflower Pilgrims founded Plymouth. This serene setting includes a sculpture garden and is the perfect spot to relax, picnic, and enjoy the flora, fauna, and monuments to Plymouth’s history.
5. Spend time on the beach
From Plymouth County's northernmost town of Hingham to the Victorian village of Onset, open Atlantic Ocean waters and beautiful sandy beaches await! In Plymouth, you can exercise your mind and body with a 3-mile walk to Bug Light while viewing bustling Plymouth Harbor across the bay.
6. Tour the picturesque lighthouses
Did you know that the Plymouth County coast is home to 6 lighthouses? Visit Scituate Light and you'll see an authentic light keeper's cottage. Equally as impressive is Duxbury Pier Light, known as Bug Light to locals, which is located at the tip of Plymouth Beach. In Mattapoisett, where Herman Melville shipped out on his one and only whaling voyage, Ned’s Point Light welcomes swimmers, strollers, and picnickers.
7. Enjoy the hiking trails
Myles Standish State Forest is a 14,000-acre preserve that includes nine ponds and 475 campsites. Here you can hike to your heart's content. Other must-see outdoor attractions include Hull’s Fort Independence and Wampatuck State Park and World’s End in Hingham.
8. Admire the significance of Plymouth Rock
Plymouth Rock, an enduring symbol of the Pilgrims’ arrival in the New World, is the centerpiece of historic Plymouth. The National Monument to the Forefathers stands at a towering 81 feet and overlooks the town and harbor from her perch on Allerton St. Hill. These are just two of dozens of monuments honoring Native Wampanoag, Pilgrims, and immigrants who continue to arrive today.
9. Enjoy a round of golf
Plymouth is home to a dozen public and semi-private golf courses, some designed by the world’s finest golf course architects. This set-up is ideal for course hopping or a multi-day golf getaway. Learn more about Plymouth's famous golf courses.
10. Tour Plymouth's historic homes
The 1809 Hedge House, photographed above, is just one example of the region’s many antiquities. These centuries-old structures make up the residences and businesses that were vital to those who lived and worked on the South Shore through four centuries of livelihood.
11. Eat and shop your way through downtown
Stroll Water and Main Streets where you will find dozens of restaurants; just what you need to satisfy your taste buds, and countless shops offering that perfect memento of your Plymouth vacation.
12. Enjoy the fall foliage
No autumn trip to Plymouth is complete without some quality time admiring the beautiful fall foliage. From Brewster Gardens to Miles Standish State Forest, there are countless natural areas where you can enjoy hours of leaf-peeping. Just don't forget your camera!
Have you visited Plymouth County, Massachusetts recently? If so, we'd love to hear all about your experience in America's Hometown. For more information, be sure to visit the official See Plymouth website for helpful itineraries, travel tips, and more.
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