Breathe in the salty sea air and step onto the creaky docks in Plymouth Harbour. A number of America’s most important historical sites surround you. In this picturesque harbour, you are just a short walk from the sites where America’s modern settlement first started.
Plymouth Harbour is full of ways to appreciate American history. Picture the Pilgrims’ arriving on dry land after months at sea as you approach Plymouth Rock. Step aboard the Mayflower II, a marvel of boat craftsmanship and a faithful replica of the Pilgrims’ vessel to the New World.
If you’re in Plymouth between May and October, catch these sites in one trip with a voyage on the Pilgrim Belle. This Southern-style paddlewheel boat tour also approaches Gurnet Point Lighthouse and Clark's Island, where the writer Truman Capote frequently lived and wrote. In the summer, don’t miss the Belle’s evening tours, which include breathtaking views of the sunset from its start to finish.
Conveniently nestled in Plymouth Harbour are restaurants that sell the bounties of Plymouth’s fishing and lobstering industries. Savour a batch of fish and chips at classic New England seafood restaurants. Try to get a table with a window view, so you can see where the catch comes in on the fishing boats motoring in and out of Plymouth Harbour. Wander through the streets of Plymouth to look for other signs of early settlement. Nearby Brewster Gardens is a particularly pleasant spot to stop for quiet reflection.
If you need more than a day to explore the area, book a stay in one of the many accommodation near Plymouth Harbour. Holiday house rentals are also popular options for those looking to extend their appreciation of Plymouth’s maritime lore. Establish a base near the harbour to see all the other historic attractions in Plymouth.