Spend Thanksgiving in Plymouth

Plymouth, Massachusetts, a coastal town south of Boston, is an ideal location for a festive Thanksgiving outing. If you’re familiar with the early history of America you may know that Plymouth, MA was the location of Plimoth Colony, the site of the first Thanksgiving between Pilgrims and the Native Americans that inhabited the land. Plymouth is an exciting location to learn about the history of Thanksgiving, listen to stories about life in Plimoth Colony, and experience the culture and traditions of the Wampanoag tribe. Here are some can’t miss attractions for your trip to Plymouth this Thanksgiving break:

Plymouth Plantation

Immerse yourself in 1620s Massachusetts, at a site strategically chosen and developed to mirror the Pilgrims original settlement. At Plimoth Plantation you’ll experience what life was like for the Pilgrims during their first years in Plimoth Colony. The Plantation is an authentic re-creation of the Pilgrims’ homes, including those of well-known colony leaders such as the Reverend Brewster, Miles Standish, and Governor Bradford. Costumed historians portray actual members of Plimoth Colony and share their stories with guests. Visitors can also make their way to the Wampanoag settlement, for a more holistic picture of Massachusetts’s famous history. Here, Native American interpreters teach guests about their ancestor’s traditions and culture. This area contains the region’s only three-fire wetu, a family house often referred to as a wigwam. Plimoth Plantation is open daily 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. 

 

Plymouth Rock

Plymouth Rock is another historical artifact on display in Plymouth. The rock sits close by to a full-scale replica of the Mayflower, which is typically parked on Plymouth’s waterfront but has currently been moved to get repairs done. Plymouth Rock is the site where the Pilgrims disembarked from the Mayflower and first stepped onto land in Plymouth. Some stories say that each Pilgrim stepped on Plymouth Rock as they left the Mayflower. Today, visitors to Pilgrim Memorial State Park can view Plymouth rock where interpreters teach its history from May until Thanksgiving.

Pilgrim Hall Museum

Pilgrim Hall Museum is the oldest continuously operating museum in the United States. At Pilgrim Hall museum visitors get a detailed look at the history of the Pilgrims and their settlement. The museum has artifacts gathered from Plimoth Colony, such as furniture, crafts, art, and other possessions. Like Plymouth Plantation, Plymouth Hall Museum also shows the history of the Wampanoag people, who lived in the area of Plimoth colony well before the Pilgrims arrived. Pilgrim Hall Museum is open daily from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm. 

Jabez Howland House & Sparrow House

The Jabez Howland and Sparrow houses are two homes dating back to the time of the Pilgrims settlement. The Jabez Howland is the only existing house in Plymouth actually inhabited by Pilgrims. Jabez Howland and his family were Pilgrims that lived in the home until they sold the home in 1680. The home was then a private residence until 1912 when it was converted into a museum. The Richard Sparrow House was built by its namesake, Richard Sparrow, in 1640. Sparrow was an English surveyor that came to Plymouth in 1636, more than a decade after the Pilgrims arrived on the Mayflower. The home is the oldest surviving house in Plymouth. Visitors can tour the home daily between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm.

Explore Downtown

Once you’ve had your fill of history and museum tours, exploring downtown Plymouth is always a fun activity. Plymouth’s quaint waterfront streets are lined with restaurants, candy stores, and souvenir shops. Try some classic New England fudge at Plimoth Candy Company or find a present to bring home at one of the many boutiques. 

Global Immersions wishes all of our hosts and visitors a happy Thanksgiving! Whether this is your first, second, or third Thanksgiving in Boston, be sure to share all your holiday celebrations with us by using #HomestayBoston or tagging @globalimmersions!

Source: Planetware.com