Things to do in Plymouth

29 activities, venues and outings in Plymouth, from theatres and live music to parks and tours.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

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Billington Sea Kayak
Kayak and canoe rentals, free on-water demos every weekend throughout the season, and kayaking instruction taught by certified instructors on the freshwater Billington Sea.
Kayaks: $35 single, $60 double. Paddleboard (SUP) $35, Canoe $60
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Bonfire Night
Manomet village's annual July 3rd festival, celebrated by setting giant bonfires ablaze on Priscilla, White Horse, and Manomet beaches and amateur fireworks displays so numerous one might be convinced fireworks aren't illegal in Massachusetts (they are). This tradition dates back to the 1700s, and is not organized or sanctioned by the town past emergency services setting some limits in the 1990s: permits are now needed for the larger fires, attempts are made to confiscate fireworks, the beaches are patrolled by police on foot, by boat, and by helicopter, and White Horse Beach is cleared by police at 11PM. Despite earning a somewhat bad reputation after trouble-causing out-of-towners overran the parties in the 1990s, today's Bonfire Nights are relatively family-friendly and the town makes every effort to restrict the festivities to residents-only. The majority of the beaches are private and access to them is restricted anyway, and roads leading to and parking anywhere near the beach access points is blocked by police the day of the festival. If you want the chance to experience this unique local tradition, make friends with a local who lives in the area or secure a rental property with access to one of these beaches during this period.
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Captain John Whale Watching and Deep Sea Fishing Tours
Seeing the Captain John Boats come and go has been a staple sight in Plymouth harbor for decades. Most popular for deep sea fishing and whale watching.
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Captain Tim Brady & Sons Charters and Tours
Specializing in deep sea fishing and sport fishing charters. Also offers whale watching.
Daily, beginning 7:30AM
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Dead of Night Ghost Tours
Twilight lantern tours through cemeteries and haunted historical areas. Scavenger hunt for the young and young at heart.
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Ellisville Harbor State Park
18th-century farmstead, beachfront, salt marsh, rolling meadows, and red pine forest. Recreation activities include walking, bird watching, beach combing and sightseeing.
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Fourth of July Celebration
A parade through downtown in the morning is followed by activities on the Waterfront including food trucks, vendors, and The Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra playing a free patriotic-themed concert. A fireworks display in the harbor occurs after dark.
Free
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Holy Ghost Festa
The Holy Ghost Society celebrates the traditional Portuguese festival each summer with a procession through North Plymouth before and after morning Mass, followed by an afternoon of Portuguese food, auctions, folk dancing, and music at Holy Ghost Field.
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Mayflower Brewing Company
Retail store and tastings available Wednesdays-Saturdays, Noon-8PM and Sunday noon-6PM; Brewery tours Saturdays and Sundays, noon-5:30PM
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Morton Park
Beach park on Billington Sea pond. Picnic tables, food, playground, lifeguards in summer.
Parking fee: $5. $8 on weekends
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Pilgrim Progress
Reenactment of a description of the Pilgrims walking to church given by Isaac DeRaisiers, a Dutch trader, in 1627. Costumed actors parade from the Mayflower Society House, down Water Street past Plymouth Rock, and up Leyden Street to Burial Hill. Organized by the Plymouth Rock Foundation and occurs on Friday evenings during the month of August and on Thanksgiving Day.
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Pinehills Golf Club
Comprehensive facilities with three golf schools. Jones Course, 36 hole, 7175 yds, Par 72. Nicklaus Course, 36 hole, 7243 yds, Par 72.
$55-120
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Pirate Adventure Cruise Tour
A pirate themed adventure for kids on Plymouth Harbor. Hats, face paint, and the best part - sea battles with water cannons shooting at each other! Ideal for ages 4-11.
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Plymouth Center for the Arts: Annual Juried Art Show
Held annually late September-October. Features an art stroll, live poetry performances, concerts, and viewing of the accepted entries and winners of the annual exhibition in painting, drawing, photography, and other media. Artwork submissions for the show are typically submitted in late August for review. Accepted entries are displayed in the show and considered for prizes.
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Plymouth Long Beach
Lifeguards, restrooms, food. A beach ferry is available for transportation to and from the limited access beach; inquiries can be made at Plymouth Watersport, 24 Town Wharf, +1 508-747-1577.
Parking: $10; $15 weekends
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Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra
Concert season runs from Sept-May with performances at Memorial Hall. The off season includes a July Fourth free concert on the waterfront, annual gala, and other events.
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Priscilla Beach Theater
The historic Priscilla Beach Theatre is the oldest barn theater still in operation in America. Founded by Dr. Franklin Trask in 1937, the theater quickly became one of the most respected schools of theater training in America. In its heyday, as many as 150 actors and actresses were in residence, including Paul Newman, Pat Carroll, Peter Gallagher, and Rob Reiner. Today the renovated theater performs professional summer stock plays and musicals and also offers classes and workshops for children and adults. Summer stock season runs from May-October.
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Project Arts Free Concerts on the Waterfront
Performances by various bands are given Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights outdoors during the summer near Plymouth Rock.
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Waterfront Festival
Annual weekend event held in mid-late August. Live shows, crafts, vendors, children's activities and more.
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Waverly Oaks Golf Club
Full practice facilities. Championship Course, 27 hole, 7114 yds, Par 72. Challenger Course, 27 hole, 2264 yds, Par 33.
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White Horse Beach
Most of the beach is private but there is a public section. Public parking is very limited and most parking requires a resident sticker. Best option is to walk from local hotels or bed and breakfasts. Occasional ice cream truck, no restrooms or lifeguards.
Parking: varies $2-$5
Do Not mapped
Pilgrim Belle History Cruise
Cruise Plymouth Harbor aboard the Pilgrim Belle, a Mississippi-style paddlewheeler. Get a narrated account of this historic town and seaport and a mariner’s view of Plymouth Rock, Mayflower II, Plymouth Beach, Clarks Island and Gurnet Lighthouse. Pilgrim history, maritime lore and fascinating information about commercial fishing & lobstering await you on this 1-hour-and-15-minute cruise.
Do Not mapped
Plymouth Lantern Tours
90 minute guided walking history tour in downtown Plymouth, with lessons about the Pilgrims, Native Americans, statues, and monuments of the area. You also get to carry around a metal lantern. Tours depart from the John Carver Inn.
Regular tours Apr-Nov 7:30PM, Dec-Apr tours available upon advance reservation.
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Atlantic Country Club
18 championship holes over 187 acres. Par 72.
$40-80
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Crosswinds Golf Club
18 hole, 7056 yds, Par 72.
$20-55
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Fresh Pond Park
Restrooms, lifeguards in summer.
Free
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Myles Standish State Forest
Restrooms and lifeguard.
Parking: $5
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Southers Marsh Golf Club
18 hole, 4111 yds, Par 61.
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Squirrel Run Country Club
18 hole, 2859 yds, Par 57.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Plymouth (CC BY-SA 4.0).