Burial Hill

A Pilgrim fort originally stood on this hilltop location until 1676, when the settlers established the spot as Plymouth's primary cemetery. Residents were laid to rest at Burial Hill over the following 300 years, and though the original wooden grave markers have since deteriorated, there are more than 2,200 headstones that remain.

No Plymouth visit is complete without a stop at this storied burial ground, a free attraction on the National Register of Historic Places. The narrow pathways with their shade trees offer a charming destination for a stroll. It's also a short walk from Court Street, where you can find numerous bars and restaurants, and of course Plymouth Rock, perhaps the top draw in the city.

• Avoid touching the stone markers at Burial Hill to preserve these irreplaceable historic documents.
• To do more in less time, add-on a tour of Boston's Freedom Trail—or a ghost tour—to discover the historic cemeteries just north of Plymouth.
• Learn more while exploring by accessing online grave maps before you visit.

Burial Hill is bordered by School Street and South Russell Street, and is located off of Plymouth's original First Street, which is one of the oldest continuously inhabited colonial roadways. The most convenient option is to drive and park on the street. You can also walk from the Plymouth Village Historic District.

Plan to arrive at Burial Hill during the day, so you can appreciate the gravestones and historic memorials. Since winter along the coast is typically cold, blustery, and snowy, a visit to Plymouth in late spring, summer, or early fall is your best bet for making the most of the pleasant East Coast weather.

You should stroll down Burial Hill's south slope, follow Leyden Street toward the waterfront, and turn left on Water Street. Just ahead is Pilgrim Memorial State Park, where you can find the fabled Plymouth Rock—the spot where the Pilgrims disembarked from the Mayflower ship to establish Plymouth Colony. Learn about the settlers and colonial times at the on-site historic talks and educational programs, which typically run from April to November.