Plimoth & Patuxet

The Plimoth & Patuxet Museum is spread out among three separate sites that all charge separate admission fees: Plimoth & Patuxet, the Mayflower II, and the Plimoth Grist Mill. At the main site, you’ll explore a working English village and meet with historical reenactors, following the Pilgrims’ journey from March through November 1627 and witnessing key moments in their lives during that year. You can also visit the Wampanoag Homesite, a recreation of 17th-century Wampanoag life featuring indigenous interpreters rather than role players.

• Save money by purchasing your pass in advance—and save even more by bundling it with other area attractions

• There are three museum shops, as well as the on-site Patuxet Cafe.

• Plan to spend about two to three hours exploring this attraction.

• If you plan to bring a stroller, jogging strollers work best on the terrain.

From Boston, take Route 93 South to Route 3 South. Take exit 4 (Plimoth Plantation Highway) off Route 3. Continue on Plimoth Plantation Highway for 1 mile (1.6 kilometer) and take the exit for the museum. Free parking is available on-site. You can also take the Plymouth & Brockton Commuter Bus, which stops at exit 5 Visitor Center.

Plimoth & Patuxet is open from mid-March through November, and there are regular seasonal programs, such as corn planting and harvesting. The attraction tends to be more crowded in summer and fall; spring is ideal if you want to avoid the crowds. From May to June and October to November, school groups frequently visit; if you visit during these months, plan to start to later in the afternoon.

At the Plymouth Waterfront, home of the Mayflower II, you’ll find “Should I Stay or Should I Go?,” an interactive exhibit that challenges kids and adults alike to play the role of a Pilgrim journeying across the Atlantic Ocean in 1620. You’ll be encouraged to think through the decisions the original colonists faced when considering whether to trek to a new land.

Experience the life of the pilgrims and indigenous Wampanoag people at this lifelike representation of the 17th-century Plymouth colony. Try a hands-on workshop learning Wampanoag pottery, 17th-century music and dance, practice in children’s chores of the period, or learn the alphabet in use at the time.

To highlight the indigenous people who were already on the land when the Plymouth settlers landed, the name was changed from the Plimoth Plantation to the Plimoth Patuxet Museum. Visitors see how life was for both the new settlers and old inhabitants at the museum and other attractions onsite.

Visitors generally spend around 2.5 hours at the plantation, but it’s up to you. Add a visit to the Mayflower II or the Plimoth Grist Mill, and add more time. Also, plan to speak with local staff acting in character and stop at the gift shop.

Yes, a visit to Plimoth Plantation is worth it for the educational experience. Visitors learn not only about the Mayflower and pilgrims who came to the United States from Europe but also about the indigenous people who occupied the land before, the Patuxet. Plus, the staff acting in character is a treat.

There are different ticket options, depending on which attractions you’re interested in. You can visit only the Plimoth Patuxet Museum, which ranges from approximately US$20 to US$35, or you can add the Mayflower II, Plimoth Grist Mill, or make other combos for various prices. Members get free admission.

Visit Plimoth Plantation all year round to see the different activities the 17th-century residents engaged in at various times of the year. Note that Boston has cold and usually snowy winters and warmer but more humid summers, so plan accordingly. Special programs run around Thanksgiving time, too.