Plymouth Rock

A visit to Plymouth Rock is a mainstay of historic and Pilgrim-themed guided tours and audio guides of Plymouth and its highlights. Admire the rock protected inside a granite pavilion just steps from the Atlantic coastline in the Pilgrim Memorial State Park, plus take in Plymouth Harbor and the Mayflower II—a full-scale replica of the original ship—and nearby attractions such as the Pilgrim Hall Museum and Plimoth Plantation, a recreation of the original 17th-century colony.

• Plymouth Rock is located inside a larger memorial to protect it from the elements, but visitors can still get close enough to snap photos.

• The rock is enshrined in Pilgrim Memorial State Park, which has explanatory signage, restrooms, parking, and a scenic waterfront walkway.

• The park is free and open to the public; no reservation or ticket is required to view Plymouth Rock.

• There are spacious lawns for kids to play but no protective fence along the water’s edge.

• A series of ramps guarantee accessibility for wheelchairs and strollers.

Plymouth Rock is the headliner of the Pilgrim Memorial State Park, located in Plymouth, Massachusetts about an hour south of Boston. Local buses stop near the park, but the best way to visit is with a rental car or a tour that includes transportation. The city provides a free electric shuttle between the top historic landmarks, including Plymouth Rock.

The Pilgrim Memorial State Park is open from sunrise to sunset every day of the year, but the Plymouth Rock pavilion can get crowded during the midday hours. More than a million visitors flock to the park each year, so avoid getting caught in the throngs by visiting early or late in the day.

Most travelers to Plymouth take in the town’s two historic headliners: Plymouth Rock and, moored in the nearby Plymouth Harbor, the Mayflower II. This full-scale reproduction of the original ship that transported the Pilgrims in 1620 is staffed by costumed docents who describe the Atlantic crossing and daily life on a 17th-century ship. Completely restored in 2020, the Mayflower II is a window into the past for visitors of all ages and a perfect complement to a Plymouth Rock visit.