There’s little evidence to back up the story of Plymouth Rock, the supposed landing site of those weary Mayflower passengers back in 1620, but like the Liberty Bell and Mt. Rushmore, it’s something every red-blooded American tourist has to see.
Now protected by a neoclassical granite portico and inscribed with the date 1620, Plymouth Rock is right on the waterfront, off Water Street at the south end of North Street in Plymouth. The rock is part of a pleasant park, which also includes the Mayflower II (daily; $8), a replica of the Pilgrim’s ship, where an on-board exhibit describes the Pilgrims’ two-month transatlantic journey.
On a hill across the street from Plymouth Rock is the Plymouth National Wax Museum (daily; $7; 508/746-6468), where the light-and-sound show depicting the landing at Plymouth Rock is almost worth the price of admission. The wax museum is the only sign of Plymouth being such a potential tourist trap; the whole place is actually fairly low-key, with a couple of gift shops and snack bars across from the Rock. Two blocks inland, downtown Plymouth looks like any other very pleasant New England suburb, with no tacky T-shirt shops to be found.
Further south, two miles from Plymouth Rock along Route 3A, or off the Route 3 freeway at exit 5, Plimoth Plantation (daily; $20; 508/746-1622) is a living history re-creation of the original Pilgrim colony and features costumed interpreters taking part in planting, harvesting, and other daily chores.
