Vacationing in Plymouth, MA Means More Than Plymouth Rock
Plymouth Rock Certainly all elementary school students in Massachusetts are taught the tale of how the first successful English settlement was established in Plymouth and how those early settlers stepped dramatically ashore at Plymouth Rock. From what legend depicts one might be led to envision men women and children disembarking onto a majestic promontory with white caps splashing in the background.
Vacationers at Plymouth,MA need to prepare for something substantially smaller and less imposing. The truth is that Plymouth Rock has suffered the wear and tear of being moved, chipped and even broken over the course of almost 400 years. What visitors see is about a third the size of the original Plymouth Rock. Still folks vacationing in Plymouth, MA would feel as if they had missed something truly historic if they don’t actually see Plymouth Rock in person.
Some vacationers at Plymouth, MA may at first be disappointed by the relatively small boulder surrounded and protected by a portico style covering that is continually washed over by the neighboring ocean. Despite their initial reaction, many vacationers soon come to recognize that the size of the rock is far less important than what it commemorates – the landing of the Pilgrims and the origin of Massachusetts. Regardless of rock size, vacationers at Plymouth pay an almost reverent visit to Plymouth Rock because it helps them to recreate in their minds that amazing piece of history. Many vacationers at Plymouth, MA can’t help but look from the rock out to the open sea with awe of and admiration for those early colonists who settled what would become Plymouth, MA
Across from Plymouth Rock, vacationers are invited to climb Cole’s Hill where the first Pilgrims to Plymouth ,MA laid to rest those who died here in the New World. Those who died were often buried after dark and in unmarked graves so that Indians would not be able to determine how many settlers had been lost. In fact the Pilgrim settlers lost almost one half of their original number and only with the help of some neighboring natives were they able to last through the first few years until they were fully established. From the top of Cole’s Hill visitors have an excellent vantage point from which to view the harbor below.
Mayflower II Within walking distance of Plymouth Rock vacationers at Plymouth, MA can visit a reproduction of the Mayflower, the ship in which the first settlers traveled from England. The Mayflower II is a re-creation of the proud but tiny vessel that made its way to the New World in 1620. The Mayflower II was built in England and this fine replica duplicated its namesake’s voyage to the New World with a full crew and passengers in 1957. Since that time reenactors have stayed on the ship and at dockside to provide visitors with an informative presentation of life aboard the Mayflower.
Vacationers at Plymouth, MA can walk aboard and have a very thorough tour of Mayflower II in less than a half hour. They may also find that during tourist season the crew will present demonstrations of what life and work aboard the vessel might have looked like. Admission to the Mayflower II is part of a combination ticket that also gives the holder admission to Plimouth Plantation.
Plimouth Plantation The result of serious and prolonged scholarly research, Plimouth Plantation provides those vacationing in Plymouth, MA with an opportunity to travel back in time so as to experience what life was like for the early settlers in Plymouth in the 1600″s. This living museum is composed of houses, a fort and associated farm buildings. Reenactors , dressed in historically appropriate costume are present working the plantation and ready to guide visitors about the grounds while answering their questions. Visitors to the plantation should come prepared to walk as the buildings are spread comfortably over 105 acres.
Adjacent to this replica of the Pilgrims first village is the Wampanoag Settlement which gives visitors a window into the history and habits of the Indians whose assistance is said to have enabled the Pilgrims to learn how to adapt to the harsh environment that they found in New England. Instead of employing costumed reenactors, the Wampanoag Settlement is maintained by modern day Wamapnoag Indians who are pleased to share their history and answer questions
Recreation Vacationing in Plymouth, MA can conveniently include almost any recreational activity imaginable. There are four major salt water beaches within a brief drive from Plymouth. Try one or try them all or If you prefer there is more than ample space for fresh water fun at nearby Myles Standish State Forest. Comprising a full 16,000 acres Myles Standish lends itself to activities from hiking and biking to swimming and boating.
A longtime recreational favorite among those vacationing in Plymouth, MA is Captain John’s Whale Watching. Leaving from Plymouth Harbor, whale watching ships take along an onboard naturalist who turns an ordinary boat ride into a sea going adventure. Also on board visitors can watch an introductory video that can’t help but make you a bit more informed as you approach the feeding grounds and hopefully a close up and personal look at the world’s largest mammals.
The Plymouth, MA harbor is full of activity and among the vessels coming and going are many that service the recreational needs of those vacationing in Plymouth, MA . At the harbor it is even possible to make arrangements to go deep sea fishing or to travel the ferry to Provincetown on the tip of Cape Cod. For many however simply strolling about the harbor is an activity in and of itself.
The Pilgrims came to the new world in search of religious freedom. They worked hard and bit by bit the settlement grew and developed. Some may have lived long enough to recognize what they had accomplished was no easy feat. But little did any of them imagine that they had built a settlement that 400 years later would live on to provide so much enjoyment and
pride for generations of Americans who come each year and are happy to be vacationing in Plymouth, MA
