Everything we'd tell a friend
Cape Cod Bay is an ocean sanctuary — watch for whales, seals, boats and ships from the deck. Below is the guide we keep for our guests: the beaches we walk, the tables we book, and the drives worth taking.
Cultural & Recreational Activities
Cape Cod Bay is an ocean sanctuary — watch for whales, seals, boats and ships right from the deck.
- Official site ↗
Artifacts of the early colonists.
- Official site ↗
Formerly Plimoth Plantation — an open-air recreation of a 1627 Pilgrim village.
Full-scale replica of the Pilgrim ship.
The iconic landing site of the Mayflower.
- Official site ↗
A preserved grist mill built by the Pilgrims.
- Official site ↗
Miles of biking and hiking trails.
- Official site ↗
Playground on the beach.
- Official site ↗
A nearby nature preserve with a short, beautiful walk to the beach — seals and remarkable sunsets.
- Official site ↗
The waterfront district for shopping and dining.
- Official site ↗
Tastings of Plymouth's own sweet, fruity wines made from locally grown cranberries.
25½ Court St · (508) 746-4488
Official site ↗Local performances in a beautifully renovated historic church.
Nearby Beaches
6 min walk
A serene six-minute walk away — a quieter, more secluded extension of White Horse Beach. Understated, peaceful and classically coastal; access is limited to residents and their guests, which keeps it private.
15 min drive
Drive an SUV onto the sand — seasonal access, resident sticker required.
10 min drive
Official site ↗Beautiful hike down to the shore.
Waterfront green space with a splash pad, play area, trails, a small boat ramp and a beach.
15 min drive
A mile and a half of sandy beachfront — paid parking.
25 min drive
Popular sandy beach with lifeguards and restrooms.
Coffee & Breakfast
755 State Rd · 4 mins
Official site ↗709 State Rd · 5 mins
Official site ↗765 State Rd · 6 mins
12 Village Green · 13 mins
Official site ↗986 State Rd · 6 mins · (508) 224-9400
Official site ↗Great old-fashioned breakfast.
Dining — Plymouth Harbor Waterfront
173 Water St · 19 mins · (508) 746-9751
Official site ↗Fine waterfront dining for a special occasion.
114 Water St · 20 mins · (508) 830-0001
Official site ↗Big-city steakhouse standards — with the view.
170 Water St · 20 mins · (774) 283-4660
Official site ↗Our favourite on the waterfront.
14 Union St · 18 mins · (508) 927-4111
Official site ↗Great happy hour — watch the boats come in.
114 Water St, rear building · 20 mins · (508) 746-2100
Official site ↗Tasting locally crafted wines.
98 Water St · 20 mins · (774) 426-4001
Official site ↗Local micro brews, great atmosphere — and the paninis are huge.
- Official site ↗
A unique setting beside the Plimoth Grist Mill. Approach on foot from Pilgrim Memorial State Park, following the babbling brook up from the waterfront.
145 Water St · 20 mins · (508) 978-1630
Official site ↗Comfortable waterfront dining on the harbor with a relaxed, local feel.
Dining — Historic Downtown
The oldest downtown in New England, right beside the waterfront, and full of life.
51 Main St · 20 mins · (508) 927-4794
Official site ↗Waterfront, décor, margaritas and ambiance.
23 Court St · 20 mins · (774) 454-3683
Official site ↗A local favourite near the water.
42 Court St · 20 mins · (508) 591-7302
Official site ↗Another neighbourhood favourite.
318 Court St · 20 mins · (508) 830-6802
Official site ↗Great churrascaria buffet and drinks.
66 Court St · 20 mins
Official site ↗Casual wood-fired pizza with good cocktails.
47 Court St · 20 mins
Official site ↗New American bites and cocktails in a stylish downtown spot.
Dining — Manomet & Pinehills
600 State Rd · 5 mins · (508) 224-1500
Official site ↗Seafood and bar, good food close to home.
517 Old Sandwich Rd · 15 mins · (508) 591-7515
Official site ↗An amazing, quaint farm-to-table tavern in the woods of Pinehills.
Takeout
747 State Rd · 4 mins · (508) 224-3502
Official site ↗Manomet location — closes at 9 PM.
747 State Rd · 15 mins · (508) 224-3502
Official site ↗Cooked or live lobster and fried seafood plates — closes at 8 PM.
589 State Rd · 5 mins · (508) 224-3771
Official site ↗Delicious Thai takeout.
65 Main St · 17 mins · (508) 233-8605
Official site ↗Thick, delicious square pizza — closes at 8 PM.
Groceries
709 State Rd, Manomet · 4 mins
Official site ↗2260 State Rd · 15 mins
Spa & Massage
35 Landmark Dr · (877) 647-2328
Official site ↗Reserve well in advance.
225 Water St, Suite B-120 · (508) 317-1748
Official site ↗Waterfront spa.
Golf
Golfer's Choice 2021 — four of the top ten public courses in Massachusetts are in Plymouth.
12 mins · (508) 209-3000
12 mins · (508) 209-3000
25 mins · (508) 746-5001
20 mins · (508) 224-6700
Boating, Deep-Sea Fishing & Whale Watch
(774) 216-9207
Deep-sea fishing charters out of Plymouth Harbor.
Whale watch and fishing trips — book online.
(617) 480-2157
(774) 404-1118
Ask for Greg — he'll deliver the bikes to the house.
Beyond Plymouth
Provincetown, Cape Cod
Map ↗Take the fast 1.5-hour ferry on Captain John's boat from 77 Water Street on the Plymouth waterfront. It leaves Plymouth at 10:00 AM and arrives in P-town at 11:30 AM; the return leaves at 4:30 PM and lands back in Plymouth at 6:00 PM — just in time for dinner on the waterfront.
Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket
Map ↗The ferry terminal at Woods Hole is about a 45-minute drive, so plan on an all-day adventure. The Vineyard has an excellent bus system that makes exploring the island easy. Check the Steamship Authority website for schedules.
Hyannis, Cape Cod
Map ↗Main Street is full of bars, restaurants and shopping. Beech Tree is a Mexican restaurant built around a 200-year-old tree with a wonderful outdoor space for happy hour and the best tacos. Four Seas Ice Cream is among the best on the Cape, and the 1856 Country Store sells penny candy and souvenirs — always a hit with kids. Best on a weekday to avoid the traffic.
Anything you can't find — just ask.
Elina and Jack · elinaglazer@gmail.com