Known as 'America's Hometown', Plymouth, MA is widely considered to be the birthplace of the United States of America we know and love today. This is the location where the English pilgrims aboard the famous Mayflower landed in the early 17th century and established their first ever settlement. Named after the city of the same name in England, Plymouth, MA is one of the oldest municipalities in all of North America and holds special significance for the New England region and the entire American population.
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A key historic and culture region with so many important landmarks and fascinating stories to here, Plymouth is a must-visit New England city for travelers of all kinds, especially those interested in the history of the great nation of America. It's also a beautiful spot to spend a summer vacation, with some really nice beaches found in Plymouth and along the local coastline. The soft sands here provide a comfortable spot to sit and look out at Cape Cod Bay, with gentle waves and remarkable views to be enjoyed all around. If you’re looking for some of the best beaches in New England or the top vacation towns in Massachusetts, Plymouth undoubtedly needs to be at the top of your list.
Best Beaches in Plymouth, MA
Plymouth has nine public beaches in total, so it can be quite difficult for visitors to the area to decide which beach to see first. Each Plymouth beach has its own unique views, features, advantages, and amenities, so some of them might appeal to you more than others, depending on what you're looking for. With that in mind, we've put together a Plymouth beach guide to help you narrow down your search and find the number one beach to suit you and your friends or family on your next New England vacation.
- Plymouth Long Beach
Open every day from morning until evening, Plymouth Long Beach is one of the best and most popular Plymouth beaches. It runs for three miles in length, offering a huge amount of space for all kinds of fun in the sun. The large size of this beach also means that it never feels too crowded or noisy, even on the busiest, hottest days in the middle of the summer months. Popular with tourists and locals, Plymouth Long Beach is also a big hit with wildlife, with many different migratory and seabirds nesting in the area. Some areas of the beach do get closed off to protect the birds, and certain areas may be closed off for other reasons too, so it's important to pay attention to signs and notices.
- Nantasket Beach Resort
Over in the nearby town of Hull, Nantasket Beach Resort runs for a few miles and offers the same sort of size and scope as Plymouth Long Beach. With soft white sands and a lot of great local amenities including hotels, restaurants, boutiques, shops, bars, and more, Nantasket Beach is a super spot to base your New England vacation. Various old lighthouses can be seen from this beach and there are various vendors and rental operators to be found just off the sand providing beach equipment and more to make your day even better. This beach is open all year long and does feature lifeguards through the summer, making it a safe spot for families with young children to play on the sand or splash around in the water.
- Ellisville Harbor State Park
If you're looking for a Plymouth beach with a difference, don't miss out on Ellisville Harbor State Park. Along with soft sands and shallow, gentle waters, this park also features a diverse array of additional landscapes including grassy areas and forests. Only a short drive out of downtown Plymouth, this state park is a beautiful place to spend a full day at any time of year. In the summer and spring, visitors can sit around on the beach and soak up the sunshine, while fall and winter are good times for romantic strolls or a session of wildlife spotting, with many seals being spotted in the colder months of the year.
- Stephen's Field Park
A large park in Downtown Plymouth with grassy, sandy, and rocky spaces, Stephen's Field Park is a nice spot to come with the kids or a special someone for strolls, games, picnics, and exploration. Lots of little ducks and birds can be spotted around the park, making it a pretty place to simply walk around, admiring the scenery and seeing what you can find. This park is also fitted out with tennis courts, a basketball court, a baseball field, and a play area for young kids. A farmers' market is held here on a weekly basis through the summer and various amenities can be found on site including restrooms, picnic areas, free parking, and a boat launch site.
- Nelson Memorial Park
This beach park has undergone significant renovation in recent years and is another of the top beaches in Plymouth, MA. Open on a daily basis down on Water Street, Nelson Memorial Park has a lot of great features and amenities, with lots of cool stuff for kids and families like a play area, picnic pavilion, and 'splash pad' water attraction. Cycling and walking paths can be followed here as well and Nelson Memorial Park is one of the best beach spots in Plymouth for people who want to admire the scenery, offering some breathtaking panoramic views of the ocean and coastline.
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