5 Best Beaches in Plymouth, MA

By VacationIdea Staff on December 3, 2022 - Updated

Courtesy of janaland - Fotolia.com

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.

We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.

1.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.

2.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.

3.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.

4.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.

5.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.

6.More Info

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.

5 Best Beaches in Plymouth, MA

Plymouth Long Beach, Photo: Katie/stock.adobe.com
Nantasket Beach Resort , Photo: abelhalasz/stock.adobe.com
Ellisville Harbor State Park, Photo: strelov/stock.adobe.com
Stephen's Field Park, Photo: ValentinValkov/stock.adobe.com
Nelson Memorial Park, Photo: Martin Valigursky/stock.adobe.com
More Info, Photo: Corinne/stock.adobe.com
Cover Photo: Courtesy of janaland - Fotolia.com

More Ideas: John Carver Inn & Spa

Located on the site of the original Pilgrim settlement in the heart of historic Plymouth near Cape Cod, the John Carver Inn & Spa is a modern colonial-style boutique hotel. The inn boasts elegant charm and a welcoming hospitality combined with contemporary comfort and convenience. The Inn is conveniently located within a short walk of Plymouth’s beautiful waterfront and the city’s popular attractions, including the Richard Sparrow House, John Jenney Museum, Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower II.

Boasting a picturesque setting overlooking the beautiful Brewster Gardens, the John Carver Inn offers comfortable, elegant accommodations in the form of 80 tastefully decorated guest rooms and suites. Catering for families, business travelers, romantic couples and friends, the Inn provides an array of room and suite types for every taste and need.

Superior and Deluxe Rooms are spacious and bright and offer two queen beds, en suite bathrooms with showers, baths and deluxe Olive Branch Botanicals bath amenities. Deluxe Rooms are located on the third floor with beautiful views over the Plymouth waterfront area, while Superior Rooms are located on the second and third floors in both the front and the back of the building.

Elegantly appointed Four Poster King Rooms feature romantic king four-poster beds, en suite bathrooms with baths and showers, and ornate stone fireplaces. Guest room amenities include an interactive television system with on-demand movies and music selections, central climate control, Keurig coffee makers and complimentary high-speed wireless Internet.

Fireplace Suites offer guests a luxurious and romantic escape. These elegantly appointed two-bedroom suites feature one king or one queen bed, a spacious en suite bathroom with oversized whirlpool tub, two 25" flat screen televisions, CD/DVD player and a cozy dual-sided fireplace. Fireplace Suites also feature the resort’s exclusive Suite Dreams Experience, which includes a memory foam mattress and choice of pillow, luxurious 300 count linens, photo-catalytic ionization air purifier, energizing and revitalizing e-showers, silky micro-fiber robes and Olive Branch Botanicals bath products.

General guest room and suite amenities include individual climate control, coffee makers, deluxe Olive Branch Botanicals bath products, ‘green’ conservation efforts, hair dryers, iron and ironing boards, same day dry cleaning service and complimentary high-speed wireless Internet.

John Carver Inn offers several unique dining options from traditional New England fare in a casual setting to local American cuisine and beverages in a romantic, enchanting atmosphere.

Hearth ‘n Kettle Restaurant offers all-day breakfast, lunch and dinner in a casual, relaxed environment. This family-friendly New England eatery serves signature Cape Cod Cooking and hearty, healthy, wholesome cuisine, including homemade soups, traditional chowders and hearty entrées, freshly prepared every day by expertly trained chefs.

Featuring a one-of-a-kind fire-fountain and enchanting, romantic setting, the WaterFire Tavern serves creative tapas, grilled pizzas and innovative entrees, burgers and Fire Bowls for sharing, alongside local craft beers and specialty drinks. Dine around the indoor WaterFire fountain with live entertainment on the weekends or enjoy a meal in the privacy and comfort of your room with the Guest Room Dining menu.

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The Beach Plum Spa is a luxurious sanctuary that offers guests the perfect place to unwind, relax and revitalize. The exclusive full-service spa offers an extensive menu of body treatments, massages and skincare for men, women and children. The extensive spa menu features healing massages, body treatments, facials and skincare treatments, beauty and waxing services, manicures and pedicures, hair styling and make up application.

The spa also offers peels and specialty services, bath rituals and bridal services. Signature treatments include the Beach Plum Wellness Massage that promotes relaxation and stress relief; a Cape Cod Spa Pedicure; the Signature Ultrasonic Facial, an age-defying, nonsurgical face rejuvenation; and Dermaplanning, a highly specialized, non-invasive resurfacing procedure which gently scrapes away dead skin cells and fine facial hair. Overnight spa packages, such as a ‘Girl’s Getaway Package’ and a ‘Countdown to Baby Package’ are available and can be customized according to guest needs, using 100% certified organic and natural products only.

Amenities at the John Carver Inn include a Pilgrim Cove Indoor Theme Pool, one of Plymouth's most popular attractions. The exclusive Pilgrim Cove features a life-size replica of the famous Mayflower ship through which an 80-foot water slide passes. There are also several lap lanes for exercising and a beautiful waterfall.

The pool features an island-themed whirlpool, which is set in a replica of Plymouth Rock and reached by a small bridge. The facility is also home to a sauna and a state-of-the-art exercise room, complete with treadmills, stationary bikes and a free weights section with bar bells and dumb bells.

The John Carver Inn has outstanding facilities for a variety of special events from small, intimate gatherings to larger functions for up to 135 guests. The Inn offers a range of creative solutions for wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners or other special occasions. The Governor Carver & Fireside Room is an elegant 2442 square foot hall that can accommodate a variety of arrangements, and can be combined with the smaller Fireside Room to create a vast ballroom for large events and balls.

The 600 square foot Brewster Room can accommodate up to 60 people and is the perfect setting for a moderate corporate function or group meeting, while the Winslow Room is the second largest single function room at the Inn and can be set to accommodate functions, meetings and special occasions. Named after the famous Myles Standish, The Standish Room is ideal for a group or meeting of 20 to 40 people and is equipped with state-of-the-art amenities.

Wedding packages include an exclusive reception room with floor length curtains, a wedding toast with champagne, wine or sparkling cider, a customized wedding cake and a private bridal party gathering room. A full course wedding dinner created by an expert culinary team, luxurious overnight accommodations on the wedding night, the use of an on-site wedding banquet manager and a complimentary function room for a rehearsal dinner or post-wedding brunch are also included in the package.

The John Carver Inn offers a total of over 4,500 square feet of facilities in six well-appointed function rooms that cater for up to 200 guests. Function rooms range from executive board rooms to conference-style seating and reception rooms. Group meetings or events are complemented with audio/visual services, cabaret shows and musical entertainment as well as grand buffet luncheons or dinners, all organized by expert event planners. The John Carver Inn & Spa offers a range of vacation packages, including Family Vacation Packages, Dinner Theater Packages, Suite Deal Spa Packages and Fire & Ice Romantic Packages, each of which features special combinations of accommodation, dining, activities and attractions. Things to Do in Surrounding Area

The John Carver Inn & Spa is located in the heart of Plymouth and is conveniently situated within close proximity to a number of historic attractions and fun activities. The historic Plymouth Rock and the beautiful waterfront are within a short stroll from the hotel, as well as the Mayflower II, Burial Hill, the Jenny Grist Mill and the First Court House. An important symbol in American history, Plymouth Rock is the traditional site of disembarkation of William Bradford and the Mayflower Pilgrims who founded Plymouth Colony in 1620. The Mayflower II is a replica of the 17th century ship, celebrated for transporting the Pilgrims to the New World.

Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a variety of adventures and activities throughout the year ranging from world-class golf courses, hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing, sailing, canoeing, kayaking and fishing, whale-watching in the summer months and cross-country skiing, sledding and ice-skating during the winter.

Plymouth is also a well-known destination for festivals and plays host to a variety of them throughout the year, including the Cranberry Harvest Festival, Festival of Lights, Fourth of July Concert, Downtown Plymouth Waterfront Festival and Thanksgiving in Plymouth.

The John Carver Inn offers a Frequent Guest Program, a free points reward program, whereby guests earn points for every dollar spent which can later be used for a variety of special rewards and benefits. Frequent Guest Program guests receive a card, which is automatically loaded with 100 bonus points, and earn points for every dollar spent on lodging, dining, spa services and gift shop purchases. Once enough points have been accrued, they can be spent on a variety of benefits, including dining and/or spa services and special birthday gifts.

What's nearby: Cape Cod and Provincetown, Massachusetts.

25 Summer St, Plymouth, MA 02360, Phone: 508-746-7100

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More Ideas: Jenney Museum

Jenney Museum is known for its educational tours of Plymouth, Massachusetts, which focus on the Christian and family values of the pilgrims and how those values helped to form the United States’ government and society. The museum also houses three exhibition rooms, which rotate through different historical exhibitions related to the family life of the Pilgrims and the history of Plymouth.

Ongoing Programs & Education

Walking tours include Discover Plymouth, which takes groups on a stroll through Plymouth’s historic waterfront, town square, and gardens to visit several historical monuments. A 3-hour walking tour of Boston meets off-site at the Boston Common and offers a Puritan’s guide to the Freedom Trail. This tour includes 11 of the 16 most famous sites along the trail, including the State House, the site of America’s first public school, the site of the Boston Massacre, and the USS Constitution, otherwise known as Old Ironsides. Walking tour participants should wear comfortable shoes and be dressed appropriately for the weather as all walking tours are outdoors.

There are also tours for non-walkers. The Forefather’s Monument Tour is an in-depth look at the National Monument to the Forefathers, built in 1859 and completed in 1888. At 81 feet tall, it is the largest solid granite monument in America. This tour explores the five statues that make up the monument and their representation of the Pilgrim’s faith. This is a 40-minute tour and takes place outside at the monument. The Pilgrim Economics tour tells of the evolution from communal landownership to individual landownership and how the Pilgrims progression from the use of tools to machinery influenced today’s industry and capitalism in America. This tour is best for those with limited mobility and takes place indoors at the Jenney Museum.

All tours offer age-appropriate content and are both educational and entertaining. Tours are led by a costumed guide who speaks the vernacular of their time. It is suggested that all tours are booked at least 24 hours in advance, although same-day accommodations are usually available.

History

The Jenney Museum originally operated out of the site of the Jenney Grist Mill, built in 1636 by the Pilgrim John Jenney. Since 2011, the tour group has operated out of the Jenney Museum, just in front of the grist mill at the intersection of Spring Lane and Summer Street in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The house was built in 1749 and today is home to two exhibit spaces and a gift shop. The museum tells the story of industry in America, beginning with the original Jenney Grist Mill, the legacy of the pilgrims from their arrival on the shores of America through the present day, and the history of Plymouth. Leo Martin is a speaker, storyteller and historian who has operated the Jenney Museum and tours since 2001 with his wife Nancy.

Past & Current Exhibits

The museum houses three exhibition rooms. Past exhibits include The Pursuit of Happiness, which explored the “right to pursue happiness” and whether or not the Pilgrims achieved this goal, as well as Family – Cornerstone of Society, which depicted what family life was like from the time the Pilgrims left England up through the formation of the United States’ Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. A new exhibition called Were Pilgrims the First Abolitionists is an exploration of the Underground Railroad in Plymouth and Plymouth’s relationship with slavery from the time of the Pilgrims through the Civil War.

For those interested in a deeper exploration of the Pilgrim’s relationship with God and the Christian influence in American history, the museum hosts a special series of talks with speaker and historian Leo Martin called The Pilgrim’s God Series. These talks are scheduled by booking in advance and may take place at the museum, at your church or school, or a nearby location of your choice.

What’s Nearby

Plymouth is home to several historical attractions and museums, all near by the Jenney Museum. Visitors may enjoy the Pilgrim Hall Museum – the oldest museum in the United States – a tour of Plymouth Plantation and the Mayflower II, or Native Plymouth Tours, which offers tours of the area from the perspective of Native Americans.

Back to: Plymouth, Best Things to Do in Massachusetts

48 Summer Street, Plymouth, MA 02360, Phone: 508-747-4544

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