South of Boston: Nature, History and Beyond in Massachusetts

Home to one of the earliest European settlements in the USA, the Plymouth area is a history lover’s dream. A great starting point is the Pilgrim Hall Museum, where historical artifacts and audiovisual presentations dive into the history of Plymouth Colony and the deep cultural roots of the Wampanoag people who have lived in the area for over 12,000 years. When you’re ready for an immersive journey, head to Plimoth Patuxet, a multi-museum complex that celebrates Plymouth’s intersecting legacies. Learn more about the heritage of the Wampanoag people at the Historic Patuxet Homesite, then interact with costumed historical role-players in a recreated Plymouth Colony in the 17th-Century English Village. Tour the Plimoth Grist Mill and catch a pottery demonstration or two at the Craft Center, and don’t miss a chance to sail aboard the Mayflower II – a faithful reproduction of the original ship that carried the settlers now known as Pilgrims to the New World. More old-world charm awaits in coastal towns like Kingston, Scituate, Marshfield and Cohasset.

Gorgeous coastlines meet unique boggy marshes around Plymouth, where it’s easy to spend a day in the open air. Hiking and bird-watching excursions in World’s End nature preserve in the town of Hingham make for a peaceful start to your day. If you’ve never seen the unique way that Massachusetts’ state berry is cultivated, a trip to a cranberry bog should be on your agenda; working farms across the area offer tours and visitor programs during peak season in the fall. Meet farm animals and browse a market of local goods at the free, family-friendly Plymouth County Farm Petting Zoo & Horticultural Center. If the water is calling to you, enjoy a laid-back day on the Billington Sea, a lake in the heart of Plymouth whose shallow depths and calm waters make it ideal for kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding. Hop aboard an oyster boat in Duxbury Bay for fresh tastings and hatchery tours, then explore area shores like Nantasket Beach in Hull, where you’ll enjoy expansive views and carousel rides.

The Plymouth Colony is far from the end of the historical intrigue you’ll find South of Boston. Head southeast to New Bedford to tour the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. Encompassing 13 city blocks and four distinct attractions, the park explores the city’s past as a maritime hub. The Whaling Museum seamlessly combines history and science, blending exhibits on the historical significance of the area’s whaling industry and hands-on displays discussing whale-related science. Also at the Historical Park are the gorgeous Greek revival-style home Rotch-Jones Duff House & Gardens Museum, the historic chapel Seamen’s Bethel and the decks of the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey. Just across the bay in Fairhaven, the Whitfield Manjiro Friendship House preserves a fascinating slice of history. Sign up for a guided tour of this home on Cherry Street to discover the incredible story of Nakahama Manjiro, the USA’s first Japanese resident.

Battleship Cove in Fall River invites you aboard the impressive USS Massachusetts for an inside look at the inner workings of a naval battleship. Take your time admiring the four additional ships in the harbor, then make your way next door to the Maritime Museum of Fall River. As you wander the expansive exhibit halls, don’t miss the nearly 9-meter-long scale model of the RMS Titanic, which was featured in the 1954 Hollywood film.

After your deep dive into the past, come back to the present in style with idyllic wineries and diverse entertainment all around Southeastern Massachusetts. Along the Coastal New England Wine Trail, connoisseurs can sample the wines of the Southeastern New England AVA at three can’t-miss stops: Westport Rivers Winery in Westport, Nasketucket Bay Vineyard in Fairhaven and Running Brook Vineyards in Dartmouth. Catch a live show in state-of-the-art venues like award-winning outdoor amphitheater the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, the lovingly preserved auditorium of the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center and the unique multi-disciplinary Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River. Get to know the locals at lively festivals and community events: The Buzzards Bay Regatta draws enthusiastic boaters to New Bedford each summer, while the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament and the Viva Portugal cultural festival showcase the area’s rich diversity.

Fly into Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and rent a car to begin your adventures south of Boston.