Planning a Trip

Getting There

By car, follow the Southeast Expressway (I-93) south from Boston to Route 3. Take exit 6A and then Route 44 east and follow signs to the historic attractions. The trip from Boston takes 45 to 60 minutes if it's not rush hour. Take exit 5 to the Regional Information Complex for maps, brochures, and information. To go directly to Plimoth Plantation, take exit 4. There's metered parking throughout town.

The commuter rail (tel. 617/222-3200; www.mbta.com) serves Cordage Park, on Route 3A north of downtown, from Boston's South Station four times a day on weekdays and three times a day on weekends (at other times, service is to nearby Kingston). The round-trip fare is $16. Plymouth and Brockton buses (tel. 508/746-0378; www.p-b.com) take about an hour from South Station. They run more often than the train, but they cost more ($14 one-way, $25 round-trip) and drop off and pick up passengers at the park-and-ride lot at Route 3, exit 5. The Plymouth Area Link bus (tel. 800/483-2500 or 508/747-1819; www.gatra.org/pal.html) connects downtown with the train station and park-and-ride lot. The fare is $1, free for children under 7.

Visitor Information

If you haven't visited the Regional Information Complex, pick up a map at the Visitor Information Center (tel. 508/747-7525), open seasonally at 130 Water St., across from Town Pier. To plan ahead, contact Destination Plymouth, 134 Court St., Plymouth, MA 02360 (tel. 800/872-1620 or 508/747-7533; www.visit-plymouth.com), and request information. The Plymouth County Convention & Visitors Bureau (tel. 800/231-1620 or 508/747-0100; www.seeplymouth.com), at the same address, publishes a vacation planner and other brochures.

Getting Around

The downtown attractions are easily accessible on foot. A shallow hill slopes from the center of town to the waterfront.

America's Hometown Shuttle (tel. 508/746-0378; www.p-b.com/ahs.html) covers a loop throughout the town from late June through Labor Day weekend, daily from 10am to 5pm. The fare ($15 adults, $7.50 children 5-11) includes a narrated tour and unlimited reboarding. Check ahead for the schedule and route, which includes Plimoth Plantation.