Plymouth Town Profile

Pilgrims landed in Plymouth, and now trains to Boston do

Plymouth, nicknamed “America’s Hometown,” is one of the oldest municipalities in the country. It is the famous landing point for the Pilgrims in 1620, a historic event marked by Plymouth Rock at Plymouth Harbor. Site of the first Thanksgiving, Plymouth also is home to the Mayflower II – a full-size replica of the original ship that carried the Pilgrims to the New World – and Plimoth Plantation, a living museum of Pilgrim and American Indian life.

The vibrant Main Street area abuts the harbor and boasts a collection of restaurants, shops and the historic Pilgrim Hall. Restaurants in the area range from Papa Gino’s pizza to East Bay Grille on the Plymouth waterfront. Shops include the eclectic mix of Common Sense on Main Street to the handcrafted jewelry and pottery of the Sparrow House on nearby Summer Street.

The Pine Hills, a residential and commercial development in the heart of the 104-square-mile town, features upscale homes and a village center that includes restaurants, a market and quaint shops. Its golf courses are an attraction for visitors to town.

Plymouth is centrally located on the South Shore and sits to the northwest of the Cape Cod Canal straddling Route 3. Boston is about 30 miles to the north. Transportation options include Plymouth Municipal Airport and MBTA commuter rail; Plymouth & Brockton Street Railway Co. buses make regularly scheduled runs to Logan International Airport, downtown Boston, Hyannis and Provincetown, and ferry service is available to Provincetown.

Plymouth hosts two major shopping centers, Colony Place and The Shops at 5. Stores range from big box stores such as Wal-Mart, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Circuit City and Petco to well-known chains such as Kohl’s, Talbots, Coldwater Creek, EB Games and iParty. Restaurants run the gambit from small take-out shops to chains such a Panera Bread, Olive Garden and New England Hot Dog Company. Several supermarkets are in town as well.

Jordan Hospital is the town’s largest employer, while tourism is one of its major industries. Plymouth County Correctional Facility and Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station are also located here.

Just about any type of residential real estate is available in Plymouth, from apartments to condos, single-family homes to luxurious waterfront mansions. There are also many commercial real estate possibilities in this sprawling town.