1. Plymouth: Plimoth Patuxet Living History Museums
Journey back to the 17th century at Plimoth Plantation and experience a unique adventure at attractions including the Wampanoag Homesite, 17th Century English Village, Craft Center and Nye Barn. Located 45 minutes south of Boston on Cape Cod Bay in Plymouth town, the site is also known as “America's Hometown.” Start at the Wampanoag Homesite on the banks of the Eel River and learn how the 17th -century indigenous people lived along the coast during the growing season. Discover how they planted their crops, fished and hunted, gathered wild herbs and berries for food and reeds for makings mats and baskets. Look at different kinds of traditional homes, including a mat-covered wetu (Wampanoag for "house") and a bark-covered nush wetu (house with 3 fire pits). Unlike the people you'll meet in the 17th-Century English Village, the staff at Wampanoag Homesite are not playing a role: they are all native people, either Wampanoag or from other native nations, and they will tell you about Wampanoag history and culture from a modern perspective. Next, go to the 17th-Century English Village to admire a recreation of the small farming and maritime community the pilgrims built along the shore of Plymouth Harbor. Watch the colonial pilgrim story brought to life by costumed characters and find modest timber-framed houses furnished with reproductions of objects that the pilgrims owned. Nourish yourself at the Patuxet Café in the Visitor Center, where a wide selection of culinary treats from history, including Wampanoag and pilgrim foods, can be found. Try a 17th-century recipe cheesecake or the sensational Indian pudding! Upgrade to a Combo Ticket or Heritage Pass to include a visit to Mayflower II or/and Plimoth Grist Mill. The iconic Mayflower II is docked on Plymouth's historic waterfront and welcomes visitors to climb aboard and experience what the 1620 crossing was like for the Pilgrims. Plimoth Grist Mill is a working mill on the original site of the Plymouth colony, within walking distance of the Plymouth waterfront and downtown, and approximately 2.5 miles north of Plimoth Patuxet. Journey back in time at the first water-power driven grist mill in the country still in operation.