Family activities in/around Plymouth, MA?

[bigmama67]

We will be camping for 4 nights in Plymouth at the end of the month. DS is 7 and we would like to do some of the historical sights but not bore him to tears, LOL. He also really loves animals...has anyone been to an aquarium or zoo around there (even a small one)? What else is fun to do? We considered Edaville but have decided against it.

Also, we are thinking of Long Beach but if anyone knows another fun beach for families, let me know...we don't mind driving a bit.

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[hrarcham]

In Boston, there is the New England Aquarium, Fenway Park (Red Sox), Gillette Stadium (Patriots), Boston Science Musuem, & Boston Childrens' Museum.

 

[highwayg]

We went there 2 years ago when my DS was 5. We were there 3 days and had plenty to do. Between touring the mayflower, the beach/bay area and the shops. It was a great time.

 

[Tree]

365 things to do South Shore / has a good list of things to do on the South shore for kids and adults in Plymouth and South of Boston areas.

 

[bigmama67]

365 things to do South Shore / has a good list of things to do on the South shore for kids and adults in Plymouth and South of Boston areas.

Thanks, that's EXACTLY what I was looking for! I think we will do the Mayflower replica, it looks really cool.

 

[simonsmom]

I can't recall the name but we took our kids to this place that had indoor rock mining and dinosaurs. they loved it -there was a huge t rex in the front.

 

[ccgirl]

Hi there,

Now you're talking my neck of the woods. We are at the waterfront in Plymouth just about every weekend. We park at Jenney Grist Mill for free and walk thru Brewster Gardens (where I got engaged). On the other side is where the Plymouth Rock is along with the Mayflower. You can do a Mayflower/Plimoth Plantation combo. My DD LOVED going to the Plantation. As far as beaches, Scussett Beach in Sagamore (1 town South) is so much better. It is a state beach and they have bathrooms as well as a snack bar there. It is gorgeous. I think it is about $9 to get in. I get a year pass so I'm not positive. The Cape Cod Canal is right there so you can bike along there if you bring bikes. Another thing in Buzzards Bay is the National Marine Life Center. It is right on Main Street and is free. My DD went there last week and there was a sea turtle without a shell. Right by there is Mass Maritime and they have huge ships there. Sometimes they let you board them for free. Feel free to PM me with more details. I have lived here for 40 years and love it!

 

[crjack]

Years ago we did Lobster Tales which is right in the waterfront and my kids had a lot of fun.

Last year we did a "Ghost Tour" in that area walked through some of the historic streets and the cemetary. Your DS is probably a little young for it but it might be something for future reference. It really was more entertaining than scary.

Right near Plymouth Rock though beside our Ghost Tour was another tour group doing a Colonial Lantern Tour and that might be a good option for your family.

 

[ccgirl]

I forgot to add that we have the Cape Cod Baseball league too. The closest for you would be a game at Bourne. Your son might get a big kick out of that and that is free too. They accept donations though.

 

[clori]

I'm going to Plymouth just for a weekend with dds 6 & 10. We aren't doing much but going partly for my anniversary and partly because we have free tickets for the Plymouth Plantation combo thru mycokerewards. My dnephew 14 and sister in laws sister may also come with us.

We are about an hour away so we are driving down in the morning and going to Plimouth Plantation. I may sign the girls and I up for the lobster tales pirate cruise while dh, sil's and dnephew go to Pilgrim Hall Museum. We will probably swim at the hotel after dinner but still thinking about Colonial Lantern Tour for some of us (depends on interest).

In the morning after swimming and checking out we will probably do The Mayflower, Plymouth Rock, and perhaps Jenney Griss Mill and Brewster Gardens before leaving for home.

One website I looked at said it isn't far from the Nantasket Carousel so if it isn't far out of our way I may stop there on the way home. I used to go there often as a young child since my aunt/uncle lived in Hull and loved going to Paragon Park.

 

[ccgirl]

I'm going to Plymouth just for a weekend with dds 6 & 10. We aren't doing much but going partly for my anniversary and partly because we have free tickets for the Plymouth Plantation combo thru mycokerewards. My dnephew 14 and sister in laws sister may also come with us.

We are about an hour away so we are driving down in the morning and going to Plimouth Plantation. I may sign the girls and I up for the lobster tales pirate cruise while dh, sil's and dnephew go to Pilgrim Hall Museum. We will probably swim at the hotel after dinner but still thinking about Colonial Lantern Tour for some of us (depends on interest).

In the morning after swimming and checking out we will probably do The Mayflower, Plymouth Rock, and perhaps Jenney Griss Mill and Brewster Gardens before leaving for home.

One website I looked at said it isn't far from the Nantasket Carousel so if it isn't far out of our way I may stop there on the way home. I used to go there often as a young child since my aunt/uncle lived in Hull and loved going to Paragon Park.

A much closer carousel would be at Heritage Museums and Gardens in Sandwich. It is probably 15 minutes away. That is a neat place too. They have a website if you want to check it out. Nantasket is about 45 mins from Plymouth.

 

[C.Ann]

Love, love, love it there!

When my kids were little we took them there quite often and they were never, ever bored - even the one that bored the most easily - LOL..

Took one back as a teen (13) - she still loved it..

Went again when my adult DD and I did a mother/daughter trip and she still loved it!

What they liked the most:

Going on the Mayflower
Going to Plymouth Rock
LOVED the Plimoth Plantation
LOVED the Plymouth Wax Museum
The Ocean Spray Cranberry tour
Seeing actual cranberry bogs

We did the Edaville too - that was "so, so" with the kids..

It's a great area with lots to do.. They do an excellent job of making the history fun and exciting so the kids don't get bored..

Have fun! Wish I was going too!!

 

[twinmom2]

New Bedford is not too far and they have the Whaling Museum right on the waterfront. All the fishing boats are there too.

check out http://www.nps.gov/nebe/index.htm

 

[dakcp2001]

Edaville is most fun at Christmas time when they have all the lights. Oh, and I hear it is very popular when Thomas makes an appearance. Not sure if they still do that. I have family in Carver, it is a beautiful place.

 

[alyssa810]

Re: Cape Cod Baseball League- the season ends shortly. I hold the CCBL near and dear to my heart as it's where I met my DH many moons ago

Buttonwood Park in New Bedford is a lovely zoo; it's not huge, but it does have a really nice variety of animals, and I think it's fairly inexpensive, like $6 or $7.

Back to the Plymouth area, Scusset Beach is awesome, as is White Horse Beach, but the water is cold at both!
Also, cupcake charlie's is worth a visit-I recommend the peanut butter chocolate cupcake- it's on the wharf not too far from where Plymouth rock is.

Onset Beach is Wareham is a nice spot, and the water is much warmer on the buzzards bay side rather than the Cape Cod Bay side.

Water Wizz is the water park in Wareham too, which can be fun. I worked there the summer between my freshman and sophomore years of high school, and while it's changed a lot, it's changed for the better- except for the price LOL! Across the street from Water wizz is Cartland- they have go carts, mini-golf, bumper cars. It was much cooler to me as a kid- I went last month with my nieces who loved it though; that might be something your son might enjoy.

 

[bigmama67]

Thanks, everyone! This is all really great info...I actually went to college in Norton, MA so I am not totally unfamiliar with the area but it was SO LONG ago! I was trying to remember the closest carousel...I think we may go to Sandwich for that but on a weekday; hopefully it will be (a little bit) less crowded. Scusset Beach sounds great; I was at Long Beach several times and Whitehorse Beach back in college.

I actually took DS to this campground when he was 3 and 4 but DH has never been. We were with friends the first time, and we did that spooky nighttime tour. He didn't know enough to be scared then...it was a blast! We did Thomas at Edaville and ironically enough, they are having it the weekend we are there but I don't want to spend the $$.

Great to know that the kids his age were into Plimoth Plantation; we actually have a coupon in the Entertainment Book but I wasn't sure if it was worth doing. The combo ticket is good for two consecutive days at the Plantation PLUS one Mayflower II visit, so I think that would be perfect.

Is New Bedford a long drive? We actually have a zoo membership here that would get us into the Buttonwood Zoo free on our reciprocal passes. The Whaling Museum sounds good it if gets rainy or we want to fill up more time. Does Buttonwood charge for the carousel? Their website mentions tickets for the train and pony rides but not the carousel. It looks beautiful!

We are going up to Brunswick, Maine for one night to visit my Mom before we head home so maybe we will try to get to the Nantasket Carousel on the way. We shall see!

OK, getting excited with less than 3 weeks to go!

 

[ccgirl]

Thanks, everyone! This is all really great info...I actually went to college in Norton, MA so I am not totally unfamiliar with the area but it was SO LONG ago! I was trying to remember the closest carousel...I think we may go to Sandwich for that but on a weekday; hopefully it will be (a little bit) less crowded. Scusset Beach sounds great; I was at Long Beach several times and Whitehorse Beach back in college.

I actually took DS to this campground when he was 3 and 4 but DH has never been. We were with friends the first time, and we did that spooky nighttime tour. He didn't know enough to be scared then...it was a blast! We did Thomas at Edaville and ironically enough, they are having it the weekend we are there but I don't want to spend the $$.

Great to know that the kids his age were into Plimoth Plantation; we actually have a coupon in the Entertainment Book but I wasn't sure if it was worth doing. The combo ticket is good for two consecutive days at the Plantation PLUS one Mayflower II visit, so I think that would be perfect.

Is New Bedford a long drive? We actually have a zoo membership here that would get us into the Buttonwood Zoo free on our reciprocal passes. The Whaling Museum sounds good it if gets rainy or we want to fill up more time. Does Buttonwood charge for the carousel? Their website mentions tickets for the train and pony rides but not the carousel. It looks beautiful!

We are going up to Brunswick, Maine for one night to visit my Mom before we head home so maybe we will try to get to the Nantasket Carousel on the way. We shall see!

OK, getting excited with less than 3 weeks to go!

You're welcome. You will really love Scussett. Try to get there early as it does fill to capacity. New Bedford is not a bad drive. About 45 minutes and is easy. I forgot all about Buttonwood. It really is a cute little zoo with a beautiful park right next to it. We packed picnic lunches and the kids played in the park. I don't remember if there was a charge for the carousel. Plymouth also has a trolley tour. There really is so much to do. Have fun!

 

[abdmom]

My kids loved Southwick's Zoo when we lived in Mass. It's in Mendon, about an hour from Plymouth.

 

[bigmama67]

ccgirl...just had to say, it's SO funny that you and picked the same graphics for us and our DHs and that our kids are so much the same age (and opposite genders!) Maybe WE should try to meet up...LOL...PM me if you want! We will be arriving on August 28 and staying 4 nights.

I think the cupcake place is a must-do. We have one like that in our hometown and it's our go-to place for birthdays, etc...I also remember having some great ice cream at a place on the waterfront with our friends that first time (pumpkin!)

 

[bigmama67]

Oh, yeah, and how do we do the Coke rewards thing? I wonder if we could still get free PP tickets?