Practical Questions about Visiting

1. What do I need to know to have the best possible visit to Plimoth Plantation?
   
2. How much does it cost to visit?
   
3. Does Plimoth Plantation accept credit cards and traveler's checks? Is there an ATM nearby?
   
4. How long does it take to visit?
   
5. What are the museum's operating hours?
   
6. Where should I park?
   
7. How will I know where to go once I arrive?
   
8. How much walking will I have to do?
9. How do I get from the 1627 English Village to the Wampanoag Homesite, or vice versa?
   
10. How difficult is it to get around? Are wheelchairs available
    
11. Are there places to sit throughout Plimoth Plantation?
    
12. Should I bring a stroller?
    
13. Is there a best time to visit?
    
14. What should I wear during my visit?
    
15. Where can I buy food?
    
16. Can I buy 17th-century food?
    
17. How do I find out about what is going on at Plimoth Plantation?
    
18. What special services does the museum have for foreign visitors?
    
19. Can I visit the museum dressed as a "Pilgrim" or an "Indian"?
    
20. Are Mayflower II and Plimoth Plantation within walking distance of one another?
    
21. Are all the staff I meet going to be role playing?
    
22. Can I take pictures or videotape?
    
23. Are there gift shops at Plimoth Plantation?
    
24. What else is there to do in and around the town of Plymouth?

Answers:

1. What do I need to know to have the best possible visit to Plimoth Plantation?

Visiting Plimoth Plantation is much like visiting a foreign country — or two! Put aside any popular images, common stereotypes and oversimplifications about the "Pilgrims and Indians" you may have heard before. We hope you will take this opportunity to come to a greater understanding of the complex cultures of the English colonists and the Native Wampanoag People.

You will get the most out of your visit by asking questions of the staff. If you are feeling shy, listen in on conversations between other visitors and staff. Your active participation will really shape your experience at Plimoth Plantation.

One of the unique opportunities offered by Plimoth Plantation is the chance to talk with Native staff. Before you visit, we suggest that you read about respecting cultural boundaries. Please see our Cultural Sensitivity page for more information.

2. How much does it cost to visit?

There are a variety of ticket options, suited to your interest and length of visit. Combination tickets allow you to visit both our locations, Plimoth Plantation 3 miles south of downtown Plymouth, and Mayflower II on the Plymouth waterfront. Single site tickets offer admission to either Mayflower II or Plimoth Plantation. Specially priced tickets for families, seniors, and groups are also available. Please see our Admissions page for details.

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3. Does the museum accept credit cards? Is there an ATM nearby?

Yes. We accept MasterCard, Visa, and Discover. Credit cards are not accepted for Quick-Service dining purchases. For your convenience, there is an ATM in the Visitor Center. There are also several ATMs within walking distance of Mayflower II.

4. How long does it take to visit?

Guests should allow at least 3 hours for their visit to Plimoth Plantation and about 45 minutes for Mayflower II.

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5. What are the museum's operating hours?

Plimoth Plantation, including Mayflower II, is open seven days a week, from late March through the Sunday after Thanksgiving. For more detailed information about our operating hours, please see our Days & Hours of Operation page.

6. Where should I park?

At Plimoth Plantation, parking is available in our main lot, lower lot, and bus lot. There is metered parking at the Plymouth waterfront when you visit Mayflower II. For details, please see our Parking & Accessibility page.

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7. How will I know where to go once I arrive?

When you buy your ticket at Plimoth Plantation, you will receive a self-guided tour map. Your self-guided tour begins in the Visitor Center with an orientation program.

At Mayflower II, you will receive a site map when you buy your ticket. Your self-guided tour begins with an orientation program before you board.

In addition, at both locations staff members are available to answer your questions or suggest alternate routes suitable to your needs and interests.

8. How much walking will I have to do?

Visiting the Wampanoag Homesite, the 1627 English Village, the Crafts Center, and the Nye Barn requires at least a mile of walking over uneven terrain. At Mayflower II, you will be walking around decks that can be slippery in wet weather, and climbing steep stairways and gangways. We suggest that our guests wear comfortable shoes, drink lots of water, and protect themselves from the sun.

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9. How do I get from the 1627 English Village to the Wampanoag Homesite, or vice versa?

The Eel River Nature Walk connects the two sites, so you may visit them in any order you choose. The Nature Walk is a scenic walkway overlooking the Eel River where you can often see a variety of turtles and birds amongst the marsh grasses. Please note that this walkway has stairs and that there are other routes between the two sites.

10. How difficult is it to get around? Are wheelchairs available?

Some visitors will find certain sites difficult to access. Many of the pathways in and around the 1627 English Village and the Wampanoag Homesite are steep or unpaved. Wheelchairs with tires made for our rough and sandy terrain are temporarily unavailable (being repaired at this time). Site maps highlighting the most accessible routes are also available by request at the museum. Mayflower II is not accessible to wheelchairs. Please see our Parking and Accessibility page for details.

11. Are there places to sit throughout Plimoth Plantation?

Yes. There are benches on the walkways outside the Visitor Center as well as in the 1627 English Village. You may also sit and rest on the chairs inside the houses in the Village. At Hobbamock's (Wampanoag) Homesite, there are comfortable seating areas inside the traditional Wampanoag houses. Mayflower II has places to sit, both onboard and within the dockside exhibit area.

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12. Should I bring a stroller?

Yes. Jogging strollers work best on the rough terrain at Plimoth Plantation. A limited number of jogging strollers are available for parents with small children on a first-come, first-serve basis in the Visitor Center.

Strollers are not permitted on Mayflower II, but they can be left in a designated area before you board the ship.

13. Is there a best time to visit?

The museum is open in the spring, summer and fall, and each season has something unique to offer — budding gardens, corn planting, harvesting, and cozy fires are just a few of the highlights. It is often less crowded in the springtime than the summer and fall.

During the school year, many school children take part in our educational programs. The majority of schools visit in the morning, so our sites tend to be less crowded in the afternoon.

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14. What should I wear during my visit?

Coastal New England weather is highly changeable. It is a good idea to bring water, sunscreen, and a brimmed hat for hot and sunny days. For cold or wet days, bring rain jackets, an extra sweatshirt, umbrellas, and comfortable waterproof shoes.

15. Where can I buy food?

At Plimoth Plantation, food is available for purchase in the Visitors Center. Seating is available both indoors and outdoors. In the summer, pushcarts offering snacks and drinks are located outside the Crafts Center. There are a variety of restaurants, including fast food options, within walking distance of Mayflower II.

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16. Can I buy 17th-century food?

Not as part of our daily offerings. However, historical theme dinners and luncheons are available by reservation. Please see our Dining section.

17. How do I find out about what is going on at Plimoth Plantation?

This year Plimoth Plantation will offer hands-on activities daily. There are also special events during the season. Please see our Calendar of Events for information about these special programs.

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18. What special services does the museum have for foreign visitors?

Foreign language brochures can be printed from our website or can be picked up at the Admissions Desk in the Visitor Center. They are available in French, Dutch, German, Spanish, Italian, Korean, Japanese and Chinese. You may exchange a small amount of foreign currency (valued up to $100 American) at the Group Ticket Desk for a 3% fee.

19. Can I visit the museum dressed as a "Pilgrim" or an "Indian?"

No. We ask that our visitors do not come dressed in either "Pilgrim" or "Indian" costumes. In the 1627 English Village and aboard Mayflower II, dressing as a "Pilgrim" may confuse other visitors. At the Wampanoag Homesite, we ask that our non-Native visitors respect cultural boundaries and do not wear any Native outfits or headdresses. Please see our Cultural Sensitivity page and our Guests in Costume policy for details.

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20. Are Mayflower II and Plimoth Plantation within walking distance of one another?

No. Visitors should not attempt to walk. The distance between Plimoth Plantation and Mayflower II is 3 miles. You will want to make the 10-minute drive by car or use public transportation. Parking is available near Mayflower II. Please check our Directions page and the local bus schedule.

21. Are all the staff I meet going to be role playing?

No, it varies from site to site. Here's what you can expect:

• the Wampanoag Homesite: Native People in traditional clothing who speak from a modern perspective (not role players)
• Crafts Center: modern-day artisans (not role players)
• 1627 English Village: Role players portraying English colonists in 1627
• Mayflower II: Modern-day staff (including maritime artisans) and role players portraying the people who traveled on the original ship.

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22. Can I take pictures or videotape?

Yes. We encourage you to take photographs or use video cameras for your own use. You need not ask permission of the staff, however please do not ask them to pose as this may interfere with the experience of other guests. Commercial use of photographs or videotape is prohibited without permission from our Public Relations office.

23. Are there gift shops at Plimoth Plantation?

Yes. In the Visitor Center you will find our main Museum Shop, Native American Museum Shop, and Children's Shop. There are also shops at the Crafts Center and adjacent to Mayflower II. These shops present a wide selection of gifts and educational materials.

Shopping with us will provide you with some unique and desirable items while supporting the museum. Proceeds from sales help fund our educational programs and museum exhibits.

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24. What else is there to do in and around the town of Plymouth?

There is much to do in and around Plymouth. Many visitors spend more than one day in Plymouth, visiting not only Plimoth Plantation, but also the many shops, restaurants, attractions and cultural institutions in the area. For a listing of what to see and do, please go to our Visit Plymouth, MA page.

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hours: from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, 7 days a week March 22 through November 30, 2008
address: 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, MA 02360 USA
telephone: 1 + 508 746 1622