See Plymouth in Full Bloom

Situated along the Atlantic Ocean between Boston and Cape Cod, Plymouth is a treasure trove of history, culture, cuisine and natural beauty. 

Iconic landmarks such as Plymouth Rock, Mayflower II ship, Plimoth Patuxet Museums and Pilgrim Hall Museum immerse visitors in the 17th century story of the Wampanoag Native People who lived here for centuries and the Pilgrims who arrived in 1620. The Irish arrived a few years later in 1626 and have been a big part of Plymouth ever since. 

When spring arrives in Plymouth County in 2025, the great outdoors beckon visitors to Myles Standish State Forest in Carver, Wompatuck State Park and World’s End in Hingham, Brewster Gardens and Ellisville Harbor State Park in Plymouth and Fort Revere Park and Nantasket Beach Reservation in Hull. 

Plymouth Harbor offers whale watching tours, cruises and fishing excursions, and the beaches are beautiful in Hull, Duxbury, Marshfield and Plymouth. 

Plymouth is popular each summer with outdoor festivals, including Independence Day Festival and Fireworks on July 4, Arts and Crafts Festival on August 9, and Plymouth Waterfront Festival on August 23. 

You’ll find amazing shopping in Plymouth, from family-run retail stores on Main Street to the Shoppes at Village Landing, with plenty of souvenirs to take home. 

And finally, visitors savor Plymouth’s culinary offerings, from family restaurants and taverns to cafes and bakeries, where you can eat on the run or settle in for a full course meal. And check out Plymouth’s wineries and breweries, which offer special tastings of their locally made beverages. 

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day each March is a big deal in Plymouth, and rightly so. The US Census, 2020 Community Surveys reveal that 27.5% of Plymouth County residents claim Irish ancestry. South Shore towns such as Marshfield, Scituate, Hull and Abington are ranked among the most Irish-American places in the United States! In fact, two of Massachusetts’ most popular St. Patrick’s Day parades are held in Plymouth County. 

Abington’s St. Patrick’s Parade was launched in 1979 by the Bailey family in this town of 17,000 residents. Since then the parade has been one of the town’s most beloved events, a testament to Irish pride and volunteerism. The 2025 parade on Sunday, March 16 begins at 1 p.m. in St. Patrick’s Square, with prizes given for best float, best community spirit and best entry by a student group. 

Scituate’s St. Patrick’s Parade began in 1994 as a family-oriented event and today attracts spectators from all across Greater Boston. On Sunday, March 16, marching bands, homemade floats, antique cars and bagpipers stroll down First Parish Road past Scituate Harbor then up to Jericho Road. On Saturday, March 15, revelers prepare for Parade Day by taking the St. Pat’s Plunge into the ocean at Humarock Beach. 

Concerts at Plymouth Memorial Hall during Irish Heritage Month feature The High Kings on March 12, followed by the Irish Comedy Tour on March 16. On March 28, the Young Dubliners perform at the Spire Center for Performing Arts in Plymouth. 

Other Irish spots in Plymouth County include the Aisling Art Gallery on Rt. 3A in Hingham, owned by Maureen Connolly of Co. Kerry and her husband John from Boston. And the recently-opened Galway Girl Irish Specialty Shop in Duxbury carries authentic Irish clothing, foods and crafts. 

For history lovers, the South Shore Irish Heritage Trail is a fascinating trek through the Irish heritage of nine scenic towns: Weymouth, Hingham, Hull, Cohasset, Scituate, Marshfield, Kingston, Duxbury and Plymouth. Discover dozens of landmarks, museums, public parks and cultural venues where the illustrious story of the Irish is displayed. 

You can find full details on everything Plymouth has to offer by visiting seeplymouth.com.