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Massachusetts > South of Boston > Things to Do and See > Great Things to Do in MA

Great Things To Do - South of Boston MA Region

Little could the Pilgrims have known when they landed here what great family activities might arise here for your family vacation. Learn about the Pilgrims’ lives at the Plimoth Patuxet Museums, and on board the Mayflower II. Comfortable lodgings, ocean beaches, whale watches, delicious seafood, fairs, festivals, and pleasures of every kind for every age are here. Battleship Cove has the world’s largest collection of U.S. naval ships. And the Zeiterion Theater in New Bedford, MA offers dynamic entertainment year-round.

Art Complex Museum
Art Complex Museum

189 Alden Street Duxbury, MA, 02332 Phone: 781-934-6634

From Galleries to Gardens, Find Beauty at Every Turn

The Art Complex Museum in Duxbury, MA, is a must-visit for families who love art, history, and hands-on experiences. The museum offers 10 shows each year with a mix of contemporary and traditional art – think: American paintings, Works on Paper, Shaker furniture, Asian art, and more. Visits are always fresh and engaging.

Outside, a tranquil sculpture garden invites kids to wander and discover art in nature. The museum also hosts family-friendly programs, art workshops, and community events that encourage creativity and exploration. With free admission and a welcoming atmosphere, it’s an inspiring destination where families can connect with culture and each other.

Admission: FREE
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Great Things to do
New Bedford Food Tours

198-108 Potomska St, New Bedford, MA, 02740 Phone:

Bites & Stories: A Food Lover’s Tour of New Bedford

Dive into New Bedford’s rich history and vibrant culture on a guided food tour, led by passionate local guides! Stroll the historic cobblestone streets as your expert host shares captivating stories, art, and the city’s deep maritime heritage—the perfect blend of walking and savoring.

Your ticket is all-inclusive, covering every delicious bite and restaurant gratuity. You'll sample curated tastes that reflect the entire South Coast’s diverse culinary influences, from authentic Portuguese pastries and hearty Cape Verdean dishes to classic New England flavors, visiting both celebrated spots and off-the-beaten-path hidden gems. Come hungry and leave with a full belly and the inside scoop on this coastal treasure!
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Milky Way Galaxy - Blake Planetarium - Plymouth, MA
W. Russell Blake Planetarium

117 Long Pond Road Plymouth, MA, 02360 Phone: 508-830-4470

Plymouth planetarium provides perfect evening for star-gazers

Look up! It’s the night sky in all its glory, but can you identify the constellations? Head to the W. Russell Blake Planetarium, where you can sit back and let the experts show you how to identify planets, bright stars and constellations. In this full-dome planetarium, a DigitalSky projection system provides a full-screen image that covers the room’s entire ceiling in the mysteries of the universe. While enjoying breathtaking views and spectacular surround sound, you’ll learn about astronomy and perhaps how to use a star map (you can take it home). The planetarium also has regular features for kids and explorations of the natural world below the skies.
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Bartender Fireworks - Sip at 1620 Wine Bar - Plymouth, MA
Sip at 1620 Wine Bar

The Shoppes at Village Landing - 170 Water Street Plymouth, MA, 02360 Phone:

Calling all craft cocktail connoisseurs and wine aficionados!

Sip at 1620 Wine Bar in Plymouth, MA is your go-to spot for relaxed vibes and unforgettable flavors. This cozy, speakeasy-like lounge offers a delightful blend of award-winning wines and custom-crafted cocktails, each created by their bow-tie wearing, expert mixologists. Sip’s food menu is a playground for your taste buds, featuring small plates like chicken parm sliders, braised short ribs, and the ever-popular Lobster Rangoon. Whether you're in the mood for a self-guided wine tasting, bespoke cocktails, or live music, Sip has it all. Enjoy live performances from local musicians every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Exclusively 21+, this charming venue ensures an adults-only experience. And if you’re coming with a group of six or more, be sure to snag a reservation.
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See You in Plymouth this Thanksgiving! Visit our Destination Plymouth page!
Destination Plymouth Lobser Tales Plymouth MA Credit Kindra Clineff
See Plymouth

4 North Street Plymouth, MA, 02360 Phone: 508-747-0100 Toll-Free: 800-872-1620

Whatever you love to do on vacation, Plymouth can provide it — and so much more

(To find more great things to do while visiting Plymouth County, MA, see our Destination Plymouth page.)

What do you like to do on vacation? Steep yourself in a region’s history, enjoy the great outdoors, relax by the water, do something you can’t do anywhere else? A vacation in Plymouth checks all those boxes and more! Go on board the Mayflower II, see Plymouth Rock and the interactive villages and homesites at the Plimoth Patuxet Museums. Or plunk your umbrella down on one of many picturesque beaches. Go on a pirate cruise, or a whale-watch. Take a fast ferry to Provincetown or tour the harbor on a paddlewheel boat. Enjoy the rides at Edaville Family Theme Park, go fishing, walk on the harbor’s breakwater jetty, go hiking, take a ghost tour at night, go sea kayaking or, in the winter, ice skating or cross-country skiing. Please visit our website to learn more about these activities and others to prepare for your trip to Plymouth.
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Great Things to Do
Plimoth Patuxet Museums

137 Warren Avenue Plymouth, MA, 02360 Phone: 508-746-1622

We Have a History Full of Exceptional Experiences and Thought-Stirring Conversations!

Looking for an unforgettable experience in America’s Hometown? A visit to Plimoth Patuxet offers something for everyone! Here you will discover the legacies of our ancestors, Indigenous and immigrant alike. From the Historic Patuxet Homesite and 17th-Century English Village to our downtown locations, Mayflower II and the Plimoth Grist Mill, inspiring journeys to the past begin here. Take a break from exploring the Museum to peruse historically inspired goods in our Museum Shops, indulge in tasty snacks and dishes at Plentiful Café, or catch a film at Plimoth Cinema—there are endless possibilities to discover! Named the Best Open-Air Museum in the USA in 2024 and 2025 by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
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World’s End in Hingham - Photo Credit Trustees of Reservations
Out in the Woods, in Sight of Boston

For a romantic walk in a leafy woods, visit World’s End in Hingham, a nature preserve tucked into the end of a curve of shoreline that sweeps southeast from Boston. Rolling hills and rocky shorelines offer views of the Boston skyline, while tree-lined carriage paths make delightful walking trails. The 251-acre landscape includes rocky shores, broad hillsides, and open fields bracketed by woodlands. The property is ideal for walking, picnicking, jogging, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, or simply enjoying the outdoors. It is managed by the admirable Trustees of the Reservations, and open to the public for walking year-round.
Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary - Natick, MA
Broadmoor Offers Broad Variety

Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary on Eliot Street in Natick offers nine miles of walking trails through a variety of field, woodland, and wetland habitats. A quarter-mile, accessible trail and boardwalk along the bank of Indian Brook and over the marsh offers great opportunities for birdwatching, photography, and sketching. To enjoy this site in the winter, bring your snowshoes or cross-country skis. Stroll along the edge of Indian Brook, which flows into the Charles River at the sanctuary, and look for wood ducks and signs of beavers and otters from the 110-foot-long bridge.