by Tom Bastek
Last updated: 10:41 AM ET, Wed November 5, 2014
Image courtesy of Thinkstock
In 1621 after surviving a cold winter and a good harvest season, the settlers at Plymouth Colony decided to gather together and give thanks to their lord for a bountiful crop. The Wampanoag Indians attended as well, numbering near 100, and a celebration was had.
Although it is still debated to this day if this was the very first Thanksgiving in the country, it certainly was a celebration between two cultures. These two cultures and this celebration are continually embraced at Plimoth Plantation. If you decide to take some time to explore the history of this settlement and their Native Indian counterparts, here is what you need to know.
What to See:
The Plantation itself is chock full of great experiences. There is a full Wampanoag home site, staffed with truly Native people, either Wampanoag or from other Native Nations. They are not role playing, but teaching about their families/ history and traditions.
They have a working grist mill, The Nye Barn with rare and heritage bred animals, a craft center where the artisans still use original techniques, a full 17th Century Village with role players, and the Mayflower II, a replica of the original Mayflower.
Beyond the Plantation:
Plymouth is a beautiful coastal town with a lot to offer besides the history. There are great shops, beaches and parks to explore. The cranberry farms are abundant in this area and there are tours to watch the harvest take place in the fall. There are other monuments as well, including Plymouth Rock. You need to see that! Don't miss the Plymouth Bay Winery and the Mayflower Brewing Company.
Where to eat:
So you want a thanksgiving dinner? You can indeed have it. But you have to bring a crowd. On the plantation, the Patuxet Café offer a taste of two cultures with food inspired by food from Wampanoag and English colonial traditions. If you are there with 25 people or more, they lay out the true Thanksgiving Dinner with all the fixings any time of year.
If you are there with a smaller crowd, get reservations way in advance and have a true Thanksgiving meal on Thanksgiving Day. They do one buffet style and one sit-down meal. At $73 a head to eat in Turkey Day Dinner in Plymouth including admission to the plantation, surrounded by role players, it's a real bargain.
If you are off the plantation and looking for a bite, there are plenty of options and seafood is in abundance. Wood's Seafood is popular for lobster rolls and New England Clam Chowder. If you want to go a little finer in dining try out the East Bay Grille, where their spin on lobster and crab Rangoon and Korean beef tacos will fill you mouth with food and your heart with joy. And that's just in the appetizers. If you are really hungry, head over to the Cabby Shack. They specialize in big portions and if you get the chance check out their Monstah Lobstah Pasta: pan-seared lobster meat, sun dried tomatoes, mushrooms and scallions tossed in a white wine, ricotta, parmesan, cream sauce and served over rotini pasta. Wicked awesome, if I do say so myself.
Where to stay:
Like most tourist-focused towns, there is your usual compliment of chain hotels. Where the fun may be here on the coast is staying at a B & B. There are 19 in Plymouth alone, most of which are incredible. Try the Jesse Harlow House, a 200-year-old historic home overlooking downtown, or Above the Bay at Thornton Adam's House, a classic colonial home, with ocean views and close to historic Plymouth. Pretty much a great choice at every turn.
So put Plymouth Rock on your bucket list and see where one of the earliest successful colonies to be founded by the English in North America came to be.
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