a tour of the mayflower

Mayflower II

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Mayflower II - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Mayflower Heritage Tours

Join our experts on these exclusive tours as we explore the sites of the mayflower's inception and journey., a new england sojourn.

June 16-20, 2021, Massachusetts

Our experts will lead two exclusive three-day visits to historic sites in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts associated with the Pilgrims, including Plymouth, Provincetown, Boston, Duxbury, and elsewhere.

A resident of Plimoth Plantation, Massachusetts

Pilgrims in England: The Southeast Contingent

September 9-15, 2021, England

Join Robert Charles Anderson, author and esteemed scholar of the Great Migration and Heritage Tours for the third tour commemorating the 400th anniversary of the landing of the Mayflower. Our journey in the footsteps of Mayflower passengers continues in Canterbury and Winchester, where we will explore the towns and cities that nurtured some of our nation’s most notable Pilgrims. We begin in the historic cathedral city of Canterbury and UNESCO World Heritage Site where we discover insights into the life of James Chilton, resident of Canterbury prior to his move to Sandwich and ultimately Leiden. Walk in the footsteps of Chilton and his contemporaries, like Moses Fletcher on guided tours in Sandwich.

We then depart on the second leg of our journey for Winchester, known for the medieval Winchester Cathedral. Along the way, visit Dorking, the home of William Mullins and Peter Brown. Explore the historic market town and delight in its quirky boutiques, vibrant art scene, and proximity to nature. Examine the life of Stephen Hopkins in Winchester and Upper Clatford (his birthplace) and Hursley (where he lived as a young adult). Our program concludes with a visit to Southampton, where we reimagine the arrival of the Speedwell from Delfshaven and the Mayflower from London before the transatlantic journey that would change the world.

Many private experiences, in-depth discussions with historians, and delicious, traditional meals await us. We hope you will join us next year in Canterbury and Winchester.

St Clement's Church, Sandwich / Luke McKernan

Pilgrim Roots of the Great Migration

Tour leader: robert charles anderson.

August 7-15, 2018, Nottingham, England

Based in Nottingham and led by world-renowned Great Migration expert Robert Charles Anderson, this tour will visit Scrooby Manor and environs, where we will explore the deep roots of the Great Migration and follow in the footsteps of William Bradford, William Brewster, and other Pilgrims in this examination of the important years leading up to the decision to leave England.

Gardens at Scrooby Manor, Nottingham

Pilgrim Escape to Leiden

2019, The Netherlands

Our second tour will take us to the Netherlands where we will explore the old university town of Leiden, where a group of about one hundred Pilgrims, under Pastor John Robinson, formed a congregation and sought permission to settle in 1609. In Leiden, Delftshaven, and Amsterdam we will gain an understanding of Pilgrim life outside of England but before the voyage to the New World.

Houses along the canal in Leiden, The Netherlands

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Mayflower II Photo Tour

Enjoy This Look at the Historic Ship While Mayflower II Undergoes Restoration

 Kim Knox Beckius

The Mayflower II , a carefully crafted replica of the four-masted cargo ship that carried 102 religious dissidents to New England's shores in 1620, first arrived in Plymouth Harbor in 1957. It is one of Plymouth's must-see attractions—a unique opportunity to leap into American history and truly understand the times in which the Pilgrims lived and the risks they took to reach this new world.

Since 2017, however, this remarkable ship has been missing from Plymouth's waterfront. Where is Mayflower II ? And when will it return to Massachusetts?

If you want to see the iconic ship, plan a visit to Mystic, Connecticut , where Mayflower II is undergoing extensive renovation at the Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard at Mystic Seaport . The multi-year project , which will replace about half of the ship's wood, is scheduled for completion in 2019, which will allow Mayflower II to return home in time for 2020's commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims' landing at Plymouth Rock .

While the ship is in the shop, these photos, taken during Mayflower II 's 50th anniversary year, provide a glimpse of what visitors will experience aboard Mayflower II when it returns to home port.

A Faithful Replica

Kim Knox Beckius

Visitors to Plymouth, Massachusetts, can board the  Mayflower II , a replica of the Pilgrims' famous ship, to see how they journeyed to a new home in New England. In 1620, the 102 Pilgrims and crew spent 66 days crossing the Atlantic aboard the original Mayflower , a cargo ship commissioned for one of the most celebrated trips in history.

Like its sister attraction,  Plimoth Plantation ,  Mayflower II  immerses visitors in the Pilgrim experience. On board, you can venture below deck to see how the Pilgrims traveled during their 66 seasick days on the stormy Atlantic, speak with crew members of this still seaworthy vessel and chat with Pilgrim role players, who answere questions and offer insight into their motivations for undertaking this perilous journey.

The Pilgrim story resonates with travelers from around the world, and for more than 50 years, the  Mayflower II  has provided a glimpse of the hardships endured by these freedom seekers. Skilled English shipwrights completed the Mayflower II in 1957, and this full-scale replica sailed under wind power across the Atlantic to her new home in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Native Vessel

This traditional Wampanoag mashoon, a canoe made by burning a log and scraping out the charred wood, contrasts starkly with the Pilgrims' ship. It is one of the exhibits visitors see as they prepare to climb aboard Mayflower II .

Pilgrim Insight

You can gain insight into what the Pilgrims' long voyage must have been like by chatting with the role players aboard the Mayflower II . Just as they do at Plimoth Plantation, these Pilgrim characters speak a 17th-century dialect that takes getting used to.

What Lies Ahead?

Standing aboard the upper deck of the Mayflower II , visitors can contemplate the thoughts that occupied the Pilgrims' minds as they sailed into the unknown. It was a stormy crossing, and we know from accounts how many were feeling: Seasick.

Exploring the Ship

Visitors to the Mayflower II can spend as much time as they would like exploring the ship and talking to both costumed role players and the ship's current crew. Be sure to peek at the captain's quarters before going below to see how the Pilgrims traveled.

A Comfortable Berth

This bed may not look terribly comfortable by modern-day standards, but the officers of the Mayflower had more comfortable on-board accommodations than their human cargo. The Pilgrims, including three pregnant women, crowded together on the lower deck.

The Kitchen

On the Mayflower II , the kitchen or cook room is located in the forecastle, just as it likely was on the Pilgrims' original ship.

Pilgrim Provisions

On board the original Mayflower , the Pilgrims carried food provisions to last them through their first harvest in the new world. But it is easy to imagine that a diet of dried peas and salt cod got old after a while.

A Symbol of Strength

The Mayflower II , a gift made possible by donors in England, remains a lasting tribute to the Pilgrims' strength and faith more than 50 years after the replica was launched and nearly four centuries after the Pilgrims arrived on Plymouth's rocky shore.

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2024 Mayflower Tours

Follow in the footsteps of the pilgrims, july 13-18, 2024.

On this six-day stateside pilgrimage, you’ll see the most significant sites explored by our forefathers in New England. Get ready to immerse yourself in history and trace the steps of our Mayflower ancestors after the 1620 arrival. Tour includes sites in Boston, Quincy, Plymouth, Provincetown, Cape Cod and Duxbury.

For more information and to register follow the link below:

Mayflower Heritage Tour to England and The Netherlands

September 12-24, 2024.

The only European tour sponsored by The Mayflower Society includes visits to Amsterdam, Leiden, Delfshaven, Harwich, Boston, Retford, Scrooby, Stratford-upon-Avon, Plymouth, Southampton, London and Windsor. Join your Mayflower Cousins on a trip you won’t forget walking in the footsteps on our Pilgrim ancestors.

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The Mayflower

By: History.com Editors

Updated: June 27, 2023 | Original: March 4, 2010

In September 1620, a merchant ship called the Mayflower set sail from Plymouth, a port on the southern coast of England. Normally, the Mayflower’s cargo was wine and dry goods, but on this trip the ship carried passengers: 102 of them, all hoping to start a new life on the other side of the Atlantic. Nearly 40 of these passengers were Protestant Separatists—they called themselves “Saints”—who hoped to establish a new church in the so-called New World. Today, we often refer to the colonists who crossed the Atlantic on the Mayflower as “Pilgrims.”

Pilgrims Before the Mayflower

In 1608, a congregation of disgruntled English Protestants from the village of Scrooby, Nottinghamshire, left England and moved to Leyden, a town in Holland. These “Separatists” did not want to pledge allegiance to the Church of England , which they believed was nearly as corrupt and idolatrous as the Catholic Church it had replaced, any longer. (They were not the same as the Puritans, who had many of the same objections to the English church but wanted to reform it from within.) The Separatists hoped that in Holland, they would be free to worship as they liked

Did you know? The Separatists who founded the Plymouth Colony referred to themselves as “Saints,” not “Pilgrims.” The use of the word “Pilgrim” to describe this group did not become common until the colony’s bicentennial.

In fact, the Separatists, or “Saints,” as they called themselves, did find religious freedom in Holland, but they also found a secular life that was more difficult to navigate than they’d anticipated. For one thing, Dutch craft guilds excluded the migrants, so they were relegated to menial, low-paying jobs. 

Even worse was Holland’s easygoing, cosmopolitan atmosphere, which proved alarmingly seductive to some of the Saints’ children. (These young people were “drawn away,” Separatist leader William Bradford wrote, “by evill [sic] example into extravagance and dangerous courses.”) For the strict, devout Separatists, this was the last straw. They decided to move again, this time to a place without government interference or worldly distraction: the “New World” across the Atlantic Ocean.

The Mayflower Journey

First, the Separatists returned to London to get organized. A prominent merchant agreed to advance the money for their journey. The Virginia Company gave them permission to establish a settlement, or “plantation,” on the East Coast between 38 and 41 degrees north latitude (roughly between the Chesapeake Bay and the mouth of the Hudson River). And the King of England gave them permission to leave the Church of England, “provided they carried themselves peaceably.”

In August 1620, a group of about 40 Saints joined a much larger group of (comparatively) secular colonists—“Strangers,” to the Saints—and set sail from Southampton, England on two merchant ships: the Mayflower and the Speedwell. The Speedwell began to leak almost immediately, however, and the ships headed back to port in Plymouth. The travelers squeezed themselves and their belongings onto the Mayflower, a cargo ship about 80 feet long and 24 feet wide and capable of carrying 180 tons of cargo. The Mayflower set sail once again under the direction of Captain Christopher Jones.

Because of the delay caused by the leaky Speedwell, the Mayflower had to cross the Atlantic at the height of storm season. As a result, the journey was horribly unpleasant. Many of the passengers were so seasick they could scarcely get up, and the waves were so rough that one “Stranger” was swept overboard. (It was “the just hand of God upon him,” Bradford wrote later, for the young sailor had been “a proud and very profane yonge man.”)

The Mayflower Compact

After sixty-six days, or roughly two miserable months at sea, the ship finally reached the New World. There, the Mayflower’s passengers found an abandoned Indian village and not much else. They also found that they were in the wrong place: Cape Cod was located at 42 degrees north latitude, well north of the Virginia Company’s territory. Technically, the Mayflower colonists had no right to be there at all. 

In order to establish themselves as a legitimate colony (“Plymouth,” named after the English port from which they had departed) under these dubious circumstances, 41 of the Saints and Strangers drafted and signed a document they called the Mayflower Compact . This Compact promised to create a “civil Body Politick” governed by elected officials and “just and equal laws.” It also swore allegiance to the English king. It was the first document to establish self-government in the New World and this early attempt at democracy set the stage for future colonists seeking independence from the British .

The First Thanksgiving

The colonists spent the first winter living onboard the Mayflower. Only 53 passengers and half the crew survived. Women were particularly hard hit; of the 19 women who had boarded the Mayflower, only five survived the cold New England winter, confined to the ship where disease and cold were rampant. The Mayflower sailed back to England in April 1621, and once the group moved ashore, the colonists faced even more challenges.

During their first winter in America, more than half of the Plymouth colonists died from malnutrition, disease and exposure to the harsh New England weather. In fact, without the help of the area’s native people, it is likely that none of the colonists would have survived. An English-speaking Abenaki named Samoset helped the colonists form an alliance with the local Wampanoags, who taught them how to hunt local animals, gather shellfish and grow corn, beans and squash. 

At the end of the next summer, the Plymouth colonists celebrated their first successful harvest with a three-day festival of thanksgiving. We still commemorate this feast and remember it as the first Thanksgiving , though it did not occur on the fourth Thursday in November like it does today, but sometime between late September and mid November 1621. The colonists were outnumbered two to one by their guests . Attendee Edward Winslow noted there were “many of the Indians coming amongst us, and amongst the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men.”

Plymouth Colony

Eventually, the Plymouth colonists were absorbed into the Puritan Massachusetts Bay Colony. Still, the Mayflower Saints and their descendants remained convinced that they alone had been specially chosen by God to act as a beacon for Christians around the world. “As one small candle may light a thousand,” Bradford wrote, “so the light here kindled hath shone to many, yea in some sort to our whole nation.”

Today, visitors wishing to see Plymouth Colony as it appeared during the time of the Mayflower can witness reenactments of the first Thanksgiving and more at Plymouth Plantation.

Mayflower Descendants

There are an estimated 10 million living Americans and 35 million people around the world who are descended from the original passengers on the Mayflower like Myles Standish, John Alden and William Bradford. include Humphrey Bogart, Julia Child, Norman Rockwell, and presidents John Adams , James Garfield and Zachary Taylor .

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Mayflower Memorial 3D Interactive Model

Our Mayflower Memorial 3D Interactive Model was set up by Friends of the Maritime Archaeology Trust to celebrate Mayflower 400 , a commemoration of Mayflower , the ship that carried the Pilgrim Fathers from England to America in 1620. The 3D model offers a detailed, interactive exploration of the Mayflower Memorial, including an annotated tour of the monument. It is fully accessible online and can be used as an educational resource or for research by anyone wishing to explore the history of Southampton, naval history, or the history of the English colonisation of New England.

The Mayflower Monument, Southampton UK by Maritime Archaeology on Sketchfab

THE MAYFLOWER MEMORIAL MONUMENT

The Mayflower Memorial is a 50 ft high column that stands on Southampton’s Western Esplanade, looking out across Southampton Water. This is the area from which Mayflower left Southampton on its journey to the New World. The memorial is also known as the ‘Pilgrim Fathers’ Memorial’, as Mayflower carried the English puritans, who later became known as ‘pilgrims’, to Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620 to set up the first permanent colony in New England.

The monument is Grade II listed and was designed by local architect R. M. Lucas. It was built and erected in 1913 by local stonemasons and builders Garret and Haysom, who also built many other structures in Southampton between 1806-1963.

At the top of the stone stack there are pillars with carved semi-classical heads, which raise a mosaic cupola. A copper model of the Mayflower sits on the very top, which you can take a detailed look at using our interactive 3D viewer.

THE VOYAGE OF MAYFLOWER

Mayflower was at anchor in Southampton on 27 July 1620 where it waited for the ship Speedwell to arrive from Holland. They were in Southampton for nearly two weeks (as Speedwell needed a refit) before setting sail. Unfortunately, having barely cleared the English Channel, Speedwell started to leak and the two ships had to divert to Dartmouth so Speedwell could be repaired. On their second attempt, Mayflower and Speedwell managed to sail 200 miles beyond Lands End, when they had to turn back to Plymouth because of more problems with Speedwell . In early September, less than 156 miles from Southampton, it was decided that Speedwell was too unreliable to tackle the treacherous Atlantic crossing and the passengers who still wished to make the journey crowded onto Mayflower . At 100 ft long and 180 tons, Mayflower was not a large ship and was quite crowded with 30 crew and 102 passengers.

Our 3D interactive viewer includes an intimate and detailed overview of some of the passengers who journeyed to New England, along with further information about Mayflower and the Mayflower Memorial.

Please explore our 3D interactive model. You are very welcome to get in touch if you have any questions about the history of Mayflower , the Mayflower Memorial, or our 3D model.

We would like to thank Friends of the Maritime Archaeology Trust and volunteers from the Southampton community for helping with research and producing the 3D model, which was funded by money from Southampton City Council’s Community Chest Grant.

If you enjoy our Mayflower Memorial interactive 3D model, you may also wish to explore some of our other interactive 3D models . Please follow this link if you would like to find out more about becoming a ‘Friend of the Trust’.

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A critical delay, cramped quarters, stormy seas, and an arrival 500 miles off course—such were the twists and turns that defined the Mayflower ship’s voyage to America in 1620.  

Despite its less-than-perfect journey, the Mayflower is historically significant in part because of the voyage’s unexpected setbacks. The passengers’ response and resiliency to each obstacle left an indelible mark on American history.

Virtually explore the interior of the Mayflower and learn more about the fateful voyage.

Explore the Mayflower

The Mayflower was built shortly before its purchase in 1608. Experts estimate that the length of the deck was between 80 and 90 feet and that the ship was 24 feet at its widest point.

Click the arrows to explore the inside of the Mayflower, and learn more about life on the merchant ship!

Read the full story.

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Pilgrim Story and Mayflower II Tour

Plimoth Patuxet deputy executive director Richard Pickering told the story of the Pilgrims' Atlantic crossing in 1620 from Plymouth, England… read more

Plimoth Patuxet deputy executive director Richard Pickering told the story of the Pilgrims' Atlantic crossing in 1620 from Plymouth, England to Plymouth, Massachusetts and the origins of the Mayflower Compact. On Mayflower II, a reproduction of the original ship, Mr. Pickering and Plimoth Patuxet ’s maritime preservation director Whit Perry described the living conditions on the Mayflower for the Pilgrims and crew. close

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What To Expect When Visiting The Replica Museum Of The Mayflower

Visiting the Mayflower II is like stepping back in time, and that's not the only colonial location visitors will find when they arrive at the ship.

One fateful day in 1620 a small ship reached Massachusetts and the world would never be the same again. Out jumped the first of the Pilgrims to the New World and the gears were set in motion that would one day give rise to the state of Massachusetts and then the United States. Today the original Mayflower is long gone, but there is the replica Mayflower II on display today. She is on display at the State Pier in Pilgrim Memorial State Park in the stunning city of Plymouth, Massachusetts . See here for other incredible American naval museums .

About The Mayflower II

The Mayflower II was built from 1955-56 in Devon, England in cooperation with the Americans and then sailed across the Atlantic to recreate the original crossing.

• Status: The Mayflower II Was Listed In The US National Register Of Historic Places In 2020
• Length: 106 Feet (or 32 Meters)
• Width: 25 Feet (or 7.6 Meters)
• Displacement: 236 Tons
• Number Of Masts And Sails: Three Masts And 6 Sails

The ship is very small, many visitors are surprised by just how small she looks in real life, but she is actually a full-scale reproduction of the original tall ship that brought the first of the Pilgrims over. After sailing on other missions, she was brought back to her home at the State Pier in Pilgrim Memorial State Park just in time to celebrate her 400th year anniversary of the arrival of the Pilgrims.

• English Flags: If One Sees Only The English Flag Flying On Her And Not The Union Jack Of The United Kingdom, Its Because She Predates The United Kingdom

Today she is part of the much larger Pilgrim Memorial State Park and so anyone visiting should visit the whole park. But to visit just the Mayflower II it is possible to purchase tickets for her only. While visiting one can also chat with her modern crewmembers and learn all about the modern and old ships.

The Mayflower is open to the public but she is an authentic replica of the original ship. Accordingly, she is not fully accessible and people with walking difficulties may find it difficult to explore the ship with her ramps and several flights of stairs. The dock where one can view the Mayflower is accessible though.

Visiting The Mayflower II and The Pilgrim Memorial State Park

Mayflower II

• Hours Open: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm Every Day
• Ticket Price: $15 Per Adult (Mayflower II Only)
• Plimoth Patuxet
• Hours Open: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Every Day
• Ticket Price: $32 Per Adult

Plimoth Grist Mill

• Ticket Price: $8.95 Per Adult

For more information, including updates on Covid-19 restrictions and information about the 17th Century English Village, check out their website at Plimoth.org .

Related: Visiting Gettysburg Battlefield, The Tragic Site Of America's Most Deadly Battle

17th Century English Village

One of the museum's main attractions is the 17th century English village. This is a recreation of early Plymouth and is made with timber-framed houses with acute attention to detail to recreate the real-life village of the past. The village is filled with the types of objects that the Pilgrims owned and complete with heritage breeds of livestock and aromatic kitchen gardens.

• Note On The Name Pilgrim: Using The Word "Pilgrim" Is Anachronistic As It Wasn't Commonly Used Until The 19th Century - But It's Convenient To Do So

This is a living museum where workers and volunteers at the village are dressed in historical clothing and playing the role of the actual original inhabitants of the colony. They really help to bring the place to live and also educate the guests of the past including the various hopes, fears, dreams, and beliefs of the first colonists.

• Interactive: It Is Very Interactive And Perfect For Families With Small Children

Here one can see the past come back to life complete with the gender roles of the times. A goodwife, or Pilgrim woman actress at the park may ask a child to help her pound her corn or other vege-garden work. Or children may be called upon to participate in a muster drill and learn all about 17th-century defense.

Related: The History Behind The Liberty Bell And Where To See It

The Historic Patuxet

The Pilgrims didn't land in an uninhabited void, there were Native peoples living here for over 12,000 years. At the Historic Patuxet one can see and learn all about these people who greeted the first of the Pilgrims.

Here one can enter wetu (or the local Native house) and sit on the soft fur-lined benches and play traditional games made from animal bones. The people who lived here were the Wampanoag communities.

One can even see the staff work on making dug-out canoes (called mishoon ). This is also an interactive museum so guests may be called upon to help with work and chores.

Visiting the Mayflower II and the Pilgrim Memorial State Park is a great educational experience for families. It offers an insight into America's earliest colonial beginnings and the life and times and beliefs and motives of the times.

Next: Everything You Need To Know About Virginia's 'Historic Triangle'

This Plymouth waterfront landmark is back in place. Where has it been?

PLYMOUTH – The Mayflower II is safely back home in Plymouth after spending months out of state for restorations and repairs. 

The replica of the ship that carried the Pilgrims across the Atlantic over 400 years ago made the approximately nearly 26-hour journey back from Mystic Seaport in Connecticut. 

It had been undergoing works there at the Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard since December 2023. The ship has gone out several times over the last 20 years for maintenance.

It docked in Plymouth shortly after noon Thursday, April 11, after departing from Connecticut at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 10, according to the Marine Traffic page, which provided real-time updates of the ship’s journey home. 

Spectators gathered early Thursday morning as the ship passed through the Cape Cod Canal in foggy weather around 7:15, according to the Cape Cod Times .

The 102-foot wooden vessel did not use its sails for  the journey . Instead, it was towed the entire way by  Stasinos Marine  out of Weymouth. It was expected to be crewed by the Plimoth Patuxet maritime preservation and operations team led by Capt. Whit Perry.

Plimoth Patuxet Museums manages the ship. 

The 67-year-old wooden vessel was designed by MIT-trained naval architect William Avery Baker for Plimoth Plantation (Plimoth Patuxet Museum’s former name). The ship was built in 1955-57 in Brixham, England. 

How accurate is the Mayflower II? 

The Mayflower II is a historical reproduction of the original Mayflower that sailed in 1620.  

The Mayflower II's page on the Plimoth Patuxet website says that the differences between the two ships include a large staircase between the main deck and the lower decks, electric lights illuminating the dark corners of the lower deck and other safety and comfort modifications.  

The ship was named to the National Register of Historic Places for its historical importance, citing its connection to the origins of the United States as a nation and its status as a full-scale vessel with the features of a 17th-century English merchant vessel on Oct. 22, 2020. 

Can you visit the Mayflower II? 

The Mayflower II docked at the Frazier Memorial State Pier at the Pilgrim Memorial State Park on Plymouth's waterfront. will be open from 9a.m. to 5 p.m. daily beginning Saturday, April 13, 

The prices of admission to the vessel are $19 for adults, $13 for children and $17.10 for seniors, 

For more information, visit Plimoth.org . 

David R. Smith is a reporter for The Patriot Ledger. He can be reached at [email protected]

Old Colony Memorial reporter Rin Velasco contributed to this report. She can be reached at [email protected].

Tickets & prices Mayflower II

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Admission prices & discounts for tickets to Mayflower II in Plymouth

The following overview lists the admission prices and various discounts and discount codes for a visit to Mayflower II in Plymouth . All prices are displayed per age group or reduced rate group. You can also directly book your discounted online ticket for the Mayflower II here, if available, or make a reservation to reserve a timeslot if applicable.

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Watch CBS News

Mayflower II passes through Cape Cod Canal on its journey to Plymouth

By Neal Riley

Updated on: April 11, 2024 / 3:02 PM EDT / CBS Boston

PLYMOUTH - The Mayflower II is returning to Massachusetts, and you can track its journey home online.

The 67-year-old wooden ship, a replica of the vessel that brought the Pilgrims to America in 1620, departed Connecticut Wednesday morning at about 10:30 a.m. It spent the winter docked at the Mystic Seaport Museum, undergoing routine maintenance and getting a fresh coat of paint.

Mayflower II travels through Cape Cod Canal

The journey from Mystic to Plymouth Harbor takes between 20 and 25 hours, and is dependent on many factors including tide and weather conditions. The Mayflower II  passed through the Cape Cod Canal at 7 a.m. on Thursday, and the heavy fog at the time made for a ghostly scene.  

Track the Mayflower II

When the Mayflower II leaves from Mystic, towed by the Weymouth-based Stasinos Marine, you can track its journey on this website . 

The Plimoth Patuxet Museums' Facebook page will also provide updates. 

See the Mayflower II in Plymouth

The 106-foot ship arrived at the State Pier in Plymouth Thursday and it's expected to open up to the public on Saturday at 9 a.m. 

Since the Mayflower II landed in Plymouth in 1957, more than 25 million have stepped on board to visit it, the museum says. The replica had $11.2 million worth of repairs finished in 2020.

Tickets to board the Mayflower II are $19 for adults, $17.10 for seniors and $13 for children.

• Plymouth News

Neal J. Riley is a digital producer for CBS Boston. He has been with WBZ-TV since 2014. His work has appeared in The Boston Globe and The San Francisco Chronicle. Neal is a graduate of Boston University.

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Dartmouth Castle

• Guided Tours

Mayflower Tour of Devon

An unforgettable adventure through Dartmouth and Plymouth tracing the journey of the Pilgrims who set sail on the Mayflower in 1620.

Where?   Dartmouth   and   Plymouth

Tour provider  Unique Devon Tours

• Alex Graeme, +44 (0)1803 812556 or +44 (0)7585 928070
• [email protected]

Online booking

www.uniquedevontours.com

Tour Highlights

• Visit the famous Mayflower Steps and the historic Barbican in Plymouth
• Lunch in a traditional, historic pub
• Visit Bayards Cove where Speedwell sought repairs
• Expert award-winning guide, winning gold at both the prestigious Southwest Tourism awards and the Visit Devon Tourism awards. A host of perfect reviews on Tripadvisor also reflect the excellence of the tours provided

The view from Bayards Cove in Dartmouth

We start the day in Plymouth, from where the Mayflower set sail on its famous voyage. We’ll discover the delights of the Barbican area with its narrow, cobbled streets and historic buildings. We will see the Mayflower Steps, the approximate location from where the Pilgrims set sail, and Island House, where the Pilgrim Fathers lodged prior to their departure. The Mayflower museum and Plymouth Gin Distillery are other optional places to visit, and a coffee stop can be included, as you wish.

After leaving Plymouth, we’ll head towards Dartmouth, but halfway there we stop for lunch at a fabulous old pub. When the Pilgrims came to Devon in 1620, this pub had already been standing for nearly 600 years, believe it or not! 

The River Dart and Dartmouth

In the picturesque naval town of Dartmouth, set on the banks of the River Dart, you will step into the footsteps of the Pilgrims as we explore the attractive streets and vibrant waterfront. We see where the Mayflower laid anchor and visit Bayards Cove where the Speedwell sought repairs.

We’ll enlist the services of the award-winning town crier and his consort (subject to availability), fully dressed in their regalia, who will provide us with a fun and informative tour of the town. This is an opportunity to gain a fascinating insight into Dartmouth’s heritage and rich maritime history.

New Street on Plymouth's cobbled Barbican

Customisable Options:

• The Mayflower museum and Plymouth Gin Distillery
• A coffee stop can be included

1-2 guests: £380 3-6 guests: £440

Full day tour, 9am-5.30pm

Special equipment

Sensible walking shoes and waterproof coat

Accessibility

Please note that not all of the tour is fully accessible, but it can be tailored to suit

Availability

All year round – can be booked last minute, subject to availability

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Mayflower II leaves Mystic

Groton ― The 67-year-old Mayflower II left Mystic Wednesday to return to Plimoth Patuxet Museums, the living history museum of 17th-century New England, in Plymouth, Mass. The trip will take approximately 20 to 25 hours to complete.

The Mayflower II spent the winter at the Mystic Seaport Museum’s Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard for routine maintenance and painting.

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MEDIA ADVISORY: Plimoth Patuxet Museums Updates Transit Schedule for Mayflower II’s Return to Plymouth Harbor from Mystic Seaport Museum

The ship’s travel schedule is entirely dependent on various factors such as weather conditions, and therefore subject to change without notice.

Plymouth, Massachusetts (April 9, 2024) – Plimoth Patuxet Museums, the acclaimed living history museum of 17th-century New England, announced today that Mayflower II , the Museum’s historic reproduction of the ship that carried the Pilgrims to the shores of Patuxet in 1620, is scheduled to begin the return journey from Mystic, Connecticut to her berth at the State Pier in Plymouth harbor at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 10th. Once the ship gets underway from Mystic Seaport Museum, the transit will be non-stop and will take approximately 20 to 25 hours to complete. Accompanied by Plimoth Patuxet’s Maritime Preservation and Operations team, the 106-foot ship will be towed by Stasinos Marine, based out of Weymouth.

The 67-year-old wooden vessel spent the winter months in dry dock at the Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard at Mystic Seaport for routine maintenance and painting. Plimoth Patuxet is grateful to the Institute of Museum and Library Services for the Save America’s Treasures grant which supported Mayflower II’s essential maintenance work, including cleaning, painting, and repairing of the vessel’s seams. This helps to mitigate damages caused by the environment.

“As pillars of our communities, libraries and museums bring people together by providing important programs, services, and collections. These institutions are trusted spaces where people can learn, explore and grow,” said IMLS Director Crosby Kemper. “IMLS is proud to support their initiatives through our grants as they educate and enhance their communities."

“Since Mayflower II’ s arrival in 1957, the ship has been visited by millions of people from all over the world,” said Plimoth Patuxet Museums’ Executive Director Ellie Donovan. “We are thankful for IMLS recognizing the importance of this treasured landmark and for helping to ensure she will be preserved for generations to come.”

Plimoth Patuxet expects to open Mayflower II to the public on Saturday, April 13th at 9:00 a.m. For more information, visit plimoth.org. Track Mayflower II ’s progress along her journey and look for updates on Plimoth Patuxet’s Facebook page .

About Plimoth Patuxet

Plimoth Patuxet is one of the Nation’s foremost living history museums. Founded in 1947, the Museum creates engaging experiences of history built on thorough research about the Indigenous and European people who met along Massachusetts' historic shores of change in the 1600s. Immersive and educational encounters underscore the collaborations as well as the cultural clash and conflicts of the 17th-century people of this region. Major exhibits include the Historic Patuxet Homesite, the 17th-Century English Village, Mayflower II , and Plimoth Grist Mill. A private, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational institution, Plimoth Patuxet is supported by admission fees, donations, memberships, and revenue from a variety of educational programming, dining and gift shops. Plimoth Patuxet receives support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, private foundations, corporations, and local businesses. Located less than an hour’s drive south of Boston, and 15 minutes north of Cape Cod, the Museum is open daily from early spring through the Sunday after Thanksgiving. For more information, visit plimoth.org . Follow the Museum on Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter .

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America's museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. IMLS envisions a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn from and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas, and stories they contain about our diverse natural and cultural heritage. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Mayflower II towed through Cape Cod Canal Thursday morning on journey home to Plymouth

The Mayflower II passed through the Cape Cod Canal around 7:15 a.m. Thursday, as people lined the shore to watch.

The ship, a historic reproduction, is on its way home to Pilgrim Memorial State Park in Plymouth , after a winter spent in dry dock in Mystic, Connecticut for routine maintenance.

The 102-foot wooden vessel did not use its sails for the journey . Instead, it was towed the entire way by  Stasinos Marine  out of Weymouth. It was expected to be crewed by the Plimoth Patuxet maritime preservation and operations team led by Capt. Whit Perry.

Crew were not expected to be in period costumes for the voyage.

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription.  Here are our subscription plans .

Watch the Mayflower II make a ghostly crossing through the Cape Cod Canal

B OURNE - The thick fog in Massachusetts made for a ghostly scene Thursday morning as the Mayflower II traversed the Cape Cod Canal on its way home to Plymouth.

The 67-year-old wooden ship, which is returning from a winter spent docked in Mystic, Connecticut, is a replica of the famous vessel that carried the Pilgrims to America in 1620.

"Looks like a ghost ship"

The Mayflower II crossed the canal at about 7 a.m., about 20 hours after it departed Connecticut. WBZ-TV viewer Melissa Place was there to see the ship go under the Railroad Bridge, and also captured it leaving the canal in the video above. 

Cheryl Anne from Plymouth tracked the spooky sight from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy to Sagamore Beach. She said a lot of people were up early to see the 106-foot ship make the journey, and for many it was scene straight out of "The Pirates of the Caribbean."

"Looks like a ghost ship" one person commented on her Facebook photos.

Mayflower II heads for Plymouth

The destination for the Mayflower II was the State Pier in Plymouth, where it will open to the public on Saturday morning. The ship was underdoing routine maintenance and painting at the Mystic Seaport Museum. 

The Mayflower II arrived in Plymouth in 1957. On the real Mayflower, more than 100 people sailed from England to Cape Cod over the course off 66 days. According to the Plimoth Patuxet Museums , the Mayflower was damaged by a bad storm in the middle of the ocean but only one person died on the journey and a baby was born at sea.