Attractions on Town Wharf in Plymouth, Massachusetts

We all know that Plymouth is full of history, as it's the location where the Pilgrims landed on the mainland of what would later become the United States, establishing a new colony in the process. For that reason, the town gets a lot of tourism, as people flock to attractions like Plymouth Rock, Plymouth Harbor, Pilgrim Hall Museum, and the Mayflower II.

However, permanent residents need modern amenities because although the history is impressive, it isn't enough to keep you occupied indefinitely.

If you choose to purchase a home in Plymouth, MA, you should know that there are modern attractions in the downtown area, particularly in the region around Town Wharf. While this area is relatively small, there's plenty for locals to take advantage of when living in the neighborhood.

Here's a look at everything you'll find on Town Wharf in Plymouth, MA.

The Restaurants

The first thing you'll notice about Town Wharf is that it's full of restaurants, most of which serve some of the freshest seafood in New England.

The Lobster Hut is an iconic venue that has been serving customers in Plymouth for over 50 years. This restaurant is known for its lobster rolls and also serves fried seafood platters, steamed lobster and crab, oysters, salmon, and scallops. There's no doubt you'll check out the Lobster Hut after moving to Plymouth because it's part of the town's fabric.

Cabby Shack is a restaurant and pub that not only serves excellent seafood but is an excellent place to take in the big game. The eatery has shrimp, calamari, clams, scallops, and other seafood dishes, in addition to steak, burgers, chicken, pizza, and sandwiches.

Wood's Seafood is a restaurant and fish market that receives its goods directly from boats coming into the harbor. There are indoor and outdoor dining areas overlooking the harbor, and you can grab scallops, lobster, crab, and other items to go.

Tavern on the Wharf is an upscale pub on the water with plenty of seafood items on the menu. You can eat indoors or outdoors on the patio, and they have a great wine list, too. Reservations are recommended in the summer season because this venue tends to fill up quickly.

Anna's Harborside Grille has a Greek-inspired menu with items like tzatziki, calamari, crab cakes, Greek salad, pizza, Santorini, souvlaki, and seafood. Locals love the food here, and you can't beat the atmosphere of this restaurant overlooking the water.

A Boat Launch

Just because you aren't hungry doesn't mean there's no reason to visit Town Wharf. The area is also a great place to begin a day on the ocean, thanks to the on-site boat launch.

This ramp makes it easy to get your boat in the water for the day, as it's paved and wide enough to accommodate vessels of all sizes. There's a loading dock, too, so you can quickly get your family aboard after putting the boat in the ocean.

Trailer parking is available on-site, and there are mooring spaces in the protected harbor, as well. It's worth noting that it can be challenging to get a mooring on Plymouth Harbor. The current waitlist is about 500 people long, so you might have to develop an alternative plan for now. It'll be well worth the wait once you reach the front of the line, though, because you'll have unparalleled access to Cape Cod Bay.

Even if you don't have a boat, the area around the boat launch is worth a visit because you can walk on the breakwater for a fair distance. This jetty heads well into the bay and offers some of Plymouth's most scenic vantage points from the water.

Charter Companies

Another option for those without a boat is to hire one of the tour or charter companies operating from Town Wharf.

Captain John Boats and Plymouth Cruises both offer whale watching and sightseeing voyages into Cape Cod Bay. You can sign up for a scheduled cruise or hire a private charter, depending on your preferences.

If you want to do some fishing, Flyin Finn Charters or Captain Tim Brady Charters and Tours are worth considering. Both of these companies do deep-sea fishing trips, giving you the chance to catch cod, pollok, halibut, flounder, and bluefish in the region's deep waters.

While these charter companies are most popular with tourists, locals take advantage of them, too, because they make spending a day on the ocean incredibly easy.

Parking Lot

There is a massive parking lot on Town Wharf, so you'll rarely struggle to find a spot. Keep in mind that the town does get quite busy in the summer, particularly on holiday weekends, making parking more of a challenge.

Plymouth, MA, is a town mostly known for its history, but those who live in the community are aware of the modern amenities it has, as well. Town Wharf is one section of Plymouth that provides ocean access and plenty of things to do, making it worthy of your time after buying a home there.