Celebrate Thanksgiving Where It All Began

Enjoy a traditional meal and learn the true meaning of the holiday in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

For many Americans, Thanksgiving means a daylong feast of turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie; back-to-back football games; and even a parade or two. But if the thought of slaving over a hot stove all morning fills you with dread, maybe it’s time to get away and discover the real meaning of the Thanksgiving in the place where it all began: Plymouth, Massachusetts.

It was here in this village, about an hour south of Boston, that a small group of European puritans, known today as the Pilgrims, made their historic landing on December 20, 1620. And it was here, after surviving their first year in the New World, that the Pilgrims, together with members of the Wampanoag Nation, gathered to celebrate the first successful harvest.

Each year, more than 5,000 modern-day pilgrims travel to New England during the last week of November to learn about this important event in our nation’s history.

The celebration kicks into high gear on Saturday, November 21, with America’s Hometown Parade, one of America’s only historically accurate chronological parades. Children and adults alike will thrill to the beautifully decorated floats, nationally recognized drum and bugle corps, and re-enactment units representing every period of American history from the 17th century through the present.

On Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 26) don’t miss the The Pilgrim Progress. This annual procession began in 1920 as a way to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the settling of Plymouth. “Pilgrims,” dressed in historical garb, march along Leyden Street, the first street in Plymouth, to the top of Burial Hill, where many of the original colonists are buried.

At noon, the lives and sacrifices of the Wampanoag are remembered during the National Day of (American Indian) Mourning Ceremonies. Open to all, the event offers Native Americans the opportunity to both celebrate their culture and mourn for the loss of their way of life. Speeches take place on Cole’s Hill beside the statue of Massasoit, the Wampanoag leader who first greeted the Mayflower passengers.

But as everyone knows, Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without that gut-busting meal. So head over to Plimoth Plantation and enjoy one of three unforgettable dining experiences. The Victorian Thanksgiving Dinner offers a mid-19th-century take on the experience, with an elegant multicourse meal accompanied by period entertainment. For a more traditional harvest menu, try the Thanksgiving Day Buffet. Reservations are required for both events.

If you’re unable to get reservations, or you’ve made last-minute plans to visit the plantation, there’s no need to worry. You can still enjoy a delicious turkey meal at the first-come, first-serve Thanksgiving in the Courtyard. And the celebration continues throughout the day with cocktails, warm cider and snacks such as homemade chowder, sandwiches and pies.

While here, don’t forget to check out the acclaimed exhibit Thanksgiving: Memory, Myth & Meaning. Through text and photos, it traces the history of Thanksgiving, beginning with present-day customs and moving back through time to the 1621 celebration.

“A visit to Plymouth is the quintessential Thanksgiving experience,” says Jennifer Monac, public relations manager of Plimoth Plantation. “There’s just so much Americana wrapped up in this place. It’s really a great place to spend the holiday.”
—Rebecca L. Rhoades

If You Go
For more information, go to seeplymouth.com or plimoth.org.

The information in this story was accurate when it was published in the November/December 2009 issue of AAA World, but details such as dates, times and prices may have changed since then. We suggest you verify such details directly with the listed establishments before making travel plans.