More than ten miles of trails in the statewide Blue Trail system, cascades at Buttermilk Falls and a historic waterwheel give Plymouth several different sides. Outdoors, you can choose from hiking, climbing and water activities. Museums, a self-guided walking tour and events offer other focuses. You can tailor your trip based on whether you mainly want to explore trails, learn about local history or travel for a festival.
Trails, Cliffs and Forest
The Mattatuck Trail runs for 7.7 miles through the southern part of Plymouth. Another trail option is Whitestone Cliffs, where you can climb and follow an approximately half-mile blue-blazed trail to the top of the cliffs. The different lengths offer a practical guide for choosing a route, without indicating a specific walking time.
Buttermilk Falls consists of a series of cascades near Lane Hill Road. The blue-blazed Mattatuck Trail leads there from a roadside pull-off. Road conditions can change seasonally, so check them before your visit. Mattatuck State Forest also offers several activities: about 900 acres of the forest are in Plymouth, where recreational options include hunting, hiking and birdwatching.
Water Activities in Plymouth
If you prefer to spend time on the water, Hancock Brook Lake is a 40-acre reservoir suitable for kayaking, canoeing and fishing. These options are quite different from the trails and climbing opportunities on land. When planning, you can first consider whether water, forest or hiking will be the focus of your stay.
Museums and Industrial History
The Plymouth Historical Society manages the Alley House Museum and the adjacent Toll House Museum. The Alley House Museum houses a collection of Plymouth memorabilia. Visits are available by appointment; the museum is also open at 1 p.m. on the last Saturday of each month, if a monthly meeting is being held. Check the visiting arrangements in advance. The Toll House Museum displays the Woodruff and Beach steam engine, built in 1852, which powered Plymouth’s Shelton & Tuttle carriage factory.
The Lock Museum of America is located on the site of the original headquarters of the Eagle Lock Company in Terryville, Connecticut. According to the museum, it houses the world’s largest collection of locks, keys, handcuffs and ornately decorated door hardware, and is the only museum of its kind in the United States. A visit includes a tour of the Terryville Water Wheel, explaining how water power drove the Eagle Lock factory in the 19th century. The Terryville Waterwheel itself is a wood-and-iron structure dating to 1851, with a diameter of 20 feet. Check in advance when the tour takes place and whether booking is required.
Historic Sites and Walking Tour
The self-guided Walking Tour of Plymouth Center passes through the village of Plymouth Center, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In Terryville, the Dorence Atwater Memorial overlooks Baldwin Park on Main Street. Cleveland’s Country Store, located in a barn dating to 1797, offers another connection to the past. These stops each have a different focus: the tour highlights the village, the memorial a public space, and the store a historic building.
Festivals and Seasonal Offerings
The Plymouth Maple Festival takes place on the first weekend in March. The program includes maple syrup-making demonstrations and samples of maple sugar. The Terryville Country Fair is scheduled for the last full weekend in August, before Labor Day weekend. Its program includes music, food, agricultural exhibits and fireworks. Check the specific event dates before your trip.
At Towill’s Christmas Tree Farm, you can cut your own Christmas tree; boughs and wreaths are also for sale. If you’re looking for a vacation rental in Plymouth, it’s best to decide on the occasion and preferred travel dates first: choosing between outdoor activities, museum visits and a festival leads to different planning considerations.
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