AMERICANWAY

BRIEF: GO FROM TOP: COURTESY SABOR; HANAN ISACHAR/GETTY IMAGES; COURTESY AMERICA'S HOMETOWN THANKSGIVING GIVING THANKS: the Mayflower II replica; Sabor chef/owner Vinicio Cordon; America's Hometown Thanksgiving celebration O N THE DRIVE toward Plymouth, Massa- chusetts, the earthy fragrance of cedar and pine begins to fade, overcome by the strong, salty aroma of the ocean — a scent that likely existed when the Mayflower landed in the winter of 1620. Those who made that voyage across the Atlantic would surely be proud not only of what Plymouth has become almost four centuries later but also of the way current residents celebrate their heritage. Thirty-five miles from Boston and 40 miles from Providence, Rhode Island, Plymouth is a captivating place to spend a few days exploring the area's rich history while also experiencing the tourist-friendly place it has become. STAY: The John Carver Inn & Spa is perfect for a romantic getaway or a family vacation, with cozy rooms that feature four-poster beds and work- ing fireplaces. And kids will undoubtedly enjoy the whimsical indoor pool. By the Sea Bed and Breakfast overlooks the harbor, and owners Roger and Brenda Silvieus offer visitors a comfortable place to stay and thoughtful travel information. LEARN: Pilgrim Hall Museum, the oldest con- tinuously operating public museum in the U.S., presents visitors with a clear and concise overview of the story of Plymouth's English settlers, their search for religious freedom and their tumultu- ous relationship with the local Wampanoag tribe. A must-see is Plimoth Plantation, where visitors can step into history and learn about not only the Wampanoag of 1620 (from Native Americans, including some Wampanoag descendants) but also the life of early villagers (from actors who speak in 17th-century English, as if they have just arrived on the Mayflower). Thanksgiving in Plymouth is a grand event. The weekend before, America's Hometown Thanksgiving celebration brings people together with parades, markets and concerts. The Plantation shows independent films in its cinema every afternoon. Sparrow House, the old- est house in Plymouth, sells jewelry, pottery, art and other handmade crafts from more than 100 artists, with profits used to maintain Plymouth's historic homes. DRINK: Housed in a repurposed auto shop with a handmade metal door, Arctic Monkeys playing and labels designed by a local tattoo artist, Dirty Water Distillery is the very definition of cool. Samples are served, such as the popular Velnias Spiced Honey Liquor, and the owners, brothers- in-law Steve Neidhardt and Petras "Pepi" Avizonis, love to chat. "Before I got here, I expected something honky- tonk," Neidhardt explains, "but Plymouth really is undergoing a craft revival right now in culture, arts, restaurants and small businesses." The New England cranberry harvest ends in early November, but the fruit carries on in the form of the newly released Bog Monster Cranberry Gin . In the center of town, The British Beer Company, a quaint pub with a friendly atmosphere, has an impressive selection of craft beers, including those from the local Mayflower Brewery. Visitors can lis- ten to live music on Tuesday and Thursday nights. EAT: Sit inside or on the open-air porch of the adorable Blue Blinds Bakery for delicious or- ganic foods and desserts. For breakfast or lunch, Cornerstone Café is a homey New England diner with hearty meals and a professional understand- ing of food allergies. For dinner, East Bay Grille provides traditional seafood and an outdoor bar. Besides a handful of favorite dishes, Sabor's menu changes seasonally with fresh fusion cuisine. Steeped in American history, Plymouth offers a wide array of activities, making it an educational and enticing place to visit. AMERICAN AIRLINES o ers 229 fl ights each week to Boston with service from Chicago (ORD), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA) and New York (JFK). On fl ights operated by US AIRWAYS, AMERICAN o ers 493 fl ights a week to Boston from 11 cities and 111 fl ights a week to Providence, Rhode Island, from Charlotte (CLT), Philadelphia (PHL) and Washington, D.C. (DCA). Find contact information for all of the places mentioned in this story on aa.com/americanway; search keyword Plymouth. To learn more about Plymouth, Massachusetts, visit www.seeplymouth.com ' One of America's oldest cities has A CAPTIVATING HISTORY AND MODERN CHARMS. A WEEKEND IN: Plymouth, Massachusetts * PVD * * PVD * * BOS * * BOS * 4 0 N OV E M B E R 2 01 4 A A .CO M/A M E R I C A NWAY

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