For travelers coming to the Plymouth area, a great place to start is at the Massachusetts Visitor Information Center in Plymouth. In addition to fast-food dining and restrooms for the weary traveler, the center is stocked with information and brochures from See Plymouth, the region’s tourism council. Plus, this rest stop also has the distinction of being on the “Trail of Whispering Giants.”
Tourist info and fast food
See Plymouth is an in-person and online resource for all things Plymouth County. The membership of the organization ranges from restaurants to retail, event space to guides such as Backyard Road Trips. At See Plymouth, the tourism council can point travelers in a direction that is of interest to them. From wedding venues to wine tastings, See Plymouth can help. Stop at their headquarters in downtown Plymouth on North Street or the waterfront satellite on Water Street; the knowledgeable staff will gladly cater your trip to your preferences.
The Massachusetts Visitor Information in Plymouth is located off Exit 13 on Route 3 (formerly Exit 5). Here the visitor information booth of See Plymouth provides brochures and pamphlets about area sightseeing and activities.
Also located here is McDonald’s that will of course appeal to the hungry traveling families that simply need food now! Dine-in, take out, or simply take a spin through the drive-through. Since this Mickey D’s is open 24 hours, if you’re late-night driving on Route 3, it’s a good bet for some chow. (I may have stopped here once or twice needing a second dinner after being out somewhere.)
Enisketomp
To me, the most fascinating aspect about this plaza is not what is inside, but actually what is on the outside. There is a large statue that greets visitors before entering the building. The statue of a Native American is part of the “Trail of Whispering Giants” all created by sculptor Peter “Wolf” Toth. Enisketomp means “human being” in Wampanoag, and according to the plaque at its base, the statue is a gift to the people of Massachusetts. Toth began sculpting these larger-than-life figures in 1972, with the Enisketomp completed in 1983. He is carved of red oak. Toth’s 74 (as of 2018) figures can be seen in all 50 states as well as one in his native Hungary. (Due to weather or neglect, not all 74 are still in existence.)
It took Toth, who typically uses primitive tools for his sculptures, about three months to complete Enisketomp. His idea was to promote consciousness of the plight of the country’s Indigenous peoples. The statues range from 20 to 40 feet in height. For his creation of Enisketomp, he met with and studied the Wampanoag to make sure every detail was historically correct. The tall, relatively thin sculpture’s focal point is its face. It is a wise face, but one that has seen much hardship in the past. (For more about Enisketomp, check out my book, A History Lover’s Guide to the South Shore.
Whether simply needing a quick bite, looking for tourist information, or venturing on the Trail of Whispering Giants, the Massachusetts Visitor Information Center in Plymouth is worth a stop!
