We’re heading for a May family road trip among the flowers. Before we hit the gardens, it’s time for a treat at Leyden Street Coffee in the Manomet section of Plymouth, followed by garden stops at Plimoth Patuxet and the Mayflower Society House. Lastly, take home your own bouquet at Kingston’s Crooked Barn Flower Farm.
Leyden Street Coffee
Leyden Street Coffee is located in Clement’s Marketplace Plaza on State Road in Manomet. The coffee shop is at the end of the plaza on the right. The interior is tastefully decorated, with a hip vibe. Grab a variety of favorite coffee drinks for here or to go.
For this trip, let’s take it to go. My favorite is the iced maple cinnamon latte. I take mine with oat milk. This was a seasonal special in the fall, but, due to public outcry, is now a menu staple. (served warm is excellent too). It’s the perfect blend of cinnamon and maple, not too sweet, but full of flavor.
Plimoth Patuxet
For the first garden stop of our May family road trip among the flowers, we are visiting Plimoth Patuxet. Instead of seeing the ever-popular living history museum, we are venturing off the beaten path to the Hornblower Garden. It is located closer to the Warren Avenue entrance to the museum. This garden is a popular wedding venue, with good reason. Its flora includes species of plants that the colonists utilized.
The garden features a small man-made pond, and the grounds have multiple tiers to wander up and down. Relax on a bench, stop to smell the flowers, and enjoy the blooms. This is best visited in the warmer months with the trees in full display.
The Mayflower Society House
We are heading into downtown Plymouth for our next stop on our May family road trip for flowers. The Mayflower Society House, the historic home of Edward Winslow, circa 1754, houses a library and archives for Mayflower descendants. Although worth a visit inside, let’s go around back.
One of the region’s secret gardens, this garden is impressive. Just like the Hornblower Garden, this is free to visit. Walk among the roses in season, or wander the hedgerows. It’s a tasteful respite from the busy nearby waterfront. Sit for a while to contemplate the foliage or take a stroll through. In the warmer months, the garden’s blooms change with the season. It is located at 4 Winslow Road.
Crooked Barn Flower Farm
For an altogether different approach, continue on Route 3A into Kingston, just north of Plymouth. Here in the historic section of town is Crooked Barn Flower Farm with flowers for purchase in a 180-year-old barn. Just off Route 3A, it’s easy to drive by without noticing this gem.
This flower farm is a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture, where the customer can buy subscriptions directly from the farmers) but also has bouquets, single flowers, and pre-made floral arrangements available for sale. Grab a bouquet in the stand, make your own from the arrangements of flowers in the barn, or buy a pre-made display including a vase. It’s a simple way to enjoy the blooms of the day in your own home. Their garden is adjacent to the property to notice on your way out. The flower farm is located at 187 Main Street in Kingston.
The May Family Road Trip Among the Flowers
Grab the best coffee in town before visiting two Plymouth gardens: the Hornblower Garden at Plimoth Patuxet and the garden at the Mayflower Society House. On your way out of town, pick up your own bouquet at Crooked Barn Flower Farm to create tangible memories of this May family road trip among the flowers.
Each of these locations will hold enough interest for the kids too. They always leave Leyden Street Coffee with cookies in hand. Romping around both the Hornblower Garden and the garden at the Mayflower Society House is a treat for the kids. To boot, both are typically uncrowded with enough room to roam. At Crooked Barn Flower Farm, each of my three boys enjoyed picking out a flower display for their mom for Mother’s Day. (Well, Charlie at eight months may have had a little help…) For more gardens, check out the Backyard Road Trips garden archives.
