Clearly, I love a good ghost story (or two). It’s the perfect mix of history and legend. Recently, while taking the Plymouth Ghost Tour, I was able to hear stories, both about ghosts and history, that were unfamiliar to me. Did you know that Plymouth is home to one of two legally haunted houses in the country? I didn’t! Even though I know a bit about the region’s history. Come along for a haunted stroll through downtown Plymouth. After that, we’ll grab a bite of some of the best sushi in town.
Plymouth Ghost Tour
The tour fittingly began at Plymouth Rock, where our informative guide regaled us with a bit of Pilgrim history, the good and the not-so-good. From there, we scaled the staircase up to the top of Cole’s Hill. Cole’s Hill, although it looks just like an average embankment, was actually where the Pilgrims buried their brethren without markers, so that the area’s Indigenous people would not know how many Pilgrims were lost over that first terrible winter.
From atop the hill, our guide shared a story about the former Plymouth Wax Museum, which was turned into condos. Stories abound of wax figures still showing up in the units today, even scaring one homeowner after sliding the shower curtain back! Traveling up North Street, we heard tales of the Taylor-Trask Museum and the Captain Taylor House. We learned about Captain Taylor, who enjoys his rocking chair, even in the afterlife! At the Spooner House next door, the spirit of a young girl who was beheaded, named Abigail, remains. This playful ghost may even follow you home!
More Spooky Tales
The tour continued onto Court Street, over to Middle Street, where the officially haunted house is located (The Captain Thompson Phillips House), and over to the base of Burial Hill, where several ghosts haunt. There is one couple whose deaths cannot keep their family apart, as they are known to glide from their resting place to that of their children. Our guide even mentioned the mischievous Pukwudgie, a small creature in Wampanoag lore. For the rest of the stories, make sure to attend the tour for yourself!
The company that runs the Plymouth Ghost Tour is US Ghost Adventures, which also operates the Lizzie Borden House that I was able to tour last year. They offer ghost tours in most states, from Hawaii to Maine. They also manage infamous locales in addition to the Borden house, including the Villisca Axe Murder House in Iowa and the Welty House in Gettysburg.
Gardenia Palace
All of this ghost hunting sure works up an appetite! My oldest son joined me on the ghost tour as he has in the past. Anytime we go out to eat, he demands sushi! We are big fans of Kogi Bar and Grill in Plymouth, but I wanted him to try somewhere new. Instead, off we went to Gardenia Palace, also in Plymouth. This Asian fusion restaurant serves way more than sushi, but we decided to stick with it. Each roll was delicious. I especially enjoyed my New Wave maki. It has spicy tuna inside and is wrapped with yellowtail, salmon, and avocado, and topped with three special sauces.
If you’re visiting Plymouth, or you are a local like me, the Plymouth Ghost Tour is highly recommended as it entertains and educates. Just make sure no specter follows you home… or all the way to the sushi bar!
