Plymouth is located approximately 40 miles south of Boston in a region of Massachusetts known as the South Shore. Throughout the 19th century, the town thrived as a centre of rope making, fishing, and shipping, and once held the world's largest rope making company, the Plymouth Cordage Company. It continues to be an active port, but today the major income in Plymouth is tourism.

As one of the country's first settlements, Plymouth is well known in the United States for its historical value. The events surrounding the history of Plymouth have become part of the ethos of the United States, particularly that relating to Plymouth Rock, the Pilgrims, and the First Thanksgiving. 

On December 18, 1620, the British ship Mayflower docked at modern-day Plymouth, Massachusetts, and its passengers prepared to begin their new settlement, Plymouth Colony.

The Mayflower 11 is now docked in Plymouth harbour. This replica was constructed in Devon England between 1955-1957 and presented to the people of America to commemorate the historical links between the two countries. It is permanently anchored at the South Pier and not far away from the Plymouth Rock.