Blake Walsh

20 Best Things to Do in Plymouth, IN

  • Published 2023/02/09

Plymouth is the county seat of the beautiful Marshall County, situated along the Yellow River in northern Indiana.

During the early years, the area was a territory of the Potawatomi Native Americans who originated from the Great Plains, western Great Lakes, and upper Mississippi River.

The first settlers who arrived in 1835 were primarily from New England, which is the reason why some places in Marshall County were named after places in the New England region, including Plymouth from Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Marshall County was established in 1836, followed by the forced removal of more than 850 Potawatomi people to Kansas in 1838.

Plymouth was recognized as a town in 1851 and as a city in 1873.

Plymouth was the site of the first Montgomery Ward retail outlet in the United States, which opened in 1926 after breaking its company’s pioneering mail-order operation, but went bankrupt in 2000 and eventually went out of business in 2001.

Plymouth today is home to many parks, lakes, shops, restaurants, historical landmarks, as well as the Marshall County Blueberry Festival.

To get you started, here’s a list of the best things to do in Plymouth, Indiana:

Visit the Chief Menominee Monument/Trail of Death

Starting point of Chief Menominee Monument

Chris Light at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Come visit and learn a part of Plymouth’s history through the Chief Menominee Monument/Trail of Death.

The Chief Menominee Monument was erected in 1909 as a memorial for Chief Menominee and his band of 859 Potawatomi Indian natives who were removed from their territory in 1836.

Located at Peach Road, the Menominee statue was the start of the Trail of Death, ending in Osawatomie, Kansas.

Archeological evidence shows that Chief Menominee’s village was located on a reservation at Twin Lakes, about 2 ½ miles southwest of where the statue was erected.

Statue of Chief Menominee

Chris Light at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Forced removal was nothing new during that period of time, and one of the main reasons was Euro-American farmers’ desire for agriculture and development.

Chief Menominee resisted movement, which caused a series of conflicts, after which the Potawatami natives, including him, were captured and forced to march to the West.

The Potawatomi natives traveled about 660 miles over 61 days, where 42 died, 28 among them were children.

It was considered the single-largest Indian removal in the history of Indiana.

Starting point of Chief Menominee Monument

Kevinorear, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Explore the Marshall County Historical Museum

Marshall County Historical Museum at North Michigan Street has a lot to offer.

Located in the heart of downtown, the museum expands over three store-fronts, two floors, and interactive spaces with interesting exhibits, allowing visitors to touch and play experience including the Train Room, Crossroads Center, Farmer’s Market, County of Champions, and more.

The Marshall County Historical Museum also offers a Community Room which can be used for any community events such as school tours, seminars, reunions, showers, and their Brown Bag program, a one-hour talk featuring speakers presenting different historical topics.

The museum also houses a Genealogy Research Library containing a collection and repository of family histories, historical records, and community photos.

With the museum’s mission statement, “Looking back, moving forward,” the old becomes new with the belief that looking back in the past allows us to learn and progress in the future.

Get Active at Centennial Park

Centennial Park in North Michigan provides outdoor leisure as well as environmental preservation.

It is located along the Yellow River and offers a variety of sports activities, including tennis courts, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, volleyball courts, playgrounds, and a community pool.

It also has a skatepark, a dog park, outdoor rental shelters, and the new Greenways Trail featuring a 2.1-mile walking path.

It is Plymouth’s largest park and the venue for the famous Marshall County Blueberry Festival.

The park is open to the general public and is maintained by the Plymouth Parks Department.

Attend the Marshall County Blueberry Festival

Join the fun at Indiana’s third-largest attraction and one of the Midwest’s major events, the Marshall County Blueberry Festival!

Held every Labor Day weekend at Centennial Park, the Blueberry Festival was named by the American Bus Association a “Top 100 Event” in North America three times.

The event first took place in 1966 in honor of Indiana’s 150th year and has now expanded to become Indiana’s largest four-day festival.

The event draws attendees from all throughout the state and the country, attracting about 300,000 visitors each year.

The festival includes music entertainment, a car show, hot air balloon launches, a fun run, sports events, carnival rides, a parade, a spectacular fireworks display, crafts, and phenomenal food choices from hundreds of vendors across the country.

Book a Stay at Swan Lake Resort

Nestled in 400 acres of stunning Indiana countryside is the Swan Lake Resort, a beautiful resort away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Located at Plymouth LaPorte Trail, Swan Lake Resort offers accommodations that will fit every budget, from hotel rooms, standard suites, cottages, and log cabins, to fairway villas and houses overlooking gorgeous landscapes.

The centerpiece of the resort is the 36-hole Golf Club, with two golf courses, one for the expert golfers and the other for those still new in the game.

Swan Lake Resort also offers a restaurant for a fun dining experience with an extensive menu, ranging from American classics, pasta, beef, seafood, baby back ribs, sandwiches, burgers, and more!

Their modern clubhouse includes a bar and a grill with a pub-style menu, billiards table, and large TV screens, perfect for a great casual hang out in between or after rounds of golf.

At Swan Lake Resort, leisure, fun, comfort, and attention to detail are taken seriously to give the best experience you deserve.

Lend a Book at the Plymouth Public Library

The Plymouth Public Library at North Center Street offers a wide array of services, making it a great hangout after school for assignments, research, board games, and some reading.

The original Plymouth Public Library, which opened in 1914, was called the Carnegie Library, named after Andrew Carnegie, who donated a considerable sum of money to create the city’s public library.

It was demolished in 1976, making way to build and expand the new Plymouth Public Library, which opened in 1977.

The Plymouth Public Library today has sections for children, teens, and adults to cater to everyone’s interests, including a children’s lounge, study booths, sitting and gaming areas, and more!

The library allows lending of books and other library materials subject to policies, such as CDs, DVDs, Game Discs, and electronics like Chromebooks, Tablets, and Hotspots.

It has a computer lab with over 10 computers and laptops for your research needs.

The library has six meeting rooms for profit and non-profit use in addition to their conference room, study room, and exploration station.

Other services include a Book A Librarian program, copy machines, fax services, visual impairment services, and a VRS phone for the deaf.

Immerse in Art at the Heartland Artists Gallery

The Heartland Artists Gallery, situated at North Michigan Street, is a non-profit organization founded in the 1970s by artists and supporters of arts.

Two annual exhibits are held every May and October: The Small Wonders in May and the Regional Juried Art Exhibit, respectively, with more exhibits on display for visitors to see all year round.

The Heartland Artists Gallery promotes fellow artists by featuring a local artist every month and awards Marshall County high school students who plan to continue their studies in the arts.

The gallery also offers classes, workshops, talks, and more art programs to children and adults.

Visit the Heartland Artists Gallery and see what Marshall County artists, old and young, have to offer.

Shop Local Finds at the Plymouth Farmers Market

The Plymouth Farmers Market is a joint effort involving producers, community organizations, and the local government to promote sustainable and environmentally safe agricultural practices, as well as access to healthy foods.

The market advocates more than 30 local growers and 100% locally grown products, including fresh fruits and vegetables, seasonal produce, meats, cheeses, honey, baked goods, coffee, and more!

The Plymouth Farmers Market is a great opportunity for vendors to test their skills and refine their products, enhance the community’s lifestyle by consuming good food and fostering social gatherings and interaction.

It provides a beautiful venue, awesome music, and spectacular food choices, making it an ideal family and pet-friendly venue for all.

It runs every Thursday inside the Plimoth Patuxet Museums from November through May and outdoors at River Street from June through October.

Take a Nice Stroll at River Park Square

One of Plymouth’s parks is the River Park Square, located at Water Street, and lies along the Yellow River.

River Park Square in downtown presents a great setting for fun activities throughout the year, such as concerts and events.

It’s a nice park with pavilions, benches, a veterans wall, and a splash pad, which is great for kids to enjoy during hot summer days.

It is very close to the Farmers Market if you want to shop for local produce and delicious foods.

A campaign by the City of Plymouth and the Plymouth Park Department is under work to provide a recreational activity for kayaking and canoeing along the Yellow River in River Park Square.

Enjoy Water Activities at Lawrence Lake

Plymouth is close to several lakes where visitors can enjoy a range of water activities.

One of these lakes is the nearby Lawrence Lake, a 69-acre spring-fed lake accessible via the Lake Lawrence Public Access at Olive Trail.

Yellow perch, black crappie, largemouth bass, and redear sunfish are some of the popular species that can be found here.

Spend a day or an afternoon catching fish, swimming in the open waters, boating, kayaking, watching the sunset, and enjoying food and drinks in this nice and peaceful lake.

Lawrence Lake will provide you with a relaxing and pleasurable time together, no matter what activities you prefer.

Camp at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park

Yogi Bear Jellystone Park is a camp-resort chain throughout the United States and Canada, and Plymouth residents and visitors are surely lucky to have one in the city.

Located at Redwood Road, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park is a place the kids and even adults will surely love.

With tons of activities the entire family can enjoy, the only difficulty to face is having to decide what to do first!

The camp-resort features two swimming pools, four playgrounds, wagon rides, kayaks, an inflatable zone, a mini-golf course, fishing ponds, peddle bikes, paddle boats, volleyball, basketball, and tennis courts, among many others.

Additional exciting activities are scavenger hunts, children’s games and crafts, flea markets, live entertainment, and themed weekends.

At Yogi Bear Jellystone Park, the options are endless, so pack your bags for an awesome weekend the entire family can treasure forever.

Watch Performers at Wild Rose Moon

Wild Rose Moon is a dream come true for its founders, Marcia Heintzberger and George Schricker, who aspired for a place where dancers, singers, poets, actors, and musicians can showcase their arts and talents together.

Located at North Michigan Street, Wild Rose Moon opened in 2015, where they set up a concert hall and began video recording and photo-documenting performances of artists.

Today, Wild Rose Moon offers numerous programs such as Open Mic Nights, where local and regional talents are featured, Moonlight Live Streaming, where interviews and performances are live-streamed on Facebook, and the Wild Rose Moon Radio Hour is aired on several radio stations.

They also feature music series, workshops, jam nights, dance programs, and more.

Wild Rose Moon is a growing community of artists bringing entertainment and creativity together with audiences in a fun and warm atmosphere.

Hang Out at the Price Memorial Park

Price Memorial Park is one of Plymouth’s most beautiful parks, located north of the city along the Plymouth Goshen Trail.

Price Memorial Park spans 13 acres, including the 3-acre pond, which can be enjoyed for fishing, dipping, or swimming.

The park is a marvelous sight to see, especially during the fall season, with its beautiful colored oaks and other varieties of trees providing a stunning backdrop for pictures.

Two shelters, a gazebo, and a playground can be found across the parking area.

The whole park can be rented out, perfect for birthday parties, weddings, reunions, and other big events.

Sign Up for a Workshop at MoonTree Studios

Explore the connection between the body, art, nature, and the Spirit by awakening your senses.

MoonTree Studios is a LEED Certified business and a Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ ministry that allows people to experience the awakening of their creative talents while also practicing mindfulness to be more sustainable and compassionate to the earth.

MoonTree Studios, an art studio with expertise in ecology, art, spirituality, and more, is located in a picturesque setting on North Union Road.

It has an art gallery where artists exhibit their work giving inspiration to others.

Tours and conferences are available, as well as workshops in yoga, meditation, painting, handcrafting bowls and bead ornaments, ceramic creation, and more.

Watch a Race at Plymouth Speedway

Plymouth Speedway, located at 12th road, is a ⅜ mile-banked dirt track with a ⅕ mile inside track.

The racetrack was first opened in 1952 after a 16-acre land was leased for racing.

Plymouth Speedway not only boasts of first in both family entertainment and racing action but is also the finest in the country when it comes to asphalt racing.

The Plymouth Speedway today offers concessions with good food and drinks, including beer, as well as free camping areas for those who want to watch race events.

Plymouth Speedway will make sure you’ll leave the race track in awe and that you’ll gain a fun and entertaining experience you’ll never forget.

Do Urban Exploration at Plymouth Historic Downtown

View of Plymouth Historic Downtown

Smallbones, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Plymouth Historic Downtown is a must-see during your visit to this Indiana city.

There are many buildings here that still retain historical accents for 19th and 20th Century United States, making this a gorgeous place to do some urban exploration.

Some of the historic landmarks that you’ll find here include Plymouth Fire Station, River Park Square, and a historical marker along Lincoln Highway.

View of Plymouth Historic Downtown

Smallbones, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Plymouth Historic Downtown is a convenient place to do some walking as well, as there are plenty of shopping centers and local restaurants here that add fun to your urban adventure.

Picturesque and easy to do, you can start your walk at Plymouth Historic Downtown at Michigan and Garro Street.

View of Plymouth Historic Downtown

Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Go Biking at Plymouth Goshen Trail

Plymouth Goshen Trail is part of the 30-mile biking path that begins at the neighboring city of Goshen.

The trail is found in Plymouth via Goshen Road, which is directly connected to North Michigan Street, a couple of miles north of Plymouth Historic Downtown.

Going through Goshen Trail is a serene way to experience the raw beauty of Plymouth; it’ll take you to the city’s farmlands and dense forests surrounding the Yellow River.

You’ll gain access to a few prominent attractions in Plymouth by traversing this trail, such as Price Memorial Park.

If you want to make this an ambitious whole-day activity, you can reach the city of Goshen in around 3.5 hours as well.

Take the Kids to Freedom Park

Freedom Park is one of the best child-friendly parks in Plymouth, known for its playgrounds and walking trails.

Modern and well-kept, the play zones for kids here offer a variety of obstacles for kids to enjoy.

The playgrounds have rubberized flooring as well, providing safety to younger children.

Located in the quiet neighborhoods of Plymouth along 8th Street, Freedom Park is also a great destination if you simply want some quiet time whilst being outdoors.

There are benches and tables here surrounded by plenty of trees and grass; it’s a spot tailor-made for a laid-back afternoon.

Play Bowling at Quick’s Lanes

Situated along Jefferson Street, Quick’s Lanes is a go-to bowling alley for the locals of Plymouth.

Well-loved by the community of Plymouth, Quick’s Lanes is a fantastic addition to your itinerary if you’re looking to bond over a fun round of bowling.

There’s a little bit of something for everyone here, as kids of all ages can enjoy the sport too thanks to its robust bowling facilities.

The food and beer here are also popular, delivering both on flavor and price.

Quick’s Lanes is one of the best ways to bond with friends and family over great food and a fun sport, so give it a shot.

Hone Your Skating Skills at Plymouth Skate Center

If you’re into roller skating, Plymouth Skate Center is a great way to burn some time off your evening if you’re looking to do something fun.

It’s a clean and fun roller-skating facility that also offers arcade games, making this a popular family bonding destination.

They also offer private rooms for rent in case you want to celebrate an occasion.

Plymouth Skate Center’s wooden floors also make it a beginner-friendly place to learn how to properly balance and skate; they even offer skating classes.

If you’re raring to skate, you can find this facility along West Madison Street.

Final Thoughts

Plymouth is adorned with nine beautiful parks, nearby lakes, rich historical landmarks, and a range of festivals and events.

These characteristics make Plymouth, albeit small, a diverse and well-rounded city with great plans for the future.

With something always going on in and around the city, Plymouth is a pleasant sight to see no matter what season, what age you are, and what interests you have.

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