The 10 Best Things to do in Duxbury, Massachusetts (MA)

This Federal mansion was built in 1809 for Ezra Weston II, known as "King Caesar" for his worldwide preeminence as a shipbuilder and merchant. Weston's enterprise dominated Duxbury in the early 19th century with a large portion of the population employed in the Weston shipyards, farms, wharves, mill, ropewalk, or aboard Weston's fishing schooners and merchant fleet. Ezra Weston's ship "Hope," built in 1841, was then New England's largest vessel. Purchased by the Society in 1965, the house is presented for tours as it appeared in the 1820s. The house is noted for its rare French scenic wallpapers, portraits of sea captains, and 19th century furnishings.

High Hook is a charter fishing boat out of Duxbury, Ma run by Capt. Willie Woodruff. Whether it’s your first time on a boat, or you’re an avid fishermen, High Hook promises you’ll have a great time in the process. We offer Bluefin tuna trips out to the waters of Stellwagen Bank, and and Striped bass and Bluefish charters in Duxbury and the surrounding bays. Early in the season cod and haddock trips are also available

Part of the land given to Mayflower Pilgrims John and Priscilla Mullins Alden in 1627, and home to generations of their descendants, Alden House Historic Site is now designated a National Historic Landmark and welcomes visitors to explore one of America's founding stories. Tour the Alden family home (open seasonally), explore the foundation of John and Priscilla's first home site and stroll the picturesque grounds. The Aldens were immortalized as one of America’s great love stories in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem “The Courtship of Myles Standish.” A visit to Alden House captures the extraordinary legacy of one of America's founding families, their determination, commitment to family, and the tenacity of the human spirit.

NEW IN 2017: brand new exhibition, "Four Bradford Daughters: Lives Well Lived." The culmination of a multi-year project to reinterpret the house to tell the story of the four Bradford daughters! Contemplate the tumultuous 19th century through the experiences of the Bradford daughters. Family-friendly activities and introductory video available. Sarah Hickling Bradford supervised the initial construction stages of this Federal-style home while her husband, Capt. Gershom Bradford, was held captive by the French. This dramatic beginning was the start of a lively and full household in which the Bradfords raised their young children and maintained an extended family. But the story of the Bradford House did not end with Gershom’s death….in fact, for the remainder of the 19th century, the house was owned and operated by women - his wife and daughters. In an age when female autonomy was rare, the accomplishments of these women should not be underestimated. During the 19th century the Bradford family was active in many of the social movements of the day, including anti-slavery, temperance, vegetarianism and alternative medicine. They knew and were related to famous Transcendentalists. They were educated and vibrant. Indeed, all four Bradford daughters raised in the house were accomplished women: Maria was an educator who married the abolitionist minister, Rev. Claudius Bradford; Elizabeth was a painter and amateur botanist; and Lucia and Charlotte were both Civil War nurses. Charlotte’s extraordinary career spanned stints on Civil War transport ships, in major D.C. hospitals, and finally as the Matron for the Home for Wives and Mothers under the U.S. Sanitary Commission and her mentor, Dorothea Dix. In addition to a household of Bradford furnishings, the family also preserved thousands of letters, log books, journals and other documents, making them one of the best documented families in Duxbury. Their stories, both particular to the family and yet universal to the time they lived, are told against the backdrop of this unique house.