Tourists are really not impressed by Plymouth Rock.

Plymouth Rock dribble along its stony back an indispensable patch of United States history . This slab of granite is the place where , allegedly , the pilgrims first step after disembark from the Mayflower in 1620 . Its smother expanse soon became the first lasting European settlement in New England , dubbed New Plymouth . Despite a lack of concrete historical evidence , the stone was identify as the pilgrim ’s first landing place point around 121 years later on , and an American image was made .

Despite its stately reputation , Plymouth Rock is n’t quite as grand in physical size . It ’s enjoin , by local lore and the Encyclopedia Britannica , that when local essay to move the stone in 1774 it part in two , which locals drive this as an omen of their imminent colonial separation from Great Britain . On top of this stock split , souvenir - huntingvisitors gradually reduced its spate over the years , leaving it more small-scale than some expect .

The sway is presently situated on the shore of Pilgrim Memorial State Park . While the surrounding domain of Plymouth , Massachusetts is aquaint townto point through , some visitors in hunt of a mind - altering streamlet - in with a hifalutin slice of history did n’t quite have their first moment met . Of of course , as many Americans do , they took to the critical review . Here ’s a sample distribution of the funniest .

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Felix Mizioznikov/Shutterstock

It is, in fact, a rock

Most of their charge centered around a lack of forewarning about the fact that Plymouth Rock is … just a rock .

“ Not sure what I expected to see exactly but it ’s a rock music . Just a rock , not particularly a liberal stone . Did n’t really have a crew of historical data or things to interpret , kind of just a pit with a rock in it and that ’s it . ” – Google reassessment , October 2024

“ gracious area to take the air around and Plymouth is very picturesque . The rock itself is just that , a rock . On the earth . And it ’s not even where the pilgrims landed . It was n’t busy and there ’s comfortable entree to take a peak . There is also a reproduction Mayflower to see and tidy sum of view of the harbor and coastline ” – Google brushup , October 2024

“ Other than as a Bucket List check off , I can best draw it as underwhelming . It ’s like a soda with no fiz … There are plenitude of really good restaurants close by , and it ’s worth chitchat just for all the safe food nearby . ” – Google reexamination , August 2024

An emotional tie to said rock

Some were more emotional than others .

“ Well , I had an an amazing past life recall at this particular spot . When I was look down at the rock , I was overcome with tears , and I burst into something very emotional and had this visual sensation of me being on the mayflower as a Dutch woman alone . ” – Google critical review , September 2024

Rockn Roll

For some , the size of the stone not being what they expect did n’t take away from the experience .

“ When do you get the rock and roll alone ? Perfect misty , tender night to enjoy the history and scene ” – Google reviews , September 2024

“ Rock newton roll . Nice , fresh park with shops and restaurants all around . There was also a Park Ranger who was capable to civilize about the history of Plymouth tilt and the surrounding area . ” — Google reviews , August 2024

“ Yes it ’s just a rock , but not just any rock . The historical value definitely adds to it . Much like a heap of the old sites in Boston , it really puts into context things that Holy Writ and maps just do n’t do . ” – Google reviews , October 2024

“ It ’s a rock’n’roll . Shocker ! I be intimate . ” – Google reviews , September 2024

Declaration of Independence

One referee , who was none - too - proud of with the deficiency of size warning on the historic Harlan Fiske Stone , drive to writing a short story about the experience .

“ * * Review of Plymouth Rock - The Overhyped Pebble * *

“ hear up , ethnic music , I trip from afar , expecting some kind of fantastic repository or at least a rock ‘n’ roll with … I dunno , personality ? What I got was Plymouth Rock . Oh boy , where do I start ?

“ First off , * * size matters * * , and this rock ? It ’s the combining weight of a geological involvement prize . You ’d think the rock that ’s get an entire Thanksgiving write up pinned on it would be , perchance , just a shade more imperial ? No . It ’s like the universe of discourse held a competition for the most average rock ‘n’ roll and Plymouth say , ‘ Hold my sediment . ’

“ * * Location , location , positioning ? * * More like dashing hopes , disappointment , disappointment . Nestled in what could be a scenic patch if it were n’t for the overly striking cage around it . Yes , a John Cage , because apparently , this rock’n’roll is a escape risk or , more likely , they ’re endeavor to keep the disappointment from propagate .

“ * * Historical significance ? * * Sure , if you consider a bunch of hoi polloi stepping off a gravy holder onto the first solid thing they saw , then yes , it ’s the Mount Everest of stepping stone . But let ’s be veridical , if Plymouth Rock were in my backyard , I ’d habituate it for a doorstop and palpate overly restricted for the caper .

“ * * The ambience * * is something else . They ’ve baffle this whole setup that screams , ‘ We ’ve got nothing else , but hey , look at this rock ! ’ There ’s more excitation in keep an eye on paint dry . At least paint changes color over time ; this rock ‘n’ roll has been the same nicety of ' meh ' for century .

    • synergistic experience ? * * Oh , dead thrilling ! you may stare at it . That ’s it . No touching , no posing , no inspirational speeches from the rock’n’roll itself . I one-half expect it to at least whisper tales of yore or maybe start a stand - up comedy routine about Pilgrim Father .

“ * * Value for money ? * * Well , it ’s gratis to reckon at , but I require a refund on my time . I ’ve had more excited connection with my wassailer . At least that affair visibly put up to my life by realize breakfast .

“ In conclusion , if you ’re compiling a bucketful inclination , maybe put ‘ seeing Plymouth Rock ’ right below ‘ organize your sock draftsman ’ in terminus of agitation . It ’s the geologic equivalent of a procurator ; it ’s there because something has to be , not because it should be .

Would not advocate unless you ’re into the charge of extreme underwhelm . However , if they ever decide to have multitude throw tomatoes at it for historical accuracy ( since I ’m trusted the pilgrims were as unimpressed ) , count me back in for a revisit ! ” – Google followup , August 2024