Plymouth offers two distinct reasons to plan a trip: a hike on Plymouth Mountain and cultural events at the historic theater The Flying Monkey, as well as readings in the Eagle Pond Authors’ Series. The views on the mountain are not at the summit itself, but at two rocky outcrops. So when planning your stay, it helps to consider your outdoor destination and specific event date separately.

Hiking Trails and Views on Plymouth Mountain

In the Walter Newton Natural Area, trails lead to Glove Hollow Brook. For a hike with the summit as your destination, the Fauver Link Trail leads to the summit of Plymouth Mountain. The hike is considered moderate and covers about five miles round trip; these details give you a concrete basis for deciding whether to take the hike. Trail conditions can change, so check them before setting out.

There is no view from the summit itself. However, two rocky outcrops offer outstanding views. Pike’s Peak is about half a mile from the summit and offers views to the north and east. Another rocky outcrop just below the summit opens up views to the east and south. Both viewpoints include the east; Pike’s Peak adds views to the north, while the outcrop below the summit adds views to the south. So if you are hiking primarily for the views, distinguish between the summit and the viewpoints: the summit itself is not the place with the views described here.

The Flying Monkey: Theater History and a Changing Program

The Flying Monkey is a historic theater in downtown Plymouth, New Hampshire. It originally opened in the 1920s as the New Plymouth Theater for vaudeville performances and silent films. Today, it hosts community productions, weekly film screenings, silent films, and live events; the individual programs change. If you want to plan your visit around a performance, check the schedule for your preferred date.

Readings Requiring Advance Registration

The Eagle Pond Authors’ Series hosts free readings open to the public in Smith Recital Hall at the Silver Center for the Arts, 114 Main Street in Plymouth. Advance registration is required for the readings; dates and registration details may vary by event. The reading is followed by a reception and book signing. If you are planning to attend a reading, check the date and registration details in advance.

For hiking, the focus is on trail distance, difficulty, and viewpoints; for cultural offerings, the decision shifts to the program and date. The theater offers several changing formats, while the reading series has a clearly stated format involving advance registration, a reception, and a book signing. If you choose a specific event for your trip, take the date into account; for a mountain hike, plan above all for changing trail conditions.

Discover more destinations: Ashland, Canaan, Lyme, Sugar Hill, Woodstock, Franconia, Thornton, Lebanon.

For the main travel guide: Grafton.