My friends and I with the tour company Trips for Troops, have been doing this November excursion over to Plymouth for about 2 decades now. We are always warmly greeted by the city and people of Plymouth and annually stay in one of the city's wonderful hotels and enjoy Thanksgiving dinner. (We usually have to bring our own pumpkin pie! :) )A greeting by the Lord Mayor has been annually included and on Friday we usually continue on to London. A warm hello to all the folks of Plymouth that I've met over the years!
Need a couple more top tier unique indoor attractions to really get tourism going in Plymouth. A maritime museum with a preserved submarine and Frigate/Destroyer would be a good start (a-la Citi del la mer in Cherbourg). And then get a Robert Lankowich Gallery up and running. 2-3 days worth of things to do if it rains, Dartmoor + the coast is enough if its sunny, but need enough to make it a good visit even if it's bad weather.
I went there many years ago with my students and we spent 15 fantastic days all around Cornwall. I miss this region very much,probably the most charming part of England!!!
I live in Plymouth, and a few suggestions I'd make, Cap'n jaspers on the barbican and mention the Jasperizer 1/2lb burger, and the half a yard of hotdog (thats 47cms) costing £5.50 / ($8) each, Plymouth pavillions for the BIG live touring shows, with its ice skating rink and fun pool with water slides, Union Street is the main nightclub street of a Saturday night, with around 20 bars and pubs, The Thai House restaurant on the barbican is fantastic, as is 42nd street steak restaurant on the barbican, and the TOTALLY FREE TO ATTEND, national fireworks championships, are frankly amazing, held in Plymouth, mid summer on the Hoe and barbican, around 15th - 17th of June each year (check for exact dates as they vary each year), you could double it up with a visit to Cap'n Jaspers. Huge professional displays , that are amazing, loads of bars you can sit outside and drink / eat to watch the show, the fireworks are the best pro displays in the world, think disneyland on steroids, there will be a huge, night time funfair up on the hoe that night, easy walking distance, 10 minutes on foot, cotton candy, rides, games, fish and chip vans etc. 3 tips, Tip 1, try real english fish and chips, from Harbourside fish and chips, 12 the Barbican Plymouth, cost £7 per person ($9), Tip 2, you will NOT be able to park your car on the Fireworks nights, it will be jam packed with visitors that night, the local taxis are safe, cheap and easy to flag down on the barbican that night, catch a local taxi that night, I'm a local here, trust me on this one!, Tip 3, trick someone into getting the half yard of hotdog at Cap'n Jaspers, its cheap, so enormous its funny, and makes a good photo.
One of the most perfect places to live, sea on one side, with beaches, stunning seascapes and historic and mystical Dartmoor on the other side. It also borders Cornwall with all the beauty that county has to offer. Industry, Science Parks, Commerce etc. Britains Ocean City.
I was further down out of the town in the middle of nowhere we used to go here to just see people. Did not like it as a child always wanted to see London or see somewhere where something happens.
Be aware, this part of the country has a poor road and rail infrastructure. It takes hours and hours to get to by car from London or Birmingham, especially during public holidays.
I visited Plymouth for the first time last year, my brother from another mother lives there, I surprised him just outside the Edinburgh Woolen Mill and we sat at Cap'n Jaspers for a good hour or two, the staff there are so lovely and polite. A definite jewel in Plymouth's crown.
