Follow Route 3A from Boston down toward Cape Cod and you’ll find yourself on what many argue was the state’s oldest public highway—once called the “Mattachusetts Payth.” It ran between Boston and Plymouth, where the Pilgrims had made their fateful arrival on the Mayflower in 1620 and soon thereafter established the Plymouth Colony.

Farther south lie the waters of Buzzard’s Bay, a sheltered arc between Long Island and Nantucket Sounds that is home to two great port cities: the former whaling port and fishing community of New Bedford, and the textile center and immigrant gateway of Fall River.

Getting There

To drive from Boston to the South Shore, take I-93 South to US Route 3 South. For Hingham, take exit 15 (25 mi., 40 min.), for Duxbury, exit 11 (35 mi., 45 min.), and for Plymouth, exit 6A (40 mi., 50 min.) To drive from Boston to New Bedford, take I-93 South to Route 24 to Route 140 (60 mi., 1 hr. 10 min.).

From Boston, you can access the South Shore easily by public transportation on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA, 617/222-5000, www.mbta.com); the subway’s Red Line runs from numerous in-city stations, including South Station, to Quincy, Wollaston, and Braintree stations. From there, and between a number of key South Shore points, you can access MBTA buses that run throughout most of the area’s towns. Check the website for individual schedules.

To get to Cuttyhunk, take the Cuttyhunk Ferry Co. (66B State Pier, South Bulkhead, New Bedford, 508/992-0200, www.cuttyhunkferryco.com, $25/40 adult, $20/30 children 12 and under).

With careful planning and a schedule from the Plymouth & Brockton (8 Industrial Park Rd., Plymouth, 508/746-0378, www.p-b.com) bus line, you can get nearly anywhere on the South Shore—even all the way to Provincetown on the tip of Cape Cod, if need be. Call for schedules and route information.