10 Things to do Good for Kids in Greater Merrimack Valley That You Shouldn't Miss

March 30, 2022 Kelli Reichel

Discover the best top things to do in Greater Merrimack Valley, United States including The Telephone Museum, Lexington Green, Battle Road Trail, Boarding House Park, Minuteman National Park - Old North Bridge, Minute Man National Historical Park, Walden Pond State Reservation, Boott Cotton Mills Museum, Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House, Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center.
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1. The Telephone Museum

1661 Massachusetts Ave. #488, Lexington, MA 02420 +1 781-314-6864 [email protected] http://telephone-museum.org
Excellent
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5.0 based on 15 reviews

The Telephone Museum

When you were a kid, did you take stuff apart just to find out what was inside? Today's stuff is harder to see without specialized equipment, so we tear apart old analog phones to see the componentry that converts voice to electric current and back again. Then we compare this seemingly larger than life componentry of the 19TH century to today's semiconductor based versions. All things being equal, Ohm's Law is why smartphones work the same way as a candlestick phone. Furthermore, Ohm's Law is the fundamental principle of all circuit design including smartphone RF and Logic circuit designs. So, in the spirit of taking stuff apart that is meaningful, we offer telephone workshops at our museum.

Reviewed By 292marcial

This is a one room museum that contain the collection of telephones, telephone equipment, and displays that provide an educational journey through the development of the telephone. We spent 1 1/2 hours with the exhibits and detailed explanations of the collector who created this amazing treat for inquiring individuals. It is a great place for children, youth, and adults - a fabulous place to take scouts and school groups, as well as singles, couples and families young and and so young. No entry fee; contributions to the museum are accepted.

2. Lexington Green

Bedford St, Lexington, MA 02420-4403 +1 781-861-2758 http://www.libertyride.us/historic.html#1
Excellent
59%
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4.5 based on 373 reviews

Lexington Green

Site of the first battle between the Minutemen and the Redcoats during the Revolutionary War.

Reviewed By SneakinDeacon - Christiansburg, United States

Our Bus Tour of New England stopped here and were were able to visit the site where the American Patriots first faced off with the British Red Coats. Our tour group had the service of a local guide who explained just what happened here in 1775, which made our visit even more enjoyable. The guide also pointed out the houses and building that were standing at the time of the skirmish. The actual Lexington Green is an open park that has the Minuteman Statue standing at one end. At the other is a Monument where the remains of those patriots who were killed are buried. Located adjacent to the Green is Buckman Tavern, which dates back to 1709 and is where the Lexington Minutemen assembled on April 19, 1775 before confronting the Red Coats. The Lexington Green and surrounding area is a must stop for anyone who enjoys history.

3. Battle Road Trail

Concord, MA +1 978-369-6993 http://www.nps.gov/mima/planyourvisit/placestogo.htm
Excellent
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4.5 based on 105 reviews

Battle Road Trail

This route follows the trail taken by the British on their retreat to Boston after the battle of Lexington and Concord.

Reviewed By CMPTexas - Tucson, United States

Drive, park and walk this beautiful road toward Concord and relive the moments leading up to the Revolutionary War. Many of the fields and homes are today what they were in 1775. With the changing of the trees, even more beautiful than one can imagine. History breathes and lives here for everyone of every age to experience. Take your time and enjoy!

4. Boarding House Park

40 French St, Lowell, MA 01852-1113 +1 978-970-5200 http://www.lowell.com/parks/boarding-house-park/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 38 reviews

Boarding House Park

5. Minuteman National Park - Old North Bridge

174 Liberty St Minuteman National Historical Park, Concord, MA 01742-1705 +1 978-369-6993 http://www.nps.gov/mima/index.htm
Excellent
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4.5 based on 715 reviews

Minuteman National Park - Old North Bridge

The "shot heard round the world," which signaled the start of the Revolutionary War, was fired from this spot.

Reviewed By KarenV87 - Tampa, United States

This was the highlight of our visit to Concord. The origination of the phrase "the shot heard round the world" from the Concord Hymn as told by Ralph Waldo Emerson's family who lived in the house known as the Old Manse. You can see the house and the bridge as you enter the site. There's also a grave of the British soldiers who died in the battle. There is a verse from James Russell Lowell's poem "Lines" inscribed in the memorial plaque. It gave me chills reading the following: They came three thousand miles and died, to keep the past upon its throne: Unheard, beyond the ocean tide, their English Mother made her moan. There is also a famous statue called "The Minute Man" and a memorial obelisk at the foot of the North Bridge. You'll also see lots of wildlife. We had our first chipmunk sighting on the wall near the grave of the British soldiers. They are so cute! You might even see a wild turkey. It's just a great place to visit for nature or history.

6. Minute Man National Historical Park

174 Liberty St, Concord, MA 01742-1705 +1 978-369-6993 http://www.nps.gov/mima/index.htm
Excellent
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4.5 based on 774 reviews

Minute Man National Historical Park

The more than 900 acres of this national park run along the route of the battle of Lexington and Concord.

Reviewed By djanel2016 - Knoxville, United States

I would recommend starting your tour of the Minute Man National Historical park with a stop by the visitor center and watching their great multimedia presentation. They use a variety of methods to explain the Battles of Lexington and Concord. I have been to several national historical parks and this was, by far, the best multimedia presentation i have seen, both entertaining and educational. Make sure to go to the North Bridge visitors center as well,

7. Walden Pond State Reservation

915 Walden St 28 Maplewood St Watertown, Concord, MA 01742-4511 +1 978-369-3254 http://www.mass.gov/eea/.../massparks/.../walden-pond-state-reservation.html
Excellent
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4.5 based on 661 reviews

Walden Pond State Reservation

In order to preserve the natural environment, visitors are limited at this site, where Thoreau wrote his famous essays.

Reviewed By TrainManDan10 - Keene, United States

My wife and I went to the Walden Pond State Reservation on my birthday as I had studied Thoreau in High School, consider myself a naturalist, and approve of his non-violent Civil Disobedience. Everything that we found there, the setting, the pond, the original foundation of his 10 x 15 cabin, the re-constructed cabin with a re-enactor, the LEADS GOLD museum, the film, and the gift shop to be first class and an excellent reflection of Thoreau. In the Gift Shop, I bought one of the many different versions of Walden Pond and an excellent biography, "Henry David Thoreau A Life" by Laura Walls, published during the 200th anniversary of Thoreau's birth, 2017. You can catch her lecture about her book on youtube.

8. Boott Cotton Mills Museum

115 John St, Lowell, MA 01852-1159 +1 978-970-5000 http://www.nps.gov/lowe/planyourvisit/boat_tour.htm
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4.5 based on 142 reviews

Boott Cotton Mills Museum

This former textile mill is a reminder of the changes the Industrial Revolution brought to Lowell, and to America.

Reviewed By jerseyjazz - New Jersey, United States

Definitely worth a stop. The mill story is well preserved and well presented. Be sure to see the short films, which add a lot of context.

9. Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House

399 Lexington Rd, Concord, MA 01742-3712 +1 978-369-4118 [email protected] http://www.louisamayalcott.org
Excellent
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4.5 based on 529 reviews

Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House

Immortalized by Louisa May Alcott in the beloved classic, Little Women, Orchard House (c. 1670) is best known for being where the groundbreaking novel was written and set in 1868. One of the oldest, most authentically-preserved historic sites in the country, Orchard House has, for over a century, provided inspirational accounts of the Alcott family’s contributions to the fields of literature, education, philosophy, the arts, and social justice through award-winning guided tours, unique educational programs for students of all ages, and lively living history events . The Concord School of Philosophy and a Museum Store are also on the premises.

Reviewed By HilaireH116

If you’re in the vicinity of Concord and/or a Louisa May Alcott fan, I highly recommend a visit to Orchard House. The house gives you a good idea of the relationships between the Alcott sisters and their alter egos, the March sisters of Little Women. There are many original items that belonged to the family, including the melodeon given to Beth, several outstanding paintings and sketches done by May, Anna’s wedding dress, and the famous Healy portrait of Louisa, as well as the half moon desk on which she wrote her most celebrated novel. The house also gives you a sense of Bronson Alcott and his approach to educating children. The guides at Orchard House are very welcoming, courteous and knowledgeable. The gift shop is outstanding, offering a variety of excellent books about the Alcotts, Concord, Thoreau and Emerson (whom they knew), as well as decorative items and home goods. The house is easy to find, and there is ample parking across the street.

10. Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center

246 Market St, Lowell, MA 01852-1849 +1 978-970-5007 http://www.nps.gov/lowe/index.htm
Excellent
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4.5 based on 88 reviews

Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center

Visitors center located in the Market Mills complex of the park.

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