Location: Concord
Top Things to do in Concord
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The 10 Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Concord, Massachusetts (MA)
Concord is a city steeped in the history of the sword and the pen. The site of the historic Battle of Lexington and Concord, the city provided the setting for the initiation of the American War of Independence, honored at Minute Man National Historical Park. Concord's literary history is at least as rich. It was here where Thoreau penned Walden, inspired by the kettle pond of the same name, where Emerson philosophized on Self-Reliance and where Louisa May Alcott introduced her Little Women.
Restaurants in Concord
1. The Old Manse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 131 reviews
The first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired nearby – and, less than a century later, Emerson, Hawthorne, and Thoreau spawned a revolution in American philosophy from here.
2. Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 529 reviews
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.
3. Concord Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 231 reviews
The Concord Museum is closed for gallery re-installations. Please join us for our Grand re-Opening on Friday, October 11, 2019! The Concord Museum in historic Concord, Massachusetts houses one of the oldest and most treasured collections of Americana in the country.
Reviewed By nwelch54 - Concord, United States
The Museum is a must-visit place if you come to concord. Its a short walk from the town center (and it has parking). The new addition is the Rasmussen wing which includes a Paul Revere Lantern and Henry David Thoreau’s desk on view. The museum has many other things on display and they always have had interesting Christmas events
4. The Wayside
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By HilaireH116
If you’re a fan of Louisa May Alcott and/or Nathaniel Hawthorne, I highly recommend a visit to Wayside. Both authors lived there, and the house reflects their 2 different eras. Louisa May Alcott spent 3 happy years in the house, and the guides give you a good idea of what life was like for the Alcotts while they lived there. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s presence looms even larger in the house, since he added on to it and lived there for several years. Particularly interesting is his library and the Tower Room, where he liked to write undisturbed and keep a wary eye out for visitors. The National Park staff who lead the tours are very knowledgeable and helpful to visitors. The house is easy to find and there is ample parking across the street.
5. Concord Free Public Library
6. The Umbrella Arts Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
A program-rich, multifunction non-profit arts center (formerly Emerson Umbrella) dedicated to enriching lives and building a vibrant arts community throughout the greater Boston Metrowest region. We inspire creativity, learning, and personal growth through youth and adult arts education programs, performing arts, visual art exhibits and galleries, environmental art, and community collaborations, festivals, and public art. We offer: • Studio space for more than 50 artists • Arts classes and workshops in multiple media • Gallery exhibition space • Outdoor space for sculpture and Big Art • Community arts initiatives, including the Musketaquid Arts & Environment program • Multiple performance spaces for all disciplines. Following a major renovation in 2017-2019, programs are housed in our completely renovated arts complex in the historic Emerson School building at 40 Stow Street, in the heart of the Concord Center Cultural District.
7. Thoreauly Antiques
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By WJW0126 - Tompkinsville, United States
It was our pleasure to peruse through Thoreauly Antiques while visiting in Concord today. There is plenty to see in this little shop with books and clothing and jewelry, photos, frames, musical instruments and china among the many things on display. You are asked to use the hand sanitizer upon entering, and then keeping your mask on, you can walk around the store and look at all the items at a leisurely pace. I found a couple of books that I wanted and my wife found some items that she wanted. It is one of those shops that if you lived in the area, you would go back to time and again. The downtown area of Concord is a very pleasant place to shop and walk with food places and even a hardware store. We are glad to have experienced Thoreauly Antiques.
8. Ralph Waldo Emerson House
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 83 reviews
Reviewed By meginla
The wonderful docents give a very educational tour and share all kind of interesting information about Emerson, his family and friends. It is a lovely stop while exploring the area.
9. The Robbins House
10. Toy Shop of Concord
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 11 reviews
