Location: Concord
Top Things to do in Concord
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The 10 Best Things to do 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. Battle Road Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 105 reviews
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!
2. Minuteman National Park - Old North Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 715 reviews
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.
3. 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.
4. Minute Man National Historical Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 774 reviews
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,
5. Walden Pond State Reservation
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 661 reviews
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.
6. 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.
7. 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
8. Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 321 reviews
Nineteenth-century luminaries such as Louisa May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau are buried here.
Reviewed By CMPTexas - Tucson, United States
One of the best preserved early American cemeteries, this beautiful pristine cemetery is better known for "Author's Ridge." On Author's Ridge, you'll see the final resting places of Louisa May Alcott, Henry David Thoreau, Nathanial Hawthorne, and Ralph Waldo Emerson, all within a short distance away from each other. There are many other notable sites here, but most come to pay homage to the greatest of authors in American Literature.
9. 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.
10. Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By dianed24 - Boston, United States
I had been driving right by the entrance on Monsen Rd for over 20 years and had no idea what was right off of RT 62. After driving down a skinny, one way road to the parking area, I was stunned when we got out. There was a huge viewing tower you could ascend with a binocular set at the top. We chose to walk out around the Lotus Pond. I was not aware that Concord had the right conditions to grow Lotus Flowers and I mean hundreds and thousands of Lotus Flowers. As you would expect, every type of wildlife and bird species were among the beautiful setting. I can understand why this place is so popular for so many. This place is wonderful and peaceful, where you can truly feel as one with nature. Right off the heart of the Center in Concord, MA.
