Location: Acton
Top Things to do in Acton
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What to do and see in Acton, United States: The Best Places and Tips
Acton is a suburban town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, approximately twenty-one miles west-northwest of Boston along Route 2 west of Concord and about ten miles (16 km) southwest of Lowell. The population was 21,929 at the 2010 census. It is bordered by Westford and Littleton to the north, Concord and Carlisle to the east, Stow, Maynard, and Sudbury to the south and Boxborough to the west. Acton became an incorporated town in 1735. The town employs the Open Town Meeting form of government with a Town Manager and an elected, five-member Board of Selectmen. Acton was named the 11th Best Place To Live among small towns in the country by Money Magazine in 2015, and the 16th best in 2009 and in 2011. The local high school, Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, was named a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education in 2009. In 2012, U.S. News & World Report ranked Acton-Boxborough #3 among open enrollment high schools and #7 overall for STEM education in the United States.[6]
Restaurants in Acton
1. Discovery Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 87 reviews
Discovery Museum is a hands-on museum that blends science, nature, and play, inspiring families to explore and learn together. The museum and its Discovery Woods accessible outdoor nature playscape and 550 sf treehouse blend the best of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) learning on a beautiful 4.5-acre campus abutting 180 acres of conservation land in Acton, MA, about 20 miles west of Boston. Originally founded in 1982 and expanded to two museums in 1987, the museum reopened in a single, 16,000sf accessible building after a complete renovation and expansion in early 2018. Hands-on, open-ended exhibits developed by professional educators inspire curiosity and exploration, providing a fun and engaging experience for children and adults to discover their world together.
Reviewed By Whizkids - Acton, Massachusetts
Went with my vision impaired wife and was treated to a guided tour of the outdoor facility as the main building is being totally renovated. The outdoor facility is great for children in the 3 to 10 age range with lots to climb, hide and do things in the tree house. All is accessible for all.
2. North Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 570 reviews
The "shot heard round the world," which signaled the start of the Revolutionary War, was fired from this spot.
Reviewed By Tellus9 - Washington DC, District of Columbia
loved visiting it. know history before you visit. was great to see. must se if you are in the area. neat area to walk around.
3. Kimball Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 178 reviews
Reviewed By Lovelyliki - Douglas MA
Unfortunately I'm not going to give Kimball Farm a good review. Their ice cream was great though. We won a "Give Me Five" pass so recently went, all excited to go. The Give Me Five pass said it was good for ice cream as one of the 5 things you could use it for but when we ordered the ice cream we were told we had to pay for it, which we weren't expecting. Then there was a large corporate event going on so there were thousands of people there. I think they should put a sign outside letting you know that it will be overly crowded that day so you can choose to leave & come another day. Regardless we probably would have stayed since we traveled over an hour to get there. The first thing we did was the zip line. We stood in line for over 1 1/2 hours to go on a one minute ride. There was no rhyme or reason to the line so people were cutting the line. Then we played miniature golf which took us 2 hours to play because it was so crowded so you had to wait for the people ahead of you to finish their hole before you could play & then you felt rushed because there were so many people behind you. We are 2 60 + people and standing for over 3 1/2 hours was too much for us with no place to sit down due to the crowds. We asked if we could leave & come back another day to use the remainder of our 3 activities & we were told no, we used it that day or tough luck. We decided to go to the Animal Adventure since there was no line & by now we had been at Kimballs for 6 hours & only managed to do 3 things. Every place we went the line was at least an hour to two hour wait & we just couldn't do it, so we left. We would have REALLY been upset if we had paid the $42.50 price the Give Me Five is, but as I said we won the passes. Due to the crowds & the long long wait in line I can't give Kimballs a good review.
4. DeCordova Sculpture Park & Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 217 reviews
The largest of its kind in New England, this sculpture park encompasses 35 acres, 20 miles northwest of Boston. The park features a constantly changing landscape of large-scale, outdoor, modern and contemporary sculpture and site-specific installations, and hosts more than 60 works, the majority of which are on loan. Year round activities include snowshoe tours, yoga in the park, birding tours, curator and artist conversations, and many special talks, screenings, and events.
Reviewed By pochejlee - Chicago, Illinois
Spent the afternoon exploring the grounds. It was serene and stimulating at the same time. The size of the artwork varies from huge, towering works to small, intimate pieces. As well as size variation, the diversity of subject matter and medium was also great. It was fun to see a piece from a distance and then to come up right to it--sometimes to be right within it. A quiet, surreal feeling throughout.
5. Minute Man National Historical Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 612 reviews
The more than 900 acres of this national park run along the route of the battle of Lexington and Concord.
Reviewed By travelmonkey17 - Bristol, RI
This is a great place filled with historical lessons while you walk. Highly recommend it. The trail is beautiful so hard to believe a battle happened in such a beautiful place. Walk across the bridge and read the battle descriptions. It will take you back in time.
6. The Happy Chocolatier
Overall Ratings
5 based on 15 reviews
The Happy Chocolatier™, LLC, founded in June 2011, spreads happiness with high-quality, all natural truffle Cubze™ and other chocolate confections, as well chocolate, candy, The Happy Chocolatier as an exceptional customer experience. Our signature chocolates, Cubze, are unique truffles in a cube shape. Each Cubze piece is coated in chocolate and hand foiled along with an inspirational message about happiness. The Cubze and other fine chocolates are available in single-serving sizes and in attractive, eye-catching boxes for gift giving. We hand make many seasonal chocolates for the Cubze, chocolate, happiness happy kid in all of us, plus elegant wedding and event favors. Our fine chocolates make excellent business gifts. We provide the service of creating chocolate selections to meet business gift-giving needs. In addition to our elegant boxed chocolates, we create custom gift baskets and towers. The Acton shop also offers a selection of ice cream, frozen yogurt and sorbet available year-round.
Reviewed By readymom - Concord, North Carolina
After watching a movie about chocolate, what choice did we have but to go out and find a chocolatier. Wish you could just walk around a sample everything. What we got was very good.
7. Charmed
Overall Ratings
5 based on 27 reviews
Charmed,a Metaphysical & Occult Boutique owned by Lady T,a Natural Witch, Artist & Psychic. Magickal curios for the experienced practitioner & the novice. 7 Day Spell Candles, Enchanted Herbs,Books, Witch Balls,Wands, Brooms, Tapestries, Ritual Incense, Jewelry & Creations by New England Artisans.Psychic Readings, Mediumship, Reiki,Astrology.Workshops and monthly Full Moon Esbat Rituals Classes and Workshops via Magick School
Reviewed By Rita V - Hudson, Massachusetts
In the world of spirits and third senses. Everything you can imagine, beautifully displayed. Come for your destiny. Find your aura. Be connected. If only out of curiosity, they will put a spell on you!
8. Shelburne Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By jverdun - Plymouth, Massachusetts
Four of us made our annual visit for apple picking. There were several types to choose from- macs, Cortlands and honey crisps. The usual delicious cider, cheeses and cider donuts were eagerly consumed as well. The pumpkin patch was huge, offering some good sized selections, and the display of farm animals were a good distraction for the many youngsters there.
9. Orchard House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 395 reviews
Immortalized by Louisa May Alcott in the beloved classic, Little Women, Orchard House (c. 1690) 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 Alan B - Essex, Vermont
Since I had read in Yankee magazine that Orchard House still existed I have wanted to take the time to go to Concord to see the Alcott home. I wish I had never went. We went recently on November 6, 2017 and although it was nice to see the house we were greeted by two very rude women that were working there. When buying my tickets I was asked if I wanted to buy two adult tickets for my wife and I. My response since we are retired is I would like two senior tickets and the gal selling tickets says if you say so; in other words she doesn't believe that I am a senior and the lady standing beside her ; the woman that gave the tour say you must need the money more than we do. I have to say that just ruined my enthusiasm to see this home; very rude and uncalled for. If you don't want people to buy a senior ticket don't offer it and if you do offer it don't try to shame them into buying the higher priced ticket. If four dollars is going to kill them then they better shut their doors.
10. Acton Arboretum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By Larry P - Fargo, North Dakota
This small arboretum has paved paths leading through flower and berry gardens, past ponds, and by apple and cherry orchards. It was a fun place to explore with young kids.
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