Things to do in Concord, Massachusetts (MA): The Best Historic Sites

October 10, 2021 Elouise Mccaul

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. 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
71%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

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.

2. The Old Manse

269 Monument St, Concord, MA 01742-1837 +1 978-369-3909 [email protected] http://www.thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/greater-boston/old-manse.html
Excellent
66%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 131 reviews

The Old Manse

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.

3. Minute Man National Historical Park

174 Liberty St, Concord, MA 01742-1705 +1 978-369-6993 http://www.nps.gov/mima/index.htm
Excellent
71%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

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,

4. 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
59%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

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.

5. Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House

399 Lexington Rd, Concord, MA 01742-3712 +1 978-369-4118 [email protected] http://www.louisamayalcott.org
Excellent
74%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

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.

6. The Wayside

455 Lexington Rd, Concord, MA 01742-3727 +1 978-369-6975 http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/pwwmh/ma47.htm
Excellent
56%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 41 reviews

The Wayside

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.

7. Thoreau House

Route 126, Concord, MA +1 978-369-3254
Excellent
40%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
28%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 47 reviews

Thoreau House

A replica of the house Thoreau lived in for his two-year sojourn at Walden Pond.

Reviewed By Z1981CUrobinb

Just a little reproduction of Thoreau's house but it was nice to get a perspective on his time on Walden Pond.

8. Ralph Waldo Emerson House

28 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord, MA 01742-3700 +1 978-369-2236 http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/massachusetts_conservation/ralph_waldo_emerson_house.html
Excellent
51%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
5%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 83 reviews

Ralph Waldo Emerson House

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. Wright Tavern Center

2 Lexington Rd, Concord, MA 01742-2525 +1 978-369-9602
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.