Top Things to do in Greater Merrimack Valley
Top Hotels in Greater Merrimack Valley
- 1. Archer Hotel Burlington
- 2. Hilton Boston / Woburn
- 3. Concord's Colonial Inn
- 4. Best Western At Historic Concord
- 5. Red Roof PLUS+ Boston - Woburn/Burlington
- 6. Westford Regency Inn & Conference Center
- 7. Sonesta Select Boston Lowell Chelmsford
- 8. Aloft Lexington
- 9. Best Western Plus New Englander
- 10. Courtyard by Marriott Boston Littleton
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Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Greater Merrimack Valley, Greater Merrimack Valley
Discover the best top things to do in Greater Merrimack Valley, United States including Lexington Green, Battle Road Trail, Minuteman National Park - Old North Bridge, The Old Manse, Buckman Tavern, Hancock-Clarke House, Minute Man National Historical Park, Gropius House, Walden Pond State Reservation, Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House.
Restaurants in Greater Merrimack Valley
1. Lexington Green
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 373 reviews
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.
2. 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!
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Buckman Tavern
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 229 reviews
This Historic Tavern is one of the few colonial era buildings still standing around the Battle Green and was used by the Lexington Militia on April 19th, 1775 as a gathering place. It is now a Museum with self-guided audio tours. *Due to COVID-19 concerns, Buckman Tavern is closed until March 30th*
Reviewed By Hollyrik - Bellevue, United States
We enjoyed the 45 minute tour conducted by Sarah at Buckman Tavern. As this was the only tour of a 1775-era building available during the pandemic, we were glad the Historical Society was able to maintain this tour in operation. Sarah gave us an excellent idea of how the building was used, and how it related to the 4/19/1775 events that happened right outside its front door.
6. Hancock-Clarke House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 203 reviews
The home of Lexington's first two ministers and the location where John Hancock and Sam Adams were staying on April 18, 1775. Paul Revere stopped here on his famous "Midnight Ride" to warn Hancock and Adams that British troops had left Boston.
7. 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,
8. Gropius House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
This minimalist masterpiece was built by the founder of the Bauhaus movement. Walter Gropius, founder of the German design school known as the Bauhaus, was one of the most influential architects of the 20th century. Modest in scale, the 1938 Gropius home was revolutionary in impact. It combined the traditional elements of New England architecture -- wood, brick, and fieldstone -- with innovative materials rarely used in domestic settings at that time -- glass block, acoustical plaster, and chrome banisters, along with the latest technology in fixtures.In keeping with Bauhaus philosophy, every aspect of the house and its surrounding landscape was planned for maximum efficiency and simplicity of design. The house contains an important collection of furniture designed by Marcel Breuer made in the Bauhaus workshops.With all the family possessions still in place, the house has an immediacy rarely found in house museums.
Reviewed By colvinkathy - Jacksonville Beach, United States
If you have an interest in the stars of "modern" architecture, put this house on the top of your list. When it was built, it was situated on a hill, in an apple orchard with a glimpse of Walden Pond in the distance. Gropius transplanted small tree specimens for shade and variety, and added an Asian garden off the patio. The original landscape trees are enormous; the pond is no longer visible, but the house orientation is still significant for attention to the window orientation, for solar gain. Industrial materials were adapted for residential construction, and the interior furnishings are mostly built-in. There is also a superb collection of original furniture designed by Gropius contemporaries.
9. 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.
10. 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.
