Concord MassachusettsATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Concord, Massachusetts.
1. Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House
LITERARY LEGACY LIVES ON
Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House offers intimate group tours showcasing the famous author's family life and her sister May Alcott's artwork. Visitors can experience the historical home where 'Little Women' was written and get a glimpse into 19th-century literary life. The attraction features a pre-tour video, themed gift shop, and picturesque gardens for a complete immersive experience.
2. Minute Man National Historical Park
REVOLUTIONARY WAR COMES ALIVE
Minute Man National Historical Park preserves the site of the opening battle of the American Revolutionary War with interactive exhibits and educational programs. Visitors can walk historic trails connecting significant Revolutionary War sites, including the famous North Bridge where the 'shot heard 'round the world' was fired. The park offers a driving tour and a 3D multimedia presentation that brings the American Revolution to life for modern audiences.
3. Walden Pond State Reservation
THOREAU'S PEACEFUL RETREAT
Walden Pond State Reservation preserves the site where Henry David Thoreau lived and wrote his famous work 'Walden'. The scenic pond offers swimming, fishing, and hiking opportunities along with a replica of Thoreau's small cabin. Visitors can explore the natural beauty that inspired Thoreau's philosophy of simple living and self-reliance in harmony with nature.
4. The Old North Bridge
HISTORIC REVOLUTIONARY CROSSING
The Old North Bridge stands as the iconic site where colonial militiamen first fired upon British soldiers during the Revolutionary War. This historic wooden bridge spans the Concord River and marks the location of the famous 'shot heard 'round the world'. Visitors can walk across the reconstructed bridge and view the Minute Man statue that commemorates the brave colonial farmers who faced the British troops.
5. Concord Museum
LOCAL HISTORY PRESERVED
The Concord Museum houses a remarkable collection of artifacts that bring the town's rich history to life through objects, stories, and interactive displays. Its galleries feature treasures including Ralph Waldo Emerson's study, Henry David Thoreau's possessions from Walden Pond, and significant Revolutionary War items. The museum offers dynamic educational programs and activities designed for visitors of all ages to connect with America's literary and revolutionary past.
6. Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
LITERARY LEGENDS REST HERE
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery serves as the final resting place for many of America's most celebrated literary figures and transcendentalist thinkers. Visitors can find the graves of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott, and Nathaniel Hawthorne along the cemetery's famous Author's Ridge. The peaceful grounds feature beautiful landscaping, historic headstones, and winding paths that invite quiet contemplation and historical appreciation.
7. Ralph Waldo Emerson House
TRANSCENDENTALIST'S HISTORIC HOME
Ralph Waldo Emerson House preserves the home where the influential writer and philosopher lived for nearly 50 years. The house remains largely unchanged since Emerson's time, containing original furnishings and personal belongings of the transcendentalist thinker. Visitors can tour the study where Emerson wrote many of his famous essays and poems, gaining insight into the intellectual environment that shaped American literature and philosophy.
8. The Old Manse
LITERARY AND REVOLUTIONARY LANDMARK
The Old Manse stands as a historic house that witnessed both literary and revolutionary history, built by Ralph Waldo Emerson's grandfather in 1770. This Georgian-style home overlooks the North Bridge and later became home to Nathaniel Hawthorne, who inscribed messages on its window panes with his wife's diamond. Visitors can tour the house, explore its beautiful grounds along the Concord River, and see the garden originally planted by Henry David Thoreau as a wedding gift to the Hawthornes.
9. Thoreau Farm
BIRTHPLACE OF HENRY DAVID
Thoreau Farm preserves the 1730s farmhouse where celebrated author and naturalist Henry David Thoreau was born in 1817. The restored house offers visitors a glimpse into the early life of the man who would later write the influential works 'Walden' and 'Civil Disobedience'. The site hosts programs and events that connect visitors with Thoreau's enduring ideas about simplicity, environmental conservation, and social justice.
10. The Wayside
HOME OF THREE AUTHORS
The Wayside holds the unique distinction of being the only home in America that was inhabited by three major American authors: Louisa May Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Margaret Sidney. Hawthorne named the house 'The Wayside' and made significant alterations, including adding the distinctive tower where he would write in seclusion. Visitors can tour the historic rooms where these literary giants lived and worked, seeing how each author left their mark on this remarkable property.
11. 80 Thoreau
FINE CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN DINING
80 Thoreau offers an upscale dining experience featuring contemporary American cuisine made with locally-sourced ingredients. The restaurant's refined atmosphere combines modern elegance with classic New England charm, located in the historic Concord Depot building. Patrons can enjoy vegetarian-friendly options and seasonal menus that showcase the culinary team's commitment to fresh, innovative dishes.
12. Woods Hill Table
FARM-TO-TABLE FINE DINING
Woods Hill Table presents an exceptional farm-to-table dining experience featuring ingredients sourced directly from the restaurant's own organic farm. The menu blends French techniques with American flavors, offering steakhouse specialties and refined seasonal dishes prepared with sustainable practices. Diners enjoy an elegant atmosphere where culinary craftsmanship and environmental stewardship come together to create a memorable fine dining experience.
13. Concord's Colonial Inn
HISTORIC LODGING AND DINING
Concord's Colonial Inn has welcomed guests since 1716, making it one of the oldest operating inns in the United States with deep ties to Revolutionary War history. The charming establishment offers both comfortable accommodations and dining options in a building that once stored arms and provisions for the Colonial militia. Visitors can dine in historic rooms where wounded soldiers were treated after the Battle of Concord, enjoying traditional New England cuisine in an authentic historical setting.
14. Saltbox Farm
CULINARY CLASSES AND EVENTS
Saltbox Farm offers hands-on cooking classes and culinary experiences on a working farm that connects visitors directly with their food sources. The farm's cooking school provides both recreational and professional instruction in a beautiful agricultural setting with ingredients harvested just steps from the kitchen. Visitors can participate in seasonal events, farm dinners, and specialized workshops that celebrate New England's culinary traditions and local bounty.
15. The Robbins House
AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY SITE
The Robbins House preserves and interprets the history of Concord's African American community and their contributions to the antislavery movement. This restored early 19th-century house was home to the Robbins family, African Americans who were descendants of a Revolutionary War veteran. Visitors can explore exhibits that illuminate the struggles and achievements of free Black citizens in early America and their connections to Concord's famous transcendentalist authors who advocated for abolition.