One Day In Concord, Massachusetts

Concord, Massachusetts is such a gem in terms of historical and literary treasures. This charming town was the home to one of the most famous groups of writers during the 19th century. It was also where one of the most famous battles and the start of the Revolutionary War took place. You really can’t beat that in terms of historical relevance! But there are so many reasons to visit Concord, Massachusetts beyond the history and literature. What should you do with One Day In Concord, Massachusetts?

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One Day In Concord, Massachusetts

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The Basics

Where Is Concord, Massachusetts?

Concord is a town northwest of Boston, Massachusetts. This charming New England town is known for its key role in American Revolutionary, now known as Minute Man National Historical Park. A key battle took place at the North Bridge and is commemorated by Daniel Chester French’s Minute Man statue. Also, in the 1800s, Transcendentalist poet Ralph Waldo Emerson drafted his essay “Nature” at the Old Manse.

When Should I Visit?

Winter – Massachusetts can be a bit problematic during the winter months. Trust it from someone who called this area home for 7 years. I wouldn’t recommend a winter visit unless it’s close to the Holidays because they decorate everything to the nines!

Spring – Keep in mind that spring can be a bit later in New England, think mid/end of May. But this is a fantastic time to visit Concord, MA. The summer crowds haven’t descended yet but the weather is beautiful (maybe a little chilly). This was my favorite season to take my pups for a walk in Minute Man!

Summer – Concord is beautiful in summer! I’ve had many visitors during summer who I’ve shown around Massachusetts in summer and Concord always shines. It’s a great time to take a stroll through Minute Man or sit on the porch at the Colonial Inn.

Fall – Of course, fall in New England is pretty spectacular and Concord, MA is no exception. Fall is a great time to visit Concord and the leaves will not disappoint. This area of Massachusetts usually turns peak fall colors later than most other locations in New England. I would say mid/late October is the peak of most years (this varies from year to year).

Let’s get into it…

One Day In Concord, Massachusetts

1. Grab Breakfast At Mainstreet Market & Cafe –

42 Main St, Concord, MA 01742
Mon – Sat – 8 am – 8 pm
Find Menu Here

This cafe offers an assortment of American grub for any meal time. For breakfast the avocado toast, eggs benedict, and breakfast bowls are a must try.

Keep In Mind: Mainstreet is pretty popular and you may have to wait for a table to open up.

2. Head To Minute Man National Historical Park Visitor Center

250 N Great Rd, Lincoln, MA 01773
Open Daily From 9 am – 5pm

The Visitor Center is a great place to start at Minute Man National Historical Park. You’ll get tons of information on the history before you start wandering around Minute Man.

3. Wander Around Minute Man

Minute Man National Historical Park has some truly amazing history and is a great place to just wander around. It’s also dog friendly and it was one of Loki’s favorite walk spots on a warm spring day. He always gets tons of attention and loves it!

4. You Can’t Miss North Bridge

The famous location of the “shot heard round the world” the North Bridge in Minute Man is the place that marked the beginning of the American Revolution. On the morning of April 19, 1775, the Colonial Militia from Concord and surrounding towns exchanged gunfire with British regulars guarding this critical river crossing.

Although the exchange at the North Bridge lasted only a few seconds, it marked the beginning of a massive battle that raged over 16 miles along the Bay Road from Boston to Concord, and included some 1,700 British regulars and over 4,000 Colonial militia.

5. Take In The Minute Man Statue

The Minute Man statue was sculpted by Daniel Chester French, and is an American icon who stood guard over this hallowed ground. Fittingly, it is set near the spot where the first colonial militiamen were killed in Concord on that pivotal day in 1775.

“HERE ONCE THE EMBATTLED
FARMERS STOOD,
AND FIRED THE SHOT HEARD
ROUND THE WORLD.“
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

6. See Where Paul Revere Was Captured

This monument marks the location where Paul Revere was captured by a patrol of British officers while spreading the alarm through the countryside, thus ending his famous “midnight ride.” It was here that Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Dr. Samuel Prescott ran into a British patrol who were out on the road to stop any express riders from Boston. They captured Revere (and let him go a few hours later without his horse).

Did you know that Paul Revere wasn’t the only rider on that night? In fact, Revere was part of a larger system established by Patriot leaders to alarm the countryside and muster the minutemen and militia.

7. Check Out The Old Manse

Located inside Minute Man National Historical Park, this is where Emerson drafted his essay “Nature.” But that’s not this gorgeous Georgian clapboard building’s only claim to fame, it also sits right next to Old North Bridge where the first shots of the American Revolution were fired. Not only did Emerson reside in the Old Manse but so did Nathaniel Hawthorne, who wrote a tribute to the house called Mosses from an Old Manse. For more information click here.

After all that walking, grab lunch.

8. Grab Lunch At The Colonial Inn

Where: 48 Monument Square, Concord, MA 01742
Phone: 978-369-9200

Sit on the patio of the Colonial Inn and have some amazing food at the Colonial Inn. I highly recommend the Alcott, truffle fries, and the blueberry mule for lunch! If you’re into oysters they are also amazing at the Inn and have just a hint of dill. It’s delicious.

9. Tour Orchard House

Where: 399 Lexington Rd, Concord, MA 01742
Hours: 10 am – 4:30 pm (Closed Holidays)
Reopening Aug 1, 2021
BUT in the meantime, you CAN take a virtual tour here.

If you only do one tour in Concord, I highly suggest this one! You get to tour the home of Louisa May Alcott (from 1885 – 1877). This is THE place where she wrote Little Women and you even get to see the desk where she penned her most famous works. I am seriously impressed with the number of artifacts owned by the family in the home.

If you’ve ever read Little Women, you know it’s based on Alcott and her sisters. Her youngest sister May (Amy in the book) was quite the artist and you get to see her work all over the house including in her bedroom where she drew on the wall. It was very cool! For more information click here.

Bonus – The 2019 version of Little Women was actually filmed here and in other locations in Concord.

10. Head To Sleepy Hollow Cemetery

Where: Bedford St, Concord, MA 01742
Hours: Daily 7 am – 5 pm

While it may seem a little odd to hang out in a cemetery, this one is the final resting place of some serious literary geniuses. On Author’s Ridge, you will find the graves of Alcott, Emerson, Hawthorne, and Thoreau. I love that people leave pencil bouquets at each one of the author’s graves. It’s such a testament to their lasting legacies.

11. Check Out Barrow Books

Where: 79 Main St #2, Concord, MA 01742
Hours: Mon-Sat: 9:30 am – 5 pm, Sun: 12 pm – 6 pm
Find Out More Here

There are so many great bookstores in Concord (for good reason) but this one calls to the eclectic reader! Specializing in rare and gently read books, if you love bookstores then this is the place for you.

12. Stroll Around Walden Pond

Where: 915 Walden St., Concord, MA 01742
Hours: Mon – Fri 5 am – 7:30 pm, Sat – Sun 7 am – 7:30 pm
Parking: Parking is located in the large lot off Rt. 126
- MA resident $8
- Non-MA resident $30
- The parking lot will be closed once it reaches capacity.
Walden Pond Visitor Center, Picnic Areas, and the Thoreau House Replica CLOSED to aid in the prevention of spreading COVID-19
The gate locks at 7:30pm. Alls cars must be out of the lot at this time
For more information on what’s opened and closed click here.

Chances are that if you’ve heard of Thoreau then you are familiar with Walden Pond. A visit to Walden Pond will transport you back in time so that you can experience the connection with nature that inspired Thoreau’s Walden. While his original cabin no longer stands there is a replica of his one-room cabin. In case you are unfamiliar with Thoreau’s observations of plants, animals, the passing seasons, and his transcendental philosophy, they were published as Walden, or Life in the Woods, in 1854. For more information click here.

13. End Your Awesome Day With Some Ice Cream

Bedford Farms Ice Cream –

Where: 68 Thoreau St, Concord, MA 01742
Phone: 978-341-0000
Hours: Daily 12 pm-9 pm
Find Out More Here

They offer some truly spectacular flavors and the classics like chocolate, chocolate chip, and strawberry. On their “Sometimes Making” flavors you will find yummy concoctions like apple pie, pistachio, and rum raisin! Check them out if you are looking for some yummy ice cream.

You can’t go wrong between the history, literary treasures, and the food! It’s easy to have a great day in Concord, Massachusetts no matter what the season! There are so many things that make Concord special and it’s absolutely a charming town worth visiting. Do you have a favorite in Concord, MA that I missed? Let me know!

One Day In Concord, Massachusetts