Concord

Day Trips

Arrive in Concord and settle into your hotel or B&B. Grab a coffee and pastry at a local café near the center. Take a short walk through the historic Main Street to orient yourself with the town’s layout.

Enjoy lunch at a farm-to-table bistro downtown featuring seasonal ingredients. Browse unique shops, galleries, and bookstores along Monument Square. Stop by the Concord Free Public Library to admire its architecture and local exhibits.

Dine at a riverside restaurant overlooking the Concord River. Catch a performance at the Concord Players community theater if available. Enjoy a leisurely post-dinner stroll under the lights of historic landmarks.

Kick off your day at the Minute Man National Historical Park visitor center. Explore the North Bridge area where the first shots of the American Revolution rang out. Wander along the Battle Road Trail and imagine colonial militia marching through open fields.

Have a picnic lunch at Barrett’s Farm within the park boundaries. Continue your hike along the Revolutionary Powder Trail and read interpretive signs about skirmishes. Pause at the Hartwell Tavern for a reenactment of 18th-century life.

Return to town for dinner at a cozy tavern reminiscent of colonial gatherings. Sample New England clam chowder or baked beans by candlelight. Finish with a nighttime ghost tour exploring legendary local folklore.

Head to Walden Pond State Reservation for an early morning paddle or swim in the clear water. Follow the 1.7-mile loop trail around the pond for scenic views and wildlife spotting. Bring binoculars to watch songbirds flitting among the reeds.

Enjoy a lakeside picnic with sandwiches and fresh fruit on the grassy shores. Visit the replica of Thoreau’s cabin and read from Walden’s pages to feel his spirit. Hike further into Walden Woods to see historic stone walls and hidden wooded paths.

Drive back to town and unwind with dinner at a farm-to-table restaurant focusing on local produce. Toast to the day with a craft beer or local cider. End the evening with a quiet walk along Sleepy Hollow Brook under the stars.

Begin at Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House to see where Little Women was penned. Take the guided tour to learn about the Alcott family’s unconventional household. Explore the lush gardens and orchards that inspired the author.

Walk to the nearby Concord Museum and examine exhibits on Emerson, Thoreau, and Hawthorne. Attend any special talk or lecture highlighting Concord’s literary legacy. Wander through Monument Square and read plaques about famous residents.

Dine at a quaint café featuring live acoustic music performances. Savor local cheeses and charcuterie boards paired with regional wines. Stroll home through the lamplit streets appreciating the town’s historic charm.

Drive north to the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge for bird watching at dawn. Follow the boardwalk trails over marshlands teeming with herons and ducks. Keep an eye out for deer and foxes browsing the fields.

Pack a lunch to enjoy at one of the refuge’s picnic areas surrounded by quiet wetlands. Continue exploring additional walking paths or rent a kayak for a gentle paddle. Photograph seasonal wildflowers and migratory birds.

Return to Concord for dinner at a rustic inn near the river. Enjoy hearty New England fare like pot roast or grilled salmon. End the night with a fireside chat in the inn’s cozy lounge.

Start at the Concord Art Association gallery to admire works by regional artists. Participate in a morning workshop if one is offered, such as pottery or watercolor. Chat with gallery staff about upcoming community art events.

Lunch at a bistro featuring chef-driven specials inspired by Mediterranean flavors. Explore local craft shops selling handmade soaps, jewelry, and textiles. Stop by a pottery studio for a behind-the-scenes peek at artisans at work.

Indulge in a tasting menu at a fine-dining restaurant showcasing inventive cuisine. Pair each course with wines selected by a knowledgeable sommelier. Conclude the night with a stroll past illuminated sculptures in the town square.

Journey back into Walden Woods to tackle a more challenging loop hike along Lincoln and Nashawtuc Trails. Observe the varied terrain from pine forest to oak ridges. Pause at scenic overlooks and reflect in silent clearings.

Have lunch at a roadside café near Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. Follow with a self-guided tour through the cemetery’s winding paths. Visit graves of Thoreau and the Alcotts and read their epitaphs.

Return to town center for dinner at a gastro pub offering local brews. Sample small plates that highlight regional ingredients. Wrap up with a craft cocktail in a snug lounge ambiance.

Head to a weekend farmers market in Concord Center to taste fresh produce and artisanal goods. Chat with farmers about heirloom vegetables and homemade cheeses. Pick up ingredients for a midday picnic.

Take a cooking class at a local culinary school focusing on New England specialties. Learn to prepare dishes like maple-glazed salmon or blueberry galettes. Sit down with fellow participants to enjoy your creations.

Dine at a restaurant known for experimental fusion cuisine drawing on local ingredients. Try a tasting flight of craft ciders from nearby orchards. End the evening with a decadent dessert and an espresso.

Rent a canoe or kayak at the Concord River and set out with a guide for a morning paddle. Float past wetlands inhabited by turtles and green herons. Listen to the gentle lapping of water against your boat.

Land on a sandy bank for a riverside picnic and a short hike along the riverbank trails. Watch fishermen casting lines for bass and trout. Photograph wildflowers and cottonwood trees reflecting in the water.

Return the boats and freshen up at your lodging. Enjoy dinner at a waterfront tavern with panoramic river views. Finish with a nightcap on their outdoor deck under the stars.

Spend your last morning at The Old Manse overlooking the Concord River. Take the guided tour to learn about its literary and historical significance. Sit in the garden to write postcards home or journal about your trip.

Enjoy a farewell lunch at a nearby tea house serving sandwiches and pastries. Stroll through the adjacent meadow and visit a small orchard. Pick up souvenirs from local shops to remember your visit.

Have an early dinner at a charming inn before packing. Savor a final taste of regional specialties like maple crème brûlée. Reflect on your ten days of history, nature, and culture as you prepare to depart.