Things to do in Concord
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Walden Pond
Thoreau took the naturalist beliefs of Transcendentalism out of the realm of theory and into practice when he left the comforts of town and built a rustic cabin at Walden Pond. The glacial pond is now a state park, surrounded by acres of forest preserved by the nonprofit Walden Woods project. The site of Thoreau’s cabin is on the northeast side, marked by a cairn and signs. To escape the crowded summertime beach, follow the path along to the other side of the pond. Parking costs $5.
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Monument Square
The grassy center of Monument Square is a favorite resting and picnicking spot for cyclists touring Concord's scenic roads. At the southeastern end of the square is Wright Tavern, one of the first places the British troops searched in their hunt for arms on April 19, 1775. It became their headquarters for the operation. At the opposite end of the square is the Colonial Inn, the center of Concord socializing, now as then.
Old Hill Burying Ground, with graves dating from colonial times, is on the hillside at the southeastern end of Monument Sq.
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Concord Museum
Southeast of Monument Sq, Concord Museum brings together the town’s diverse history under one roof. The museum’s prized possession is one of the ‘two if by sea’ lanterns that hung in the steeple of the Old North Church in Boston as a signal to Paul Revere. It also has the world’s largest collection of Henry David Thoreau artifacts, including his writing desk from Walden Pond.
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Minute Man National Historic Park
Two miles west of Lexington center, the route that British troops followed to Concord has been designated the Minute Man National Historic Park. The visitors center at the eastern end of the park shows an informative multimedia presentation depicting Paul Revere’s ride and the ensuing battles. Within the park, Battle Rd is a wooded trail that connects the historic sites related to the battles – from Meriam’s Corner, where gunfire erupted while British soldiers were retreating, to the Paul Revere capture site.
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The Wayside: House of Authors
The Wayside: House of Authors was at various times the home of Nathaniel Hawthorne, children’s author Margaret Sidney and Louisa May Alcott. Life-size sculptures and audio programming depict all three of these famous authors (and their families) during the times that they lived here. Now operated by the National Park Service, it is open by guided tour only.
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Ralph Waldo Emerson House
Within a mile of the town center is the Ralph Waldo Emerson house where the philosopher lived for almost 50 years (1835–82).Emerson was the paterfamilias of literary Concord, one of the great literary figures of his age and the founding thinker of the Transcendentalist movement.
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South Bridge Boat House
A mile west of Monument Sq, South Bridge Boat House rents canoes for cruising the Concord and Assabet Rivers. The favorite route is downstream to Old North Bridge, and back past the many fine riverside houses and the campus of prestigious Concord Academy – a paddle of about two hours.
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Main Streets Market & Cafe
This longstanding family-owned market has recently expanded its operation. Always a favorite for breakfast and lunch, it now stays open into the evening, offering an eclectic menu of full dinners accompanied by live local musicians. The spicy signature chili is hard to beat.
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Helen’s Café
This popular breakfast and lunch spot hums with the sound of plates hitting the Formica tabletops and staff jawing with regular customers. Hungry patrons come looking for cheese-stuffed omelets, homemade soups and grinders, and thick frappes from the ice-cream counter.
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ATA Cycle
The country roads around Concord are beautiful for biking – if you don’t mind battling a few tough hills. The roads around Walden Pond, in particular, boast picturesque countryside and a lack of car traffic. Rent bikes at ATA Cycle.
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Walden Grille
Set in a former firehouse, this popular spot is a tavern-restaurant with soft lighting, exposed brick walls and lyrical landscape paintings. The New American menu gets mixed reviews, but the atmosphere is welcoming.
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Concord Minute Man
Daniel French's first statue, the Concord Minute Man, presides over the park from the opposite side of the bridge. Up the hill, the Buttrick Mansion houses the park's visitor center and a quaint café.
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Bedford Farms
Dating to the 19th century, this local dairy specializes in delectable ice cream and frozen yogurt. Conveniently located next to the train depot.
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Liberty Ride
- Concord, USA
- Activities › Bus
The two-hour bus route covers the major minuteman sites in Lexington and Concord, as well as some of Concord's places of literary importance.
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Concord Walking Tours
The Chamber of Commerce offers tours of both revolutionary and literary Concord. Tours depart from the visitors center.
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Concord Guides
Two-hour customized walking tour led by local teachers, authors and historians. Reservations required.
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Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
All the authors used to rest in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in the town center.
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Museum of New Hampshire History
The Museum of New Hampshire Historychronicles the history of the Granite State in more depth.
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In a Pinch Cafe
Located east of the center near the Centennial Inn, this popular joint serves good sandwiches, soups and salads. Grab some picnic fare or relax on the sun porch.
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Hermanos Cocina Mexicana
Just off Main St in an unlikely historic brick building, Hermanos serves authentic and creative Mexican dishes, from pork taquitos (mini-tacos) to chimichangas (filled, deep-fried tortillas). Head to the upstairs bar for excellent margaritas and catch some live jazz (from 6.30pm to 9pm Sunday to Thursday).
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Christa McAuliffe Planetarium
This planetarium honors the New Hampshire schoolteacher chosen to be America’s first teacher-astronaut. McAuliffe and her fellow astronauts died in the tragic explosion of the Challenger spacecraft on January 28, 1986. Hour-long shows examine topics such as space travel to Mars and the power of the sun. The popular ‘Tonight’s Sky’ takes visitors on a tour of the constellations and planets visible that month.
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Capitol Grille
This warm, inviting restaurant and bar has tasty pub fare, with a decent selection of sandwiches, soups and salads. The other specialty here is a juicy steak, hand-cut and aged in house. In the evening the lounge often hosts karaoke, live music, or less fussily a sporting event on TV.
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