Sleepy Hollow Cemetery

Top choice in Boston's Western Suburbs


This is the final resting place for the most famous Concordians. Though the entrance is only a block east of Monument Sq, the most interesting part, Authors’ Ridge, is a 15-minute walk along Bedford St. Henry David Thoreau and his family are buried here, as are the Alcotts and the Hawthornes. Ralph Waldo Emerson’s tombstone is a large, uncarved rose-quartz boulder, an appropriate transcendentalist symbol.

Nearby is the Melvin Memorial, a much-photographed monument to the memory of three Concord brothers who died in the Civil War. It’s the work of Daniel French, who is also buried in Sleepy Hollow.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Boston's Western Suburbs attractions

1. Concord Art

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Recently celebrating its centenary, this long-standing art center hosts free exhibitions, artist talks and other events. Stop by to see what Concord's…

2. Monument Square

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The grassy center of Monument Sq is a favorite resting and picnicking spot for cyclists touring Concord's scenic roads. At the southeastern end of the…

3. Bullet Hole House

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On your way up to Old North Bridge, look for the yellow Bullet Hole House, where British troops purportedly fired at the owner of the house as they…

4. Concord Museum

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Southeast of Monument Sq, Concord Museum brings the town’s diverse history under one roof. The museum’s prized possession is one of the ‘two if by sea’…

5. Ralph Waldo Emerson Memorial House

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6. Old Manse

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Right next to Old North Bridge, the Old Manse was built in 1769 by Ralph Waldo’s grandfather, Reverend William Emerson. Today, it’s filled with mementos,…

7. Robbins House

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Just opposite the Old North Bridge, this modest 544-sq-ft clapboard farmhouse belonged to the family of Caesar Robbins, one of Concord's first freed…

8. Old North Bridge

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A half-mile north of Monument Sq in Concord center, the wooden span of Old North Bridge is the site of the ‘shot heard around the world’ (as Emerson wrote…