Susan Serven

For any lovers of history or for those looking for a fun family trip, nothing’s better than a visit to Concord and Lexington, Massachusetts.

A days’ drive from anywhere in the northeast, and an easy flight to Boston’s Logan Airport, for others, this area is teeming with great food, beautiful weather (except in winter), wonderful cultural attractions and, especially, great spots for anyone interested in either the American Revolution and / or famous 19th century American writers.

What has since been recognized as the real start of the battle to American democracy began with a rather chaotic skirmish on April 19, 1775.

The “shot heard round the world” refers to the start of the battles of Lexington and Concord (two neighboring towns) in Massachusetts, which marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War.

Lexington: The conflict began when British troops and colonial militia confronted each other on Lexington Green. The phrase refers to the first shot that was fired*, though it’s unclear who fired it or who gave the order to shoot. This led to a volley from the British, and the colonial militia was forced to retreat.

Concord: The British troops then marched to Concord to seize military supplies and as they were searching the colonial militia reformed. At the North Bridge in Concord, American Minutemen were ordered to fire on the British soldiers, the first time the colonists were ordered to fire on British soldiers (*although some historians consider the American militia's first ordered volley at Concord's North Bridge to be the true "shot" that began the war).

And, Concord and Lexington were home to some of the country’s most famous writers of the period: Nathanial Hawthorne, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott, and Margaret Fuller, each one pivotal in the development of American modern thought.

Go for 2-3 days at least, immerse yourself in the history and culture of the period, stay at the historic Concord Inn, dine at their pub, the wonderful Liberty Restaurant, there’s so much to see and do right in the town.

When you first arrive, stop at the Visitors Center and take a trolley ride around the area so you get a general sense of the proximity of the two towns and where things happened.

Visit Battle Green, Buckman Tavern, Battle Green, Minute Man National Historical Park, Concord Museum, and the North Bridge Visitors Center, all a short walk or very short drive from each other.

The next day, plan a walking tour of famous authors’ homes. Start your day at Orchard House, the family home of Louisa May Alcott (and her controversial, famous father, (Amos) Bronson Alcott), then on to the home of Ralph Waldo Emerson (The Old Manse), where key meetings of those involved in the Transcendentalist movement lived, including Thoreau. Henry David Thoreau also lived in this house with his new bride, for a time.

You can then stop at Thoreau’s Walden Pond and the Home Site of his original cabin. Take a drive by The Wayside which was home to several different authors with the most famous being Louisa May Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Harriet Lothrop, who went by the pen name Margaret Sidney.

While it is not open for tours, you can view the outside of it.

Lastly, don’t forget a stop at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Author’s Ridge. The cemetery is fascinating (if you like cemeteries, I do!) and there you’ll find the graves of Henry David Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Louisa May Alcott, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Their final resting place is on a hill named Author’s Ridge.

It’s an incredibly entertaining, fun and educational trip everyone should try to make if this can.