That famous pond you read about in high school? Add it to your Concord literary tour.
Anyone whorewatchesGilmore Girlswhen fall arrives know there is nothing more aspirational than donning a intimate cable - knit jumper and traversing aquaint small townwith abookin hand . And with its lushfall foliation , fat chronicle , and cornucopia of literary icons , Concord , Massachusetts is the ideal space to survive out those fantasies , à la the scholarly Rory Gilmore in Stars Hollow .
Countless works of literary vastness were written in Concord during the nineteenth century , most notably Louisa May Alcott’sLittle Women , Henry David Thoreau’sWalden , and Ralph Waldo Emerson’sCivil Disobedience . To this day , the idyllicBoston suburbcontinues to lionize its studious pedigree with historical domicile , famousgravesites , and more . Here ’s your weekend travel guidebook for Concord , Massachusetts .
Travel Time
35 minutes from Boston4 hours from New York City5 hr , 30 minutes from Philadelphia
If you don’t do anything else: Go on an informal literary tour
fetch up your journey with a rest atWalden Pond , where Thoreau“lived deliberately”for two years , inspiring his now iconic magnum opus . In the warm month , the pond is an ideal position to go for a refreshing swimming ; however , throughout all times of class , the spot is an idyllic paradise that will make you find severed from society . Before go forth , remember to gaze into the abyss in consummate silence ; it ’s what Thoreau would have desire .
Fill the weekend with
Bike rides
Paul Revere excellently rode ahorseback through Concord in 1775 to alert the militia that the British were rapidly approaching . Now , in 2023 , you may ( somewhat ) retrace his step . TheMinuteman Bikewayapproximates Revere ’s notable path , and there are some splendid Hell stop along the way . First , rent a bikeat 58 Main Street with the Koloni app , and begin your journey on Minuteman’sBattle Road Trailhead , where you ’ll cycle past the scenicMinuteman National Historic Park . On your drive , amongst the twilight foliage you ’ll amount upon defunct track melodic line , museum , and multiple Revolutionary War sites in Concord and Lexington , includingTower Park , Lexington Center , Hancock Clarke House , theConcord Museum , andMunroe Tavern . Regardless of which internet site you choose to stop at , if it ’s not too chilly , make certain to snap up a scoop of small - sight ice pick atRancatore’sin Lexington .
Arts and culture
A five min drive past Walden Pond liesdeCordova Sculpture Parkin Lincoln , a collecting of contemporary art and installations sprawled across 30 Acre of lawns , forest , and gardens . The largest of its kind in New England , deCordova ’s large - scale whole shebang include celebrated 20th- and 21st - century pieces like Two Big Black Hearts by Jim Dine , Lincoln by DeWitt Godfrey , Eternal front by John Wilson , amongst many other noteworthy pieces . verify to purchase a ticket forwards of time , as they are not available onsite .
Where to eat and drink in Concord, MA
For more witching , small town vibraharp : Kickstart your day with the namesake Haute Latte atHaute Coffee , made with honey and cinnamon , along with Avocado Toast serve on bread from Cambridge ’s Iggy ’s Bread bakery . Conveniently down the street is the charmingConcord Cheese Shop , where you’re able to sample cheeses , wines , and charcuterie . Go for dejeuner atSaltbox Kitchen , a homey , barn - similar daub that sources their ingredients locally .
To continue on the historic path : You ca n’t go wrong with a meal at eitherMerchants RoworLibertyatConcord ’s Colonial Inn , build in 1716 . Both restaurants offer a informal atmosphere and Greco-Roman American cuisine , with dishes like Scampi Pasta , New England Fish & Chips , and Yankee Pot Roast .
If you ’re dying to test Massachusetts ' famed seafood : Woods Hill Table , a babe restaurant to Boston ’s belovedWoods Hill Pier 4,follows an all organic , farm - to - table ethos dedicated to sustainability , serving East Coast Oysters , Smoked Duck Leg , and Blackened Swordfish , with ingredients sourced from their New Hampshire farm .
Concord, Massachusetts is a literary lover’s paradise.|flysnowfly/Shutterstock
Where to stay in Concord, MA
For more literary grandness : Book a room at theHawthorne Inn , a seam and breakfast that resides on Emerson ’s former farmland . The colorful 1860s home , quicken in 2018 , has been work as a B&B for 45 years . Along with seven Edgar Albert Guest rooms , its communal region are sprout with Word ( of course ) and comfy seating room .
For an old - timey atmosphere : As noted above , Concord ’s Colonial Innis a historic hotel whose original structure is still in use . The inn has 54 hotel room , all unique but decorated with the same gorgeous hardwood floors and antique decor .
To be in the middle of the action : TheNorth Bridge Innis a endearing and wide bed and breakfast just minutes from Concord ’s Main Street , piddle it ideal for those traveling without a car . Obviously , breakfast is served every morning in a dining way that will make you experience like you ’re in Marmee March ’s house .
Notes and pens left behind at Author’s Ridge in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.|Bill Ilott/Flickr
Photo courtesy of deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum
Saltbox Kitchen|Photo courtesy of SaltboxConcord
Concord’s Colonial Inn|Photo by Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Image
