Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, Travel and Vacation Ideas (2024)

1. Go swimming and take a walk (approximately 45 minutes) at beautiful Walden Pond in Concord, former home of authorHenry David Thoreau.

2. Visit the OldNorth Bridge in Concord, site of the first victory in the AmericanRevolutionary War.

3. Buy some fresh produce at Wilson Farm at 10 Pleasant St. inLexington. Wilson Farmstarted out as a small mom and pop farm stand; now it is huge with someincredible produce, meats and cheeses as well as an impressivegardening center.

4. Explore MinutemanNational Historical Park to see the battlefields andstructures associated with the opening battle of the Revolutionary War.

Old North Bridge, Concord.

5. Feast on New England fare at the historic Concord'sColonial Inn.

6. Come to the Lexington Battle Green and the Lexington MinutemanStatue in downtown Lexington -- the latter memorializing the LexingtonMinuteman.

7. Tour the National Museum of Scotland at 33 Marrett Rd. in Lexington,showcasing Scottish history and culture.

8. Try the delicious baked ziti at Mario's at 1733 Mass. Ave. indowntown Lexington. This small restaurant has been around forever!

Mario's restaurant, Lexington.

9. Bike, walk or roller blade on the Minuteman Bikeway, a paved 11-milepaving running through Bedford, Lexington, Arlington, and Cambridge.

10. Enjoy the homemade ice cream at Bedford Farms at 68 Thoreau St.,Depot Square, in Concord.

11. Also enjoy the homemade ice cream at Rancatore's at 1752 Mass. Ave.in downtown Lexington.

12. Travel to the Concord Museum at 200 Lexington Rd. in Concord withits historical collection,American literary treasures, a nationally-significant collection ofConcord clocks, silver and furniture in self-touring galleries.

13. Take a self-guided tour of the Old Manse (next to the Old NorthBridge), in Concord built in 1770 for patriot minister William Emerson.

14. Order some delicious Greek-style pizza at New London Style pizza at71 Thoreau St., Depot Square, in Concord.

15. Visit the Concord Free Public Library at 129 Main St. in Concord.It's a beauty built in 1873.

Concord Free Public Library.

16. Enjoy a Chinese meal at Chang An at 10 Concord Crossing, DepotSquare, in Concord.

17. Buy some regional gifts at the Shop at Walden Pond, 915 Walden St.,across from Walden Pond in Concord.

18. Take in historic New England at the Monument Square town green indowntownConcord. Very relaxing place in the heart of a classic, historic NewEngland town!

Monument Square, Concord.

19.

21. Visit the Orchard House, the Alcott family home, at 399 LexingtonRd., in Concord.

22. Eat some very good Thai food at the Lemongrass at 1710 Mass. Ave.in downtown Lexington.

23. Tour the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery at 34 Bedford Rd. in Concord.Graves of notables likehome of the graves of Henry David Thoreau, Nathanial Hawthorne, LouisaMay Alcott, and Ralph Waldo Emerson can be seen here.

24. Enjoy Debra's Natural Gourmet at 98 Commonwealth Ave. in WestConcord where you can buyhealth food, supplements and its famous, delicious "Sisters Stark"granola.

25. Also in West Concord, be sure to shop at the West Concord 5 &10 at 106 Commonwealth Ave.. You don't see too many old school storeslike this anymore!

26. We had mentioned Concord's Colonial Inn for a good meal. You canalso stay at this historic inn. Beautiful place!

28. Enjoy some homemade pasta at Via Lago at 1845 Mass. Ave. indowntown Lexington.

29. Go to a movie at the the Lexington Venue movie theater at 1745Mass. Ave. in downtown Lexington.

30. Take a tour of the 1710 Buckman Tavern at 1 Bedford St. in downtownLexington. This is whereseveral Minutemen met on April 19, 1775, awaiting the arrival of theBritish. You might even catch some free entertainment on a given night!

Junior Fife and Drum Corp at Buckman Tavern in Lexington.

31. Visit the independently-owned Concord Bookshop at 65 Main St. inConcord.

32. On the third Monday of April, you have to see the PatriotsDay parades, reenactments and other related events in Lexington andConcord and Minute Man National Historical Park to celebrate Patriots'Day!

33. Sample the amazing artisan breads and baked goods at the NashobaBrook Bakery at 153 Commonwealth Ave., #3, in West Concord.

34. Rent a canoe or kayak at the South Bridge Boat House at 496 MainSt. in Concord, and enjoy navigating the Concord River.

35. Hike the Estabrook Woods, two mile north of Concord. Not aswell-known, but certainly great for nature lovers.

36. Also hike/walk the scenic GreatMeadows National Wildlife Refugealong the Concord and Sudbury Rivers. It's great for bird-watching.Great Meadowns is huge-- 3,600 acres with lots of wetlands. A great wayto access Great Meadows in on Monson Rd., off Route 62 -- not too farfrom downtown Concord.

37. Enjoy strolling tree-lined downtown Lexington and enjoying all thebig, old beautiful homes.

Beautiful homes across from the Lexington Town Green.

38. Be sure to visit Verrill Farm at Wheeler Rd. in Concord This is anamazingfarmstand with very good produce, baked goods, home-cooked meals, andmany fun seasonal festivals and events.

39. Visit Fairhaven Hill off Route 117 in Concord for a wonderful hikewith nice views of Fairhaven Bay, leading into the Sudbury River.

40. Shop at the Seasons Four at 1265 Mass. Ave. in Lexington. It's anoutdoor living store with outdoorfurniture, perrenials/annuals, tree and shrubs and a lot more. Iremember this place as a kid growing up in the 1970s, and it is stillgoing strong!

Downtown Concord.

Downtown Lexington, Massachusetts.

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Books byVisitingNewEngland.com Publisher Eric Hurwitz

MassachusettsTown Greens -- Discover New England's first travel attractions:town commons!

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