//
Photo: Daderot at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Minute Man National Historical Park is a National Historical Park commemorating the opening battle in the American Revolutionary War, located in and around the Massachusetts towns of Lexington, Lincoln, and Concord. It includes the Old North Bridge, where the Battle of Concord began on April 19, 1775, and the Wayside, home in turn to three noted American authors. Operated under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service, the park protects 970 acres (392.5 ha).
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Wheeler-Minot Farmhouse
Built around 1730 by John Wheeler, this 2½-story wooden home is the birthplace of Henry David Thoreau in 1817. Over the years the building has seen extensive modifications, and after a non-profit purchase in 1995, underwent comprehensive restorative work. The 20 acres of grounds are free and open year-round. House visits by guided tour only. During the warmer months "saunters" of the grounds can be organized, and writers retreats are offered as well.
Hours: Museum open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. Closed Mondays. The Sculpture Park is open year round during daylight hours. On 35 acres of parkland this is a beautiful setting for 75 outdoor sculptures ("at any given time"). The DeCordova collection includes more than three thousand works of contemporary art. Summer jazz series. $9 Adult, $6 seniors, children, active duty military. Lincoln residents and members free.
Louisa May Alcott
Former home of the Alcott family and the setting of Little Women. Open for tours at varying times depending on season. See also the Concord School of Philosophy, founded by Bronson Alcott, and located just behind the main building.
Walk, swim or fish in the footsteps of Thoreau, and see a replica of his cabin. While Thoreau escaped here to be surrounded by nature and experience solitude, don't expect to have exactly the same experience. The nature remains, but nowadays you'll have to share it. Facilities include: boat ramp, picnic areas, accessible restrooms and a visitors center. Parking has intentionally not expanded to meet demand, and the lot closes when it reaches capacity. Call the provided number and hear the lot status before heading out.
A twelve-mile long river wetlands conservation area, in two major parcels, stretching from the towns of Billerica (downstream) to Wayland (upstream), along the Concord and Sudbury rivers. Considered by some ornithologists among the best inland bird observatories in the state. The original 250-acre Concord parcel that started the sanctuary has long been known as the "Great Meadows," and was donated by Concord resident Samuel Hoar in 1944. There are several trails for daytime wildlife observation and walks, with trail-side observation blinds and an observation tower. The Dike Trail, a 1.7-mile loop circles one of the marsh pools. In winter, as snow permits: walking, snowshowing and cross-country skiing. The federal Fish and Wildlife Service manages the refuge.