Minute Man National Historical Park

Things To Do Near Minute Man National Historical Park

Start your visit to Minute Man National Historical Park at the North Bridge Visitor Center and watch an eight-minute documentary to understand more about the events leading up to the American Revolutionary War. Then, join park rangers on many of their guided tours to important sites during the war, including North Bridge, Parker’s Revenge, and Bloody Angle. Finish your visit with a tour of the Wayside Home. 

Hiking Trails

• Battle Road Trail

  Use the Fisker Hill Parking Lot at the intersection of Old Massachusetts Avenue and Wood Street near the Ebenezer Fiske House to begin hiking along the Battle Road Trail. About 40% of this trail follows the route that British soldiers took while trying to capture weapons they believed were at Concord. The remainder of the course follows a wide gravel path near the route taken by the soldiers. This trail ends at the Nathan Meriam House. 

  Location

  Ebenezer Fiske House, 2708 Wood Street, Lexington, Massachusetts 02421

  Length

  4.6 miles

  Intensity

  Moderate

• Fiske Hill Loop Trail

  The Fiske Hill Loop Trail starts on Old Massachusetts Avenue near Massachusetts Route 2A, and it ends at the Ebenezer Fiske House. This path runs through forests, and it is near the site where the British troops were forced to surrender. This trail runs up and down hills and across open meadows along well-maintained paths. 

  Location

  Old Massachusetts Avenue and Massachusetts Route 2A, Lexington, Massachusetts 01731

  Length

  5 miles

  Intensity

  Moderate

• Vernal Pool Trail

  The Vernal Pool Trail starts on the opposite side of the road from the Hartwell Tavern. This trail is best hiked after spring rains and snowmelt because the pool dries up later in the year. The path starts by going through a wooded area before entering a more open space. This out-and-back trail ends at a vernal pool, which can be a great spot to see frogs. 

  Location

  Hartwell Tavern, Virginia Road, Lincoln, Massachusetts 01773

  Length

  0.75 miles

  Intensity

  Easy

Sightseeing

• Old North Bridge

  "The shot heard around the world" was fired at Concord’s Old North Bridge. The bridge has been rebuilt, making it a great place to reflect on the events at and near it. This area also includes the Daniel Chester French Minute Man statue. 

  Location

  Old North Bridge, Concord, Massachusetts 01742

• Hartwell Tavern

  The Hartwell Tavern sits on Battle Road, and its interior is redesigned to look like it did during the American Revolutionary War. The building dates to 1738. Rangers dressed in period costumes regularly give presentations at this location. 

  Location

  Hartwell Tavern, Virginia Road, Lincoln, Massachusetts 01773 

• Wayside Home

  During the American Revolutionary War, the Wayside Home was inhabited by Samuel Whitney, muster-master of the Concord Minute Men. Following the war, authors Louisa May Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Harriet Lothrop lived in the home. Take a tour of this home and encounter events during the war through the words that those writers penned. 

  Location

  455 Lexington Road, Concord, Massachusetts 01742

Museums

• Concord Museum

  The exhibits at the Concord Museum are designed to help you understand the roots of American democracy, the power of independent thinking, the preservation of the environment, and the intricacies of craftsmanship. This museum has an extensive Revolutionary War artifact collection. They often do hands-on activities for the whole family. 

  Location

  53 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord, Massachusetts 01742

• Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House

  Constructed in about 1650, this residence called the Orchard House was where Louisa May Alcott wrote most of "Little Women." Tour the home, and learn more about the family that lived there. The Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House staff often provides programming for children. 

  Location

  399 Lexington Road, Concord, Massachusetts 01742

• The Old Manse

  The Old Manse was constructed by Ralph Waldo Emerson's grandfather, who served as the chaplain to the Continental Army. Ralph Waldo Emerson lived in the home while writing the rough draft of "Nature." Henry David Thoreau planted the garden at this home and you can tour it seasonally. 

  Location

  269 Monument Street, Concord, Massachusetts 01742

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

• Debra’s Natural Gourmet

  WholeFoods Magazine named Debra’s Natural Gourmet the best health food store in the U.S., and you will not want to miss visiting this location, where you can find a variety of healthy foods. This business has been serving customers since 1989. Owner Debra Stark has appeared on many cooking shows. 

  Location

  98 Commonwealth Ave., Concord, Massachusetts 01742

• North Bridge Antiques

  See a vast collection of antiques for sale from 22 different dealers at North Bridge Antiques. The inventory is constantly changing, but it often includes jewelry, silver, glassware, paintings, furniture, rare books, and art pottery. 

  Location

  28 Walden Street, Concord, Massachusetts 01742

• Merchants Row at Colonial Inn

  The Colonial Inn was constructed in 1716, and the space was used as an ammunition depot during the American Revolutionary War. Enjoy a meal of steak or seafood at the Merchants Row at Colonial Inn. You will enjoy dining in this historical setting. 

  Location

  48 Monument Square, Concord, Massachusetts 01742

• Black Horse Tavern

  Find your favorite pub food at Black Horse Tavern. Sink into the deep seats at one of their booths, or choose to sit at one of their small tables. This location strives to provide food and service like the original American Revolutionary War-era Black Horse Tavern. 

  Location

  32 Waterfield Road, Winchester, Massachusetts 01890

How To Get To Minute Man National Historical Park

To get to the North Bridge Visitor Center at Minute Man National Historical Park from Boston, start by going north on Interstate 93. Exit on Massachusetts 16 West. This road takes some turns, so be sure to stay on it. Then, merge onto Massachusetts 2 West, which is also the Concord Turnpike in places. Take Exit 125 to Massachusetts 2A East. Stay left at the fork to get on the Cambridge Turnpike. Make a slight left to get on Lexington Road. This will put you on Massachusetts 62 East, which becomes Monument Square. Turn right on Monument Street and left on Liberty Street to arrive at the visitor center. 

Address

North Bridge Visitor Center, 174 Liberty St., Concord, Massachusetts 01742

Fee: Entry fee $0

The Minute Man National Historical Park includes many sites in Concord, Lexington, and Lincoln, so the best way to explore it is an RV. You will not want to miss any of the sites in this area where the American Revolutionary War started. If you do not have an RV, then rent one from RVshare.