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Concord, Massachusetts Guide | |
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The pretty town of Concord, 19 miles (31 km) west of Boston Common, takes pride as the place where the American Revolution began, but it's also a popular destination for those wanting to get out of Boston for a day. |
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It was in neighboring Lexington that the first shots of the American Revolution were fired on April 19, 1775, the day now commemorated as Patriots Day in Massachusetts. But the first American victory was at Concord's Old North Bridge, an easy 15-minute walk from Monument Square, the town center (map). More... Concord is historic, having been founded in 1635, the oldest European-settled town in New England beyond tidewater. Concord will celebrate the 375th anniversary of its founding on September 11th & 12th, 2010 with a parade, ceremonies and festivities. Concord is a popular excursion destination for visitors to Boston, and even for Bostonians wanting to "get out into the country" for a day of walking, biking, sightseeing, boutique-shopping or even canoeing. You can get to Concord MA by car, bike or train for a day of walking, biking, swimming or shopping. Concord's authors are as famous as their town, including Louisa May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. The Wayside and Orchard House, homes of the Alcotts, and Emerson's house are open to visit, Thoreau's famous cabin on Walden Pond has been replicated, and Thoreau's birthplace restored and opened to the public. You can even visit these authors' graves on Authors Ridge in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, a few minutes' walk from Monument Square. More... West Concord, on the southwestern side of MA Route 2, 2.7 miles (3.5 km) from Monument Square, is Concord as non-touristy real life, with a great selection of cafés and restaurants. More... For photos of Concord, see the NETP Concord Photo Gallery. You can easily spend a whole day or two in Concord, which has good shops, restaurants and several lodging possibilities, or you can visit the most important sights in a somewhat rushed morning or afternoon. Here's how to travel from Boston to Concord by car, train and bicycle.
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 Above, Main
Street in Concord.
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