Concord Visitor Center

08/29/2024

It’s perfect cycling weather. Jump on a bike and enjoy one free hour by using the code FALLBIKE. Bikes located behind Visitor Center and in West Concord at the head of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail.
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08/28/2024

Concord's Colonial Inn is a two minute walk from the Concord Visitor Center. Stop in and see us first to figure out your itinerary then head over to the Colonial Inn for a bite to eat.

08/27/2024

Explore West Concord, a Massachusetts Cultural District. It’s just two miles from Concord’s historic center and offers a charming mix of arts, dining, specialty stores, and family activities.
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08/26/2024

This trail is open … keep in mind that the North Bridge trails close though for approximately eight weeks starting Sept. 2 but you can still visit the North Bridge Visitor Center.
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08/22/2024

The public is invited to this free event for all ages celebrating the 200th anniversary of General Lafayette’s Farewell Tour.

On Monday, September 2, 2024 (Labor Day), Lafayette reenactor Benjamin J. Goldman will come to First Parish in Concord, commemorating the day and site where the town gave the French general a hero’s welcome two hundred years ago. The public is warmly invited to assemble on the lawn of First Parish...

08/21/2024

Walden Pond is a five minute drive or a 21 minute bike ride (careful crossing RT. 2) from the Concord Visitor Center. Stop by and see us first for ideas for other things to do in Concord.

The Walden Pond State Reservation in Concord, MA is a National Historic Landmark with various recreational activities. Visitors can swim, canoe, rowboat, picnic, and hike to Thoreau's historic house site.

Stay updated on closures through their Twitter page for weather or water concerns. https://x.com/waldenpondstate?lang=en

08/19/2024

So many reasons including Concord! The birthplace of the nation.

08/15/2024

Staycation 😎 ideas for local August family fun! 📅 ✔️ -

Trail improvement work on both sides of Concord’s North Bridge will require temporary trail closures for the safety and protection of the park’s visitors and natural and cultural resources.

08/14/2024

Find out more about Concord restaurants on our website:
Visitconcord.org/listing-category/restaurants. From bakeries to cafes, there’s no shortage of good food in town.

08/13/2024

Happy 389th birthday Concord! We are offering FREE tours on Sept. 12 to celebrate at 9 am, noon, 3 and 5 pm, registration required. Sign up today at Visutconcord.org/visit/walking-tours.

08/12/2024

We had a great event yesterday - and there are lots more Concord250 events in the pipeline. Check out visutconcord.org/concord-250.

08/07/2024

You can also rent a bike in West Concord at the foot of the Bruce Freeman bike trail. In September we are offering a bike rental discount, use the code FALLBIKE for one free hour. Starts Sept 1-Nov. 30.

Have you ridden the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail lately? Discover how Concordian Laura Davis has built her family's life around the Trail in "Right as Rail: Take a trip through West Concord on the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail" by Carlene Hempel.. What a delightful way to run errands!

Issuu.com/discoverconcordma/docs/dc.summer24.withinsert/s/52352362

(image©Carlene Hempel)

08/06/2024

About Lafayette - we will celebrate Lafayette’s life and principles, Sept. 2 3-5 pm, at First Parish and Wright Tavern. Find out more at www.WrightTavern.org/programs.

Did you know? 🕵 As heroic as General Lafayette was, there was a figure by his side for much of his life who may well have been even more so. Adrienne de Lafayette was 15 when they wed (he was 17), and while the marriage was a matter of matching members of the highest rank of nobility, their love was genuine and lifelong.

Adrienne defended Lafayette against the King of France, who was angry when Lafayette defied him to journey to America to support the colonists' freedom fight. Just one of many things she did!

08/02/2024

Shop till you drop at the Concord Center Summer Sidewalk Sale, tomorrow Aug. 3 10 am-3 pm. You can find a wide variety of shops for every interest, from clothing, antiques, books, collectibles, footwear, gifts, and more. Live music on Walden street, food, and more. Parking lot accessible off Walden. While you’re at it, stop by the Concord Visitor Center.

Don't miss the Concord Center Sidewalk Sale this Saturday, August 3! Get a jump on your holiday shopping or treat yourself to something new. Concord's shops have just what you need!
discoverconcordma.com
Visitconcord.org/event/sidewalk-sale

08/01/2024

Look for bright yellow sunscreen dispensers around town, sponsored by Emerson Hospital and IMPACT Melanoma. Stay cool today and a reminder that we are always cool in more than one way at the Concord Visitor Cebter.

08/01/2024

🌴😎 Escape to Concord for summer ☀️ fun - https://mailchi.mp/6da4412aa508/economic-vitality-in-concord-march-5717364

07/31/2024

Did you know you can book a private tour for your family, group or school? Email [email protected] or call 978-318-3061.

07/25/2024

See more events on our Visitconcord.org calendar.

Come to our next concert tomorrow night at 6! Check our website for any weather updates!

07/24/2024

Fascinating info about 1775 - find out more during our new 1775 tour, just added dates for August and September. Our new tour features the North Bridge and the Wright Tavern. Be one of the first to check out this interesting new tour. Sign up on Visirconcord.org walking tours.

The top image is an engraving that was produced in the spring of 1775, showing the British redcoats marching through the town center of Concord, Massachusetts on April 19, 1775. The engraving was produced by Amos Doolittle, a colonial militiaman who sketched the battlefields of Lexington and Concord several weeks after the battles, which had marked the start of the American Revolution.
This particular image shows the scene from atop the Old Hill Burying Ground. The red building in the distant center of the engraving is Wright Tavern, which was used by the British as their temporary headquarters as they searched for colonial munitions that were hidden in the town.
The bottom photo shows the same scene in 2023. Some of the buildings are still standing here, including Wright Tavern, which is partially visible beyond the trees in the center of the photo.
Engraving courtesy of the New York Public Library.

07/23/2024

We have more summer fun on our calendar of events. Check it out.

All sorts of fun happening around town!
Music, theatre, family friendly events - much of it outdoors- happening this week!
Check out our event calendar & sign up for weekly free newsletter that gives calendar highlights each week.

07/19/2024

Lots going on at Minuteman National Park, including this special program. We also have our daily history walking tour 1 pm. It’s a great Concord 101 introduction.

Take a deep dive into highlights from the special exhibition What Makes History? New Stories from the Collection with Concord Museum curator, David Wood. Rather than an extensive tour of the exhibition, this spotlight talk will delve into the history and artistry of a selection of objects in the exhibition including fireplace bellows, chairs, and timepieces.

Free with Museum admission. Members visit free. No advanced registration required.

Bellow Tops, Davis Bellows Factory, mid-1840s, Acton, Ma. Concord Museum Collection, Gift of Lawrence Sorli; 2022.1.

07/18/2024

While there are some closures, today and every Tuesday-Sunday (except for 7/27) is Concord’s North Bridge: history and Memory and the North Bridge Battlefield Walk.

Update from Minute Man National Historical Park! Hartwell Tavern Closures

From July 22 to early September 2024, Hartwell Tavern, nearby trails, and the accompanying parking lots will be temporarily closed due to trail improvement work funded by the Great American Outdoors Act.

When the trail projects are completed, park visitors will enjoy over 5 miles of enhanced trails in time for the 250th anniversary.
In order to improve trail conditions between William Smith House and Elm Brook Boardwalk, both of the Hartwell Parking Lots will be closed beginning July 22. There will not be access to the trail between William Smith House and Elm Brook Boardwalk until early September. Entering trail closures or closed parking lots is prohibited. Enerting closures may delay the project. There will not be any public programs at Hartwell Tavern during this time.

07/16/2024

Out on the streets shopping or sightseeing? Stop by and see us, 58 Main St. Concord. We have AC, water 💦 (for humans and pups) and a friendly face.

07/16/2024

July's 😎 hidden secrets 🔎 discovered in Concord ☀️ - https://mailchi.mp/12fffd4c8c7c/economic-vitality-in-concord-march-5716344

07/15/2024

We are OPEN during construction. 9 am-4 pm. Come say hello and check out our collection of souvenirs.

CONCORD CENTER Construction News:
Main and Walden Shared Streets
Improvement Project
Project Overview: Through the MassDOT’s Shared Streets and Spaces grant program, the
town been awarded $197,663.75 to implement speed management features and improved
pedestrian accommodations within the Main St. and Walden St. intersection. This intersection
has been identified by the town as needing improvement due to the high volume of vehicular
collisions, including frequent reports of near miss collisions between vehicles and pedestrians.
The grant funding received will be utilized for the construction phase of this project.
Project Description: The project consists of constructing two bump outs at the corners of Main
Street and Walden Street as well as a larger bump out, on the North side of Main Street across
from Walden St. These bump outs are designed to slow traffic, shorten pedestrian crossings,
enhance pedestrian and vehicular visibility, and improve pedestrian mobility throughout the
downtown area. The bump out along the north side of Main Street will also create a pedestrian
resting area by widening the sidewalk and installing street shade trees. This work will entail
drainage improvements and repairs, removing and resetting granite curbing, repairing existing
concrete sidewalks, installing tree wells, raised cobble features, and enhanced crosswalks
surface treatment, and milling and paving of the intersection. Current street lighting will remain,
however two lights will be relocated to align with the proposed sidewalk layout.

07/10/2024

Find out more about West Concord on our VisitConcord.org website: Visitconcord.org/about/west-concord/

West Concord is one of just 55 state-designated Cultural Districts in MA! Our Cultural District Committee supports local initiatives like concerts, murals, and recently, painted electrical boxes. 🖌️🎨

Thanks to Steve Bermundo, who has been part of several AfA projects, for painting the electrical box near the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail! 🫶🏼🎨🥳

Check it out and let us know what you think!

07/10/2024

Need another reason to visit Concord?

Visitors can view the musket balls and learn more about “The Shot Heard Round the World” at Minute Man NHP on Saturday, July 13, during the park’s Archeology Day events:

North Bridge Visitor Center (174 Liberty Street in Concord)
* 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — Members of the public can view the musket balls on display at the North Bridge Visitor Center. Visitors can talk to park curators about the musket balls and the science behind preserving them.
* 2:30 p.m. — “North Bridge Battle Walk”: Visitors can join park rangers for an interactive walking tour tracing the footsteps and the archaeology of those who fought at the North Bridge on April 19, 1775.
The event is co-sponsored by Friends of Minute Man National Park.

07/09/2024

Welcome Thoreau Society! Stop by the Concord Visutor Center to say hello and check out our limited edition Swimming with Thoreau T-shirts, only available here. We are at 58 Main Street, Concord, open 9 am-4 pm.

07/08/2024

We also offer private Henry Thoreau Walking tours and occasional Emerson-Thoreau ambles. Check our calendar at Visitconcord.org/walking-tours/

Step back in time to 1847 and celebrate Henry Thoreau's 30th birthday at Walden Pond State Reservation on Saturday July 13th (a day late)! This is an informative, rolling program, so stop in any time for a visit.

On hot summer days, holidays, and weekends, Walden Pond State Reservation often closes because of Visitor capacity. You are strongly encouraged to call the park headquarters (978-369-3254, our message will indicate a closure) or check the DCR Park Alerts page
www.mass.gov/info-details/dcr-park-alerts for parks with closures.

Parking fees apply ($8 for MA residents and $30 for out of state).