Traditions. Each season has them. Picking apples is one quintessential fall activity that never grows old. There is something magical and exhilarating about walking through an orchard and choosing your own apples, always picking more than you can carry. Your head is full of apple varieties—McIntosh, Cortland, Spartan, Honeycrisp, Baldwin, Macoun, Spencer, Empire, Winesap, Fortune, Jonathan—and what delicious things you can make with them.
Orchards filled with apple trees laden with fruit are a sight to behold. Each orchard offers its own unique experience, and many offer pick-your-own fruit opportunities. Go early, and you could find additional fruits like peaches, plums, nectarines, or late-season raspberries; go later, and pumpkins might be in the mix.
We hope you enjoy exploring these vibrant communities!
The Orchard House recipe for apple slump calls for tart apples baked with brown sugar and spices beneath a buttery, cake-like topping. Served warm or cooled, it can be finished with whipped cream, ice cream, or maple syrup.
The arts are flourishing in Concord this summer! Whether you're passionate about music, visual arts, or theatre, you're sure to find your summer inspiration here.
The start of summer is a wonderful time of year here in Concord, with vegetation flourishing, birds and wildlife busily thriving, and warm, comfortable days inviting us outdoors. As we wander the trails and conserved lands or boat along our Wild & Scenic Rivers, we make a point
of keeping our eyes open,
because there is so much to see.
Step into history as you explore Concord’s many remarkable sites. From Revolutionary War landmarks to literary treasures, there’s something for everyone to discover. Here is a quick reference list to help you plan your visit. Be sure to check the website before heading out, as some sites may be closed on holidays or for private events. Enjoy your journey through Concord’s rich past!
Few American writers are as closely connected to a place as Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862). The landscapes of Concord and the surrounding towns—today part of Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area—shaped his ideas, inspired his writing, and helped define a philosophy that continues to influence readers around the world.
This itinerary follows Thoreau’s journey through the places that mattered most to him. From his birthplace at Thoreau Farm to his final resting place in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, these homes, buildings, fields, forests, and waterways reveal the people and topography that helped form one of America’s most influential thinkers.
