Things to See & Do

With COVID-19 restrictions easing, and outdoor gatherings with reasonable social distance being allowed, picnics present the perfect opportunity to enjoy blue skies, green grass, sunshine, and tasty food!

Concord is blessed with an abundance of green space. Beyond the obvious choices like Walden Pond and Minute Man National Historical Park are such gems as South Meadow or Emerson playgrounds, Mattison Field, and even the shady lawns of historic attractions like The Old Manse or The Robbins House. 

The COVID-19 virus has taken a toll on area farmers. With mandated closures coming right at the beginning of spring, the fresh fruits and vegetables that we all love were out of reach for a time. We have good news, though. Many farms are open once again with online ordering, curbside service, no-contact purchasing stations, and other programs to ensure that you can easily and safely get your five-a-day of fresh fruits and veggies. Here is a quick round-up of just a few of Concord’s gems where you can find some of the freshest fruits and vegetables this summer.*

As state restrictions cautiously ease, there is a palpable buzz of excitement as shops and restaurants reconnect with old friends – and make new ones as well!

“An unexpected silver lining to the COVID-19 crisis has been a newfound appreciation for the variety of food, shops, and services we have right here in West Concord,” said Meg Gaudet of A New Leaf.  “Even while our shops were closed, the outpouring of support from the town – the people who jumped in to order gift cards, curbside pickup, or home delivery – helped us so much. It gave us all a renewed sense of pride in our amazing community.  Continued support will be key in ensuring our vibrant town center comes through the crisis.”

One can easily imagine how pleased Concord’s favorite son, Henry David Thoreau, would have been upon the opening of Concord’s 2.5 mile section of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail on September 27, 2019.  The ribbon-cutting ceremony began with brief remarks by Jonathan Gulliver, the Massachusetts Highway Administrator, members of the Massachusetts Legislature, and officials from Concord - but the excitement of the day was for the trail itself. Concordians wanted to venture onto the trail that runs from Commonwealth Avenue south to Powder Mill Road and experience the natural and historic delights the trail offers.

It’s the perfect time to rediscover Lexington…

Here in Massachusetts, we are lucky enough to live and work in an area rich in history and natural resources.  It’s easy to take this for granted sometimes, and we forget how much there is to see and do right here in our own backyard. 

But this summer, local attractions may have the advantage over more exotic places. The pandemic has turned tourism on its side, but at least one positive trend has emerged: the desire to seek enjoyment locally. So if you’ve postponed your European trip or canceled that tropical island getaway, fear not. Adventure awaits but one town away…

Concord is a favorite destination for visitors from all over the world: literary pilgrims, Revolutionary War buffs, and nature lovers crowd our streets all summer long, right through foliage season. 

But in 2020, many travelers want to steer clear of crowds, so we Concord-area residents have the place pretty much to ourselves. There was never a better time to enjoy the local attractions. In the words of our favorite townie,¹ Henry David Thoreau, “It is worth the while to see your native village . . . as if you were a traveler passing through it.”² The summer has brought ideal weather for fresh-air fun, and outdoor spaces are now welcoming visitors. 

The Concord Museum’s Guild of Volunteers were heartbroken when COVID-19 restrictions cancelled their 31st Annual Garden Tour. This beloved tradition provides a peek behind the garden gate at some of Concord’s most stunning homes, and is a sort of unofficial opening of Spring in the town. It was a deep disappointment in the community to miss such an anticipated event.

Discover what's happening in and around Concord this spring!

Each year, thousands of people come from all around the globe to celebrate the events that gave birth to a new nation. The battles of Lexington and Concord are synonymous with freedom, liberty, and rebellion. The amazing reenactors, park rangers, tour guides, and museum docents in and around our community are all here to help and guide you as you experience the energy and excitement of the events leading up to that fateful day - April 19, 1775.   

This year, for the 245th Anniversary of the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World,” there are many events planned in and around Concord during Patriots’ Day weekend. Here are a few favorites you won’t want to miss: 

For my three siblings and I, growing up in Concord was idyllic. My parents loved raising their family in a small town and my mother, Cande, flung herself fully into the inner workings of it - joining boards of the Old Manse, the Concord Museum, The Fenn School and Nashoba Brooks School, and the CCHS Scholarship Fund. Into our teenage years, we were blissful beneficiaries of this close-knit town, but we’d soon find out just how important this community would become to our family.