An Hour From Boston Is A Historic Getaway With Scenic Trails And Refreshing Swimming Holes

As tempting as it is to head to the coast for a scenic New England day trip or weekend getaway from Boston, turn your gaze inland instead and head to the pretty, historic town of Concord, Massachusetts, about an hour's drive from the city. Famous for its role in the American Revolution and its connections to literary greats, it also boasts more than 40 trails in the vicinity. The problem won't be finding something to do, but how to fit everything in, with more than enough to appeal to budding historians and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

The famous "shot heard around the world" took place here on April 19, 1775, when colonial militia returned fire against British troops at North Bridge during the opening battles of the American Revolution. It's one of the most important historical sites in the country and part of Minute Man National Historical Park. Concord's second claim to fame is of the literary kind, with close connections to great authors such as Henry David Thoreau and Louisa May Alcott. Several museums and historic sites around town bring that literature to life, including nearby Walden Pond, which inspired some of Thoreau's writings. Visitors can enjoy the picturesque setting and swim in the pond or walk around the water's edge.

This charming New England town is conveniently located on Route 2, around 20 miles west of Boston, crowned the world's most beautiful winter city. If you prefer train travel, it's served by the MBTA's Fitchburg commuter rail line, giving you the perfect opportunity to admire the woodland landscape along the way, and depending on the time of year, see the celebrated New England fall foliage.

There are a variety of hiking and biking trails in Concord, and Walden Pond State Reservation is a good place to start. Combining scenic views with a touch of history, the landscape here inspired one of America's great nature writers, Henry David Thoreau. A Concord native, he built himself a cabin next to the pond in 1845, where he lived for just over two years, observing the environment and gathering material that would later serve for his book "Walden." The roughly 100-foot-deep waters are popular for swimming, fishing, and nonmotorized boating, while the pond's 62-acre expanse provides plenty of room to enjoy the scenery.

The shaded Pond Path loops roughly 1.8 miles around the pond, with wonderful views across the water. There are several other trails to explore nearby. Try the 5.7-mile Fairhaven Trail Loop, which passes through the forest and alongside the Sudbury River. Parking is next to the visitor center and costs a hefty $30 for out-of-state vehicles or $8 for Massachusetts residents. An alternative place for a dip, albeit seasonal, is White Pond, which also has a beach and picnic area. During its summer operating season, day passes cost $15 per person ages 3 and older, with lifeguards on duty during scheduled beach hours. There are more trails in the White Pond Reservation Area, but it's also worth checking AllTrails, which currently lists a total of 46 trails in and around Concord.

Cyclists can enjoy the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, which passes directly through Concord on its route from Lowell into Sudbury, with a future extension to Framingham still in the works. Bikes are available to rent through the seasonal Minuteman Bike Share program and cost $2 per hour, with stations at the Concord Visitor Center and the West Concord entrance to the trail.

With tales from the past around every corner, a guided history tour is one of the best and most informative ways to dive into Concord's history. Brought vividly to life by knowledgeable local guides, the Concord Visitor Center walking tours have earned Tripadvisor's Travelers' Choice recognition. Taking place daily at 1 p.m. from April through November, and by request outside of that period, the roughly 75-minute walk doesn't require reservations.

For more military history, visit the unmistakable red Wright Tavern, open from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., Fridays through Sundays. Dating back to 1747, this is where colonial militia gathered before their confrontation with British soldiers on North Bridge. Watch Concord come to life on Patriots' Day, with reenactments and parades at important historical sites throughout the town. A visit to Orchard House, Louisa May Alcott's family home, where she wrote and set "Little Women," is a must. Visits are primarily by timed-entry reservations, and adult admission costs $15. With many of its original features and authentic furnishings, it really is like walking into a scene from the beloved novel. The beautiful Old Manse, a typical Georgian-style house where authors Ralph Waldo Emerson and Nathaniel Hawthorne both lived for a while, became a gathering place for the Transcendentalists, a 19th-century philosophical movement. The grounds are open year-round, although admission fees apply for nonmembers, and advance reservations are recommended for house tours.

Finish with a wander around Author's Ridge at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, the resting place of the aforementioned authors, before heading to the Colonial Inn. One of the inn's historic buildings was used to store arms and provisions during the Revolutionary War, and the property now offers accommodations with on-site dining. And for those who don't scare easily, the inn is also said to be haunted, with its spooky happenings once featured on the show "Ghost Hunters."