Minute Man National Historical Park — Attraction in Lincoln

PLEASE READ THIS FOR USEFUL INFORMATION AND TO GET THE BEST OUT OF YOUR VISIT.

It's such an outstanding and mind blowing walk there is no reason not to visit if you're in the area. Plus it's free, donations welcome.

It's around a 10 mile round trip on the battle road, or you can stop at just the museum. Plenty of bathrooms along the way (at Merium's corner, Noah Brooks Tavern, Hartwell Tavern, and the Minuet Man Museum)

Battle road is an outstanding walk through a traumatic event in history, begin at MERIUM'S CORNER (not the museum) House where it all started, and follow the arduous march as if reliving the event itself. There are many stops along the way with information detailing the skirmishes themselves. Stop off most of the way through at the minuet man museum to find out the real life stories of the people who helped shape the battle, who fought and who died participating in such a huge turning point in the revolutionary war.

You can take a bike if you wish, however walking is better otherwise you'll fly past some marvelous scenery, and will miss out on the feeling and scope of the situation, seeing the battle plans play out in front of your eyes and just how difficult for both sides this must have been.

Be sure to pay respect to the soldiers who lost their lives and were found buried next to the road, or perhaps dumped, or maybe worse, left behind. Markers have been erected for them.

If you must cycle, stop at the minuet man museum to find a map, near by is the minuet man bike way with a much more purpose built road...

Everyone should visit Minuteman Historical Park at least once in their lifetime. It is so moving and inspiring to stand in the very spot where British citizens became American the moment they took the order from Colonel Barrett to march down to the bridge to meet the British Regulars. The shot heard around world rang out followed by Major Buttricks fatefully order "Fire , fellow soldiers, for God’s sake fire!” This is the moment the concept of of America was born from an idea into a great daring hope.

There are so many stories from that fateful day of ordinary men choosing to carry out extraordinary acts of duty, bravery and sacrifice. This would become the foundation for what it means to be American. The park is more than just a battlefield it is also a graveyard. Further, it is a home. The battle road contains a series of carefully restored original homes from the 18th century. The men who fought were in many cases defending their own property.

The rangers in the park are very knowledgeable. They put on tours musket reenactments and bring the history alive. The Park also contains the home of Louisa May Alcott author of Little Women. Nathaniel Hawthorne also lived in the same home.

Just 20 miles from downtown Boston Minutes feels a world away with wildlife to be found around every corner. It is no wonder nearby Walden Pond became the subject of Thoreau's seminal...

I visit Minuteman National Park quite frequently. I prefer the North Bridge Visitors Center for parking. They have a gift shop and restrooms available at that entry. The inside of the center has beautiful wood detailing throughout. The walk from the center to the the bridge is on a 1/4 mile wide solid sandy/clay type walkway that would be solid and smooth enough for a wheelchair but the walk back is all uphill. You coukd either have your guest in a wheelchair wait while you take the approximately 20 minutes to go back to your car and meet them by the Manse or you could start by the Olde Manse and skip the garden areas and visitors center.There are beautiful gardens throughout the walk from the visitors center as well as many types of tall old shade trees. There are also several historical houses and the Concord Museum to enjoy. You can stay at the historic Concord Inn and shop in the many charming shops in town as well as try the local restaurants. Visit the Library with some wonderful collections, the Orchard House, home to author Louisa May Alcott, and Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, her resting place. Thoreu, Walden and many popular authors lived and are celebrated in Concord. There are also many reminders of the battle, including the lantern from the one if by land, two if by sea warning for the red coats! This is a wonderful area for history and...