National Parks of Massachusetts

Travel Information

Minute Man National Historical Park

Minute Man National Historical Park 399 Lexington Road
Concord, MA 01742-3712

Description:
Preserves and protects the significant historic sites, structures, properties, and landscapes associated with the opening battles of the American Revolution. It includes Concord's North Bridge, the first 4 miles of the Revolutionary War Battle Road, and Nathaniel Hawthorne's home, "The Wayside."

Please select a destination point from the following list:

Free on-site parking; lot closes at sunset.

Travel Tips:
Many of the park sites are most easily accessed by car or bicycle. While Minuteman NHP can be accessed by either MBTA commuter rail or bus, it is a large park and there is no transportation provided within the park. If you choose to come by transit, please understand that you will be walking several miles during your visit. If you travel during off-peak hours, you may bring a bicycle on most MBTA routes. See www.mbta.com for more information.

The Town of Lexington offers a tour bus service, the Liberty Ride, from July 1 - Columbus Day. The Liberty Ride stops at Concord Center Station, three locations within Minute Man NHP, and several other sites of historical interest. Visit http://www.libertyride.us for more information.



Minute Man Visitor Center (Lexington)

Minute Man Visitor Center (Lexington) Off of Route 2A
Lexington, MA

Description:
Visitor information and facilities as well as "The Road to Revolution," a 25-minute multimedia theater presentation detailing the events of April 18-19, 1775.

Transit Directions: MBTA logo
From Downtown Boston: MBTA Red Line train to Alewife Station. Change to MBTA 62/76 bus, exit at the intersection of Old Mass Ave & Rte 2A (Marrett Road) (approx. 35 minutes). NOTE: this bus does not run on Sundays.

Walk across Old Mass Ave and turn lefot onto the Battle Road Trail. Follow the Battle Road Trail for 1/4 mile, turn left onto the marked spur trail to reach the Minute Man Visitor Center.

Please note that there is no transportation provided within the park and you will be walking several miles.

Driving Directions: car
Lexington is located approximately 20 miles west of Boston.

From the East:
1. Take MA-2 eastbound from Cambridge (Alewife area).
2. From MA-2, take Exit #52B onto I-95/MA-128 North (“Peabody”).
3. From I-95/MA-128, take the first exit: Exit #30B onto MA-2A West (“Concord/Hanscom Field”).
4. Continue on MA-2A (Marrett Road) westbound for 1 mile. The entrance to the Visitor Center is on the right and is signposted.

From the North or South:
1. Follow the directions from I-95/MA-128 (northbound or southbound) in “From the East”, above.

From the West:
1. From I-90 (Mass. Turnpike), take Exit #14 onto I-95/MA-128 North.
2. From this point, follow the directions from I-95/MA-128 (northbound or southbound) in “From the East”, above.

Free parking is available in the visitor parking lot adjacent to the Visitor Center.

Travel Tips:
From Route 128/I-95, take exit 30B, Route 2A, Lexington, Massachusetts

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North Bridge Visitor Center (Concord)

North Bridge Visitor Center (Concord) 174 Liberty Street
Concord, MA 01742-1705

Description:
At Concord's North Bridge, visitors can see the place where, on April 19, 1775, Colonial militia men fired the famous "shot heard 'round the world," setting off the American Revolution.

Transit Directions: MBTA logo
Take the MBTA Commuter Rail (Fitchburg Line) to Concord Center Station. Upon exiting the station, go to the right on Thoreau Street. There will be a traffic light at the corner. Turn left onto Sudbury Road. Follow Sudbury Road to join Main Street. At the top of Main Street, go left at the rotary. Go to the end of the square (the Colonial Inn will be in front of you), and turn right onto Monument Street. Walk up Monument Street to the North Bridge Visitor Center. (NOTE: 1.5 mile walking distance)

Please note that there is no transportation provided within the park and you will be walking several miles.

Driving Directions: car
Concord is located approximately 20 miles west of Boston.

From the East:
1. Take MA-2 eastbound from Cambridge (Alewife area).
2. From MA-2, take Exit #52B onto I-95/MA-128 North (“Peabody”).
3. From I-95/MA-128, take the first exit: Exit #30B onto MA-2A West (“Concord/Hanscom Field”).
4. Continue on MA-2A (Marrett Road/Massachusetts Avenue) westbound for 3 miles. (You will pass other Minute Man NHP sites along the way.)
5. Right after passing the sign for the Brooks Historical Area, fork to the right (“Battle Road/Historical Concord”) onto Lexington Road, leaving MA-2A.
6. Drive for approx. 2 miles, entering the town center of Concord.
7. In the town center, continue straight through the rotary.
8. Turn right onto Monument Street. (After 0.5 miles, you will pass the parking area for the North Bridge and Old Manse. You can park here to visit these sites, or continue to the Visitor Center.)
9. Turn left onto Liberty Street. Proceed to the Visitor Center parking area, on your left.

From the North or South:
1. From I-95/MA-128 (northbound or southbound), follow the directions in “From the East”, above.

From the West:
1. From I-90 (Mass. Turnpike), take Exit #14 onto I-95/MA-128 North.
2. From this point, follow the directions from I-95/MA-128 (northbound or southbound) in “From the East”, above.

Free parking is available in the visitor parking lot across the street from the site.

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The Wayside: Home of Authors (Concord)

The Wayside: Home of Authors (Concord) 399 Lexington Road
Concord, MA 01742-3712

Description:
The former home of authors Nathaniel Hawthorne, Bronson and Louisa May Alcott, and Margaret Sidney.

Driving Directions: car
Concord is located approximately 20 miles west of Boston.

From the East:
1. Take MA-2 eastbound from Cambridge (Alewife area).
2. From MA-2, take Exit #52B onto I-95/MA-128 North (“Peabody”).
3. From I-95/MA-128, take the first exit: Exit #30B onto MA-2A West (“Concord/Hanscom Field”).
4. Continue on MA-2A (Marrett Road/Massachusetts Avenue) westbound for 3 miles. (You will pass other Minute Man NHP sites along the way.)
5. Right after passing the sign for the Brooks Historical Area, fork to the right (“Battle Road/Historical Concord”) onto Lexington Road, leaving MA-2A.
6. Continue on Lexington Road for 1.4 miles. The Wayside will be on your right (look for the sign). If you reach Concord’s town center, you have gone too far.

From the North or South:
1. Follow the directions from I-95/MA-128 (northbound or southbound) in “From the East”, above.

From the West:
1. From I-90 (Mass. Turnpike), take Exit #14 onto I-95/MA-128 North.
2. From this point, follow the directions from I-95/MA-128 (northbound or southbound) in “From the East”, above.

Free parking for The Wayside is located across the street, off of Hawthorne Lane.

Ranger Tips: park ranger hat 
Wayside House Tours: Join a ranger for a 35-minute guided tour of The Wayside. See the home of Concord authors Nathaniel Hawthorne, Bronson and Louisa May Alcott, and Margaret Sidney. Admission fee. Must be able to climb steep stairs. Tours: Saturday and Sunday 11 am., 1:30, 3:00, & 4:30 pm, and Tuesday - Thursday 2:00 and 4:00 pm.

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