Minute Man National Park Day Trip in Concord and Lincoln, MA

Welcome to Minute Man National Park

The Minute Man National Historical Park encompasses the Battle Road Trail and historic sites and landscapes where the opening battles of the American Revolutionary War took place. Ralph Waldo Emerson coined the “shot heard round the world” phrase that marks where Colonial Militia fired at British Soldiers on the Old North Bridge in Concord, Massachusetts (MA).

Centered in the towns of Concord, Lexington and Lincoln, MA, this park includes a number of historic buildings, fields where the battles were fought, graves and other sites that commemorate the first battles of the American Revolutionary War on April 19, 1775. This post will show you some scenes and landmarks from the Battle Road Trail and Old North Bridge segments of the park.

How to get to Minute Man National Park in Concord and Lincoln, Massachusetts

Go to this National Park Service page to get directions. For the things you’ll see in this post, you can start at the free parking lot by the Paul Revere Capture Site in Lincoln, MA.

What to see at the Minute Man National Park

Starting our day trip at the Paul Revere Capture Site, you’ll see a number of historic homes and landmarks that witnessed or pay tribute to important events in the first battles that spanned almost 20 miles from Charlestown to Concord, MA. The Minute Man National Park starts at Fiske Hill in Lexington and heads west on Battle Road Trail.

Paul Revere’s famous “Midnight Ride” on April 18, 1775 where he warned “the British are coming” ended in Lincoln after being captured by British soldiers at the site of this monument.

During our visit in early November, 2021, the fall foliage was still impressive, and it’s a great path for easy walks or a brisk five-mile hike. This image is the Battle Road Trail heading west after passing the Paul Revere Capture Site.

As you walk the trail heading towards Concord, multiple homes and buildings that witnessed the battle are still standing. Two of these are the Hartwell Tavern (1733) and Nathan Meriam House (1705).

The Hartwell Tavern is a restored inn and farmhouse down the road from where Paul Revere was captured and where fellow rider Samuel Prescott warned the Hartwell family to spread word that the British were marching to Concord.

The Nathan Meriam House, situated on land known as Meriam’s Corner, marks the start of the Battle Road Trail in Concord where militia attacked retreating British soldiers, and the battle raged all the way back to Charlestown. Walking west, the trail narrows over a small brook, and you’ll first pass a home that is part of Meriam’s Corner before arriving at the intersection of Lexington and Bedford Roads where the Nathan Meriam House stands.

There is also a gravestone that marks where British soldiers were killed during the afternoon battle on April 19, 1775.

Tip: Free parking is located close by in (about two-three blocks) walking distance so it’s easy for young kids (or strollers) and those with physical limitations.

The other main part of Minute Man National Park is the North Bridge (referred to as Old North Bridge) in the Concord Battleground area where militia first fired on British soldiers. If you are Meriam’s Corner, use these driving directions, and you can park for free at the lot on Monument Street across the the Old Manse and bridge.

Overlooking the Concord River, the wooden bridge is a replica of the original built in 1956 and later restored. You can walk down to the River shore as well to see serene nature landscapes.

Several sites and monuments are easily accessed at the start of the path. First, as you walk to the Old North Bridge, you’ll see the Old Manse that overlooks the bridge; it is a Trustees property that is open to the public, and you can walk the flat dirt trails through the grounds.

The Emerson family viewed the first Revolutionary War battle from the house and later, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Nathaniel Hawthorne each lived here.

After exploring the Old Manse, you can easily walk from the grounds to the bridge. The main path to and past the bridge is a flat, gravel path accessible for all that takes you to the North Bridge Visitor Center.

Tip: At the top of North Bridge, you can see the boathouse on the grounds of the Old Manse. It’s also a great spot for nature and sunset reflections.

On each side of the bridge, there is a monument dedicated to the first battle. Before the bridge (closest to Monument Street) is the 1836 Battle Monument (an obelisk) that commemorates the start of the American Revolution.

Across the bridge is the Minute Man Statue that was first displayed in 1875 by the sculptor Daniel Chester French and includes an inscription of the “Concord Hymn” by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

From here, it’s a short, easy walk to the visitor center (check the NPS website for hours) where you can walk down some steps into a courtyard overlooking the Concord River.

Have you visited Minute Man National Park? What’s your favorite thing to see or do here? Leave a comment below…