Things to See & Do in Concord this Winter

1 Delight the Little Ones with Family Trees

Concord’s renowned literary tradition takes a creative twist during the holiday season with the Concord Museum’s annual Family Trees: A Celebration of Children’s Literature. The Museum is filled with trees and wreaths of all shapes and sizes, fancifully dressed for the occasion with charming original ornaments inspired by a curated collection of children’s picture books. Open now through January 2. More information at concordmuseum.org.

Photo courtesy of Concord Museum

2 Get the Kids Excited About History

A special “Concord 101 Walking Tour” is designed to make the history of Concord Center come alive for elementary-aged children. This 45-minute visit explores everything from the Indigenous people who populated Concord to a notorious bank robbery on the Milldam! Come explore sites such as the Old Hill Burying Ground and the original schoolhouse where Henry David Thoreau taught. December 27-31 at 10am. Departs from the Visitor Center. More at visitconcord.org.

3 Visit the Exhibit ‘HOME: Paintings by Loring W. Coleman’

Through January 30 at the Concord Museum. Loring W. Coleman, who lived and taught in Concord, is a nationally recognized en plein air painter of New England landscapes. This stunning display of 47 original works was featured at the Concord Museum in 2020, during the pandemic. To allow more people a glimpse at these beautiful works of art (now that the Museum is open to the public again), an encore exhibit – including additional paintings - is available now through January 30, 2022. Learn more about Coleman and his work in our article “Home: Exploring the Life & Legacy of Loring W. Coleman” in the Winter 2020 issue of Discover Concord, available online at issuu. com/discoverconcordma/docs/discoverconcordwinter20web/54. More information at concordmuseum.org.

4 Elevate Your Arts

Concord is filled with beautiful art on display and in live performance! See our article on p. 56 and discover a wide range of captivating live music, stunning visual arts, compelling theatre, and even classic opera. No need to travel into Boston – Concord has it all!

5 Explore the Concord Sign Museum

This fun journey through Concord’s history is now open to the public. Hosted at Bradford Mill in West Concord, the Museum offers a trip through Concord history via the hand-painted signs of businesses come and gone. Get a sneak peek at the Museum in our article on p. 28. Admission is free. Hours and directions at concordsignmuseum.com

6 A Visit with President Lincoln

Monday, February 21, 1-2pm. Concord Museum is pleased to again host Steve Wood and his amazing performance as Abraham Lincoln. Wood’s firstperson historical interpretation, “A Visit with Abraham Lincoln,” includes stories of Lincoln’s early life, campaign debates, the Civil War, and concludes with a stirring reading of the Gettysburg Address. Accompanying President Lincoln’s visit, families can participate in a President’s Day craft to learn about how we celebrate and remember past leaders. Ticket includes Museum admission and crafts after the performance. More at concordmuseum.org.

Photo courtesy of Concord Museum

7 Tour Concord – and West Concord

Bundle up and get outside to explore the wonders of Concord’s natural beauty. A 75-minute Historic Walking Tour of Concord is available every day and departs from the Visitor Center at 1pm. You’ll walk down Concord’s historic Main Street and then visit sights such as the Wright Tavern, Monument Square, the Old Hill Burying Ground, and more. A rich array of topic-focused walking tours is available with 18 hours advance notice. Topics include: the Three Cemeteries, West Concord History, the Indigenous People of Concord, Little Women, the Emerson-Thoreau Amble, Women of Concord, or an African American History of Concord Walking (or Biking!) Tour. Learn more, or reserve online, at visitconcord.org.

8 Celebrate the Season at Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House

The home where Louisa May Alcott wrote and set her beloved classic, Little Women, is as charming as ever with a dusting of snow. Open once more to the public, visitors are admitted under a reserve timed-entry admission. With close to 80% of the furnishings on display being original to the Alcott family, a stroll through Orchard House truly is like taking a walk through Little Women. To ensure entry, please reserve your guided tour in advance at louisamayalcott.org.

9 Sweet History: Colonial Chocolate

Thursday, February 24, 10am – 4pm. Free with Concord Museum admission. Drop in throughout the day to immerse yourself in the colonial home as a living historian grinds cocoa beans, adds spices, and concocts delicious treats by the winter hearth. Read a colonial recipe or “receipt” and decipher the steps to cooking rare delicacies in colonial Concord. concordmuseum.org

Photo courtesy of Concord Museum

10 Shop Local this Holiday Season

The bustling shopping districts of Concord Center, Nine Acre Corner, Thoreau Depot, and West Concord each offer charming shops and delicious restaurant choices, as well as wonderful gifts for everyone on your list. Markets offer farm-fresh produce and delightful baked goods. And catering services and wine merchants help you put together the perfect holiday gathering. Please try to shop local this holiday season – you’ll make the season merry for your loved ones with a truly unique gift or experience – and you’ll be supporting a local family in the process! Our complete list of “Where to Shop, Where to Eat” on p. 41 (along with walking maps) is a great place to begin. And be sure to see our Guide to Holiday Gift Giving online at issuu.com/discoverconcordma/docs/giftguide2021

11 Go Outside and Have Some Fun This Winter

From a simple hike in nature, to the classic sledding, ice skating, snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, or even downhill tubing and skiing, our neck of the woods is filled with wonderful places to play and enjoy the winter season. See our article on p. 38 for inspiration and ideas to make the most of chilly days and snowy hillsides!

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