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A SPRING DRIVE TO CONCORD; WHERE ONE CAN FIND HISTORY, FOOD AND SHOPPING AT ITS BEST.

ABBY MCBRIDE | PHOTOS: JENN CORRIVEAU

Living in New England we may sometimes take for granted the amount of beauty and history we have at our fingertips. One such place imbued with historical presence and charm is Concord, Massachusetts. Only 18 miles west-northwest of Boston, the town of Concord was the site of organized armed resistance to British Rule. It served as inspiration and the home for some of our greatest American writers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott, and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Not surprisingly in the mid-1800’s it was a hub for antislavery activity and one of the stops on the underground railroad.

On a warm day in late February in anticipation of spring the Museum team took a drive along MA-2A to Concord. One can imagine this drive in the warmer months to be picturesque, surrounded by budding green trees.

Our first stop was the rustic and pretty Saltbox Kitchen located in West Concord. Saltbox Kitchen’s food is sourced locally from Chef Ben Elliott’s family farm. They feature a seasonal menu and are home to Concord’s only craft brewery. As we were there for breakfast, we sampled yummy smoked salmon on toast, warm maple and cinnamon oat porridge and an exceptionally delicious, retro pop tart. A fun and friendly option for dining at Saltbox is their dinner series. This spring they are hosting two themed dinners. Early in March they offer a dinner pairing of oysters and unique craft beer. Later in the season of rebirth, you can join them for a 4-course Italian meal and wine pairing. To reserve tickets, please visit their website. If you happen to live close-by they also have a community share agriculture box you partake in.

After we filled our bellies, we headed next door to the local antiques store to check out the discarded treasures they had on offer. We then took a short drive to Main Street in Concord town center. Here you can check out Orchard House where Louisa May Alcott wrote Little Women, walk the Minuteman National Historical Park, visit Concord Museum or pop into the Concord Bookshop which happens to be one of the best bookstores for children’s literature in the Boston area.

If you have a chance this spring to take a Sunday drive in your vintage ride or new convertible, the Museum team highly recommends a visit to Concord. With all the history, culture, food, and shopping there is much to enjoy on a warm, verdant afternoon.