What is the Best Way to Visit Battle Road?

[Locke Enload]

We are taking a family road trip to Boston this month by way of D.C., Philadelphia, and NYC, ultimately to visit Battle Road.  What advice would those of you who have made the trip have on how best to experience it?  Afoot?  Tour? "Can't miss" obscure curiosities?  We're looking for the best method by which to do it -especially if there is any post-CoV weirdness/guidance we need to know about in that part of the world.

In reading posts on accounts of visits, there is mention of souvenirs and patches.  We'd sure like to cash-in on whatever swag is out there.  Anything left?

Thanks!

[OldDominionIron]

If you haven't checked out their website yet (https://www.nps.gov/mima/index.htm), please d0, it's full of information. Guided ranger tours seem to have returned.

You can drive along Battle Road and stop at several parking areas close to important scenes and do short walks (Revere/Dawes/Prescott capture site, Parker's Revenge, etc.) You could also walk part of the trail and have someone drive ahead to pick you up at the next stop.

Closer to Boston, the Jason Russell house should be open now (I went the weekend before Patriot's Day and lots of places were closed.)

The self-guided audio tour of Buckman Tavern in Lexington was worth the $12, and the exhibit of women of Lexington on the second floor was very informative. A leisurely stroll around the green, and the short walk to the Clarke/Hancock House will also help stretch your legs out after riding around in a vehicle.

In Concord, you can park at either the Buttrick house or the Old Manse and walk the path over the North Bridge to the other end of the trail.

The roads are narrow with little to no shoulders, so walking them with small children might not be a good idea. I walked the Acton Trail from Isaac Davis' house to Concord, and then a bit further along Battle Road before calling it a day and having my wife come pick me up....13.1 miles, a new record for me!

No post-Covid weirdness to speak of, be sure to bring some bottles of water with you if you decide to do some walking (the former hayfields have re-flooded, but there are elevated paths through those portions. Bicycles are allowed, but must be walked over those parts).

Enjoy your trip!

[Gus]

Great information!

Next year in April my wife, son and I plan on walking Battle Road and visiting these places.  My son lives in New Hampshire and during our visit with him, we'll drive to Massachusetts to take the tours and see the places we talk about when telling the Strikes.

In Liberty,

Gus

[BluegrassColonel]

I suggest planning to spend at least 2 days on Battle Road.  If not, you will be rushed to see it - even on a cursory basis.  My wife and I took a day (the day before Christmas Eve) and by the end I was literally running from one monument or site to the next to beat sunset.  The only building site that was open was the Lexington Historical Society welcome center which is right next to Buckman Tavern, so that rushed day did not include tours of the many buildings or museums along the way.

Check these websites (just a small sample regarding Battle Road) for more information:

https://www.lexingtonhistory.org

https://friendsofminuteman.org

https://www.concordma.gov/1140/Historical-Commission

https://www.actonhistoricalsociety.org

You might also consider walking Freedom Trail in Boston while you are there, but that would be another day as well.  The Boston Common, four cemeteries (full of names we talk about in the Strikes), Old North Church, Old State House, Old South Meeting House, Faneuil Hall, Boston Massacre Site, Paul Revere house, Bunker Hill, the Bunker Hill Museum, and USS Constitution, are all on the trail.  (Check out the huge plaque across from the Revere house - another interesting name appears there.)

https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/walk-the-freedom-trail.htm

Marblehead has a lot of very interesting historical sites including the powder house, Abbot Hall (which has on display the original "Spirit of '76" painting), original homes of Elbridge Gerry (signer of the Declaration of Independence and 5th Vice President) and other important figures.

https://www.marblehead.org/about-marblehead/pages/visiting-town-history

Though I have not visited it (yet), Quincy is where to go for history on John, Abigail, and John Quincy Adams.

https://www.nps.gov/adam/planyourvisit/index.htm

Note there are COVID restrictions at some locations.

I hope you have an inspiring trip!

In Liberty,
Greg Seneff, Sr.
"Bluegrass Colonel"

[DEH]

I made the mistake of going on the weekend during fair weather.  It was packed with bikers, joggers, and other recreational types.  They did not appreciate it.

[motorcycle_dan]

The Spouse and I (now retired) are wanting to do a tour of New England area to include some battle road stops.  Looking for a canned tour company that covers the logistics as well as visiting the sites and provides a historically knowledgeable guide. 
Appreciate links or suggestions of Good tours and even bad tours to avoid. 
Thanks in advance
Dan

[Snow Snake]

Hi All
My wife and I are going next month.I'm retired and can't walk like I used to. I made contact with a local tour company (Concord Tour Company).We jointly worked up a proposal which I accepted.I'll be able to update after we return home.PM me if your time line needs earlier info.