Last fall, two of our lovely Emersonians, Kynadee and Anna, visited Concord and wrote about their experience. On Veteran’s Day, with classes cancelled, we took the opportunity to do our own exploration of the picturesque New England town and its rich literary history. Â
The town is fairly easy to get to from campus. Purchase a Commuter Rail ticket on the Fitchburg line, hop on the train at North Station, and you’ll land in Concord in a little under an hour. Only ten minutes from the train station is the town’s main street; there you’ll have plenty of small businesses to peruse, including coffee shops and bookstores, and historical sightseeing to enjoy within each storefront. Here, we discuss some of our recommendations for planning your own visit to Concord this autumnal season.
The Concord Bookshop
The Concord Bookshop is a quaint bookstore located in the heart of Concord’s main street, independently owned and operated since 1940. As soon as you enter, you feel immediately comforted by the aroma of freshly printed pages, with rows and rows of books lining dark wood shelves and plush carpeted flooring beneath your feet. A soft lull of classical music aids your browsing, from fiction alphabetized by author to unique puzzles and cleverly designed greeting cards.
The bookstore has plenty to offer in terms of genre, but our favorite part was the featured shelf of local authors. Concord is the birthplace of some of the literary canon’s renowned classics, from the Transcendentalist musings of Thoreau, to the beloved works of Little Women’s Louisa May Alcott, and the poetry of Ralph Waldo Emerson. If you’re looking for a way to delve into Concord’s literary legacy, The Concord Bookshop is a must-visit.Â
Alcott Orchard House
Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House is like a step into the pages of her best-selling novel, Little Women. If you have the means, we recommend purchasing a timed entry ticket ($12 for college students!) for an informative look into the home that inspired Little Women, based on the true story of Alcott’s family. The inspiration is very apparent the moment you walk into the home, with the paintings and illustrations of May Alcott (a stand-in for Amy March) decorating every wall and the melodeon against the wall of the salon, the portrait of a late Elizabeth Alcott (or Beth, in the novel) hung above the musical instrument in memory.Â
For us writers, seeing the desk of Louisa May Alcott—a quaint, wooden desk built into the wall of her bedroom—was a sacred, inspiring experience. To see Alcott’s own words on paper, her writing cap slung over her chair, and walls lined with copies of Little Women from across the world, we were in awe of the legacy she had created.Â
Thoreauly Antiques
Situated a little off the main street, Thoreauly Antiques has a broad collection of knicknacks, clothes, and jewelry varying in prices and periods. We might not be film majors, but we were still able to appreciate the shelf of old cameras, reminiscent of an age without the phone lens we are used to seeing. It’s a tight space, but it’s the perfect blast from the past you will be seeking when you arrive in this historical town. And, if you’re in the mood to decor shop, you might find the perfect piece to bring back for your home.Â
Haute Coffee
Right next to the bookstore is Haute Coffee, sporting a diverse list of coffee drinks, food items, and pastries, in addition to a seating area for a relaxing catch-up or a studious work session. In addition to having an array of syrups—lavender being a personal highlight—they also have food labelled for dietary restrictions, such as vegan protein balls and gluten free treats. It was homey in the way you want your local coffee shop to be. A mix of seating styles, friendly staff, and colorful decor all mix together to create the perfect atmosphere for grabbing something sweet before writing the next great American novel.Â
Reflections
Concord is the perfect destination for your next autumnal day trip if you’re yearning for the whimsy of scenic, small-town Massachusetts. Make sure to book that Commuter Rail ticket now (and your visit to the Alcott Orchard House) in order to enjoy all Concord has to offer.