Located on the side of a huge hill, the Fruitlands museum offers a variety of different activities for its guests. There are hiking trails along with a museum. It is larger than you think it is and the hill is fairly steep for visitors. The exhibits are changed every so often. Plenty of parking for people and bathrooms for customer use. read more

Fruitlands Museum - The grounds of Fruitlands - Museums Near Me - Harvard, Massachusetts

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A 210 acre museum which has several galleries and a Shaker Museum. It was a rainy day so we were looking for things to do which would keep us indoors. The art works was really good and we really enjoyed the Native American gallery which had plenty of Native American artifacts. It was a pleasant time, we enjoyed ourselves. It would have been nice to get out for a hike on their trails but the weather did not cooperate. read more

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The grounds offer breath taking views of New England beauty proportions. You have a lot here in small spaces for time to explore and wander or nibble and sip. Affordable day trip to explore, and learn. The hosts in every museum house are incredibly knowledgeable and with a love for what they do that is like a warm hug. The little shop is full of beautiful things and affordable art pieces to purchase. All in all, a lovely piece of New England for the day trip adventurer that enjoys indoor-outdoor simple pleasures. And from what I hear, a bucolic setting for a wedding, anniversary, birthday or other events. read more

We loved our visit to the grounds of the Fruitlands Museum! Given the crisis, all of the buildings are closed, and you need to pre-reserve a parking pass for the day you want to visit ($10/car, free for Trustees members). When you arrive at the gate, they check off your name from the reservations list and then hand you a map and instructions on where to go. The views from the parking area and main building are spectacular! We could see mountains in the distance including Mount Wachusetts! It would be a lovely setting for a wedding. We then walked along the main path and checked out the Fruitlands Farmhouse, which was the site of an experimental living community in the mid-1800s and later the historic farmhouse which inspired Little Women. Then we headed over to the hiking trails, which are currently one-way so that you won't cross paths with anyone. There are a few different trails to take, and it was very easy to avoid getting close to others. We loved that there were signs along the way explaining what used to be on that spot (like native areas, roads, and farms). Our Fruitlands visit was a stress-free experience that allowed us to learn a bit of history & see some scenic views while getting some exercise and fresh air! read more

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We went to a wedding there this summer, so this review is as a venue for that. The whole event from start to finish was handled with great professionalism, and everybody had a terrific time. The views were fantastic , and the location had a really peaceful vibe. The place is a little bit out of the way, but that also means random people aren't going to be wandering in to your event. The catering was by a company called Fireside, I believe, and more than one person said it was the best wedding food that they had ever had. Lots of appreciation for Laura, Shawn, Greg the DJ, and the rest of the staff. read more

The goat cheese BLT is creamy, bread is soft, tomatoes are lush, bacon is crisp. Incredible sandwich. Paired with beautiful view and friendly staff. Highly recommend. read more

Fruitlands Museum - Museums Near Me - Harvard, Massachusetts

Probably the most amazing museum I've ever visited! From the breathtaking views, well versed, brilliant and friendly docents, lovely gift shop, extensive art collections (currently featuring the Hudson Valley Artists) this is an amazing day trip! Currently awaiting lunch on the hillside attended by a professional and friendly waitress. I have no doubt the experience will be top notch overall. Brief Home of Louisa May Alcott, this collection also features a Native American building and a Shaker exhibit, as well as hiking trails. read more

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what a cool spot to checkout for the day! very interesting history & place in general to go on a walk. the staff at the front are very accommodating & prompt. read more

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This is a beautiful and peaceful place. The staff is friendly, the views are magnificent, and the art is plentiful. They offer hiking trails, bird watching, and my favorite...Herb-Ade at the restaurant. The Native American building is a perfect example of how Fruitlands invites me to view my heritage. The exhibit spends little time trying to educate about the history of abuse heaped on the Native American population. I have visited other museums that teach, in detail, about the atrocities. It seems this exhibit focuses on the virtues of a people who, in spite of the atrocious abuses, created beautiful art and architecture, and did so while maintaining a peaceful coexistence with the earth they inhabited. I don't believe the exhibit turns a blind eye to the horrors of the past. Instead, it glorifies the love they had for art, home, family, and the earth. I think the exhibit shoots for the stars and hits it's target. read more

Fruitlands Museum - Shoot for the stars...always. - Museums Near Me - Harvard, Massachusetts

I used our local library pass to visit this museum with a friend. This place is a bit hard to find but what a nice place to visit. On a gorgeous afternoon, you have plenty to see in this quaint little town of Harvard. I liked all the houses to visit along the path. The docents were wonderful in explaining about the lives of the people here. Here is a breakdown of things to see here. * Art Gallery- landscape paintings from the Hudson River School * Fruitlands Farmhouse- furniture and pieces in the house that Bronsan Alcott lived in * Native American Gallery- learn about the native Indians who lived in this part of Massachusetts and part of Southern NH * Shaker Museum- house with furniture from the Shakers There are some nice trails which we didn't have time to visit, but you should definitely check it out if you have time. read more

Having visited the museum buildings on multiple occasions throughout the years, I decided to make a visit for the sole purpose of checking out the grounds and trails. A grounds only admission is $6 (as opposed to the normal $12 admission). Fruitlands actually has a grounds maintenance plan in place - they have converted forest into meadow, they maintain meadows, have an invasive species eradication plan. I loved being able to walk thru so much meadow. I saw multiple ground nesting birds. I saw Hawks soaring above. Saw all sorts of dragon flies and butterflies. Once I entered the forest, I saw wonderful wild flowers - lady slippers, jack in the pulpit, mallow, star flower. Saw lots of migrating warblers. It was a beautiful walk. My only complaint is the poison ivy. It was every where. I'm glad I was wearing pants and closed toe shoes. You couldn't help but walk right through it. read more

Amazing scenery from atop. The moment you the car door, you can feel why the Alcotts were here for transcendentalism! They lived in the farmhouse only for 7 months - the house was not insulated so who can live in Harvard in the winter months like that no matter what century! Also in service is a fine dining room that is open till 2 or 3pm in what looks like a tent adjacent to the section in the building. Frugal is my best friend at the moment so I did not give this a whirl. When fall foliage is around the corning, this will be on top of my list to try! They created galleries in the houses on the property. They certainly should come to the trend of the 21st century - allow photography!!! Outdoors are sculptures in various spots. Interestingly enough, some are made from tree trunks/branches. I also took a quick stroll in the trails. It would've been quicker if they had drew a better trail map!!!!! Technical difficulties upon forks - not all visible paths are on the map. There are not much signs either on directions. They are kind enough to mark the trail color but when the color forks in the same color???? I went one direction then I got a hunch that it was the opposite direction that I was suppose to go, so I turned around and walked the other way. Phew - good call! When in doubt, trust your guts! When all else fails, pull out the GPS map on the cell. read more

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Had a lovely lunch here while visiting the grounds. Food was very fresh and artful. The view was amazing from our seats under the tent. The setup was very nice with iron tables and flowers/plants. Our service started out great but when our server got assigned both indoor and outdoor tables we did see a slow down. However as we were taking a break from site seeing it was nice to relax at the table. If they tweak the server ratios and/or add a runner to help with food delivery and refills on drinks, I think it would alleviate the service issues others noted. With that said, I would definitely come back again. read more

Fruitlands Museum - View from my table - Museums Near Me - Harvard, Massachusetts

As a museum, Fruitlands has a small collection spread among a handful of buildings. You get a different perspective on Bronson Alcott from the dosens here (he was a dreamer) from the museum dosens in Concord at the Alcott House (he was a deadbeat dad). The landscape and views are fantastic and would be wonderful for walking through in the fall. read more

Fruitlands Museum - Museums Near Me - Harvard, Massachusetts

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Being rather new to Massachusetts I'm always exploring new area. I had heard about this facility, the museum, the wedding venue, the restaurant and the unique gift shop. Today I happened to be in the area, what a true treat it was. The beautiful building which holds the museum, the restaurant and the gift shop was out of a story book. There were so many unique hand made items to choose from. Beautiful paintings and prints, glass and ceramic items, fiber art and hand knitted children sweaters are to name a few. Met the shop manager who happened to be unpacking rabbits for Easter made this dainty gift shop more impressive. This gift shop was like looking inside a gallery. The pricing was rather good too, being handmade it was actually at a give away price. If you are looking for a wedding, birthday or spacial occasion gift, this gift shop definitely is the right place. Now I must come back and check out the beach which I was told by the gift shop manager it's a must to visit. Of course I will wait for warmer weather to return. read more

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While I always try and give the restaurant the benefit of the doubt, this one left nothing redeeming worth more than one star. Our party of six showed up 15 minutes before our reservation time and stood in the ever growing line to check in. Upon checking in at our appropriate time, we were told we needed to wait another 10-15 minutes to not "overwhelm" the servers. People, there are about 20 tables in the place with multiple servers. I know I haven't been in the food industry in 10 years, but handling 5 tables was pretty standard if not low. Once we were finally seated we never saw our waitress. Like never saw her until we asked another waitstaff what the problem was. Drink orders placed, we again waited and waited. With 5 or so items on the menu, we had made up our decisions, oh, about 30 minutes before she ever came over with our drinks. After our behinds being in our chairs for a whopping 55 minutes, the food was finally brought from the kitchen onto a tray to be served to us. Of course, once again, it sat there waiting for our server. At one point the debate was if we would get in trouble for walking over there and getting it ourselves. Fortunately for them, the waitress came over as the debate was occurring. Stone cold food was plated in front of me and no waitstaff in site to send it back to get reheated. Plus, would it have been worth another hour of my time wasted there? All in all, expect to spend 2+ hours there for brunch, not because of the ambiance, but because that is how long it will take you to get some cold eggs and a lemonade. Who knows, maybe cold eggs are your thing? read more

Fruitlands is truly a gem, and I'm always shocked more people don't know about it. Sure, it may be about a 45 minute drive from Boston, but it's more than worth it and it makes for a beautiful place to spend the day. The museum itself makes for a fascinating glimpse of the transcendalist movement through the lens of a Utopian society started by Amos Bronson Alcott (aka Louisa May Alcott's dad). The guides are incredibly informative and friendly, to an extent that you don't really see in other museums. The changing exhibit is always fascinating, and I particularly enjoyed the exhibit on Shaker society they had last fall. The setup with each exhibit in a different cottage is really interesting to and makes for an experience that you pretty much can't get anywhere else. Of course though the key draw is the location, which is breathtakingly beautiful. If you get a chance, you can explore a few trails onsite or just picnic on the grounds. I only wish they had more benches available - the only ones are below a tarp that kind of obscures the view. If you get the chance, definitely check this place out - you won't regret it. read more

The view from this museum is incredible. The first time I went here was for fireworks. They host fireworks here every year on July 4th and they always put on a great show. We took the kids to see the museum on Fathers day (Dads get in free). There is a lot of walking involved and it is on a hill but the museum offers a cart to pick you up and take you to the exhibits if you have difficulty walking the hills. It is very historical and a great learning opportunity. Each exhibit has some hands on activities for the kids. Anyone wanting to just come and enjoy the view (it is worth it) can come in and get a great view without paying admission. To get in to the exhibits you do have to pay the entrance fee. read more

Just visited this museum on the most quintessential picture perfect New England day. It was about 75, sunny, and gorgeous. Stopped by the Fruitlands Museum Cafe for brunch. Atmosphere - more than five stars, if I could give that. The tent is gorgeous, there were families and children all running around the grounds, it was quite lovely. Food & Drink: their Bloody Mary was just OK, the Turkey Cheddar pressed sandwich was DELICIOUS. The bread is from Nashoba Brook Bakery (a local - Concord - bakery) and is phenomenal. I would definitely go back here in the near future. The only downside is that they only serve food from 11:30 - 2:30pm. I would love it if they had dinner, I bet it would be gorgeous. read more

Fruitlands is a great place to learn a little bit about local history, and get outside. You walk between buildings with different subjects, such as the Shakers or Native Americans. Fruitlands also has beautiful meadows (which often have art installations), and extensive walking/hiking trails. They also do bird watching walks, because they are home to a wide variety of birds (and butterflies, flowers, etc.). If you're looking for a museum or some nature, check this place out. The views of the valley alone are worth it. read more

'Tis the season to go to Apple Land. If you are out this way, definitely hit Fruitlands. It's simply gorgeous there, and they serve a real sit down afternoon tea. Veddy refined. Also, there's some cool exhibits to gander at, while drinking in the fabulous views across the hills. read more

Spent a pleasant afternoon at Fruitlands for the most part. I went there around lunchtime with my two little ones, 10 mos and almost 3 years old. The staff was very pleasant and welcoming, pointing out a nice picnic spot and making sure we knew where the water fountains were (hot day!) and letting us know that there were golf cart rides available. We toured the buildings after lunch. On the way, we met the Lead Interpreter, a very nice and knowledgeable woman who really involved my 3 year old in the history of the Shakers. Both the Shaker House and the Native American Museum involve children quite well. However, my only caveat was with the farm house: it doesn't have anything for children, and this particular day the interpreter stationed there was unimpressive. I used to be a National Park Ranger, and I do know that an interpreter should never simply read the signage aloud to a visitor or answer their phone while presenting. He also did not greet us with a "Hello! Welcome!" but a "Don't let the kids touch anything." Excuse me, but you don't know my children or how well-behaved they are. Furthermore (and this went for two out of three buildings), the guide creepily followed around the whole museum, presumably to make sure my kids behaved since no other visitor had "followers." At least allow us to be innocent until proven guilty of misbehaving! Would have been five stars except for the poor/rude interpreter at the end! If they want more kids visiting they need to train their folks to be more welcoming overall. read more

A limited menu and limited kitchen limit the success of this place. Once they serve you they never come back to check on you, so if you want a refill of a water or coffee it will never come. read more

I have enjoyed visiting this museum in the past and more recently the cafe where the food is excellent. The day was cool but they had tables set up inside a tent. Service was good, with the food very fresh, and the most delicious tea. The dining area was not too noisy, which was good because less background interference is better for those with hearing aids, and seniors were the predominant clientele as we went on a school day. There was ample parking. You can eat there without paying admission and still see the view. The gift shop is overpriced. read more

I recently got married at Fruitlands (which is in my hometown), and I have to say, am incredibly disappointed in the overall experience. The event staff was incredibly disorganized and barely involved throughout the planning process, with the result that the coordinator from our caterer (Peppers) did almost all of the work. No one from Fruitlands was on hand for our rehearsal, and we had no access to the buildings (so no bathroom, no AC) on a 100+ degree evening. This would have been a mere annoyance had our car not broken down, which forced us to be there an hour longer than we would have otherwise. On the day of the wedding, we were scrambling to sort out several details as a result of a lack of involvement from the Fruitlands staff. Basically, for the price we paid for the venue, we got a really nice view (if you could ignore the partially set-up stage and porta potties below that we were not told about), and a tent. I have to assume Fruitlands frequently hosts weddings and other parties, so it's beyond my comprehension as to why they don't have a more involved events staff. If it hadn't been for our caterer, I'm sure our wedding would have been a disaster. read more

Just had lunch at the cafe, omg! We happened to show up during brunch by a happy mistake so we ordered a veggie flatbread to share and I got short rib hash while my fiancé ordered the burger, every bite was fantastic we just about licked the plates clean!!! And I got a blueberry vodka herb drink ...ok I got two... and it was SO yummy. Our server Jillian was so helpful and had a great personality, we can't wait to come back asap!!! Gorgeous view on a gorgeous day for a delicious meal :) read more

We had always wanted to look at this place and see what it was all about. Were in the area this week, and, as we looked around the grounds, deciding whether to get out of the car [it was HOT out] we spied one of Joe Wheelwright's tall tree men sculptures looming on a field. so of course we had to visit. this place is situated on a very steep slope, you can drive or walk down to the bottom and see the restored house where Bronson Alcott brought his family as an experiment in utopian communal living. vegans, back in 1843! Clara Endicott Sears, the wealthy woman who brought all this interesting culture together & preserved it - Shaker, Native American, Transcendentalism - seems like she was a really fascinating person. the grounds are open for hiking/exploring, and there is a haystack maze. we had a nice lunch overlooking the valley, watched as thunderstorms marched across, very dramatic. I recommend a visit for those who appreciate the quirky small history museums of New England. read more

lovely site outside in a large tent and although it was 90 today, it was very comfortable under the tent......the tent really allows you to enjoy the wonderful views that are available from here....the restaurant is now affiliated with gibbet hill from groton, ma.....service was pleasant....we had the brunch menu which is somewhat limited....they offered mimosa or bloody mary, we had bloodys which were ok, burger was great, very nice size and cooked med rare as ordered, the spring vegetables with rigatoni was sort of boring and really nothing special, the carrot cake dessert i am told was excellent.....very nice visit and i would have rated higher except for the one boring presentation... read more

I recently held my bridal shower here and despite the dreary weather (it appropriately 'showered' all afternoon) the setting and staff made it such a memorable day! From helping haul in heavy boxes of decor, to installing a makeshift slideshow station, to ensuring a mimosa glass was never empty, they were incredibly helpful and accommodating. We only occupied half of the large tent given our party size, but they did a great job arranging tall plants, apple boxes and other decor to allow for more intimacy. They were also flexible when it came to set up and timing, allowing us extra time to break down the space when we were done. The amazing view from the tent and delicious food didn't hurt either! Everyone was raving about the gourmet sandwich buffet. Would highly recommend Fruitlands to anyone in the area planning a similar event! read more

Decent food and service, spectacular views!

Fruitlands is a beautiful place, and the one word that fits this museum is 'inspirational'. The Hudson River paintings are stunning, and the food at Alcott's restaurant was top-notch. Make sure to bring your walking shoes! There are miles of trails on the museum grounds and some sculptures are set out in the woods. Well worth the hike to go see them. There are a lot of events happening at this place, so check out their calendar before you pick a day to go - you will be surprised at what they have to offer. read more

The Museum cafe just opened for the season last week and we thought we would give it a try. the cafe is part of the group that owns Gibbet hill Grill. what a disappointment! Fries were not the shoe strings they have served before, these were under cooked with an hard cold center. burgers were large with a bit too much seasoning and not as juicy as the ones in Groton. they are served with a house made herb aioli that had much too much too herb. i asked for a side of mayonnaise and was told we don't have any by the waitress. i then foolishly tried to explain that most aiolis are made with mayonnaise. it was chilly day and we sat outside because they said the heaters were on. but there are big holes in the tent were the cold air comes rushing in with the wind that is always present on that hill. Hamburgers are $13. save your money and go some where else for lunch, read more

The view was amazing, as were the museum buildings. However the restaurant was disappointing.My husband and I both ordered sandwiches, which were supposed to come with fries, according to the menu. When we asked where our fries were, our waitress stated that they didn't come with our meals. Looking around, we saw other tables that also ordered sandwiches, with fries being served alongside. Long story short, we questioned it again, and then they didn't even take off partial cost. I know it's only fries, but when your menu clearly states, "All sandwiches come with fries", you make a reasonable assumption that you'll get that, so when you don't, it leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Even though we enjoyed our hike, and strolling through the museum, I'm not so sure we will ever eat there again. I gave two stars only because of the amazing view and museum buildings. read more

I had no idea how sprawling this "museum" was! My friend and I stopped for a craft fair and they were offering free admission to the museum so we decided to explore, and we were pleasantly surprised. The grounds house an array of interesting statues, a museum, a Native American Museum, a Shaker museum, and Louisa May Alcott's home while her family ran a commune on the property years ago. Lots and lots of history. All sorts of antiques and authentic rooms. It was a great learning experience. Be warned that the climb back up is steep - there is even a ride that goes up and down the hill to help travelers that can't make it back up. There are several trails that take you to all sorts of places; the longest is 30 minutes so nothing too strenuous. Plenty of parking, and there's a cafe and gift shop. I thought the prices were a bit steep so I didn't purchase anything. I loved the history of the land and just how much went on with so many famous names of the time on that very spot. Definitely a great place for history buffs! read more

Definitely worth the trip just to take in the view. However, there isn't really anything to see given the $12 admission price. We went for the current bird exhibit and were disappointed to find it was only one room with too many pieces from too few artists. It would have been nice to have a wider selection of different depictions of birds. We went to the brunch buffet, which was $25 (including tip) a person. It was pretty good and the view was nice. I could see the location being ideal for a big celebration, like a wedding. read more

Love this place. My go-to cafe for lunch or Sunday brunch when friends are in town. Great salads and the kids love the flatbread pizza. The view is of course stunning. read more

We just attended a wedding of a good friend at Fruitlands which we were so looking forward to. I'm sorry to say, the negatives outweighed the positives of this venue. The biggest problem by far was the fact that it was a cold, raw, rainy day (granted, not Fruitlands' fault!) but inside the tent was almost just as cold and raw! The bride was good enough to leave a basket of pashminas at the entry (a nice touch!) but it was not enough to keep the guests warm, especially the ladies in cocktail attire and heels. Speaking of heels, if you are going here for an event, wear flats! The brick floor makes for a very treacherous walk across to the bar, dance floor, rest room, et al! The cocktail hour included passed finger foods as well as a buffet of crudite, but waiting in line was a bummer, only mitigated by the fact that the room was warmer that the tent! Dinner was a choice of chicken or beef and it was just ok. I have to say that our server was lovely, however. In sum, Fruitlands has potential, but only for warmer days, or if they invest in more powerful heaters! Cheers! read more

Beautiful landscape, interesting exhibits, friendly staff, cute cafe...well worth a visit on a nice summer day.

Fruitlands is a wonderfully quirky museum, beginning with a spectacular view (you'll see why the address is Prospect Hill Road) and continuing to the delightful cafe, amazing Hudson River School landscape paintings, and the historic Fruitlands farmhouse, which was home to Louisa May Alcott's father's ill-fated utopian community. The hiking trails are a welcome bonus. Well worth a visit. read more

Are you a white person? Are you a white person who enjoys whitewashed history? Do you have no friends or family members who are people of color? In that case......you might really enjoy the Native American museum. If you have any sort of respect for the actual original peoples of North America, however, and especially if you are an American Indian yourself, avoid it. Avoid it like the plague. Avoid it like genocide - which is a word that is used not once in the museum that purports to be about Native Americans! Seriously. The information in the museum gives you the definite idea that all of the problems experience between Native Americans and white people were due to some random differences that they couldn't get over. It does not mention the systematic genocide of both culture and people that the European colonists engaged in for well over two hundred years. It does not mention that Native Americans were used as slaves, or how their history ties into African American history. It is at best patronizing, at worst outright racist. Don't let your kids learn this history - there are so many better places to do so. The rest of the museum grounds are pretty, though I don't recommend walking on the trails as they are very poorly marked and you might end up walking much, much farther than you'd intended to. There was no Braille or audio guide, most of it was not wheelchair-accessible either, but thankfully, people with disabilities are not missing that much. read more