Beautiful spot! Beautiful coming here in every season- always a beautiful view and cool things to…read morelook at from fall leaves, flowers in spring and summer and winter snow. Love seeing the garden they have here. Great place to some for a walk and beautiful views. There's a visitors center with bathrooms that's open seasonally till about 4 or 5 pm. There are also bathrooms (not sure if seasonal) on the end closer to the bridge. Free parking on both sides as well.

This site is in the cute little town of Concord, and the site itself has a beautiful visitor center…read more(former Buttrick family residence) which contains a small informational exhibit. What's really nice is the outdoors. There's a garden space where you have a good lookout of the North Bridge, a significant location where the Minute Man faced the British Army. The path to the bridge is not too far of a walk, and you can see a beautiful memorial quoting Ralph Waldo Emerson's poem "the shot heard round the world." I also liked the plaque honoring the graves of the British soldiers since a lot of lives were lost on both sides for American Independence. The bridge is a great scenic walk and great to do for both history and nature lovers.

For my birthday last year, I gifted myself a day's retreat in the house/room where Thoreau was…read moreborn. My entire trip to the Concord area was a transcendental pilgrimage in its own right, and my day alone in the home of seclusion's champion was more than meaningful. I read all the exhibit panels, wrote at the little desk by the window, picnicked on the lovely grounds for lunch, and read Emerson's "Read, then Write." I might have even slept a little in the peaceful, bird-sung quiet. It was a gift to have the entire day in this place, to see the shift of sunlight across the eaves, to contemplate the coming year. The staff made it so easy - they worked with me to shift days - and they made me feel absolutely welcome. It was quite humbling to have a key of my very own for the day! I came away with good written words, good philosophy, and a belief in the actuality of personal connection with literary heroes. Thank you for allowing it to happen!

I am so grateful for the writing space at the Writer's Retreat provided by the Thoreau Farm:…read moreBirthplace of Henry David Thoreau. It is a privilege to spend time in the very room that this American author was born. As the author and illustrator of eight children's books on Thoreau, I can attest that the Writer's Retreat has provided me the impetus for creating them during the numerous times I attended the Writer's Retreat. One might say that they were conceived in that room where many of my words and illustrations began. The Writer's Retreat provides a quiet space where one might write, read, and be reflective. It is beneficial to the amateur or professional writer or to anyone who just needs a space to think and read. The Farm is in a rural setting where one may take a meditative walk and is a special treasure. Imagine writing or reading on a replica of Henry's own green desk where he wrote his works. It is wonderful to have the opportunity to have a place to rest and think without any distractions in the room where Henry was born. Rebecca Migdal, Executive Director of the Thoreau Farm: Birthplace of Henry David Thoreau, is warm and welcoming to anyone who visits the Thoreau Farm or uses the Writer's Retreat. During the time I spent at this special place, Rebecca made me feel very comfortable. Rebecca's cheerful demeaner makes any visitor feel special and at ease. I highly encourage anyone who needs a space for quiet reflection or pursue literary endeavors to spend a day or two at the Writer's Retreat.

Such a wonderful, peaceful spot. It's incredible how you go from driving in a cute residential…read moreneighborhood, to taking a turn onto a quiet street that brings you to a parking lot to this wildlife refuge. Incredible. You pay $2 to park and then can walk around and soak it all in. I love how there's benches to sit and relax, and a handful of people had big cameras with large lenses to take cool pics while they bird watch. There's plenty of side trails you can venture out on too. The big loop we did ended up being 1.8 miles or so, and there's even a nice bike path right there too. Here, it's the perfect balance between it being not too busy at all, and not being completely empty too.

Great spot for birding. I recorded 45 bird species in one visit, and there were plenty of wild…read moreblueberries, raspberries, and grapes along the trails. Some sections are overgrown with lots of roots, so watch your footing, but that's part of the natural habitat. If you're into birds and wildlife, it's well worth the visit.

'The Lime Quarry' as it is known in Chelmsford is a great asset to the town. It is easy to get…read moreto-just a mile out of The Center- and there is a small lot that can accommodate around 6 cars. It is nestled in between route 110 and 495 so it can get loud at times- from cars and trucks traveling near the trails. It is a nice short walk/hike with a few hills. The trails are well marked except for the trail that leads into one of the quarry kilns. If not careful one can take that trail-instead of staying on the main trail. But it is only a few feet before it becomes clear that trail ends in the quarry pit. It's easy to turn around and get back on track. In the spring there are two owls that can be heard-or seen if you spend some time looking up into the trees on the blue trail. If you're quiet the deer can also sometimes cross your path!

A nice green space and some rolling, rocky, tree rooty trails, but ambient traffic noise and oodles…read moreof poison ivy. We liked Greak Brook Farm better. The good news is this area is free. Site of a lime quarry and kilns until 1830. Access is from a parking area on the side of Littleton Rd.

It is always a beautiful day to visit this place! I stopped the other day after work for an…read moreafternoon stroll on my way home.

Beautiful gardens and when they offer yoga among the flowers it is amazingly peaceful and joyful!read more

A MUST DO! A FREE EVENT & FREE NEARBY PARKING! This is one of the Secret Hidden Gems of America…read more Westford Knight is an interesting site located in Westford MA outside of Boston. It is a mix of Fact, Fiction, Folklore & what do you see on that rock - all wrapped into one. Historians have pondered the mysterious etchings on the rock. Did a Native American artist create this or does this go back even further in time? A medieval battle sword is believed to be visible on the rock's ledge. Some people also see the outlines of a medieval knight in full battle regalia, holding a shield in one hand & a sword pointed downward in the other hand. The image supposedly identifies him as a Knight Templar. Some individuals believe the carving is evidentiary proof of the Scottish explorer Prince Henry Sinclair's visit to America. Legend has it that Sinclair followed in the footsteps of the Vikings & in 1398 crossed the Atlantic & made his way south to Nova Scotia & then to New England. That is a hundred years before Columbus. The Westford Knight carving has been showcased on the Discovery, History, & Travel Channels with their documentary programs. In 2013 there was also a feature film. There's more info but those are the main highlights. Until the science evolves & more accurate testing can be done & properly dated we can't be sure of any anecdotal evidence, heresay or what people think they see. So Christopher Columbus you have been saved; nothing to worry about at least for the time being. LOL! Not to diminish what Columbus did, but were there explorers from other civilizations that came here first? Could this be the new Plymouth Rock? Or is it a Bust? Hopefully in the near future, science will evolve & we will have the technology to test & answer those questions & others for sure. The Exploration & the Mystery is very Exciting & part of the discovery journey. You always hear about fantastic finds being uncovered in Egypt with the pyramids; not as much in America. It's being done but it's just not being promoted nor front page news. I'm giving this place 4 Stars but if they find out this is indeed legit I will automatically upgrade to 5 Stars. There is now a full scale statue here that instead of standing upright, is lying down on his back. Many people pass by here & don't even know this place even exists on Depot Street, near the Abbott School. The site just doesn't jump out at you. To make it worth your trip, there is an EXCELLENT place you can eat nearby called Kimball Farms also in Westford. It is a family owned & operated Entertainment Complex, Dining, & Country Store since 1939. They are Famous for their Homemade DELICIOUS Ice Cream. They serve oversized portions of ice cream that people travel from miles around to enjoy. You can read my review of Kimball Farms for more details. It used to be, you had to have Mega Bucks & be really Rich to have the Good Life, not anymore. The Game has changed. You've been Upgraded. Now You Can Live Like a King on a Limited Budget!

The library have a lot of interesting books and dvds. Nice library with resources. You will need…read moretime to get around, the place is big.

Hmm. I guess the fact that I'm the one adding this listing to Yelp says a lot about the current…read morestate of Lowell. Once the stomping grounds of such intellectuals as Kerouac, Whistler and even Poe, for a time, the library is now mostly a tomb and a shrine to days gone by. This library is so spectacular though, it's part of the reason we moved here to begin with. The service is so-so by library standards (my mom was a librarian for 10 years, so I'm picky), and the computer search system is AWful, but you can just wander around in it like it's a giant old mansion and let the books find you. There are HUGE historical paintings on the main floor of old revolutionary stuff, plus a few artifacts from the bygone era. The library is also a memorial to fallen soldiers, and their hallowed names grace the walls and halls of the buiding and stairwells, casting a ghostly reverence on passers-by. Outside, it looks like some sort of gothic cathedral, complete with relief scuplture and some old cannons from our bloodied past. Inside, there are 5 floors of books, books and more books, plus the ghost of Jack Kerouac wandering around. Say hi if you see him. As libraries go, the audiovisual section is rather poor, but they have a huge children's section. Great place to take your kid on any rainy afternoon and let them delve into the depths of their own imagination. Here are some stats and info tidbits from their website: From its first collection of 3,500 volumes, the Pollard Memorial Library today houses a collection of approximately 236,000 volumes, plus videos, CDs, DVDs, microfilm collections and museum passes. Membership in the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium gives Lowell residents direct access to the holdings of 35 libraries in the region. Circulation of materials amounts to almost 250,000 annually, with approximately one-third of this activity occurring in the children's collection. Although the library as an institution was established in 1844, this building dates back to 1893, and it's still in great shape. The attention to detail regarding the interior (and exterior) ornamentation is breathtaking. Plus, they have on display the largest piece of porcelain to ever come out of Japan, in the form of a huge vase on the main stairwell. Park downtown or in a garage and walk, though, since the parking situation is pretty non-existent. There's a bus stop right in front, but don't be put-off. The main entrance is around the side for nwo, since the front doors are closed off for some reason. Also, they have weird hours, closing at 9 M-Th, but then at 5pm on Fri and Sat. See the website for more details on events, hours and library materials.

Sounds just like Henley. I just watched three hours of the Eagles story on cable TV and got a lot…read moreof eye opening inside info that I hadn't had a clue about before. My buddy from college and I cut our chops on Eagles music back in the late 70's. Best band in the history of "our kind of music"!! Thanks, Don, for existing then [and of course the rest of the Eagles, too :)] I'm 71 and still can play some of the Eagles music. Best of times!!

It was so nice to finally get to see this place. You grow up hearing and reading about Thoreau all…read morethrough grade school and high school and finally coming into contact with the pond and the woods is very surreal. The shack where he lived is, obviously, no longer standing. But a pile of rocks is there in its place? I didn't really get the rocks, but there's a plaque explaining it. Obviously didn't do too much for me. There's a replica of his shack up by the parking area which is cool to see. The pond is cute. The beach is adorable. I love beaches with trees on them to provide oh-so-wonderful natural shade. It was packed though. It being packed might also have had something to do with the stagnant and dirty water. I don't suggest swimming in the pond. Or at least doing so at your own risk... There's a trail that runs around the entire pond. This was so cool too. It was also a little packed with people, but that's to be expected. My favorite part is there are little detours off the path right down into the water. The water was clearer there and was a little nicer to play around in. Only complaint is the fence along parts of the trail was very utilitarian (put up to keep people on the path). They could have put a little more effort into a fence that would have fit more into the surroundings, if they had to have one. The gift shop was small and not too impressive. The lady working there was a little standoffish/rude. But whatevs. Oh, and parking was a breeze...and free. Always good. It was a pretty good experience. Very close to the city too. Very nice for a quick trip to relax.