Minute Man National Historical Park

Concord, Mass. – This week, the National Park Getaway series of travel articles will have you itching to follow in the footsteps of Paul Revere and the minute men of 1775.

The now-tranquil North Bridge spanning the Concord River; the Battle Road, with its stone walls that afforded Colonials cover as they fired on British troops; and a swath of land that epitomizes the variety and beauty of New England’s terrain, with its forests and fields, wetlands and orchards, all await visitors to Minute Man National Historical Park, the latest Getaway destination.

The park also includes a tavern dating to 1733 and the home of 19th-century American authors Nathaniel Hawthorne and Louisa May Alcott. The connection to storytellers is fitting for a place that relates one of the most exciting narratives in American history. Though many of us became familiar in grade school with the story that climaxes in “the shot heard round the world,” the tale still captures our imagination.

This week’s installment in the Getaway series introduces the minute men—ordinary citizens who unwittingly wrote themselves into history by standing up for their rights—as well as the women of colonial Lexington and Concord—less well-known but equally important characters in the story of America’s entrance into its fight for independence.

Into this story, in which Americans take rightful pride, Minute Man National Historical Park weaves the subplots of individual visitor experiences. These can include outdoor recreation and encounters with history brought to life, as it is for Patriot’s Day in mid April. For a fuller sense of all that a visit to Minute Man can offer, check out the Getaway article. The same website connects you to all previous Getaways, which take you to about 90 (and counting) of America’s 394 national parks.