The Old North Bridge

This is where it all began. There is so much history located with miles of North Bridge for those who wish to learn about the history of the United States for both young and old. There are also many options to view the entire route from walking or biking the approximately 5-6 miles “Road to Revolution” path or by vehicle. If you travel by vehicle, there are numerous parking lots close to the key landmarks directly involved on April 19, 1775. Make sure to stop at the several visitor centers including the North Bridge and Minute Man visitor centers. If your lucky enough to be near the North Bridge Visitor Center, take the U.S. Park Service tour, which is offered I believe at least twice a day, you will learn so much and from a totally different perspective.

The North Bridge is one of the key historic landmarks of the Minute Man National Park. The historical events are clearly presented in an engaging way. Walking along the Battle Road Trail enhances the experience. Landmarks along the way are easy to spot and makes it easier to follow the sequence of historical events that led to the battle.

Interesting experience visiting this landmark place in American history. I enjoyed learning about the first major battle between the Minute Men and the British. Highly recommend a visit and walk around here.

It was truly humbling to walk on the ground that started the revolutionary war. We didn’t explore the entire park but loved the walk along the north bridge up to the visitors center and overlook. Grateful that this area was kept and preserved for us to appreciate this day.

North Bridge is a definite must see when visiting Lexington. America started right on this spot. We all know about the Washington's and Jefferdons but the average farmer who fought in these fields and on this bridge are who won the Revolutionary War for us. America as we know it would not exist if not for these historical places. It's free to visit.

“The shot heard round the world.” It was cool to hear accents from around the world chatting as we all hallowed this spot. Because of this battle, America exists!!! I’m grateful.

While maybe not that much too see, there is a ton to experience as you embrace the enormous historical importance this little place and (replica) bridge has had. If you can obtain a guided tour, I think you will benefit greatly from this.

So a recreated North Bridge where the Battle for the US first started. By the bridge is a monument by Chester French that was dedicated by Ralph Waldo Emerson. In the field closest to the parking area is the Trustees “Old Manse” house which was owned by the Emerson family and also housed Nathaniel Hawthorne for a short time. From the bridge climb to long hill up to the visitor center to learn more. You’re close to Concord Center here with shops & restaurants, and close to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery with Author’s Ridge. The Alcott’s, Emerson House, and Concord museum not much further- and Walden Pond is on the other side of Route 2

If you do come here I really recommend getting a local Lexington step on guide like I did. This way they can point out and show you how the battle happened and the history behind it and they do dress as if they are in the time period. The concord River will not disappoint you its absolutely beautiful I just wish that every school group would visit here.

Visited today during the eclipse. Scenery was great, very little crowd but an awesome peice of historical land.

Very nice bridge to walk to, a short walk from multiple nearby parking lots. Easy to get to thanks to well maintained large trail walkways. Careful in winter and check the NPS website or look for signs stating if the trails are open.

Amazing place full of rich history. Great for families to roam around and learn something new or history buffs to relax.

At this location, Britain groaned as America was born! It is where we started! The history and beauty of the location are breath taking. If you don't feel the history, you're not paying attention.

It was very neat to stand where the first shots were fired starting the revolutionary war.

A beautiful and reverent place. We took the trolly tour to get the history from a knowledgeable guide, but whether do a tour with a guide or on your own, it is well worth the time.

Well if you want to see where it all happened this is the place. Nice park, nice visit. Incredible to consider the events and bravery that took place here

The Rangers and volunteers are so knowledgeable and friendly. It turns out the Minute Man statue was sculpted by a distant relative of a friend of ours! The signage really helps describe what was going on during those days and how the local residents felt and took action.

The Old North Bridge in Concord is an absolute gem that beautifully encapsulates both the rich history and the serene beauty of the area. Stepping onto this iconic bridge feels like stepping back in time, into a moment that forever changed the course of history. The bridge itself is a charming architectural wonder, standing as a testament to the past. As I walked across it, I couldn't help but imagine the courageous Minutemen who once stood before the imposing redcoats, ready to defend their homeland. The courage and determination of those who fought here on April 19th, 1775, reverberate through the very air, reminding us of the sacrifices made for the sake of freedom and independence. The peaceful river flowing beneath the bridge seems to hold the echoes of that historic day, flowing gently as a symbol of the tranquility that came after the storm of battle. The juxtaposition of the serene waters and the memory of past strife is a poignant reminder of the enduring spirit of the American people. Surrounded by magnificent gardens, the Old North Bridge area is a blend of natural beauty and historical significance. The gardens themselves are a sight to behold, with vibrant colors and fragrant blooms that invite contemplation and reflection. To stroll through these gardens while contemplating the events that unfolded here is a truly immersive experience. What strikes me most is the sense of beauty and freedom that pervades the area. Standing in this place, knowing the bravery and sacrifice that unfolded here, is a humbling experience. It's a reminder of the power of unity and the determination to stand up for what's right, even in the face of adversity. The Old North Bridge in Concord isn't just a landmark; it's a living testament to the ideals that have shaped our nation. The sense of history, the tranquility of the river, and the stunning gardens all come together to create an unforgettable atmosphere that leaves a profound impact on anyone who visits. If you're seeking a place that combines history, beauty, and a deep sense of patriotism, the Old North Bridge is an absolute must-visit. With gratitude for the past and hope for the future, Jean-Louis Eck

Standard NP visitors center with a nice informative movie. Walk around the paths outside.

Great venue, patriotic, educational and beautiful. A slice of historic history that you can view.

Great place to visit. Take your time to walk around.

Great visitor center with a nice selection of books in their gift shop. Really enjoyed walking around the property and learning about the Revolutionary War history. Highly recommend!

A must stop while in Concord, MA so much history here if you are interested in American history. We enjoyed learning about the history of this place. I...

If you're interested in Revolutionary War history then this bridge is a must. There are poems and plaques all along the path to and from the bridge to...

A very well maintained historic site of a very significant event in American history.

Nice spot for a little walk! It gets hot when the sun is out though since there isn’t much shade. Very peaceful place and the river is so soothing

Forever associated with America's origin story, the Old North Bridge is where the latter of the battles of Lexington and Concord took place, igniting the...

This place is beautiful. The outside has tons of trails, its peaceful, the people who work there are wonderful as well as informative, and the artifacts are incredible. Btw Coin collectors like myself this is one of the state token stops

We had an amazing tour of the battlefield, about 40 min., from one of the Park Rangers. Worth doing this, really made things come alive. Numerous signs and workers along the path to give information also. Small gift shop and restroom facilities onsite. Good stop for those interested in American History.

Easy free parking on both sides of the bridge, not a long walk either way and with placards giving simple explanations of what happened in this first battle of the Revolution. Alternatively you can easily park in town and take a slightly longer and scenic walk to get there which in hindsight would have been better, we just didn't know. Great slice of US history that doesn't take long to absorb.

The North Bridge, often called the Old North Bridge, is a historic site in Concord, Massachusetts, spanning the Concord River. On April 19, 1775, the first...

Really great visitor center. Lots of cool items to buy and a great on demand short 8 minute video on the history of what happened here. If you want a more immersive video go to the other visitor center. Both are great!

Really great visitor center. Lots of cool items to buy and a great on demand short 8 minute video on the history of what happened here. If you want a more immersive video go to the other visitor center. Both are great!

Really great visitor center. Lots of cool items to buy and a great on demand short 8 minute video on the history of what happened here. If you want a more immersive video go to the other visitor center. Both are great!

David was a wonderful host. Very nicely organized. I'm interested in history and loved this place, others may not feel the same.

It is a walk thru time! Many monuments! Shows you what the revolutionaries achieved against a mightyer power. Stops along the way with lectures. As a 20 year soldier it was impressive.

I came at nighttime and laid across the bridge and listened to all the night bugs making their music. The moon was bright and the sky was clear. It was such...

This is the location of the "shot heard round the world," and the beginning of the American War for Independence. However, you don't have to be a history...

The North Bridge in Concord, Massachusetts is the place where the "shot heard around the world" took place, where the beginning of the battle of Concord....

The 1st shots of the Revolutionary War such a cool piece of history

This is a great visit for the whole family. The park is compact; the whole battle can be understood from walking a few hundred yards. But the Visitor Center also allows you to see the greater picture. The staff are friendly. The exhibits are well kept and explained. I had a good time here.

Visiting here and Concord itself made me more appreciative of how our forefathers and foremothers wanted something other than to be under British rule. There are many other places of interest in the area…experience them all.

The grounds here are absolutely beautiful. I was enamoured with the huge old trees that are everywhere you look.

Very helpful staff & informative tour w/ the ranger highly recommend

10/10 Post nuclear war settlement. Totally recommend moving in here from diamond city. Although management rates can fluctuate depending on where the sole survivor is, still a wonderful place! Just watch out for that Preston guy... he's pretty annoying.

We took our grandkids to see some of our local history. Nice walk and very educational.

Good interpretation. Nice panoramic view of the North Bridge.

An appropriate review for Flag Day and the birthday of the United States Army, this is one of the spots that the history buff absolutely can't miss. This is...

A scenic and pastoral national park. Highly recommended.

Convenient place to park visiting Minute Man Park

BE AWARE OF TICKS!!! We love coming here for walk for many reasons, it’s peaceful and gorgeous all year round. The spring flowers in the garden are popping. However, we ran into some serious ticks issue during our visit this past Sunday. We brought food to the picnic table under tree in the shady area near the visitor center and that was the biggest mistake. There were still leaves on the ground and we later noticed there are ticks crawling on our friend’s lab. We wrap up the meal as quickly as we can but still found multiple hungry greedy ticks on my friend’s lab. We did a quick check on our long curly hair poodle mix pup and found ONE tick. BUT when we got home we found a total of TEN TICKS during brush, bath, and groom. She was shaved down so we can SEE the ticks. I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THEY WERE HIDING!!! Found (hopefully) the last one more than 24 hours later as we were just chilling on the couch! It was a nightmare and I am still recovering from this. My friend found ticks crawling in the grass area near the trail as well. I get it, it’s ticks season and it’s near the water. But this is madness, hope the park will notice this and take some action. I will re-think if I should bring my dog there next time.

old wood bridge high over the nearly dry river currents at Concord. This is where Colonials took their first pot-shots at the Mighty British...

Great people with a place that oozes history. you must visit.

If you are interested in American history and want to spend some nice quiet walk, this is a good place. You can picnic here or walk around. If you walk...

Scenic walk, we enjoy walking through the park and into the downtown area.

Sadly the visitors center has been closed this year due to the Corvid. Which is sad because there is a lot of interesting history inside aa well as a fun gift shop. The park rangers have set up a tent just outside. During the warmer months you are able to pick to several brochures and chat with the rangers who are polite and helpful.

It was closed when we went but we had a great experience anyway with a downloadable map

AN ABSOLUTELY MUST DO! A FREE NATIONAL PARK & FREE PARKING. This is where the American Revolution began. I love to go places where there are a number of...

You truly feel the weight of what happened here as you walk along the path. The statue made by a 23 year old is super impressive. The trees are also very pretty in the fall. This little walking path will have history as well as outdoor beauty for anyone who visits.

The Old North Bridge is always a nice , peaceful, scenic and educational stroll. High on the list of beauty, and peaceful.

Great day to enjoy the scenery and walk the grounds, unfortunately the house was closed but the park rangers were friendly helpful and knowledgeable.

Very helpful and informative Rangers. A very nicely kept site.

I love

Nice scenic walk amongst well kept grounds. It was a good way to enjoy some historical perspective. Plenty of open space for picnics.

Love the scenery and history here.

Go, visit the park! Breath the American History and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Beautiful place to walk early morning. Social distancing is respected. Peaceful. Snappers are nesting so keep your eyes open and avoid these ladies as they wander the property.

Always a nice walk and history lesson. We saw a big beaver swimming in the Concord River too!

Such as nice scenic view. Plenty of path width so people can walk comfortably during the pandemic.

I'd love to go back when spring really pops to see the amazing flowers/plants that adorn the area. This is a must-visit site to reflect on the Battle of...

Great summary of the events by a parking ranger Very interesting and made it very real description of the times and the succession of facts that lead to...

A very typical visitor center, the typical small gift shop, small room with some historical items, and a room that runs a video talking about the history of the location. Only thing that really stood out to me were the gorgeous gardens behind the visitor center. They are perfectly maintained and have all kinds of trees, flowers, and shrubs. For sure worth checking out. This is a great visitor center for all ages! I think adults would for sure enjoy the gift shop and garden while kids can enjoy the history video and look at the amazing history section as well.

The North Bridge is the site of the Battle of Concord, an important moment in the history of the US. This bridge, although a replica of the original bridge...

Friendly and knowledgeable volunteers and guides made for a pleasant visit. Short movie gave historical context and the grounds were beautiful.