April 19th is a special day in Massachusetts as we celebrate Patriot’s Day and the bravery of the young men and women who displayed revolutionary spirit in their fight against the British in 1775. This Massachusetts holiday is observed every year on the third Monday of April, including events such as battle reenactments in Lexington and Concord and the annual running of the Boston Marathon.
This civic holiday honoring the start of the American Revolution is observed in six states including Maine, Wisconsin, Florida, Connecticut, North Dakota and (of course) Massachusetts. Just 30 minutes from Burlington, the sites of the Battles of Lexington and Concord are the perfect location to observe this historic holiday with family and friends.
Here are a few places you may want to visit this Patriots’ Day to pay tribute to the brave souls who fought for our freedom and to honor their legacy.
Minute Man National Historical Park
See firsthand where the opening battles of the American Revolution took place and understand the rich history of Burlington’s neighboring communities.
Depending on when you visit, the Minute Man National Historical Park will give you a glimpse into the period with reenactments by volunteers who dress in the traditional red uniforms of the British Redcoats or as their adversaries, the colonial militia known as Minutemen who were famous for being ready to fight “in a minute’s notice.”
To see the once-a-year reenactment of the Battle of Lexington and Concord, you will need to plan ahead and get to the park early to get a good spot and see the riveting event.
While at the site, take a tour given by park rangers who are experts at the history and know the significance of the events leading up to and including the battles of the American Revolutionary War. Or, choose to take in a special event, a multimedia show or hike the trails of the park and use the National Park Service app on your phone to help you navigate.
Lexington Common National Visitor Site
While in Lexington, there are many other landmarks that you may want to include in your visit.
Beyond exploring the battle greens and the Minute Man National Heritage Park, Lexington also offers ample opportunities to dive deep into the history of the region with tours of the Olde Burying Ground, which serves as the final resting place of many of Lexington’s famous residents; The Belfry, that was used to summon the Minutemen to battle on that fateful April morning: Buckman’s Tavern, where the militia patiently waited for the Redcoats to arrive; the Hancock-Clarke House, where Samuel Adams and John Hancock spent the evening before the Battle of Lexington and Concord; and Monroe Tavern, which was used by the Redcoats as they retreated and tended to their wounded.
A great place to start your tours is at Lexington Visitor’s Center at 1875 Massachusetts Avenue. Plan a day, weekend or full vacation diving deep into the start of the American nation.
The Concord Visitor Center
The Concord Visitor Center Just outside of Boston and only ten miles from Burlington, Concord, Massachusetts is home to famous authors, artists, and activists. Their homes and vibrant history can be explored during a tour of Concord’s historic homes and landmarks.
For instance, you can walk the paths at Walden Pond where Henry David Thoreau lived in a one-room cabin in the woods and was the inspiration of his novel Walden. Or you may choose to visit the Concord Museum where you can learn more about the homes in Concord that were part of the Underground Railroad and find out more about the many local antislavery activists such as Louisa May Alcott, Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Take a walking tour, bus tour or self-guided tour along the pathways that were once part of early colonial America. Don’t miss out on the huge amount of information about this region by stopping by the Concord Visitors Center located at 58 Main Street.
For a complete list of attractions, events, and accommodations for your visit to observe Patriots’ Day, visit Bring Me to Burlington where we provide helpful resources, links and suggestions for local places to stay, dine and relax after all of your historic exploration.