City Escape: Boston, Massachusetts

This historically themed Boston, MA, daytrip begins in the town of Waltham, which was incorporated in 1783 and is known for watchmaking. The morning section of the route visits historic locations that range from the American Revolutionary War to the Industrial Revolution. In the afternoon, you’ll get to cruise along rural lanes in pastoral New England countryside. Along the western section of the route, you’ll pass classic 18th century architecture.

Traffic on the backroads is usually light, but it gets heavier near Boston and Lowell. This is not a difficult route, but parking can be problematic near the points of interest—especially on weekends. Some stretches of road may be rough due to the residual effect of harsh winter weather.

Lunch Stop

The Club Diner is an old-school diner in Lowell’s historic downtown that’s been operating under the same family for 75 years. They serve traditional all-American diner fare. Find it at 145 Dutton St, Lowell, MA, (978) 452-1679.

Points of Interest

Thoreau's Walden Pond
The Walden Pond State Reservation is where Henry David Thoreau found his connection with nature and wrote about it. The famous pond, which has a replica of Thoreau’s one-room cabin, is located at 915 Walden St, Concord, MA,  (978) 369-3254.

Lexington, MA, Revolutionary Road
Massachusetts Ave in central Lexington, MA, has several historical sites that pay homage to the American Revolution, including the Revolutionary War Monument, Minuteman Statue, and a reproduction of the Old Belfry.

Lowell National Historic Park
Lowell’s 40,000 water-powered textile mills helped raise American industry to international prominence. This National Historic Park includes working textile looms, an operational trolley line, and ranger-led tours showcasing what life was like here almost 200 years ago. The park is located at 67 Kirk St, Lowell, MA, (978) 970-5000.