The Stunning Massachusetts Drive That Is One Of The Best Road Trips You Can Take In America
By Melissa Mahoney|Updated on April 26, 2024(Originally published April 20, 2022)
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
In the mood for a drive along a scenic byway in Massachusetts? How about one that involves quite a bit of American history? While MSN has three scenic byways in Massachusetts on its “Scenic US road trips to discover this year,” including Mohawk Trail Scenic Byway and Old King’s Highway (Route 6A), today we are going to talk about the Battle Road Scenic Byway.
The Battle Road Scenic Byway traces the approximate route the British soldiers took at the start of the American Revolutionary War on April 19, 1775. With numerous sites along the way, this 13-mile drive is jam-packed with history.
The route begins in a lovely neighborhood in Concord and passes through Lexington, Lincoln, and Arlington, Along the way, lie 200 historically significant sites. If you're a history buff, this scenic and historic byway is for you!
(Pictured here is Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House. She, along with authors Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Nathaniel Hawthorne called Concord home for a time.)
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It was here in Concord that the "shot heard round the world" was fired at the Old North Bridge which you can find at Minute Man National Historical Park.
Following the byway, mainly along Route 2A, head into the small town of Lincoln which is home to a portion of the Battle Road Trail. We suggest you get out of the car and go for a hike if you would like.
(Pictured here is the Ephraim Hartwell Tavern. Built in 1733, it was home to Ephraim and Elizabeth Hartwell who operated a tavern here from 1756 to 1783. It is part of the Minute Man National Historical Park.)
In Lincoln, you will also find the Paul Revere Capture Site. Revere was captured by British soldiers during his infamous Midnight Ride. He was then questioned and forced to return to Lexington.
Continuing on the scenic byway, you'll head into Lexington where you can stop at the Lexington Battle Green. This is where the very first shot of the American Revolutionary War was fired and is a must-stop along the route.
After you visit the historically significant sites in Lexington, it's time to head into Arlington where the route ends. During the war, this town was known as Menotomy and it was here that the deadliest battle on April 19, 1775 took place.
(Pictured here is the Black Horse Tavern Marker that commemorates the first battle of the American Revolutionary War.)
Have you ever driven along the Battle Road Scenic Byway in Massachusetts? If so, what was your favorite historical site along the way? Let us know in the comments. And don’t forget to check out our road trip essentials packing list!
