Must-See Boston Area: Minuteman Nat'l Park

Since we came to live in the Boston area a few years ago, our family has been able to take advantage of some wonderful opportunities to discover and learn about the history of our nation.

Occasionally on this blog I will highlight some touristy spots.  The Minute Man National Historic Park is a great little visitor's center and park, and you can walk just as much or as little as you want to, down the trail.  It is shaded much of the time, and pretty flat.  Kids could walk or bike the trail, no problem.  There are a couple of parking lots to choose from, and you can start your walk anywhere along the trail.

If you start at the Visitor's Center in Lincoln, it gives an overview of the political climate of the time period, and there is a short video presentation every 20 minutes or so, where you relive some of the details leading up to Paul Revere's Ride.

As you walk or bike the trail, you can stop along the way to see the fields where battles were fought.  During the summer months, there are guides in the buildings in period dress, telling their stories of life during the conflicts.  They will also answer your questions, and one showed us how to load and shoot a rifle.

This is a beautiful walk, and spring/summer in New England boasts many colorful wildflowers.

Of course there are also insects--don't forget the bug spray for mosquitoes!  My kids loved these dragonflies.

They didn't love the bees so much...their nest was in the bricks of the fireplace of this house along the way.

Whether you have the whole afternoon, or just an hour--this National Historic Park is well worth your time.  True to the tradition of our National Parks, it is clean, informative, and very well-preserved.  The fact that it's nestled in beautiful New England is additional icing on the cake!