"The" Harvard General Store. Made to order breakfast, lunch, coffee, pastries, and snacks, plus booze, provisions, and gifts.
A small museum with a diverse collection of local history and art. Grounds include beautiful views and trails. Established at the site of Louisa May Alcott's father's failed Transcendentalist utopian experiment.
Around the corner from Jon's home, an orchard with pick-your-own fruits and a family-friendly cider barn serving food and hard cider on tap. The cider barn is open on Fridays 1pm - 8pm , Saturdays 11am - 8pm and Sundays 11am - 6pm.
The Oxbow features woodland trails with wetlands, birds, and beavers. Wear shoes you don't mind getting dirty. There are plenty of other great walks to take in and around Harvard, feel free to reach out for more recommendations. Bare Hill Pond is a large town pond near the town center which is technically closed to non-residents during the summer, but consider parking nearby (e.g. at the town library) and walking in for a dip.
The Shakers established one of their earliest communities in the northeast corner of Harvard. Take a walk and check out beautiful Shaker structures; venture into the woods to Holy Hill, a Shaker worship area.
Do Revolutionary War stuff (in the 250th anniversary year of the Battles of Concord and Lexington no less), and visit other sites associated with famous former residents like Henry David Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Consider outdoor activities like visiting the Old North Bridge, a short shady walk often cited as the location of the "shot heard 'round the world," or the South Bridge Boathouse, for canoes or kayak rental. The Battle Road Trail is a great walking and jogging path. Lots of places to eat in Concord and Lex, but we recommend eating at Jon's mom Roseanne's favorite local cafe, Saltbox Kitchen. Consider visiting other nearby cities like Lowell and Worcester for more activities, historical (e.g. Lowell mills) and otherwise (both cities are home to minor league affiliates of the Red Sox!).
Walden is a pond in Concord, made famous by Henry David Thoreau who lived on a cabin on its shore. Can swim here! $30 parking fee for out of state vehicles, consider carpooling / sneaking in somehow.
A large ice cream stand with outdoor activities like mini golf, bumper boats, and batting cages. A great option for kids, or anyone who likes ice cream, mini golf, bumper boats, and batting cages.