Littleton, Concord & Lexington, MA: A Sweet Stop on the Road to Bar Harbor

We planned this stop as a convenient midpoint on our drive to Bar Harbor, where we’d spend a week. Though I’d never been to Massachusetts before, I knew this area—just 35 miles from Boston—would be more populated than our previous stops. I figured two days would be enough to explore a few ice cream shops, squeeze in a round of golf, and move on. 

Spoiler alert: I underestimated this place entirely. 

The history here is everywhere—Revolutionary War battle sites in Lexington and Concord (less than 15 miles away), preserved Colonial-era homes in Littleton, and even Henry David Thoreau’s cabin at Walden Pond. The whole area is quaint, tree-lined, and bursting with charm—no wonder it inspired literary greats like Thoreau and Louisa May Alcott. 

If we’d had more time, we could’ve easily filled a week with historic sites and even a train ride into Boston (just 60 minutes away—no parking headaches!). But with only one full day, we focused on two priorities: scenery and ice cream.

The Great Ice Cream Tour 

Great Brook Farm Ice Cream

1. Great Brook Farm (Carlisle, MA)

Our first stop combined two loves: hiking and dessert. Great Brook Farm is unique—it’s a working dairy inside a state park (Great Brook Farm State Park). For $3 parking, you get access to trails, a dairy tour, and friendly goats to pet behind the ice cream shop. We hiked about a mile before rewarding ourselves with cones. (Pro tip: There’s parking right at the shop if you’re strictly team #NoHike.) 

Kimball Farms Ice Cream

2. Kimball Farm (Westford, MA) 

A Massachusetts institution since 1939, Kimball’s is consistently ranked among the state’s best. In the name of ~research~, I ordered the same flavor as before (peppermint stick) to compare fairly. (Manny, less disciplined, tried something new each time.) Verdict? The "mini" scoop was still huge—and delicious. 

3. Richardson’s Farm (Middleton, MA) 

The next morning, we drove 40 minutes for an 11 AM ice cream lunch (because why not?). Richardson’s was worth the trip—so creamy and fresh that we left with two half-gallons for the RV. Once again, I stuck with peppermint stick for science. Manny, ever the rebel, branched out. 

Honorable Mention: Bedford Farms Ice Cream (Concord) was on our list, but after a fantastic dinner at 80 Thoreau (seasonal, locally sourced, and excellent—highly recommend!), we couldn’t squeeze it in. Next time! 

The Winner?

All three were stellar, but Richardson’s Farm took the crown for its ultra-smooth, fresh taste. That said, Massachusetts boasts an official "Ice Cream Trail" with over 100 shops—so we’ve barely scratched the surface. 

Final Thoughts

Littleton, Concord, and Lexington are far more than a quick pit stop. Between the history, scenery, and unbeatable ice cream, this area deserves a weeklong visit—especially with Boston so accessible. I’d love to return in another season to see how the vibe changes.