The 'Home Of America' Is A Massachusetts Town With Art Galleries, Museums, Cafes, And Scenic Trails

Massachusetts holds a historically significant place in American history. In school, we may have learned about the Mayflower landing at Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620, which would become the first permanent New England colony. The Boston Tea Party was the kindle that sparked the American Revolution. What might not be so widely known is that the "Home of America" lies north of Boston, in a town that is rooted in American history. Once called Cochichewick — a Native American word for a local waterway — Andover, Massachusetts is where Samuel Francis Smith wrote the song "America (My Country 'Tis of Thee)" in 1831.

These days, Andover takes pride in archiving its place in American history. Its museums hold troves of knowledge on American art and archaeological pieces. Its cafes are owned by families who have lived in the town for decades. And its scenic trails give visitors a sense of why this state is called Massachusetts, which took its name from an Indigenous tribe that lived in the area. It roughly translates to "at or about the Great Hill." There's a lot of history to be learned here.

Andover is roughly equidistant from Boston and Cape Ann, where its rocky edge and granite-scarred coast hides gorgeous trails. Alternatively, you can take the train via the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority or a bus with the Merrimack Valley Transit Authority. Once in town, pop into Ultimate Perk Coffee (aka the Perk), a family-owned cafe and Andover staple since 2003. This cash-only spot can fuel your adventures in town with their Kyoto Cold Brew, a highly-caffeinated coffee brewed for 10 hours. Or stop by Perfecto's Caffe, another Andover-born cafe founded by two brothers in 1993. With over 30 coffees on deck, you'll learn why they gained the success to open up four more spots across Massachusetts. Grab a hand-made bagel from here and hit the town running.

Andover is home to one of the country's oldest and most prestigious independent secondary prep schools, Phillips Academy. The school is home to two museums in Andover: the Addison Gallery of American Art and the Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology. The Addison Gallery features over 29,000 pieces of American art including photography, paintings, sculptures, and decorative art spanning the 1700s to the present day. Every curated piece is selected to answer the question, "What is America?" Admission is free, as are the educational programs the gallery hosts. Pop in to walk through a timeline of American art and artists who shaped American culture in the past and the present, while acquainting yourself with the young Americans who will shape the country's future.

Phillips Academy can also say that it is the only secondary school in the country to have an archaeological institution to tap into as a resource. The Peabody Institute of Archaeology is named after its founder, Robert S. Peabody, who graduated from Phillips Academy in 1857. His goal was three-fold: to introduce students to archaeology, to encourage students to conduct archaeological research, and to provide students a place to gather. It is a learning center with an archaeological collection from various time periods and regions, from Mexico all the way to the Arctic. As of this writing, the institute is displaying an exhibit called "Indigenous (Mis)representation on American Numismatic Objects," a body of work by students who studied how Native American iconography is displayed in American currency dating from 1744 to 2000.

The Andover area is surrounded by beautiful vistas thanks to its location atop rolling hills. To the north of town, the Merrimack River flows gently as it passes the town and Maudslay State Park a, unique state park with beautiful 19th-century gardens. A 12-minute drive southeast is Harold Parker State Forest, a 3,000-acre forest pocked with 11 ponds and 56 miles of trails. It's an idyllic place that's perfect for fishing, camping, biking, horseback riding, swimming, and hiking. The Berry Pond Road is a popular walkway, as it's a paved mile-long road that is closed off to vehicles. Amble with the family, go jogging, or bike. For a hike, consider Brackett Pond and Bear Pond Loop. It's about two miles long and relatively flat, with only 95 feet of elevation gain. It leads hikers around the two ponds for a scenic view of the serene waters and lush forests.

Charles W. Ward Reservation is another great park that's a quick nine-minute drive outside of town. At 700 acres, its draws are the hilltops that offer panoramic views of the Merrimack Valley, all the way south to the Boston city skyline. At the top of Holt Hill are the Solstice Stones that mark the sunset on the summer and winter solstices. Nearly 15 miles of trails cut through green fields, verdant forests, and a bog. Hit Graham Trail to Vetter Trail Loop to experience Massachusetts' characteristic rolling hills for yourself. It's a little over three miles and moderately challenging with 498 feet of elevation gain, but the view of Boston near the top will make the trip worth it.

Let your inner history buff venture further into Massachusetts' history by checking out one of America's oldest continuously operating taverns with a rich Boston history.