Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House

What an amazing experience. Little women was my first life changing book when I was a little girl. I gave it to my daughter when she was nine. She love it. We got to visit this place together. Dream come true for both of us. Please go visit. There is much more history in there than the book. Thank you to the people that work there. You do an amazing job.

The tour here truly brings Little Women to life and taught us so much about Louisa May Alcott's life and the context she grew up and wrote in. You can go inside the philosophy school to watch a brief video, then you go in the house and see all of the original rooms and belongings of the Alcotts! May's drawings are still on the walls! You can tell how much love and care is put into preserving this place for future generations. The whole tour takes about an hour. The tour guide was friendly and knowledgeable, and stuck around to answer questions. The gift shop has awesome stuff for reasonable prices. There is limited parking at the house but a parking lot nearby with more space. Highly recommend stopping by! They managed to squeeze us in without a reservation, but you should probably make a reservation on a Saturday.

OMG…by far probably my favourite small museum in the whole world (I am from the UK). Gina who was our fantastic guide who completely brought the house to life. The staff are so lovely! Hi Gina, it’s Georgina and Tatum (Georgina and James - James Dean we were talking about) xxx

Quite magical to visit this lovely house - wonderfully brought to life by our hugely knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide. So many things to look at - I think you could happily return and see new things each time. The house and contents are authentic to Louisa and her family's time at the house. Completely evokes the atmosphere of Little Women which was set in Orchard House :)

Came here during the week on a bus tour. I really recommend watching the video on the history before hand as this is really neccessary per the tour guides. Only groups of ten people are allowed at a time there is a small bookstore and gift shop when you first walk in. The family itself was really ahead of its time which you will learn about when you visit. I also recommend purchasing the book and reading it ahead of time.

I was hoping to learn more about Amos Bronson Alcott’s impact on the non-binary dentist movement but it wasn’t covered that much. Still a good, quick, informative tour that gave historical background. If you’re a lover of Little Women then this is the haven for you.

LOVED THIS! Such an interesting tour! The house is very neat as well as the gift shop! Beautiful town and lovely place to go!

If you’re a fan of little women then this is a must see! The staff really knows their history and you learn a lot about Louisa May Alcott even if you have never read the book. The house is beautiful and I really enjoyed my time here! They also have a really fun gift shop! You cannot take photos inside the house but they have cheap postcards of the inside that you can buy for under a $1

The history of the Alcott family and their influences go well beyond Louisa May Alcott's contribution as an author and their time in Concord. While one can walk the grounds and visit the school of philosophy building, there are only 45 minute guided tours of the inside for $15, and there no photos allowed inside. The perseverance, strength, resilience and gumption of the Alcott family story is astounding and inspiring. The house has many of the original items in it, including the desk upon which Little Women was penned. Our guide was knowledgeable and passionate about the preservation of this home and it's history. It is open year round for tours, so it was very busy when we visited in November. Tickets can also be purchased online. There is limited parking in the front of the home, but just a little further down is a free overflow parking area (almost across the street from the Wayside). It's a 3 minute walk from the lot to Orchard House.

Little Women is translated into Japanese and read very widely among children. I read it and enjoyed it. I had no idea until recently the author wrote that in Concord, Mass. I did tour and quite enjoyed it. If you bring Charlie card it will be half the price. Fun!

This was a delightful museum and a great stop even for someone who is only somewhat familiar with Louisa May Alcott and Little Women. I was taken aback by how much of her and her family's belongings were contained in the house. I was also inspired by hearing about all the forward thinking minds in town and how they influenced her writing. Just a plethora of little stories and factoids. Interesting house and family. Go!

We couldn't have picked a more beautiful day to visit the Louisa May Alcott house! The grounds were lovely, and I really liked that they have you watch an informative video before the tour begins so that you can know items of the Alcott's to really look for once you're in there. The home had a nice vibe, and it was nice knowing that a majority of the items in there were truly from when the Alcotts lived there. Our tour guide was nice and I didn't feel too rushed. Cute gift shop too. The toughest park was parking - I think because we were here on Memorial Day weekend it was extra packed, but he had to sit in the lot and wait for someone to leave, and we were risking being late for our tour. I would definitely come back, and it's a must-visit for anyone who loves "Little Women"!

We went to Concord, Massachusetts to your Louisa May Alcott's home and museum known as Orchard House and enjoyed the tour. Concord itself is full of history and a quaint town. Concord, Massachusetts, in the 18th century, held such writers as Hawthorne, Thoreau, Emerson, and the Alcott family!

If you enjoy anything about Little Women, you owe it to yourself to go! Well done tour for a small space. There is an intro movie that helps you know more about what you will see inside. Knowledgeable guide! I am a fact junkie and I learned a lot. Didn't disappoint

My spiritual pilgrimage to Orchard House was everything I wanted! As it was early spring, I was able to walk-in and get a spot on the next tour. I was very lucky to get a spot, so book ahead if you can! The tour guide was very knowledgeable, and it feels just like a family home. Love and family memories everywhere. Would have loved to have a longer tour, or more time to soak in the home, alas, as demand is high, I was grateful for the time I had. Highly recommend visiting all the historical homes in Concord to learn how each family was connected to each other.

Visiting Louisa May Alcott's home is a must if you're a history buff and visiting Massachusetts. The drive from Boston is a nice one and there are other things to see while in Concord , such as Walden Pond, Emerson's house, the Concord Museum and the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. The Alcott house docents are friendly and knowledgeable, and do a great job interpreting the site. If you're a fan of Alcott's work you will not be disappointed.

We love touring historic homes. If you do, this is an excellent place. Beautiful furniture owned by the family. Touching personal artifacts which add depth. Great tour by Sylvia. Very knowledgeable. Asked some questions and she answered in great detail.

I had the pleasure of taking a tour here yesterday, and I echo so much of what other reviewers have said. A very important author, and I would say, a very important family; much to be admired. House is charming and the details are fabulous. Great little gift shop for the book lover in your life! I have done several other house tours of famous writers and people, and I will say something that sticks out for this tour is that there is no roping to prevent you from walking about the rooms like in some other houses. Of course you cannot touch the art on the walls or decor, but being able to get up close and look at LMA's writing, paintings by May Alcott, and other priceless items is such a treat!

I just returned from a lovely tour at the Orchard House. I highly recommend seeking a tour from a young woman named Jennie. She was very knowledgeable and allowed ample time for my questions, even offering to take me back to some rooms at the conclusion of the tour since she had some time to do so. The house itself has an interesting mix of colonial and Victorian elements. The Alcott family was experimental, enlightened and friendly with the movers and shakers of Concord, Emerson and Thoreau among them. The one downside is that photography is not allowed inside the house, but on some level, it was pleasing to me that some space is off limits to cell phones! You can just be In the moment and take everything in rather than trying to get a bunch of photos. Fans of "Little Women and of early American history will enjoy the tour.

I've been planning a trip here with my cousin for like two years and couldn't go for a long time because of COVID. I'm so glad we were finally able to go and it was so worth the wait. They were great about dealing with covid precautions. They kept groups small and required masks. The tour was very comprehensive and we both felt like we came away from it knowing more about the entire family and the community at the time. This was everything we wanted it to be and we're so happy to be able to take part in their tours today!

I love it here and have been many times - I'm a member so I can come as often as I'd like. It's just amazing to be in a place so full of incredible history. The majority of the items in the home were actually owned by the Alcotts, and I think that's what makes the experience so special. My only complaint is that the videos they show before the tour take too much time - why play a video of a tour right before the tour? More time in the house on a tour with a real person would be far superior to the videos.

My wife made this a must see tour while we were in the Concord and Lexington area. We visited on a Sunday morning. I had no idea this woman was an author of a very popular book and now a movie, called "Little Women." I found out when we were driving up to the home. My wife had previously read the book and had seen the movie. I had not. I thought the 15 minute video before the tour began was better than the actual tour. The 15 minute video involved an actress portraying Louisa May Alcott giving a tour through her house. When we actually took the guided tour, we roamed the rooms and the tour guide just pointed out things of interest in each room. It was a bit of a let down. My wife thought the same. However, I still enjoyed my visit and now I really want to see the movie. The price of admission was worth it and there was a nice gift shop at the end. There was sufficient parking. If you are a fan of the author, book, and/or movie, this is a must see for you!

Absolutely beautiful and completely doesn't get enough credit for the amount of work it takes to preserve that house. It's definitely worth the $10 ticket price in my opinion. Make sure to book online in advance and take your time on the tour and the ground area because it's really beautiful. Staff is fantastic! Jan was a great tour guide! I loved their shop too. Bought the tea and it tastes fantastic! Got myself a small little women book I can carry around easily in my pocket there! Make sure to sign the guest book too while visiting!

We attended Saturday's Christmas with the Alcott's! My suggestion to mother's attending with children read the adapted version of Little Women to them before attending. I did that with my daughter and watched the 90's movie. It really put everything into context for her. The staff at the house allowed us to travel through time. My 6 year old was mesmerized by the tour! The tour was informative, helped her realize more about the story and the Alcotts themselves. It was very interactive as we had a role. I don't want to give away anything they have planned but it was a great experience to offer my daughter! I would highly suggest any parent of a little girl immerses them into the story and extends the story to the house! Thanks Orchard House!

We very much enjoyed our visit to the Alcott House. The docent was well informed and conveyed the most relevant information in a meaningful and interesting manner. We highly recommend a visit to those of all ages.

Wow, am I glad we went here. I took my son to see the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, CA and he didn't like that guided tour so I wasn't sure this would go over well. Both my boys and husband loved this tour. Don't let the video that starts in the barn fool you. The guided tour inside the house is wonderful!!

Ok, I'll admit, I was dragged here by my wife. "Little Women"? Ok, yeah I read it, well WAY BACK WHEN. I actually thought it was decent, even if I could barely remember the plot. But Alcott, really wrote a semi-autobiography, and for someone versed in the tale, this place opened up the little women into the real people Alcott had spoken about. For me, with the characters at the edge of memory, this true to life representation of the story brought to me the realization of how Alcott took her own life and wove it into fiction. As a writer myself, I found myself seeing her writings of "what she knew" as a representation of what all good writers do - weave a tale based on yourself and what you know. Ok - enough of the mind. What was cool here was this was really where she lived and breathed. Although many of the furnishings were representative, Alcott was famous "in her lifetime" so many of the furnishings are authentic. Really a cool experience if you embrace it, even if your spouse forces you to go.

We're on a two week family vacation, and this was a highlight for me. I loved that the house feels like the family just left - so many of their belongings are there. I especially liked seeing Louisa's desk and so much of May's art.

I absolutely loved this tour. As an author, it was a dream to walk around Louisa May Alcott's home. I loved the book Little Women, and Ms. Alcott's family home is preserved in a way where it FELT like home. The love of the Alcott family is clearly still living within the walls of this lovely home. I recommend visiting this home and walking its grounds. Wonderful!

I guess I could have popped into the Concord library for a pass (One pass each at the main library and at Fowler Library; Each pass admits 2 adults and 4 youths for FREE.) for Orchard House like Catie C. did, but instead we picked up $4 vouchers on one of those deal sites a month or so earlier. Since our group was a little tight on time, for us, it was probably the better option. If you don't have the time to make two stops at the local library (the first to pick up the pass, and a 2nd to drop it back off), and there aren't any voucher deals to be had, yet you have a CharlieCard in your wallet, you can still score a 2-for-1 admission! (For 2013 anyhow.) With regular admission for adults being $10, that's entrance for the two of you for $5 apiece. At minimum, with a touch of pre-planning, there is a 50 cent admission coupon available on the Orchard House website. Hours are seasonal, so check on that before you go. They hurried us into a small room beside the gift shop where a 15 minute video was already playing. Our tour guide then greeted us and off we went - through the kitchen, the dining room where the Alcott girls performed their plays, the parlor where big sister Anna was wed, up to check out the 3 rather spacious (so I thought) bedrooms, then back down to what I figured was the father's study. Due to our numerous questions (yes, I was at fault for some of those), our tour lasted nearly an hour. Our guide was chock full of interesting information about the Alcott family. I wish we could have chatted for far longer, but given that we had taken part in what was probably the 2nd to last tour of the day, she was generous in her time with us. Then we still had the opportunity to peek around the gift shop before the doors had to lock up. We had a terrific time! And we were fortunate to visit when Anna's wedding dress was on display on the bed in the bedroom she had shared with Louisa. A unisex bathroom available for public use located just off from the gift shop. There are a few parking spots right out front by the wood fence, otherwise there is additional parking available at the nearby Wayside Lot on Hawthorne Lane. From the Orchard House official website: Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House is open year-round on the following schedule: November 1 - March 31 Monday - Friday, 11:00 - 3:00 Last tour at 3:00 Saturday, 10:00 - 4:30 Sunday, 1:00 - 4:30 Last tour at 4:30 April 1 - October 31 Monday - Saturday, 10:00 - 4:30 Sunday, 1:00 - 4:30 Last tour at 4:30 Closed: Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and January 1 & 2; Open at 12 noon on Patriots' Day (3rd Monday in April) Tip - Don't Touch! No Photos in the house.

If your tour has not yet begun, wait in the small yard/garden and admire the architecture of the house. If you look up on the hill to the right of the house, you can imagine the redcoats being sniped from up above the road right there in Concord. So much history! We entered the house in a group of more than 8 and they were very accommodating. As you move through the well-kept home, the docent points out many interesting facts, authentic scenarios of her time in the house, names of famous visitors, technology of the time, controversial accomplishments and trends of the time, and you can even see authentic sketches behind plexiglass! What a great stop on the Lexington and Concord trail!

Concord, Massachusetts is absolutely lovely. If you visit Boston, you should definitely take a quick train ride and visit this quaint town. When you do, please do yourself a favor and visit the Orchard House. Whether you're a "Little Women" fan or a history buff you must visit and tour Louisa May Alcott's home. There's so much to see and learn. You begin your tour by watching an informative film about the home and the family and then you walk through every room of the house with a knowledgeable and charming guide who will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about this lovely home and about the Alcott's. Before you leave, make sure you visit the gift shop. They have many cute anvintage looking books for kids and lots of other lovely things.

I wanted to visit the Orchard House as it's more of a point of interest to me through the transcendentalist movement and the history associated with that than anything having to do with Little Women...though I totally understand that I may be in the minority on that one. Haha. No photos inside the home during tours or whatnot, of course, but taking a tour is none the less enjoyable and very informative. It's interesting to see all the little nooks and crannies associated with the house and to note how the house is generally cobbled together. It makes you think back to the fact that Bronson Alcott was responsible for the addition on the home and much of the construction or repair...and there's a beauty to the rustic and quirky construction of it all...even if it feels quiiiiiiiite toasty during these summer days. (My inner-Finn would have appreciated the saune-esque feel a bit more if I, ya know, hadn't had to go back out into public right after this visit feeling a bit sweaty and gross.) Also, yes, the guides seem knowledgeable. Oddly, I might have had the most fun wandering through the store and picking out gifts for a couple friends - fans of the Alcott family or other Concord authors. Also, they had fans going in the store! On such a humid day, this was totally appreciated (and yes, I totally may have lingered in the store for a bit longer because of it). :) The house is quite enjoyable though. I'd recommend it to my fellow Concord/Boston/transcendentalism geeks, and for fans of Louisa May Alcott herself? It seems like a "can't miss".

Love! History and a peek into early New England life. Great tour. Explore. Learn. Even if you don't like the book, the tour reveals the fibers of how Massachusetts women have influenced this country since it's birth!

My daughter's favorite author so she was in heaven. The guides were so passionate, knowledgeable, and nice, plus they accommodated us on a tour despite it being full. You really get a feel for life back then, which makes the house items come alive. You don't need to know the story to enjoy as they give you enough background.

This place is truly magical! My sister and I came here per her suggestion when I came to visit her. I'm so glad we went! Everything about this museum is so authentic. Learning about the Alcott's lives was absolutely fascinating. All of the daughters were truly talented, not to mention the family's involvement in the abolitionist movement and the civil war, transcendentalism, and their contributions to first wave feminist thought. I found the experience as a whole truly inspiring. The house itself really does make you feel like you're walking through Louisa May Alcott's book Little Women, which is based off her experiences in this home and her family. Our tour guide did a phenomenal job; explaining details, and the significance of items throughout each room. Not to mention the gift shop is incredibly reasonably priced, well managed, and staffed with genuinely nice people. So happy to buy such a timeless piece of American literature in the place it was written!

This gem of a house is incredible. The fact that 80% of the house (including items inside) are authentic, makes it so much more special. I was in awe from all the art work that was preserved, all the letters that were written and kept. The school house on the same property is also original. One woman who was giving the tour said they are planning on opening it to the public at some point. This family was extraordinary and they essentially made so much history, so to be able to step foot in that world was incredible. The gift shop that is attached (and located in one of the biggest rooms in the house) is very, very cute. I purchased the apple tea held in the sweetest Louisa May Alcott tin which was specially made for that gift shop. It was a nice souvenir. The women who run the museum are very knowledgeable and are happy to answer any questions you have! I will certainly be back sooner than later, just to experience it all over again!

My sisters and I have been huge Little Women fans since we were little girls. The characters in Louisa May Alcott's book gave us a blueprint for the qualities we wanted to embody in adulthood. Visiting Orchard House was such a privilege. When I lived in Boston, I made three visits to the Alcott's home. The tour is only $10 and the docents are incredibly knowledgable. It was great to not only see the setting of Louisa's book but to also learn about the family's life in Concord and their connection with Emerson and Thoreau.

My wife and I stopped here in October while on a break from research work in Cambridge. We were astounded by the quality of the tour. The house itself was remarkable, but our guide was simply wonderful. Knowledgeable, articulate, professional, she seemed to genuinely love the subject and love talking about it. The visit fanned the flames of our love for all things Alcott and we still talk about the visit from time to time. If you have any interest in the topic at all, do yourself a favour and get to Orchard House.

For the Lousia May Alcott fans, this is Mecca. Not only does it look just like the house from the movie (I'm sure that's no coincedence), but you actually get to see some artwork by May Alcott (Amy in the book Little Women). All of the tour guides I have had have been very knowledable (even about very obscure things!). The house also features a sweet little shop that has both current and antique selections of Alcott's novels. Current rates: $8 for adults, $7 for seniors/students, $5 for children (5-17) and $20 for a family (up to 2 adults and 4 youths)

This was the home of The Alcotts from from 1858 to 1877. Located just down from the Minute Man National Park, the house includes a tour and is located close to several historical sites. Not only is the house important for fans of Louisa May Alcott & Little Women Fans, but Bronson Alcott was an educational reformer and established a school in Boston that focused on children and treating them as intellectual beings rather than discipline problems. He became Superintendent of Concord and established a School of Philosophy. The early American authors are very prevelant in this area and everyone should take the time to reconnect to our past.

This was definitely worth the $9!!! My sister and I visited and lucked out as well...we walked in right when a tour was about to start! Having read Little Women many times, this was a great spot to visit (though, I admittedly wasn't apparently a 'super fan' as many of the other guests were...I couldn't remember enough of the book to answer the questions - ha ha!). Our tour guide clearly loved the home, which was cobbled together out of two homes and was rickety and angled and wonderful. I loved the original artwork in the rooms and all the stories of the home. The guide was really knowledgeable and answered everyone's questions with clearly the knowledge of someone who has done her homework! It's a great spot, worth the tour and a walk around the house!

Great tour with insightful guide. The home is in great condition with original artifacts. It was neat to learn the history of the family and their ties to Emerson and Thoreau.

Like literature? Like Louisa May Alcott? This is THE place for fans! For the tight budgeted American literature fan, I went to Concord Library to pick up a pass for free admission. Saved myself $9 for a tour around the house. The tour starts with a short video about Louisa. Following that is a guided tour around the house. Guide answers questions as we go. She seems to have answers to every single question. May's art is hung all around the house. I did learn something new today! The Alcotts are related to John Hancock! woahh!!! Some of the descendants of the Alcotts still live in Concord today.

It was informative but not very welcoming, especially for children. The guide rebuked a woman for taking a photo and me for giving an Altoid mint to my 10 year old son. Definitely geared towards middle aged bookish adults, not children.

If you're a LMA fan at all, this is the place for you! The $10 (adults) tour is so worth it. I love the Little Women "trilogy" and I totally geeked out at this house/museum. The information in the tour was pretty interesting--a great mix about the house itself and the history and then lots of details about the Alcotts. The gift shop is also a trove of trinkets for book lovers. Would definitely recommend!

First off, my wife and daughter are the fans of LMA, I am indifferent. However, the knowledge of the staff and their genuine love for the experience won me over. I now have a fairly good knowledge of the Alcott family and a large percentage of things in the house are actual family relics. It's really neat to see actual paintings or drawings on the wall by the younger sister that have been preserved. All in all - good experience.

So let me start by saying I've never read "the book" AND I'm a male so let that set the stage for the scene. First of all the Orchard House is NOT part of the national park (AND SHOULD BE), so everything at and in here if funded by donations and fees for the tours. It really is an awesome piece of history that needs to be preserved and appreciated. The house and grounds are beautiful and steeped in history. If you don't know anything about the Orchard House or all you know is about Little Women then your just stating the surface and missing the bigger picture. The historic figures alone (besides Louisa May Alcott, her father, her sisters not to mention her NEIGHBORS) are ALL iconic American figures. So with all that being said make or female you should take in the Orchard House = you will learn FAR more than you expected. The tour starts with a video, pretty simple but you can't skip it - they are pretty strict about the process and procedures of the tours! Oh by the way - NO PHOTOGRAPHY OF ANY TYPE. I know everyone has a camera these days and needs to post pics of where they are and when - NOT from The Orchard House! I had to remind the tour guide twice that NOT everyone had read "the book" so the tour and statements could be put in context. Orchard House = don't assume everyone knows the back story or has read the book! The tour is can be very informative (if you ask questions). Again the only things keeping it from a higher score are the assumptions of knowledge and a bit of an attitude from our tour guide. With all that being said The Orchard House is a must stop and see place if your in or around Concord MA.

I love the book, Little Woman so I was super excited to go see Luisa May Alcott's house. Go in the fall, so you can see all the foliage. And it's pretty close to Walden Pond and the downtown area has cute shops to stop in as well. The was so so, but I expected as much, because really how fascinating do you expect it to be? The ladies who work there are really nice, and you can browse the gift shop while you wait for the tour to begin.

Do you think the real Laurie was as hot as Christian Bale? Yeah.. me neither. My old roommate and I went here because we decided it'd be a fun day trip. She's a HUGE Alcott fan so this was a jolly good time for her. I feel pretty awful because I was that jerk laughing at the Louisa May re-enactor during the beginning of the tour. Good news is that she wasn't there physically (they show you a video). Something about a spider web being a fairy's way of spinning a story? Iunno.. I got the giggles. I apologize to the children. Our tour guide was a really sweet guy, but he would close his eyes while he was talking or look off into the distance like he was reading a script. He seemed pretty knowledgeable on all things Alcott, so that was cool. The house is pretty interesting. Sadly, a few of the rooms were under construction when I went, so I was brought out of "the moment" a few times. These girls must have been tiny.. like literally little women.. because the beds were so small. I was afraid to touch anything because I didn't want to break it or catch scarlet fever. I'd go during spring/late winter. Methinks this place could get sweltering during the summer. The store is pretty awesome. It has all things that you could possibly relate to the Alcotts, including a Feminism and Alcott book my roommate was drooling over.

One moment please, let me get this out of my system. OMG OMG OMG SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEL Okay, I feel better now. As a little girl, I loved the book Little Woman. Loved it. I, of course, wanted to be Jo. I was very happy when she married her professor. I didn't actually know much about the author, actually. I didn't even know her house was in Concord, but the second I found out, I was so excited I could barely see straight. As other reviews have mentioned, the tour starts with a short video. Our group was mainly excited mothers, excited little girls, bored husbands, and super excited me. Our tour guide was a college student, and she was very good. She could answer just about any question we could throw at her. The house is full of the family's original furnishing, including quilts. It felt like a home - it was hard to remember to not touch things! I love the story about the mood pillow (I want one!), and it was really neat seeing the desk where Alcott wrote Little Woman. It was completely worth the 9 dollar admission. The gift shop is also really neat - I bought a pillow quilt kit that mirrored some of the quilts in the house.

Tour: 5 Stars House: 4 Stars Honestly, this was really unexpected but I loved it. I've never read little women so I went into this knowing very little about the author or the book but I found this experience super interesting!! The house at first on the outside doesn't seem like anything special. It is only when you enter the rooms and you see the actual furnishings and portraits that the family used so long ago! It really makes you feel like you are in a piece of history. I think the highlight by far though was the excellent tour with Maureen. I can't speak for any of the other tour guides but Maureen was wonderful with her description of all kinds of details of the family. She painted a beautiful story that I will be sure to remember for a very long time and covered both the inspiring and disappointing characters and features of the Alcott family. One minor reservation is the video that they show at the beginning of the tour, it looks like it was made at least a decade ago and didn't leave me that excited for the actual guided tour. If they can do a re-filming of it, or re-edit, it could probably do a better job of opening and introducing the rest of the tour! I highly recommend taking the tour with her if possible. At $8 a head for students, it was definitely worth it. Also, be sure to check out the gift shop.

Poor thing needs some TLC. We went on the tour of this place last Sunday - great day for it. You make your way around back, pay the $9 for a ticket, and then head to the second building / school out back to watch a short video narrated by Susan Sarrandon. Then, back to the house and into the kitchen. No photos, no cell phones, please. Our guide looked as old as the house. She could have done a better job but was... OK. You visit each room, see some original artwork, hear a few quotes and stories. It was definitely worth the visit because we both love the book and movie of Little Women, but I think the guide could have been better. Plus the poor home needs some TLC. I wish the historic society would sink some more money into maintaining this place!

Okay, this review is gonna sound nerdy... but if you're yelping "orchard house" you're probably a big nerd. This place was so much fun! i freakin' live "Little Women" so it's fun to take silly pictures and renact parts of the book/movies. Like Joe and Laury by the fence, and a pregnant meg in the garden. But in seriousness it was also interesting learning about these women, and especially Louisa May Alcott. Very educational and very fun. Plus, concord is gorgeous especially in the fall.

I've been on the tour twice, and each time I learn something new! The guides are informative and clearly love what they do. If you enjoy exploring historical homes, or if you're a fan of Louisa May Alcott, or you have a vested interest in early New England education.. or you have a pulse and curiosity, this is worth a trip. It's also nice because while there is a small gift shop, you aren't pressured and pushed into buying anything. It's also not an overly "girly girly GIRL POWER" type of tour either; there's a good deal of time spent talking about the other family members, particularly Louisa May Alcott's father, so if you have boys (or maybe your own dad) who want to learn some history, this wouldn't scare them away either. The house is well-preserved, and it feels a lot more close-knit and intimate than some of the other historical house tours I've been on. I like that a lot. It's also definitely worth checking out in the summer or early autumn because sometimes you can look into the schoolhouse in the yard. The area itself is so lovely, and just enjoying the surround nature in itself is worth planning for those seasons.

I've taken this tour several times and I've never been disappointed. I'm not a fan of Louisa May Alcott and I've never read "Little Women," but I'm interested in Bronson Alcott, such an amazing philosopher, and I enjoy old houses with a literary connection. Without fail, the guides have been knowledgeable, vibrant and, frankly, they clearly enjoy what they're doing. It's always busy there and they offer many tours throughout the day - and throughout the year, for that matter. Much of Concord closes after the tourist season, but Orchard House keeps on going. What makes this tour so great for me is that it does not focus on the house itself or the furniture. Instead, they tell the story of this amazing family (and, really, I can hear about furniture anywhere... where else can I go to hear about the Alcotts?). I do wish there was a way to access the Concord School of Philosophy, a building still standing next to the house which Bronson Alcott established later in his life.

We visited Concord in 2017 on our way up to Readsboro, Vermont to visit family. We have previously driven past this amazing home and wished from then onwards I had visited. I had my chance and it was an amazing visit it was one of my families most loved books and movies. Would thoroughly recommending visiting this once again on a visit in the future.