Fruitlands
Where Transcendentalists took root
Prospect Hill is more than just a place to catch a sunset. It’s the location of Fruitlands, a Transcendentalist commune founded in 1843. Louisa May Alcott lived here until the community dissolved.
Today, Fruitlands houses a museum spread over several restored buildings that draw on different periods in the site’s history: its Indigenous residents, the utopian experiment, a Shaker gallery, and the Hudson River school. The beautiful location with its excellent cafe makes for a fine afternoon.
The Harvard General store (b, l; $$) has reliably good breakfasts and delicious sandwiches for lunch, and offers local souvenirs.
Kimball Farm (l, d; $$) has over 50 flavors of home-made ice cream and delicious fried seafood.