When we got our orders for Hanscom Air Force Base, it was a dream come true. Hanscom was a base we felt was almost mythical; we had heard about it but didn’t actually know anyone who had ever been there. We were so excited to get to live in New England and live right outside of Boston, MA. Hanscom lived up to the hype and we really enjoyed our time in the area. Whether you consider yourself more outdoorsy or you can’t wait to live the metropolitan dream, I think Hanscom offers the best of both worlds.
This is definitely an assignment where you will never exhaust all the location has to offer. We lived at Hanscom for three years and barely made a dent in our list of things to do- and we were very proactive about getting out and exploring! I hope this guide helps you make your own list of things to explore and you come to appreciate all that New England has to offer.
An important caveat to lay the foundation for my recommendations. Hanscom Air Force Base sits between Lexington and Concord, MA (if Lexington and Concord rings a bell for you from US History class, your hunch is correct!) The base itself actually touches 4 different towns despite its very small size and geographic footprint. Boston is about 30 minutes from the base so a lot of my recommendations are for things to do in Boston or in one of the many towns in the area. Don’t be afraid to drive into the city- you’ll miss out on so much culture and incredible experiences if you don’t!
Things to know about Hanscom Air Force Base
While stationed at Hanscom, I came to appreciate the variety of the four seasons. The turn of each season gave me something to look forward to and reminded me of the beauty of the area. I became a connoisseur of clam chowder-if it was on the menu, I ordered it without fail- and I loved ending almost every weekend in the summer with a cannoli in hand while my kids ran through the fountains along the Greenway in Boston.
Sabrina
Looking for more specific recommendations from the WAF community on topics like best neighborhoods, favorite restaurants, or doctor recommendations – join the conversation in our private Facebook group of incredible WAFs!
In an effort to better serve every WAF across all branches, and with the help of some amazing other WAFs, we’ve curated branch specific Facebook groups. You can find your branch’s group by joining the general WAF Facebook page and then clicking “visit group”.
