Sometimes the most memorable places are the ones you find while randomly scrolling around a map.
We were visiting my brother, who lives in Concord, Massachusetts, and I was doing what I often do when we travel—looking around the area for unusual places that might be fun to explore and photograph. That’s when I came across Ponyhenge.
A circle of vintage rocking horses standing in the middle of a grassy field? Of course I wanted to see it.
My husband and I decided to take a little detour to check it out, and Ponyhenge turned out to be every bit as quirky and random as I’d hoped. There, surrounded by green grass, was an entire collection of rocking horses gathered together in a circle. Some looked old and weathered, others colorful, and each had its own personality.
There’s no big attraction here, no elaborate visitor center or long list of things to do. It’s simply a wonderfully strange roadside curiosity—and sometimes that’s reason enough to stop.
What Is Ponyhenge?
Ponyhenge is exactly what the name makes it sound like: a collection of children’s rocking horses arranged in a field, often in a circle reminiscent of Stonehenge.
You’ll find it along Old Sudbury Road in Lincoln, Massachusetts, not far from Concord and roughly 20 miles northwest of Boston. The drive itself adds to the experience. This part of Massachusetts has beautiful country roads, open fields and classic New England stone walls.
And then you see the horses.
It’s such an unexpected sight that you can’t help but smile.
The “herd” includes all sorts of childhood horses—old-fashioned wooden rocking horses, spring horses, plastic ponies and other horse toys in various stages of weathering. They’re not pristine museum pieces. They’ve been outside in the Massachusetts sun, rain and snow, and that weathered appearance makes them even more interesting to photograph.
When we visited, the horses were arranged in a large circle in the green grass. Seeing so many vintage horses gathered together made the whole scene feel a little nostalgic, a little odd and completely random.
Which is exactly why I loved it.
How Did Ponyhenge Get Here?
Part of the fun of Ponyhenge is that its history isn’t entirely straightforward.
The collection dates back to around 2010, when a horse appeared in the field. From there, something unexpected happened: more horses began showing up.
People added rocking horses, hobby horses, spring horses and other equine toys until one lonely horse became an entire herd.
Over the years, the horses have also been rearranged. Sometimes they’ve stood in circles like we saw them, while at other times visitors have found them lined up as though they’re about to race.
That’s part of what makes Ponyhenge fun. You can see photos taken at different times and the scene won’t necessarily look exactly like the one you encounter.
The collection has continued to evolve, turning this little patch of Massachusetts countryside into an unofficial community art installation and roadside landmark.
If you enjoy photographing unusual roadside attractions, bring a wide-angle lens for the full circle as well as something that lets you isolate individual horses and their details.
Visiting Ponyhenge
Ponyhenge is in Lincoln, Massachusetts, even though it’s close enough to Concord that it makes an easy addition to a day exploring the area.
Location: Old Sudbury Road, Lincoln, Massachusetts
Cost: Free
Time needed: About 15–30 minutes for most visitors
Best for: Roadside-attraction fans, photographers, families and anyone who appreciates something a little unusual
You’ll often see 47 Old Sudbury Road associated with Ponyhenge, although some directions and map listings use 39 Old Sudbury Road. Searching for “Ponyhenge” in your preferred mapping app is probably the easiest way to find it.
There isn’t a traditional visitor center or large attraction parking lot. Roadside reports indicate that visitors generally pull safely off the road near the display, and signs ask visitors not to block the neighboring driveway.
Also remember that Ponyhenge sits on privately owned land. Visitors have been welcomed to see the horses, but be respectful of the property, don’t block driveways and leave the area as you found it.
Combine Ponyhenge With a Day in Concord
Ponyhenge doesn’t require a huge amount of time, and that’s part of its appeal. Rather than making it the only destination for the day, add it to a larger exploration of Concord and Lincoln.
The area is packed with American history and beautiful outdoor spaces. You can visit Walden Pond, explore the historic sites around Concord or walk portions of Minute Man National Historical Park.
That contrast actually makes Ponyhenge even more fun.
You can spend part of your day visiting places associated with Henry David Thoreau and the American Revolution—and then drive down a quiet country road to see a mysterious circle of old rocking horses standing in a field.
Travel doesn’t always have to be serious.
Is Ponyhenge Worth Visiting?
If you’re already visiting Concord, Lincoln or the surrounding area, absolutely add Ponyhenge to your route if quirky roadside attractions are your thing.
I wouldn’t plan an entire day around it. Ponyhenge is small, simple and wonderfully strange. That’s the point.
For us, it was a fun little adventure we probably never would have discovered if I hadn’t been poking around a map looking for something different to see. We got to wander among a collection of vintage rocking horses, take some unusual photographs and experience a place that made us wonder, “How did this even get here?”
Those unexpected discoveries are often some of my favorite parts of traveling.
So if you find yourself near Concord, take the little detour to Lincoln and look for a circle of rocking horses standing in the grass.
It’s weird. It’s whimsical. It’s very random.
And that’s exactly what makes Ponyhenge worth stopping for.
Have you been to Ponyhenge, or have you discovered another wonderfully strange roadside attraction while traveling? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
deCordova Sculpture Park
While you’re in Lincoln, make time for another memorable stop nearby: deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum. The 30-acre grounds are filled with large-scale contemporary sculptures, walking paths, open lawns, and wooded areas, making it a fun contrast to the quirky roadside charm of Ponyhenge. Read my guide to visiting deCordova Sculpture Park in Lincoln, Massachusetts.