Concord, New Hampshire, is a city brimming with glamour, lush nature, and it’s fair share of dynamic cultures. With its interflow of awesome historical sites and recreational spots, this location remains a must-see for everyone of all ages. Art lovers will be over the moon for Concord’s art centers and theaters dotted around every corner, and the discovery center is sure to delight every aspirign space cadet.
Not to mention the scenic area downtown that inhabits a hopping variety of restaurants, historical edifices, natural trails, and delightful breweries. Concord is clearly not your typical city. From boisterous outings to peaceful family activities, join ViewCation as we bring to you our pick of the best things to do in Concord, New Hampshire.
McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center
Have you ever wondered what outer space looks like? As luck would have it, this locale aims to satisfy your curiosity. Located just beside the NTHI Campus, the discovery center is a unique museum dedicated exclusively to space exploration. It is home to rare and high-end artifacts, including NASA space treadmills, space-themed exhibits, planet replicas, rockets, and a virtual fish tank. Apart from the opportunity to see all this cool stuff, you can take part in hands-on programs, exhibitions, displays, and engrossing educational sessions to learn more about space science, aviation, astronomy, and the Earth.
In a nutshell, the center offers a cosmic range of activities you want to witness at least once in a lifetime. While taking a break from the educational activities, you can visit the small gift shop or café to grab a quick bite and have some “me” time. Also for some immersive family time, you can stop by the planetarium, and have a delightful time with shows displayed on its 40-foot dome.
Winant Park
If your idea of a great vacation is enjoying some thrilling activities on a sunny day, this next location is for you. Winant Park is an 85-acre forested park that is seated right at the heart of Concord, giving you the sensation of being secluded in a dense forest. In addition, you’ll find old-growth trees, endless vantage points, alluring butterflies, and natural trails dotting everywhere around the park. From the tranquil ambiance to the scenic views, the location makes the perfect choice for your minimoon dates, staycations, and some family time. In fact, the perfect blend of orange and red colors further cements exploring Winant park as the finest outdoor attraction in Concord, especially in the fall.
Merrimack River
The famous Merrimack River courses through Concord and offers a perfect opportunity to have fun in the waters, whether by paddle boarding, canoeing, or kayaking. Cruising on a kayak fishing trip is one of the most exciting activities to try out in Concord, especially since there are a number of canoe companies there to help you get the best experience from several outdoor recreational activities. You can rent boats, paddleboards, and kayaks from the company while enjoying warm reception for the staff who are always ready to make your stay a memorable one.
For the naturalists, this location is also home to several amazing species including birds such as osprey and bald eagle and fishes like white perch, chain pickerel, and rock bass. So, if you’re looking for somewhere to have a good time while taking delight in the elegance of nature, you should definitely include Merrimack River in your itinerary.
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Carter Hill Orchard
Nestled near Concord rolling hills, the cartel Hill Orchard has existed since the mid-1790s and has consistently served as a great place to spend some family time. As a family-owned orchard, this location offers several activities that are especially captivating to children. The orchard grows peaches, plums, apples, pumpkins, and blueberries during early summer and fall. And you know, looking for the best fruit can be a wonderful activity to spend some family time.
The kids have enough space to run around, while you can sit back, and relish the taste of freshly pressed apple cider. Apart from the delicious drinks, the orchard also incorporates picturesque vistas and views at the birdwatching tower, where you can climb to appreciate the beauty of nature. However, remember to plan your visit towards early summer and fall for the best experience.
Canterbury Shaker Village
Your vacation to Concord is incomplete without experiencing the unique feeling this historic site offers. located only a few minutes drive away from Concord – at the heart of Canterbury, the Canterbury Shaker village doubles as a historic site and a museum with a rich history that dates back to 1969. Since its inception, it has gone through various reconstructions to preserve its historical and architectural significance. So if you want to know what living felt like in the 1960s, touring the premises and enjoying live demonstrations at this museum can give you a clear insight into that.
Besides the historic homes, the village encapsulates over 700 acres of land you can explore – see trails of different difficulties and levels, explore the fields and forests and have fun around the ponds. Quaker buildings from the 1790s to the 1900s are also there to make your visit a fulfilling one.
Susan N. McLane Audubon Center
Is nature your thrill? Then don’t miss out on Susan N. McLane Audubon Center. This location is a terrific spot to explore and learn about nature, regardless of the season. It is essentially a natural green space nestled around Silk Farm road featuring Raptor exhibits, indoor animal displays, and having some great time on its hiking trails. You can hike on short trails, stop to behold the beauty of nature in the bird-watching spot, or take up some adventure with the long trails to explore grasslands, woodlands, and the great turkey pond shoreline.
There is also a beautiful location for picnics within the 12 acres of conservation land. Pick a spot to enjoy bright foliage and the green space, especially during summer. But best of all, you can do all these for free – but the gift shop will surely tempt you to spend some money.
Granite Resturant & Bar
If you’re traveling with your significant other and looking for the best restaurant to spend the evening in, this is a thrill you don’t want to miss out on. Situated right on Pleasant Street, Granite is a restaurant that serves a wide variety of American cuisines carefully prepared with locally sourced ingredients. Its menu appeals to an endless range of customer bases with its exquisite blend of non-vegan and vegan cuisines.
You’ll find the influence of French, Asian, and Mediterranean cuisines heavily apparent in the menu’s seasonal items and as such, it caters to everyone from those regions. Granite boasts countless awards including the Wine Spectator trophy. The surroundings are opulent and the staff is always there to make sure you relish the best experience. All in all, it is a terrific location to end the day. And don’t forget to try out the Idaho trout, crab cake, and scallops.
Red River Theatres
If this is your first time in Concord, then visiting the Red River Theatres needs to be at the top of your to-do list. The independent theater is seated right on Main Street along with the Capitol Center for the Arts. It offers everything to make your stay worthwhile, including various foreign movies, independent films, short movies, and unique documentaries that you won’t find at larger theaters.
This $1.8 million location is not your typical cinema – apart from the vast range of movies, the collection of galleries, incredible concession stands, and the full-featured cafe that serves foods and locally brewed beers are things you don’t want to miss. Besides, this theatre is community-centric and upholds the cultural diversity of Concord. It is also a location for intimacy and a novel date venue. A night out at this dazzling location might be the most romantic thing you can do in Concord.
New Hampshire Statehouse
Built in the 19th century, the New Hampshire statehouse is the oldest state Capitol building that the legislature still uses today. Of course, this type of rich history, culture, and tradition are expected in Concord. The building has quite an appealing architecture embodying the Greek revival style and a cutting-edge golden dome. Locals also call it the people’s house as it is accessible to everyone and has no gate. Visitors are only allowed access on weekdays until 3 pm.
And during this period, you can take advantage of both the docent-led tours and self-guided sightseeing. Touring the historic building, you can catch a glimpse of the hall of flags, historic portraits, exhibits, and actual legislative chambers that are still functional. The statehouse grounds also offer a lovely spot to visit with unending soothing elements such as shady trees, picturesque vistas, stone benches, and several statues that represent notable figures within the state.
Alright, that about wraps up our list of the best things to do in Concord NH. So, let’s hear from you. Do you think we missed anything or left out an activity that deserves recognition? What did you find most interesting from our list? Be sure to let us know in the comments.
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