Top 16 Things To Do In Concord, New Hampshire

1. Get close to nature at NH Audubon McLane Center

Being out in the open and observing nature at its finest has a calming effect. Visit NH Audubon McLane Center and its gorgeous wooded hiking trails, year-round environmental education programs for all ages, and indoor animal displays. See animals such as the bald eagle, the red-tailed hawk, the Peregrine Falcon, the screech owl, and the barred owl. Take leisurely strolls on the walking trails as you breathe in the fresh air and take in the magnificent scenery of nature surrounding you. Sit down for a snack in the picnic areas. This center provides you with an ideal place to relax and unwind in a chilled environment.

NH Audubon McLane Center

Address: 84 Silk Farm Rd, Concord, NH 03301, USA

Website: NH Audubon McLane Center

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 5pm; Sat: 10am - 4pm (closed on Sun)

2. Taste the best cider donuts at Carter Hill Orchard

Head out to Carter Hill Orchard which has a lot to offer. Enjoy picking apples in the orchard, exploring the country store, hiking the trails, and seeing spectacular views of the mountains and occasional raptor from the observation tower. To top it all up, at their on-site bakery, you will find a variety of pies, sweetbreads, cookies, donuts, and Annette’s world-famous whoopie pies. The smell of freshly baked pastries is what welcomes you as you approach. Taste their renowned cider donuts which are always freshly baked and very delicious. This is a fun and satisfying way to spend your day.

Carter Hill Orchard

Address: 73 Carter Hill Rd, Concord, NH 03303, USA

Website: Carter Hill Orchard

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)

3. Visit the signatory New Hampshire State House

Go on a tour of this building which has a lot of friendly staff and is rich in history. Marvel at its Greek Revival architecture in smooth granite blocks and at the golden dome with bull’s eye windows. Explore Doric Hall which showcases 107 battle flags for New Hampshire representing the Civil War, Spanish–American War, Vietnam War, World War I, and World War II. Admire the large arched windows and murals in the Senate Chamber and the hanged portraits of John P. Hale, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Franklin Pierce, and Daniel Webster in the House Chamber. In the yard are statues of Daniel Webster, General John Stark, John P. Hale, and Franklin Pierce, and a monument of George H. Perkins. Enhance your knowledge of history whiles here.

New Hampshire State House

Address: 107 N Main St, Concord, NH 03303, USA

Website: New Hampshire State House

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 4pm (closed from Sat - Sun)

4. Go hiking in the Winant Park Hiking Trails

Wear your hiking shoes and go to this 85-acre (34.4-hectare), 5-trail woodland. The trails are clearly marked with blazes, color-coded, well-kept, and varying in length. The trail maps are also simple to follow. Read the natural and cultural information on the interpretive signs as you move along. Enjoy breathtaking scenery from various vantage points along the trails. What an opportunity to keep fit while surrounded by nature and beautiful scenery!

Winant Park Hiking Trails

Address: 53, 11 Fisk Rd, Concord, NH 03301, United States

Website: Winant Park Hiking Trails

5. Reignite your love for history at New Hampshire Historical Society

Visit this museum which tells the economic, social, political and cultural history of New Hampshire through its exhibits, collections and library resources. The collection comprises of museum objects, printed volumes, pages of manuscripts, pages of newspapers, photographic images, broadsides, and ephemera items. Exhibits include Discovering New Hampshire and Signs of the Times. Go on a guided tour here and get to learn about New Hampshire in a way that is unique to this museum.

New Hampshire Historical Society

Address: 30 Park St, Concord, NH 03301, USA

Website: New Hampshire Historical Society

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 9.30am - 5pm (closed from Sun - Mon)

Price: 7 USD

6. Catch a movie at Red River Theatre

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Red River Theatres (@red_river_theatres)

Catch a movie in this 3-screen 8,500-square-feet (789.7-square-meter) state-of-the-art theater. The cinema shows first-run indie films and classics. Grab snacks like sandwiches, salsa and chips, popcorn and locally made chocolate, with beer, wine soda, or coffee from the concession stand. Then, head to one of the three theaters. Enjoy the thrill that comes with watching a movie in a beautiful and intimate space equipped with Dolby digital sound, Christie digital projection equipment, and stadium seating.

Red River Theatre

Address: 11 S Main St # L1, Concord, NH 03301, USA

Website: Red River Theatre

7. Awaken the history buff in you at Pierce Manse

Pierce Manse was the home of Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States. Learn about his life and that of his family during the mid-19th century through hands-on objects, primary source documents and visual cues in the historic house. Admire the Greek revival style of the home. Be taken back in time as you explore this beautiful house and gain insight from the knowledgeable staff.

Pierce Manse

Address: 14 Horseshoe Pond Ln, Concord, NH 03301, USA

Website: Pierce Manse

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 3pm (closed on Sun)

Price: 3 USD for children; 7 USD adults; 6 USD for seniors; 15 USD for families

8. Tickle your sweet tooth at Granite State Candy Shoppe

Satisfy your sweet tooth by indulging in some award-winning homemade chocolate. With sweet treats ranging from gourmet chocolates, candies, nuts & fudge, ice creams, and maple products, you will be spoiled for choice. Taking pride in hand-made candy and chocolates using the finest and freshest ingredients available, you are assured of a delectable treat.

Granite State Candy Shoppe

Address: 13 Warren St, Concord, NH 03301, USA

Website: Granite State Candy Shoppe

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 7pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm

9. Plan a visit to McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center

Visit this air and space museum for a unique experience. The museum honors Alan Bartlett Shepard and Sharon Christa McAuliffe who are New Hampshire’s space pioneers. See 21st-century interactive exhibits from fields such as astronomy, aviation, earth and space science, space history, general science, and engineering. The planetarium, comprising of a full-dome and a digital Sky-Skan Definiti theater, features shows on astronomy, aviation, and earth and space science as well. Experience the thrilling life of astronauts at this museum!

McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center

Address: 2 Institute Dr, Concord, NH 03301, USA

Website: McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center

Opening hours: 10.30am - 4pm (daily)

Price: 8.50 USD for children 3-12 years old; 11.50 USD for adults; 10.50 USD for seniors 62 years and above; 5 USD per person, per show (planetarium)

10. Soak in some culture at Capitol Center for the Arts

Go to this performing arts theater which has a seating capacity of 1,304, new heating, air conditioning, handicapped accessibility, updated backstage facilities, and restored benches to ensure your comfort. It hosts concerts and Broadway revivals aimed to inspire, educate and entertain audiences by providing a variety of professionally excellent and artistically significant presentations. Sit back and enjoy the educational show as you also admire the beauty of the theater. The volunteers are friendly and charmingly offer you any assistance you may need.

Capitol Center for the Arts

Address: 44 S Main St, Concord, NH 03301, USA

Website: Capitol Center for the Arts

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 12pm - 6pm (Box Office Hours) (closed from Sat - Sun)

11. Visit the President Franklin Pierce Tomb

Franklin Pierce was the 14th president of the United States who was born in a log cabin in New Hampshire. He lived a sad life. His wife suffered from illness and depression most of her life, all his children died young, and he an alcoholic and eventually succumbed to liver cirrhosis. His burial site is located in Old North Cemetery in downtown Concord. The tombstone lies inside a fenced area and is marked with the tallest structure in the cemetery which displays his history.

President Franklin Pierce Tomb

Address: Old North Cemetery, Concord, New Hampshire, United States

12. Shop for antiques at Concord Antique Gallery

Enjoy the thrill and excitement that comes with shopping for antiques at Concord Antique Gallery. Shop from a wide array of merchandise including quality antique, shabby chic furniture, primitives, Americana, jewelry and collectibles at reasonable prices. With over 150 dealer spaces, you will antique-shop until you drop! It’s a good thing the gallery serves freshly brewed coffee throughout the day, and relaxing music is played in the background. Treasure hunting has never been more fun!

Concord Antique Gallery

Address: 97 Storrs St, Concord, NH 03301, USA

Website: Concord Antique Gallery

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 6pm; Sun: 11am - 5pm

13. Get playful at Draft Sports Bar And Grill

For a relaxed and entertaining evening, head out to Draft Sports Bar And Grill. Its award-winning homemade food, over 100 liquors, 24 beers on tap, a variety of wine and bottled beer, and 15 70" TVs in the lounge and dining rooms that ensure you do not miss any game, make it the place to be. It also has pool tables, darts, and arcade games to let you indulge in a little friendly competition, and hopefully, win a prize!

Draft Sports Bar And Grill

Address: 67 S Main St, Concord, NH 03301, USA

Website: Draft Sports Bar And Grill

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 4pm - 12pm; Sat - Sun: 11.30am - 12am

Price: 11 - 30 USD

14. Enjoy some quality read at Gibson's Bookstore

For the book lovers or for those who want some quiet reading time, visit Gibson’s Bookstore. It has a variety of books to suit your taste, and if what you want is not available, they can order it from their vendors. It is Concord’s only independent bookstore, and it has a great selection of classic and current titles. The staff are also friendly and always willing to help. Head here and catch up on chapters of your favorite book or discover a new favorite from the wide variety.

Gibson's Bookstore

Address: 45 S Main St, Concord, NH 03301, USA

Website: Gibson’s Bookstore

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 7pm; Sun: 11am - 6pm

15. Dine at the famous Common Man Restaurant

Dine at this restaurant with great ambiance, food, and friendly staff. You can choose to sit in the spacious lounge, pub, deck, or cozy dining room with crackling fireplaces. Place your order, and the chef will ensure he pleases your taste buds. Some of their popular meals include three-cheese baked macaroni, country meatloaf, roast prime rib, fresh Atlantic salmon, and rack of lamb. No matter what you order, you’ll be guaranteed a delectable meal.

Common Man Restaurant

Address: 25 Water St, Concord, NH 03301, USA

Website: Common Man Restaurant

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11.30am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 11.30am - 9.30pm

Price: 11 - 30 USD

16. Make the most of the night at Area 23

For a relaxed evening in a chilled spot that is unlike other bars, head out to Area 23. Here, you will find craft beer, cider, small but comprehensive liquor, a wine selection, and some food. Aside from eating and drinking, you can also play darts on any of their five dart boards, or shoot some balls at the pool table. Catch a game on the television in the bar. To set Area 23 apart from other bars, it features themed nights such as Trivia Tuesday, Open Mic Wednesday, Darts Thursday, and Local Music Friday & Saturday. Have lots of fun at this unique joint!

Area 23

Address: 254 N State St unit h, Concord, NH 03301, USA

Website: Area 23

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 11.30am - 12am; Sun: 11.30am - 9pm

A mix of fun and history

Concord, New Hampshire is a beautiful city with a lot to offer. Do not miss out on visiting the exciting joints, restaurants with amazing food, and historical sites. Plan a trip here and make use of our list of things to do in Concord, New Hampshire!