This city is definitely worth a visit, filled with museums, sports, live entertainment, and nature retreats. Read on to learn about the best things to do in Manchester, NH!
Introduction to Manchester, NH
History of Manchester, NH
Manchester was first discovered by the native Pennacooks, who fished along the banks of the Merrimack River at Amoskeag Falls. European settlers appeared in the early 18th century and focused on fishing too.
Originally called Tyngstown and Derryfield, they eventually named the land after Manchester, England, a leader of the Industrial Revolution. It flourished into a booming mill city for textiles and was later devastated by the Great Depression.
World War II briefly brought back production, but afterwards the millyard fell into disuse.
The downtown was revitalized in the 1980s and now the largest city in New Hampshire is a hub once more!
How much time do you need in Manchester, NH?
It depends on what you want to do!
A day trip is a lot of fun, especially if you have tickets to an event at the SNHU Arena or the Palace Theatre, but a long weekend is better to take your time and explore in depth.
I recommend reading about the best things to do in Manchester, NH, first so you know how many sights you plan to hit.
How do you get to Manchester, NH?
The easiest way to get to Manchester is to drive or take a bus. If you are coming from outside New England, Manchester has its own airport 10 minutes from downtown.
Length of time from…
- Portland, ME – 1.5 hours
- Burlington, VT – 2.5 hours
- Boston, MA – 1 hour
- Hartford, CT – 2.5 hours
- Providence, RI – 2 hours
Where to Stay in Manchester, NH
The best place to stay in Manchester is downtown. For a bed and breakfast, I recommend the Ash Street Inn. For a hotel, I recommend the DoubleTree by Hilton.
Best Things to Do in Manchester, NH
SEE Science Center
The SEE Science Center is full of interactive fun for kids. They have exhibits on light, forces, sound, and more. You can learn about DNA with a colorful, giant model or catch an electricity and magnetism demonstration (perhaps your hair will stand on end)!
They also have an impressive gigantic representation of the Amoskeag Millyard in 1900 built with over 3 million legos. It took 10,000 hours to complete and if the pieces were lined up, they would reach all the way to the Museum of Science in Boston and back!
Helpful Information
| Day of Week | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday to Friday | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm *Last admission 3:00 pm |
| Saturday to Sunday | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm *Last admission 4:00 pm |
*Open Monday holidays and 7 days a week from Memorial Day through Labor Day
Ticket price – $12 for ages 3 and up
Millyard Museum
The Millyard Museum takes a deep dive into the history of Manchester and, in particular, how the city evolved after the Industrial Revolution.
Housed in Mill No. 3 in the historic Amoskeag Millyard, it has a permanent exhibit called Woven in Time. We learned about the native Abenakis (remnants of the Pennacooks) who lived in the area thousands of years ago and the first European settlers.
In the 19th century, the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company took over and grew into one of the largest textile manufacturers in the world. The museum taught us about the men, women, and children they employed in harsh working conditions as well as the immigrant experience.
The business collapsed just before the Great Flood of 1936, which was strong enough to damage bridges and slice the city in half.
Helpful Information
| Day of Week | Hours |
|---|---|
| Sunday to Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday to Saturday | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm |
| Age | Ticket Price |
|---|---|
| Children (under 12) | Free |
| Youth (12 to 18) | $5 |
| Students | $8 |
| Adults | $10 |
| Seniors (over 65) | $8 |
Lake Massabesic
Lake Massabesic is beautiful and perfect for some quiet time in nature. The name comes from a Native American word meaning “the place of much water,” and the views are stunning in every season (though especially in autumn).
There is a 3.7-mile loop around it for walking, running, or biking, and you can horseback ride on the gravel trails. Kayaking, canoeing, and sailing are popular too, but the city forbids swimming as the lake provides drinking water.
For fishing, the lake is periodically stocked with trout, and you can also catch smallmouth and largemouth bass, pickerel, and a few others. Bird watching is another fun activity, with eastern bluebirds, osprey, and tree swallows in the area.
Whatever you choose, the lake is sure to deliver some tranquil moments and gorgeous scenery.
Red Arrow Diner
The historic 24-hour Red Arrow Diner in Manchester, NH, is famous. It opened in 1922 and is frequented by politicians during the primary season. Celebrities eat here too, and it was the answer to a Jeopardy! question in recent years.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available all hours of the day, with classics like pancakes or burgers and fries. They even still serve the vanishing tradition of a blue plate special (a discounted meal that changes daily) on a blue plate!
Dessert is a must, and I love the renowned Dinah fingers (homemade Twinkies). They also have delicious pies, with flavors like banana cream and lemon meringue.
SNHU Arena
The SNHU Arena is an indoor events center that seats over 10,000 people.
For sports, you can see the local hockey and basketball teams. There are frequent concerts too and events like Cirque du Soleil, the Harlem Globetrotters, or Disney on Ice.
The concession stands have normal fare such as popcorn or chicken tenders and fries. To make your night extra special, you can pay for the Sam Adams Lounge or even a private suite.
Currier Museum of Art
One of the best things to do in Manchester, NH, is the Currier Museum of Art, which has a permanent collection of over 15,000 objects in every medium.
For European and American paintings, you can find works by Matisse, Warhol, and Picasso. They also house a rotating artist-in-residence to keep a fresh perspective.
The museum is committed to community, hosting classes like The Art of the Pastel Portrait and Intro to Watercolor. They even have a program for veterans that gives them access on a weekly basis for wellness.
Lastly, once a month they hold a themed “Creative Studio” for the whole family, which includes an interactive tour for kids.
Helpful Information
| Day of Week | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm |
| Thursday | 10:00 am to 8:00 pm |
| Friday to Sunday | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm |
| Age | Ticket Price |
|---|---|
| Children (under 13) | Free |
| Youth (13 to 17) | $5 |
| Students | $10 |
| Adults | $15 |
| Seniors (over 65) | $13 |
Granite State Escape
Granite State Escape is a very popular interactive escape room. To play, they lock you inside, and then you have to solve various puzzles to exit before time runs out.
They currently have four different options, with skill levels ranging from beginner to expert. You can either sign up for a haunted cabin, a dilapidated manor, a Prohibition Era speakeasy, or a futuristic facility on Mars (we did this one).
Come with family or friends and see how well you work together!
Helpful Information
| Day of Week | Hours |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 11:30 am to 9:30 pm |
| Monday to Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | 4:00 pm to 9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 11:30 am to 10:30 pm |
Cost – $30 per person with $80 minimum
Livingston Park
Livingston Park is a great spot in Manchester to enjoy being outside.
It has a baseball diamond, a track, and a soccer field, perfect for getting some exercise. There are two playgrounds, one for toddlers and one for older children, as well as a swimming pool with a slide.
You can have a picnic in the ample green space or just relax in the sunshine. Dorrs Pond is adjacent to the park, with fishing in the summer and ice skating in the winter, and the surrounding boardwalk is also good for walking, running, or biking.
Palace Theatre
The historic Palace Theatre was built in 1914 and has survived many challenges. Gilded and ornate, they modeled it after the Palace Theatre in New York City and originally cooled it with fans that blew air over giant ice blocks under the stage.
With touring vaudeville companies, it hosted the likes of Bob Hope and Jimmy Durante. Then, when silent films and talkies became more popular, it transitioned over to movies.
It eventually fell into disrepair but was restored in 1974, a decade before a giant fire on Hanover Street destroyed most of the block. Luckily, the firewall was able to halt the flames.
Now it puts on Broadway shows like Rent and Grease as well as plenty of options for kids like Frozen or Cinderella (we saw The Little Mermaid)!
Franco-American Centre
One of the best things to do in Manchester, NH, is the Franco-American Centre, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving French heritage and culture in the area.
In the late 19th century and early 20th century, many French Canadians immigrated from Québec to work in textile manufacturing, and the centre keeps their history alive through various means.
They hold classes on the romantic language and host social events like a Mardi Gras party with a costume contest. They also celebrate delicious French food with activities like a baking competition and a poutine fest.
If you are at all interested in French things, check out their website for a schedule!
McIntyre Ski Area
The McIntyre Ski Area is great for a day of fun in the winter. The mountain is more manageable than some up north and perfect for learning to ski or snowboard (with lessons for kids and adults).
They also have multiple lanes of snow tubing on Thrill Hill with a conveyor carpet to bring you up after every run.
The Hill Bar and Grille is open May through October, with horseshoes, giant Jenga, and corn hole on the lawn. They have cribbage on Wednesdays, trivia on Thursdays, and live music on Fridays and Saturdays!
Zimmerman House and Kalil House
Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Zimmerman House in 1950, a manifestation of his Usonian architectural concepts. He used brick and cypress, and the furniture is mostly built-in.
The rooms are set in one line with dramatic changes in ceiling height as you go through, and the large windows provide a view of the garden, which is still original.
Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Kalil House in 1955, a rare Usonian Automatic (he only did seven total). He used molded concrete blocks and mahogany, and the furniture is, again, mostly built-in.
The structure was quick and easy to build with simple, linear forms, and the many windows help create an airy feel amidst the imposing gray walls.
I love Frank Lloyd Wright and found both houses fascinating.
Helpful Information
The Currier Museum of Art owns these unique houses in Manchester. Tours are seasonal, reservations are required, and a shuttle service takes you there.
| Age | Ticket Price |
|---|---|
| Children (7 to 17), military, veterans | $15 |
| Students | $20 |
| Adults | $35 |
*Includes same-day admission to the Currier Museum of Art
Aviation Museum of New Hampshire
The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire is a fun rainy day spot and great for kids.
The 1937 art deco terminal was a World War II Air Force base and slated for demolition in 1995. It was saved and moved across two active runways to where it is today.
You can see the Doodle Bug, the first biplane built in New Hampshire, or explore an actual cockpit. There is also a flight simulator you can try out! The docents are often former military pilots, and the museum even has a student program in which they build a real aircraft.
Helpful Information
| Day of Week | Hours |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm |
| Monday to Thursday | Closed |
| Friday to Saturday | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm |
| Age | Ticket Price |
|---|---|
| Children (under 6) | Free |
| Youth (6 to 12), military, veterans | $5 |
| Adults | $10 |
| Seniors (over 65) | $5 |
Rock Rimmon
Rock Rimmon is huge and sits in the largest park in Manchester. To ascend it, you can take an easy hike, boulder, or even rock climb (as long as you know how)!
The 150-foot summit is flat enough to have a picnic and gives you a panoramic view. To the west, we saw the Uncanoonuc Mountains and to the south, we saw the city.
The park itself has basketball courts and pickleball courts and is open every season.
Delta Dental Stadium
Delta Dental Stadium is the home of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, a minor-league baseball team. It sits near downtown Manchester on the Merrimack River and has a capacity for 6,500 people.
The team was established in 2004, and they were almost called the New Hampshire Primaries.
The stadium features a Sam Adams Brewhouse, a tiki bar, and Benny the bat dog, a lovable golden retriever!
I hope this post convinced you that Manchester, NH, is worth visiting! If you want to go shopping near Manchester, NH, then head over to Merrimack Premium Outlets.
In my opinion, the most fun things to do in Manchester, NH, with kids are the SEE Science Center, the McIntyre Ski Area, and the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire.
The most fun things to do in Manchester, NH, with adults are Lake Massabesic, Granite State Escape, and Red Arrow Diner.
Enjoy!