Manchester (pop. 110,000) is New Hampshire's industrial center and the state's biggest city. It is also a cultural center for the state, with a performing arts center, symphony, and opera. Manchester is located on the banks of the Merrimack River.
Housed in a 1929 Beaux-Arts building, the Currier Gallery of Art in Manchester houses a variety of European and American art. The collection of over 11,000 objects features works by Winslow Homer, Henri Matisse, Georgia O'Keefe, Monet, Picasso, and others. There are also pieces by New Hampshire artists and craftsman.
Address: Currier Gallery of Art, 180 Pearl Street, Manchester, NH 03104, United States
Phone: 1 (603) 669-6144, Fax: 1 (603) 669-7194
Hours:
11am-5pm; Sat:10am-5pm; Closed: Tue
Always opened on: Memorial Day - USA (last Monday, May ), Labor Day - USA (1st Monday, September), Columbus Day - USA (2nd Monday, October ), Veteran's Day - USA (November 11)
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), American Independance Day (July 4), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Easter - Christian
Tips: Admission is free on Saturdays from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Open first Thursday of each month until 8pm.
The Diocesan Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of New Hampshire's Catholic community. Housed in the 1896 Chapel of the Annunciation, the museum contains artwork, vestments, ephemera of Catholic lay organizations, and religious artifacts from other New Hampshire parishes.
During Christmas the museum features Nativity sets from around the world.
The Lawrence L Lee Scouting Museum in Manchester features a variety of Boy Scout items dating from the late 1800's. The Max I Silber Library contains scouting related books, periodicals and guides. Picnicking and camping facilities are located on the grounds, along with hiking and nature trails.
Address: Lawrence L Lee Scouting Museum, 571 Holt Avenue, Manchester, NH 03109, United States
Phone: 1 (603) 669-8919, Fax: 1 (603) 625-2467
Hours:
July 1 to August 30: 10am-4pm; Closed: Sun
September 1 to June 30: am-am; Sat:10am-4pm; Closed: Sun, Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
Always closed on: American Independance Day (July 4)
The Manchester Historic Association Millyard Museum features permanent and changing exhibits, and focuses on local history. On display are American Indian artifacts, firefighting equipment, photographs, documents and maps.
The New Hampshire Institute of Art in Manchester features works by local and national artists. It also functions as an educational institution for developing artists.
Address: New Hampshire Institute of Art, 148 Concord Street, Manchester, NH 03104-4158, United States
Phone: 1 (603) 623-0313, Fax: 1 (603) 641-1832
The Opera League of New Hampshire in Manchester features a variety of operas each season. They also offer a children's opera program which allows school-aged children to learn about opera.
Tips: Tickets range in price depending on performance.
The See Science Center in Manchester features interactive, science, technology and related displays including robots, a periscope and a moonwalk exhibit.
Address: See Science Center, 200 Bedford Street, Manchester, NH 03101, United States
Phone: 1 (603) 669-0400, Fax: 1 (603) 669-0400
Tours of the Zimmerman House leave from the Currier Gallery of Art in Manchester and include access to the house and grounds. The house was built by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1950 for Isadore J. and Lucille Zimmerman, who lived in the house for 36 years. The furniture, textiles and landscaping were designed by Wright. The Zimmermans unique collection of modern art, pottery, and sculpture are on display.
This is the only house in New Hampshire designed by Wright.
Address: Currier Gallery of Art, 180 Pearl Street, Manchester, NH 03104, United States
Phone: 1 (603) 669-6144, Fax: 1 (603) 669-7194
Hours:
April 1 to January 13: am-am; Closed: Tue, Wed, Sat
Tips: Tours leave Mondays at 2pm, Thursdays at 11:30am and 2pm, Fridays at 2pm, Saturdays at 1:00pm, and Sundays at 11:30am and 1:30pm.
More in-depth tours are also available. Reservations are required. Children under 7 are not permitted to tour.
The U S National Marconi Foundation and Museum in Bedford recounts the development of radio communications with displays from Marconi wireless equipment to cellular phones. Exhibits feature equipment, literature, and audio-visual presentations.
The Frey Technical Library contains documents and radio communication periodicals dating back to the 1920's.
Address: U S National Marconi Foundation and Museum, 18 North Amherst Road, Bedford, NH 03110-5404, United States
Phone: 1 (603) 472-8312, Fax: 1 (603) 472-3622
Charmingfare Farm in Candia features a large collection of agricultural animals and wildlife. There is also a petting zoo for children. Hay rides and sleigh rides are available with different themes for different seasons and holidays.
Address: Charmingfare Farm, 774 High Street, Candia, NH 03034-2004, United States
Phone: 1 (603) 483-5623, Fax: 1 (603) 483-1079
Hours:
May 1 to October 31: 10am-4pm
November 1 to April 30: 11am-3pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
Tips: Horse-drawn hay rides are available at an additional cost.
Parking: Free
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Londonderry (23,000) is a small community located just south of Manchester. The town's history dates back to the early 1700's and once included Manchester before Londonderry township was divided up.
Address: Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, 889 Elm Street, Manchester, NH 03101, United States
Phone: 1 (603) 666-6600, Fax: 1 (603) 626-0910
Merrimack (pop. 25,000) is located one hour from Boston and one hour from the mountains in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. Matthew Thornton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, was a resident.
Nashua (pop. 88,000) is New Hampshire's second largest city. The city's north end contains the affluent Nashua Historic District. This area is home to a number of late 1800's and early 1900's homes.
Address: Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce, 151 Main Street, Nashua, NH 03060, United States
Phone: 1 (603) 881-8333, Fax: 1 (603) 881-7323
America's Stonehenge in North Salem is an archaeological site. It features man-made chambers, walls and ceremonial meeting places, and is thought to date back to 4,000 years ago.
A variety of historical and prehistoric artifacts have been found here, including stone tools, pottery and ancient old world scripts, as well as 18th and 19th century artifacts.
The visitor center shows a ten minute video and provides maps of the site and the 0.5mi/0.8km self-guided walking trail.
Hours:
9am-5pm
Always closed on: Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
The Searles Castle in Windham was built by the architect Henry Vaughan, under the direction of Edward F. Searles, in the style of Stanton Harcourt Manor in Oxon County, England. The castle was completed in 1915 and cost an estimated $1,250,000. Hand-picked masons and woodworkers, and imported marble and European furnishing served to enhance the grandeur.
The interior of the castle has been refurbished and the building is open to the public for various cultural activities, conferences, seminars, and other events.
Address: Searles Castle, 21 Searles Road, Windham, NH 03087-1203, United States
Phone: 1 (603) 898-6597, Fax: 1 (603) 893-4608