Manchester is the biggest city in New Hampshire with a lot to offer. It has a mix of outdoor activities, excellent museums, and an interesting past. Whether you are traveling alone or with your family, this city caters to all kinds of visitors.
Take the time to explore the vibrant downtown area of Manchester and enjoy the beautiful parks when the weather is nice. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can go rock climbing at Rock Rimmon or appreciate the amazing art at the Currier Museum of Art.
For a peaceful experience, visit Lake Massabesic with its breathtaking scenery and diverse wildlife in every season. And if you’re interested in the city’s history, don’t miss out on a visit to the Millyard Museum, where you can learn about Manchester’s past through ancient artifacts and information.
14. Northeast Delta Dental Stadium
When you’re in a popular U.S. city, catching a game in a large stadium is a must. The atmosphere at sports events is truly exhilarating. This particular stadium is home to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, a role it has played since its opening in 2005.
It’s a modern and spacious venue that welcomes visitors warmly. Inside the ballpark, there’s a bar and restaurant where you can grab a satisfyingly greasy burger and a cold beer before the game kicks off.
Although the stadium has a capacity for 6,500 people, it’s been known to pack in up to 8,903 fans for larger events. Don’t pass up the opportunity to join in the cheers with the locals and connect with fellow sports enthusiasts!
13. Mall of New Hampshire
If you forgot your favorite shirt or need something to wear for an unexpected event, you can go to the Mall of New Hampshire. It’s a great place to spend the day with friends. The mall has a variety of fashion outlets, jewelers, shoe shops, and even tech stores like the Apple store.
If you need to replace a broken charger or buy a new phone, you can find it there. Located in the Lower South Willow neighborhood, the mall is just a ten-minute drive from downtown Manchester.
12. Lake Massabesic
Massabesic, a Native American word, means “the place of much water.” This lake not only offers a serene and rejuvenating setting, but it also serves as a significant source of drinking water for the local community. You can explore peaceful hiking trails, have a relaxing picnic, and take in the beautiful lakeside views.
The lake’s beauty can be enjoyed throughout the year and is particularly stunning during the autumn season when the leaves turn golden orange and red. It is conveniently located just a 15-minute drive from downtown Manchester, making it easily accessible. Don’t forget to look out for wildlife while you’re there!.
11. Millyard Museum
If you want to learn more about the history of this amazing city and its surroundings, the Millyard Museum is the place to go. It has a lot of interesting facts and exhibits that take you back in time. You can learn about the first Indigenous communities who settled at Amoskeag Falls around 11,000 years ago.
The museum also covers the industrial revolution, when the textile industry and agriculture started booming in the area. And of course, you can also learn about present-day Manchester. The Millyard Museum is located at the corner of Pleasant Street, so head there to discover all there is to know about this wonderful city.
By the time you leave, you’ll have plenty of facts to share with everyone back home!.
10. Granite State Escape
If you’re looking for a thrilling challenge in Manchester, check out this popular escape room! It’s a great test for your bravery, problem-solving abilities, and stress management skills. You’ll have the option to choose from various themed rooms, but be aware that some may be too scary for young kids.
Put on your thinking cap and think creatively to solve each puzzle and impress your friends or family with your detective skills.
You can even try to finish before time runs out or risk being trapped forever! If you have some free time in Manchester, why not give it a try? You can easily locate the escape room on Elm Street near the Veteran’s Memorial park.
9. SNHU Arena
The SNHU Arena in Manchester offers a diverse range of events for everyone to enjoy. From thrilling hockey matches and exciting music concerts to family-friendly shows like Disney on Ice and captivating basketball games. It’s always a surprise to see what they have planned next, as there is always a wide selection of events to choose from.
The upcoming calendar is packed with thrilling music concerts featuring popular artists like Seether and Greta Van Fleet, as well as exhilarating events like Monster Jam and the United States Strongman Nationals! Additionally, you can get all your favorite food and drinks at the arena, including tasty snacks like popcorn and pretzels.
The lively atmosphere, coupled with top-notch entertainment, guarantees a fantastic night out in Manchester.
8. Livingston Park
Make sure to set aside some time to fully enjoy all the wonderful amenities this city park has to offer. One of the highlights is a pleasant walking trail that circles the pond, perfect for people of all ages. Additionally, there are playgrounds available for children to play on.
During the winter, the pond, called Dorr’s Pond, transforms into an ice rink, while in the warmer months, it is an ideal spot for fishing.
If you happen to have a fishing pole, be sure to bring it along! Moreover, there is an outdoor swimming pool, a soccer field for friendly matches, and even a running track, so you have no excuse not to keep up with your exercise routine while on vacation.
Additionally, the park’s proximity to downtown Manchester allows for easy access to museums and sightseeing in between your park adventures.
7. Palace Theatre
The Palace Theatre is a great place to go for a fun evening of live entertainment and quality time with friends and family.
It has a fancy and old-fashioned atmosphere because it has been open since 1891! It has a rich history and has been hosting musicals, theatrical dance shows, and hilarious theater productions that have made people laugh for many years. Even if you have kids with you, there are shows like Beauty and the Beast that are suitable for the whole family.
You don’t have to worry about finding a place to eat or have a drink either because there are many restaurants and bars nearby in downtown on Hanover Street.
6. Currier Museum of Art
The museum was initially opened to the public in 1929. At first, the exhibits were displayed in the former residence of art enthusiasts Moody Currier and Hannah Slade. Unfortunately, Moody Currier and Hannah Slade passed away before they could fulfill their dream of establishing the art museum.
Over the years, the museum has undergone renovations and expansions. Today, their permanent collection consists of more than 15,000 artworks. It’s remarkable to think about the museum’s modest beginnings. During your visit, you’ll have the opportunity to explore various forms of art, including photography and architecture.
Additionally, before leaving Manchester, you can even try attending one of their art classes, if you’re interested.
5. Zimmerman House
Frank Lloyd designed and built a modern bungalow in 1950 for the Zimmerman couple. The Zimmermans lived happily in this home for 36 years and even wrote to Lloyd, expressing their belief that they had the most beautiful home in the world. Now, the Currier Museum of Art owns the house and welcomes the public to visit.
You can come and see the unique architectural design of the Zimmerman House, as well as the art collection left behind by the Zimmermans. It’s a great activity to do on a rainy day, and won’t take up too much of your time. The house is located on Ash Street, close to other popular attractions.
4. McIntyre Ski Area
Would you like to spend a day in the snow? You can go to the McIntyre Ski Area to rent your equipment and enjoy skiing or snowboarding all day long. It’s a great place to visit with your family or friends because there are slopes suitable for all skill levels. Additionally, you can have fun tubing down a snowy hill using an inflated rubber ring.
The possibilities for enjoyment are endless! After your activities, you can go to the bar and grill at the ski area to have a satisfying meal and a refreshing cold beer. The best part is that you don’t have to leave Manchester city for this winter adventure.
The McIntyre Ski Area is conveniently located less than ten minutes away from downtown Manchester.
3. Aviation Museum
The Aviation Museum not only displays interesting artifacts and exhibits about aviation but also houses the 1937 art deco terminal building. This building served as the main terminal in Manchester until 1962, but it was temporarily used as a US army air force base during World War II.
Initially, there were plans to demolish the building, but it was rescued and relocated to its current location. Subsequently, the museum was constructed adjacent to it. Among the notable exhibits at the museum is the Doodle Bug, which was the first fire plane manufactured in New Hampshire.
The exhibit includes the famous Shake Jake engine, giving visitors an opportunity to closely observe the inner workings of this iconic plane.
2. SEE Science Center
Are you searching for an activity to do on a cloudy day with your children? Well, look no more! The SEE Science Center offers a wonderful blend of education and entertainment with its interactive science exhibits that are enjoyable for everyone, regardless of age.
Kids can enhance their scientific knowledge by creating experiments and playing with real scientific equipment, while also having a great time.
This place can truly inspire the next generation of scientists! Moreover, it is conveniently situated in downtown Manchester, allowing you to stop by in the morning and then enjoy exploring the various nearby attractions throughout the afternoon.
1. Climb Rock Rimmon
In Manchester’s largest park, there’s a huge rock formation called Rock Rimmon. Throughout the year, you can engage in different types of climbing activities like rope climbing, bouldering, lead climbing, or free climbing on the rock. However, be cautious because climbing can be risky.
Once you reach the summit, you’ll be treated to breathtaking panoramic views of the city, and a strong sense of accomplishment will accompany you. Climbing outdoors is quite thrilling, especially within a city setting, providing an unusual adrenaline rush.
If climbing isn’t your thing but you still want to explore the park, you can take a short hike to the top of Rock Rimmon. Alternatively, enjoy other activities available in the park, such as the playground and various courts.
