It is great to be a kid in Concord NH - Travel Tips for Families
Set just 60 miles north of Boston, and hour from the Atlantic, an hour from the White Mountains, and an hour from Vermont - Concord kinda feels like the center of New Hampshire. And it is a great destination for families with kids of all ages. So, to help plan a family vacation based in Concord, here is our guide to the top idea of things to do with kids in Concord NH:
Set just 60 miles north of Boston, and hour from the Atlantic, an hour from the White Mountains, and an hour from Vermont - Concord kinda feels like the center of New Hampshire. And it is a great destination for families with kids of all ages. So, to help plan a family vacation based in Concord, here is our guide to the top idea of things to do with kids in Concord NH:
The best candy in the world is right on Warren Street. The Granite State Candy Shoppe is the place to find gourmet hand made chocolates, fine confections and seasonal premium homemade ice cream Since 1927 - Specializing in boxed chocolates and thrilling kids of all ages. For more than 90 years they have been hand crafting delicious chocolates, roasted nuts, made from scratch fudge and buttery nut brittles.
A great city deserves a great bookstore. And Concord is no exception. This modern, elegant store is set right on the renovated Main Street. Big display stands and great signage with a selection of current books as well as toys. Find the both the best in children’s books and the best in educational toys and games. Plus, they have events and in-house cafes- all to keep kids engaged and reading
The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center is a short drive from downtown and has an impressive collection of innovative, interactive exhibits to explore. Delve into the worlds of astronomy, aviation, Earth and space sciences and become immersed in this entertaining learning environment. There are programs at the Discovery Center for all ages, too. From the planetarium theater to the new high-tech observatory to workshops for Little Explorers and educators alike… there is something for everyone at the Discovery Center.
Margaritas restaurant is built in the former Concord Police Station and many of the tables are located within the actual cells with bars brick walls. Some say the building is haunted by the ghost of a former resident who roams the lower cells. Maybe he will pass the pepper? Mexican handcrafts decorate this eatery serving tacos, enchiladas, margaritas & other classics.
Chucksters Family Fun Park is in Chichester New Hampshire featuring mini golf batting cages go-karts climbing wall Jumpsters ice cream Aerial Adventure and Family Fun Park featuring thirteen attractions including the world's longest miniature golf hole, go-karts, batting cages, Aerial Adventure, and much more! Family-oriented seasonal park with outdoor activities.
With Scenic RailRiders you ride the pedal-powered Scenic Railroad Co. Come join us for a Rail-Bike tour on the only remaining section of the Northern Railroad track built from 1846. The route will take you through woods, fields and along the Merrimack River. The trip is 6.4 miles and takes about 1 hour 45 mins.
The wonderful natural beauty of New Hampshire is exemplified in the natural areas and walking/hiking trails of the Capital Region. Naturalists of all ages can explore hundreds of acres of protected wildlife, pocket-sized parks and dozens of recreation trails for hiking, biking and jogging. Many of these trails are also open for cross-country skiing in winter. The Merrimack River meanders through the center of the city and provides a multitude of opportunities for swimming, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. The abundance of multi-use natural areas means that outdoor enthusiasts can explore dense woods, open fields and a wide range of wildlife habitats in close proximity to the city. And at White Park, Monkey Around Playground, has everything a kid could want.
Concord may be 50 miles away from the ocean, but that doesn’t mean you have to drive all the way to the seacoast for a swim. Around the city, there are ponds and river beaches to enjoy. Cool off at one the swimming holes that you can go to and get refreshed!
Altitude Trampoline Park park features high-energy equipment including Wipeout, High-9 Reaction Wall, Rock Climbing and much more. The Rock Wall towers 20 feet, right above one of the largest foam pits in the park. Wipeout? The padded arms of the spinning wheel will try to knock you down. Use the trampoline to help you to jump up and over.
True Confections Candies & Gifts
Scoop your own! True Confections has more than 10,000 pounds of candy on display.Pick from those hard-to-find classic candies, gummies in all shapes & sizes, jaw breakers, chocolate covered nuts, Jelly Belly® jelly beans in every color & flavor, licorice, and lots more.
The temperatures are falling and so is the snow… so wax your skis and head to the slopes around Concord, NH. Cross-country ski trails will soon be open to the public. With so many Nordic and alpine ski areas you could call Concord the skiing capital. The White Farm, Carter Hill and Beaver Meadow Golf Course are the three cross-country ski (Nordic) places around town that are open to the public. With trails for ski or ponds to skate, you can have fun with your friends and family outdoors. The trails are beginner friendly, and mostly flat.
Gear rentals are available from local stores. S&W off of Main Street is dedicated to bikes, skis and boards. Here you can find a wide range of Alpine and Nordic equipment and snowboard gear. Eastern Mountain Sports also has a selection of outdoor gear, clothing, equipment and accessories for sale.
The city’s Everett Arena offers ice skating from mid-September through mid-March. During the skating season, the arena offers public skating, stick practice, skating lessons for beginners, learn to play hockey, travel youth hockey, and high school hockey.
White Park in Concord, NH, has a wonderful new Skatehouse, with rentals and snacks set on a natural outdoor pond for skating - all run by the Parks and Recreation Department.
And, we hope soon: Catch a show
For families looking to catch a show or concert, Concord is the right place to he with home to three arts centers: The Capitol Center for the Arts, Bank of NH Stage and the Concord City Auditorium. Catch a kid friendly play, dance performance, or comedy show at the Capitol Center for the Arts or the new Bank of NH Stage, whose show offerings are varied and always well priced. The City Auditorium also offers a variety of productions, many of which are put on by gifted local arts groups. The Red River Theatres offers films that don’t hit the megaplexes, and the Concord Community Music School has all kinds of concerts and musical events. Look farther out and see the Hatbox Theatre, Kimball Jenkins School of Art, and the new Crumpacker Gallery at St. Paul’s School.
