Concord on the Merrimack River

Concord the capital of New Hampshire is entirely within the Merrimack River watershed and the city is centered on the river.

The New Hampshire State House is home to the General Courts, Executive Council, and the Governor. It was built in 1819 and is the oldest state house in which the legislature still occupies its original chambers and is home to the largest legislative body in the U.S.

Since the 1700s there has been an apple orchard on Carter Hill. People can come to pick apples here or purchase them at the country store. Most of the apples are in season during September and October. The New Hampshire Cider Works makes cider for everyone.

The Franklin Pierce Homestead is a white clapboard Georgian-style mansion. It was the home of the 14th U.S. President Franklin Pierce. When he gave up politics he retired to Concord. Today this is a National Historic Landmark. The home has been restored to its original appearance. In the elegant ballroom on the second floor, Benjamin Pierce (father to Franklin) used to drill the local militia during the Revolutionary War. In the barn, you can find Franklin Pierce’s old horse-drawn sleigh.

The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center is a museum built to honor Christa McAuliffe, the social studies teacher selected by NASA to be the first teacher in space, and Alan Shepard who was the first American in space and one of the very first to walk on the moon. There are interactive engineering and science exhibits among them a full-size replica of a Mercury Redstone Rocket.

The New Hampshire Historical Society was founded in 1823 and is a non-profit organization that preserves and shares the history of New Hampshire. The museum has many objects, books, documents, maps, and photographs. The building was built in 1911 and has a sculpture by New Hampshire sculptor Daniel Chester French.

The Old North Cemetery is the very first burial ground in Concord. It is the final resting place of President Franklin Pierce, his wife, and two of his sons. It was established in 1730 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Concord has a vibrant arts scene. There are many public installations along Main Street and near the downtown area. On the grounds of the State House are permanent sculptures which are landmarks in the community. One of the most popular is the Tree of Life. It is the artwork of Dimitri Gerakaris, a professional artist and blacksmith residing in Canaan, New Hampshire. This is an abstract iron sculpture forming the gate to Eagle Square, right across the street from the Capitol Building. The Eagle Square Arch is the central feature and is home to the city’s largest collection of temporary public art installations, both in sculpture and murals.

Bicentennial Square is home to every local child’s favorite, Turtle Statue. There are also the Stone Curve and Stone Hole. The square hosts art shows and musical performances.

If you prefer a spooky kind of adventure you can visit Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant. This is a restaurant that has found a home in an old jailhouse off Bicentennial Square.

Guests dine in one of the old jail cells, with iron bars and old stone walls. In nice weather, you can sit and view the sculptures from the outdoor seating.

Red River Theaters is an independent theater located on Main Street across from the Capital Center for Arts. The theater shows different independent and foreign films along with documentaries and short films. The theater has three screens and Dolby Digital Surround Sound. The theater is also home to the Red River Gallery an art space that displays the artwork of artists from New Hampshire, including paintings, prints, photography, sculpture, and creations by children during Youth Art Month.

The McLane Audubon Center is a great way to learn about nature and see it in all seasons. The center has 30 miles of trails so you can explore woodlands, grasslands, and the shoreline of Great Turkey Pond. It is possible to see nesting birds like the Eastern bluebird and American kestrel as well as migrating birds. You can see cattle grazing in the meadow of a nearby farm and in the spring, the vernal pools are full of wood frogs and peepers. This is also a popular place for snowshoeing in the winter.

Enjoy the city’s parks:

Rollins Park is a favorite place in the summertime with its large public pool and pine-shaded playground. There are baseball and softball fields, tennis and basketball courts, and in the wintertime, a public ice-skating rink. There is plenty of lawn space for recreation, picnic tables, and a gazebo.

White Park offers a pool, playground, and an ice rink. You can enjoy the walking trails and White Park Pond.

Terrill Park stretches along the Merrimack River. It has walking and jogging trails as well as a fenced-in dog park.