The Merrimack Valley

Manchester (New Hampshire’s largest city at about 100,000 residents) has its roots in industry. As a result, it isn’t exactly a tourist mecca, but there are still a few things to see.

 

The Currier Museum of Art is one of New England’s finest. Located in a 1932 Beaux Arts building, it maintains some 12,000 pieces in its permanent collection. You can see works by masters such as Monet, Picasso, and Degas. The Zimmerman House was one of only five homes in the Northeast designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and it is the only one open for tours. Tickets can be hard to come by, so call way in advance if you can.

 

Cotton is a bistro featuring eclectic American comfort food with regional influences. It has a cozy environment and fairly reasonable prices (most entrees are $20 or under). Lakorn Thai is great for authentic Thai food. For a fun diner experience, try Red Arrow Diner. Your kids will love the smiley-face shaped french fries.

The much smaller capitol city of Concord (36,000 residents) is home to the Museum of New Hampshire History, with great exhibits highlighting New Hampshire’s history. You can also tour the State House (self-guided).

 

The Christa McAulliffe Planetarium is the state’s memorial to their favored teacher who lost her life in the Challenger Explosion in 1986. The theater presents high-tech astronomy shows; different shows are aimed at different grade levels.

 

Outside Concord is the Canterbury Shaker Village. Of the old Shaker communities that used to thrive in New England, this one is preserved the best. There is an informative and interesting museum and a couple of dozen buildings located on almost 700 acres. They serve a candlelight dinner on the weekends at the Creamery Restaurant.

 

Fodee’s Pizza serves classically terrific pizza. For unexpectedly great vegetarian food, check out Susty’s.