Concord

Concord, the state capital of New Hampshire, is a small city with a pleasant historic walking district and the coffee shops and restaurants you’d expect to support a busy state legislature. It offers historic sites, two historical museums, and a planetarium dedicated to the New Hampshire schoolteacher who dared to board a spaceship toward the stars.

Exploring the City

Comprehensive walking tour brochures are available from the Concord Chamber of Commerce at 224 North Main Street, just off Exit 15 from Interstate 93, as well as the visitor center in downtown by the statehouse. A shorter walking trail is the Coach and Eagle Trail, again with a brochure that the Chamber of Commerce distributes (224-2508). Be sure to go into Eagle Square on the North Main Street; look for its fabulous wrought iron gateway. The Museum of New Hampshire History is the massive building at the back of the square, a place to travel through time and come face to face with Native Americans, early colonists, mill workers, and a US President. Open Tuesday through Saturday 9:30 to 5, Thursday evening 5 to 8:30, and Sunday noon to 5 (maximum family admission is $10 total; 226-3189). From Interstate 93, take Exit 14 and go west at the end of the exit ramp. Then turn right on North Main Street, take the next right into Storrs Street, pass under the bridge, and find the museum parking lot on the left.

The New Hampshire Historical Society has its own collection open to the public at 30 Park Street, off North State Street a block northwest of the Capitol. It’s open Monday to Friday 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, and weekends noon to 4:30 (closed holidays); call ahead for special exhibits and programs (225-3381).

The Capitol Building, which is the State House, is easy to find downtown. The road in front of it is North Main, and the one behind it is North State Street. Don’t miss out on visiting the State House itself. There’s an exhibit of war-torn flags that can make your breath catch, some lovely portraits and, of course, the chance to see the striking architecture of this elegant building. Tours are available, or pick up the self-guided tour leaflet in the visitors center inside (271-2154).

The Christa McAuliffe Planetarium offers astro-adventures designed for young explorers, with a dramatic 92-seat theater and interactive exhibits. Public shows are on weekends and some mid-week afternoons; school groups get to use the planetarium the rest of the time. Call ahead for public hours (271-STAR). Closed Mondays and major holidays and the last two weeks of September. To find the planetarium, which is on the east side of town across the river, take Exit 15E from Interstate 93 or Exit 1 from Interstate 393, and follow the many signs.

Concord’s cultural life often begins at the Capitol Center for the Arts at 44 South Main St. If you stay in town long, you’ll want a schedule of Broadway shows, international dance troupes, family shows, and enrichment performances. The old theater was a stop on the vaudeville circuit in 1927, and was revived recently, even restoring the High-Hollywood Egyptian motif artwork. For a tour or programs, 225-1111 (www.ccanh.com).

If you’re in Concord in the autumn, go west out of town to Contoocook and visit Gould Hill Orchards, where you can pick your own apples. It’s 10 miles from Concord – take Interstate 89 to Exit 5 and Route 103 north, and watch for the right turn onto Gould Hill Road; the orchard is 1½ miles down this road (746-3811).