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Merrimack Valley Region

10 Things to Do in the Merrimack Valley Region

Thinking about spending some time in the Merrimack Valley? This area of southeastern New Hampshire is the most urban. Within the Merrimack Valley are a trio of cities: Manchester, Nashua and Concord. Among them, you'll find many attractions, covering nature and art, science and history. But, we'll take the back roads, and discover some of the "other" great things that this region has to offer. We've picked out Ten Things to Do in the Merrimack Valley to get you started. For a more expanded list of ideas, see our list of the 101 Things to Do in NH.

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  1. Charmingfare Farm — Candia, NH Head to the Zoo
    Charmingfare Farm in Candia has the largest collection of agricultural animals in New Hamphsire. But it's the other wildlife that gets so much attention. Here you can witness black bears, lynx, a cougar, a wolf, wolverine, and a porcupine. You'll also see peacock, a trumpeter swan, an eagle owl and other captive birds. There are more than 200 animals from 40 different species. The farm is also a great place for hay and sleigh rides. Charmingfare is the only place like it in New Hampshire. Don't miss out!

  2. Lounge at Lake Massabesic
    Lake Massabesic in Auburn is where many locals spend a Sunday afternoon. The lake serves as the water supply for the city of Manchester, so there is no swimming allowed, but kayakers, hikers and bikers all make excellent use of this body of water. Park in the lot off Route 28 and enjoy a picnic on the lawn beside the lake. Bird watchers will enjoy following the trails at the Massabesic Audubon Center, where a jaunt down a path leads to the lake, where you can eye ospreys nesting overhead. It all makes for a peaceful pilgrimage away from the city for an afternoon.

  3. Hit the Antiques Trail
    Southern New Hampshire is home to some of the best antiques shops in the state. The "Antiques Trail", located along Route 101A in Amherst and Milford is popular with collectors. Scores of dealers can be found along this stretch of roadway, including the Antiques at Mayfair Co-op, which sells everything from weathervanes to crazy quilts to advertising tins. It's a great place to browse through history. Other wonderful shops can be found a short drive away. If you plan to hit the trail, be sure to put aside some time. You'll discover how easy it is to get wrapped up in all the nostalgia and history. Pick up maps of the trail at area shops.

  4. Pump Some Fresh Water
    There are fresh water hand-pumps located in various spots in southern New Hampshire. If you feel like a taste of the real stuff, straight from local water supplies, you don't need to go far. A scenic drive along Route 13 (also known as the Davis Scenic Drive) in New Boston will lead you to the New Boston Spring Pump. Keep your eyes peeled to the side of the road. It's that old-fashioned looking thing on the side of the road. If you are coming from Goffstown, it will be on the opposite side of the road. Continue on Route 13 and turn around in the town common before looping back to the pump pulloff. Look for other water pumps throughout the region.

  5. Christa McAuliffe Planetarium — Concord, NH See the Stars
    The sky is no limit at the Christa McAuliffe Planetarium in Concord. Budding astronomers can look through a telescope at the rings of Saturn, watch shows in their 40-foot domed theatre, take a journey through the solar system, and participate in space-related activities during public programs throughout the year. Call the planetarium for information, 603-271-7831.

  6. Prison Shop
    Corrections Creations, a hobbycraft retail store run by the Department of Corrections in Concord is the place you'll find all sorts of hand-made items including pottery, furniture, clocks and leather products, all for a fraction of the price you'd pay at galleries. The work is sometimes imperfect, but the majority of pieces at this little shop is made with an eye to detail. The store is located at 312 North State Street in Concord. They are open Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 5pm.

  7. Apple-Picking
    Farms where you can pick fresh berries, pumpkins and apples are located throuhgout the southeastern portion of New Hampshire. Some of the farms have petting zoos, or small ponds where you can feed ducks and other birds. We like Mack's Apples in Londonderry, where you'll find the fruits of fall along with their annual scarecrow display. Familes flock to places like Mack's. Why not you?

  8. Manchester Monarchs Support Our Sports Teams
    Whether you like hockey, arena football or baseball, there is something for sports fans of all stripes. The Manchester Monarchs, who have called the Verizon Wireless Arena home since it opened in 2001, have become a fixture in the state's largest city. During the spring, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats run the bases at MerchantsAuto.com Stadium, down the street from the arena where the Monarchs slap the puck around. The Fisher Cats are the Eastern League AA affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. The Nashua Pride, another local baseball team, play ball at Holman Stadium in Nashua. If you are an Arena Football fan, head back over to the Verizon Wireless Arena, where the Manchester Wolves pass the ball around during their regular season, between April and August. The Wolves were the 2005 Eastern Division Champions. Get caught up in the excitement of all these games!

  9. Beer Tour
    The Anheuser-Busch Brewery in Merrimack offers guided tours of their facilities. You'll be able to catch a glimpse of the famous Clydesdales at the plant, learn about the brewing process, poke around in their gift shop and sample the beer on tap as part of your tour. The stately property is also the site of many car shows and fund-raising events throughout the year.

  10. Fish Heads, Fish Heads
    The best time to visit the Amoskeag Fishways, located just outside downtown Manchester, is during fish migration season in May and June. Watch salmon climb the 54-step fish ladder that allows migrating fish to make their way around the Amoskeag Dam on their way up the Merrimack River that so defines this area of the state. Come see the different types of fish that can be found in the river, and the wildlife that make this habitat their home. Check out their programs that run many weekends during the year.