Visit Manchester, New Hampshire's Largest City and Gateway to the Lakes, the White Mountains and the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Regions
We think of Manchester principally as an easily driven, weekend day-trip destination for New Hampshire families, or combined with a visit to nearby Concord, an easy, interesting and comparatively affordable overnight or weekend trip option as well. Perhaps our best recommendation for an overnight family trip would be to start at the SEE Science Center in the afternoon, dinner at KC’s Rib Shack, below right, take in a Fisher Cats night game at Delta Dental Stadium, below left, then overnight at the Hilton Garden Inn, overlooking the ballpark, and start the following day with breakfast at the unpretentious, but equally famous Red Arrow Diner.
Manchester is New Hampshire’s most populous city, the largest convention, sports, and entertainment destination, and the home of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats minor league baseball team affilated with the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Currier Museum of Art, New Hampshire’s largest art museum and Manchester’s principal tourist attraction, has a noteworthy collection of American and European art including works by Picasso, Matisse, Monet, O’Keeffe, Calder, Sargent and Andrew Wyeth, as well as two house museums the Zimmerman House and the Toufic H. Kalil House, both designed by world-famous and pioneering architect Frank Lloyd Wright featuring excellent docent-led tours.
Manchester was a major industrial center in the 19th century. You can explore this history at the Millyard Museum, which tells the story of the region’s past. Families should not miss visiting the SEE Science Center, which features hands-on activities and interactive exhibits, including a massive LEGO model of the city’s historic Amoskeag Mill complex.
Driving to Manchester is Easy
Manchester is located on I 93, easily reachable from the north and west via Interstate 89 and Interstate 93, from the north and south via Interstate 93 and Route 3, and via Route 101 from the New Hampshire seacoast.