What to do in New Hampshire?
August 22, 2010 9:41 AM Subscribe
I am spending this upcoming weekend in New Hampshire, U.S.A.. Specifically Manchester and Concord. Is there anything specific that I should check out or do while in the area? Only in town for three days.
You can go see one of the largest permanent Mini-fig scale lego models in the world and learn a bit about the Manchester mill buildings in the process!
It is seriously awesome.
posted by bondcliff at 9:52 AM on August 22, 2010
It is seriously awesome.
posted by bondcliff at 9:52 AM on August 22, 2010
Response by poster: I like the Lego thing. That could be fun. I'm a big fan of used book-stores and anything folksy: festivals, craft-shows, etc.
posted by Fizz at 9:58 AM on August 22, 2010
posted by Fizz at 9:58 AM on August 22, 2010
Chez Vachon in Manchester for decent poutine without having to do the trek to Canada.
posted by AwkwardPause at 11:14 AM on August 22, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by AwkwardPause at 11:14 AM on August 22, 2010 [2 favorites]
There is a weird, kinda cool used bookstore on Route 4 just a few miles east of Concord called Northwood Old Books that you might want to check out. From the road it looks like a little trailer but inside it's a maze of joined buildings with colored lines painted on the floor to help you navigate in lieu of leaving a breadcrumb trail. It's definitely one of a kind.
posted by bcwinters at 11:18 AM on August 22, 2010
posted by bcwinters at 11:18 AM on August 22, 2010
Only used bookstore that comes to mind is Lee's Books, here, on Elm Street in Manchester.
The League of NH Craftsmen has retail outlets all over NH; there's one in Concord here. (Unfortunately, you missed the Craftsmen's Fair, which is always interesting. There's a number of agricultural fairs that run this time of year as well, but given your dates of travel you'll probably miss them too.)
There's plenty of nice hiking and boating in the area if you don't mind driving a little bit; if that's something that interests you, I could make some suggestions.
posted by Upton O'Good at 11:20 AM on August 22, 2010
The League of NH Craftsmen has retail outlets all over NH; there's one in Concord here. (Unfortunately, you missed the Craftsmen's Fair, which is always interesting. There's a number of agricultural fairs that run this time of year as well, but given your dates of travel you'll probably miss them too.)
There's plenty of nice hiking and boating in the area if you don't mind driving a little bit; if that's something that interests you, I could make some suggestions.
posted by Upton O'Good at 11:20 AM on August 22, 2010
Stonyfield Farms has tours.
Interesting restaurants:
* Lala's Hungarian
* 2nding the Red Arrow, if you're into that sort of thing.
* The upstairs lounge at Piccola has a good vibe, if you want hip/sexy/dark.
The local alt-weekly, The Hippo.
posted by gregglind at 11:53 AM on August 22, 2010
Interesting restaurants:
* Lala's Hungarian
* 2nding the Red Arrow, if you're into that sort of thing.
* The upstairs lounge at Piccola has a good vibe, if you want hip/sexy/dark.
The local alt-weekly, The Hippo.
posted by gregglind at 11:53 AM on August 22, 2010
Response by poster: I'm making notes in my moleskine, thanks for the suggestions.
Oh and AwkwardPause, I live in Canada, so the poutine is old hat for me. Cheers.
posted by Fizz at 12:07 PM on August 22, 2010
Oh and AwkwardPause, I live in Canada, so the poutine is old hat for me. Cheers.
posted by Fizz at 12:07 PM on August 22, 2010
Best answer: The Zimmerman House is a Frank Lloyd Wright house owned by the Currier Museum of Art. Its the only Wright house in New England to be open to the public. Its a terrific experience. The rest of the Currier is pretty good too.
posted by anastasiav at 12:18 PM on August 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by anastasiav at 12:18 PM on August 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
Henniker, NH (30 minutes west of Concord) has two great used book stores:
- Henniker Book Farm (closed the last Sunday of each month)
- Old Number 6
And I was just about to suggest the Zimmerman House (thank you preview).
posted by bCat at 12:21 PM on August 22, 2010
- Henniker Book Farm (closed the last Sunday of each month)
- Old Number 6
And I was just about to suggest the Zimmerman House (thank you preview).
posted by bCat at 12:21 PM on August 22, 2010
Best answer: Granite State Candies has the best ice cream around. They make it on the premises, have a whole bunch of flavors, and pride themselves on the generous portions!
The New Hampshire Historical Society on 30 Park St. has an exhibit of New Hampshire furniture masters until September 9 (New Hampshire is well known for its handmade furniture). Free admission Tuesday through Saturday 9:30-5:00.
The Currier Museum of Art in Manchester is good.
Arnie's Place, in Concord, has some great barbeque (and I say this as someone who grew up in Memphis, TN. On Tuesday nights they have Cruise Night there with lots of antique cars.
I'll post more if I think of them.
posted by Quizicalcoatl at 1:21 PM on August 22, 2010
The New Hampshire Historical Society on 30 Park St. has an exhibit of New Hampshire furniture masters until September 9 (New Hampshire is well known for its handmade furniture). Free admission Tuesday through Saturday 9:30-5:00.
The Currier Museum of Art in Manchester is good.
Arnie's Place, in Concord, has some great barbeque (and I say this as someone who grew up in Memphis, TN. On Tuesday nights they have Cruise Night there with lots of antique cars.
I'll post more if I think of them.
posted by Quizicalcoatl at 1:21 PM on August 22, 2010
Oh, yeah, if you're in Concord on Saturday there's the Concord Arts Market. It's downtown, off Main St. in Eagle Square (behind the bell). Directly across the street is the Farmer's Market on Congress St.
posted by Quizicalcoatl at 1:24 PM on August 22, 2010
posted by Quizicalcoatl at 1:24 PM on August 22, 2010
Hearing good things about Republic restaurant, but haven't been there myself yet.
posted by Miko at 1:28 PM on August 22, 2010
posted by Miko at 1:28 PM on August 22, 2010
Oh my god, I ate at Republic last week. I had a banana nutella panini thing with a side of blueberries. It was sublime. Their stuff is a little spendy but localvore stuff [well I guess except for the nutella] and oh so delicious.
posted by jessamyn at 2:57 PM on August 22, 2010
posted by jessamyn at 2:57 PM on August 22, 2010
Bananas are local to NH, who knew?
posted by Confess, Fletch at 4:14 PM on August 22, 2010
posted by Confess, Fletch at 4:14 PM on August 22, 2010
Lake Winnipesaukee is only 30 minutes from here, and it is a beautiful, folksy area with lots of history. Specifically, Wolfeboro NH has great dinner cruises out onto the lake and lots of old inns and museums.
In Manchester specifically I'm partial to the area around the Mill Buildings. The Christa McAuliffe planetarium in Concord is also rather cool.
posted by mazienh at 6:39 PM on August 22, 2010
In Manchester specifically I'm partial to the area around the Mill Buildings. The Christa McAuliffe planetarium in Concord is also rather cool.
posted by mazienh at 6:39 PM on August 22, 2010
Haha-- oh well, I got nothing then :)
posted by AwkwardPause at 6:40 PM on August 22, 2010
posted by AwkwardPause at 6:40 PM on August 22, 2010
Bona Fide Tattoo at 19 Warren Street, Concord. Doug Mendoza @ Bona Fide did my very favorite tattoo at a convention here in Oregon. If I had any reason to be in Concord, I'd be looking him up for sure.
posted by Smilodonichthys at 9:05 PM on August 22, 2010
posted by Smilodonichthys at 9:05 PM on August 22, 2010
This weekend there is a large air show in Portsmouth, NH which will include the Blue Angels.
posted by mickbw at 6:58 PM on August 23, 2010
posted by mickbw at 6:58 PM on August 23, 2010
Response by poster: Follow up just in case anyone will ever check this out again. Went to the Red Arrow and absolutely loved it. A complete hole in the wall diner but full of great food and warm atmosphere.
Manchester is a great place to live. The architecture of the Mills and all of the gorgeous nature that surrounds the city is worth coming back to. Cheers.
posted by Fizz at 3:37 PM on August 31, 2010
Manchester is a great place to live. The architecture of the Mills and all of the gorgeous nature that surrounds the city is worth coming back to. Cheers.
posted by Fizz at 3:37 PM on August 31, 2010
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posted by jessamyn at 9:46 AM on August 22, 2010