15 Best Things to Do in Nashua, NH

By VacationIdea Staff on July 26, 2022 - Updated

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As the second largest city in New Hampshire, Nashua offers the perfect blend of big city conveniences and rural New England charm, and it offers plenty of things for visitors to see and do. The expansive Mine Falls Park is nestled right in the city center, and other attractions in town include two museums run by the Nashua Historical Society, the welcoming local churches, and the Holman Stadium, where visitors can watch a baseball game. The local breweries and distilleries make some excellent beverages, and when you get hungry, there are plenty of excellent restaurants to choose from.

We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.

1.Mine Falls Park

Occupying approximately 325 acres right in the heart of the downtown Nashua, Mine Falls Park offers a peaceful place to escape from the busy city streets. Both the Nashua Canal and the beautiful Nashua River flow through the park, and there are just under ten miles of hiking trails for visitors to explore, some of which run along the water. Many of the trails are suitable for mountain bikes as well as for hikers. Visitors are also welcome to fish from the shore, and if you have a canoe or kayak, you can take it out onto the water.

Phone: 603-589-3370

2.Greeley Park, Nashua, NH

Stretching from Manchester Street to the Merrimack River, Greeley Park is another peaceful swathe of public land that's easily accessible from downtown. Consisting of 125 acres of land, it's considerably smaller than Mine Falls Park, but it's criss crossed with wonderful hiking trails and it offers amenities like tennis courts, horseshoe pits, and a community garden. There's also a small bandstand that's used for plays and live music performances during the spring and summer, and several times a year, the park is used to host special events like Halloween Fright Night and the annual Fairy Tale Festival.

100 Concord St, Nashua, NH 03064, Phone: 603-589-3370

3.Holman Stadium, Nashua, New Hampshire

Dating back to 1937, the Holman Stadium was originally intended to serve as a multi-purpose stadium, but it has been used primarily for baseball. It has been the home stadium for several minor league teams, including the well-known Nashua Dodgers, and these days it's home to a collegiate team called the Nashua Silver Knights. Traditional baseball game snacks are available for purchase during the games, and a food truck and beer festival is held in the stadium from time to time as well. In addition to games, a fireworks display takes place here every Fourth of July.

67 Amherst St, Nashua, NH 03064

4.Pheasant Lane Mall, Nashua, New Hampshire

Boasting approximately 140 individual shops and kiosks, Pheasant Lane Mall is an excellent place to do some shopping, particularly if you'd like to take advantage of New Hampshire's lack of a sales tax. Encompassing almost 980,000 square feet of retail space, it's one of the biggest malls in the state, and the anchor stores include Macy's and Target. Visitors with children can take advantage of the kids' play area, and from time to time, the mall hosts family friendly events like special mother daughter days and princess-themed days that encourage kids to explore and enjoy everything the mall has to offer.

310 Daniel Webster Hwy, Nashua, NH 03060, Phone: 603-888-0005

5.Millyard Brewery, Nashua, New Hampshire

Named in honor of Nashua's history as a prosperous mill town, Millyard Brewery makes some of the best beer in New England. Their tasting room is open Wednesday through Sunday, and customers can enjoy their many beers by the pint or purchase a growler to take home. Sandwiches and New Zealand style savory pies are available as well. Live music performances are held every Saturday evening, and comedy events take place once a month. Other weekly special events include Wednesday trivia nights and Thursday happy hour, and during the winter, customers can also join the darts league and compete to win prizes.

25 E Otterson St, Nashua, NH 03060, Phone: 603-722-0104

6.The Reflection Garden & Labyrinth

Found in the downtown Rotary Common Park, the Reflection Garden & Labyrinth was created by local artist Marty Kermeen, and it's a popular spot with people who want to meditate or simply relax. The pattern is based on the labyrinth found in the Chartres Cathedral in France, and its circular path is designed to walked as part of a reflective journey to meeting your inner self. After you've finished walking the circle, you can sit on one of the four benches in the park or read the plaques that tell the story of Nashua's history from pre-colonial times to the present day.

14 Bridle Path, Nashua, NH 03060

7.Djinn Spirits, Nashua, New Hampshire

Established in 2013 by a talented husband and wife team, Djinn Spirits is a craft distillery with a welcoming tasting room. They specialize in whiskey and gin, but they offer several other products as well, including moonshine and a honey liqueur. Customers are welcome to come in for a tour and a complimentary tasting on weekend afternoons, and everyone who participates in a tour will get a Glencairne Nosing Glass to take home. Once a month, the distillery also hosts an evening class that introduces participants to the history and classification of whiskey, the fermentation and distillation processes, and aging techniques.

2 Townsend W #9, Nashua, NH 03063, Phone: 603-262-1812

8.Saint Patrick's Church

Nashua has been an independent Catholic mission since 1855, and although the city's first parish was built in 1857, a larger church was needed by 1901 and this is when construction began on Saint Patrick's Church. It has a lively parish, and visitors are always welcome. A daily mass is usually held at noon on Tuesday through Friday, and vigil mass takes place on Saturday afternoons. Two masses are held on Sundays as well, including a quiet mass at 7 a.m., and a coffee and donut social takes place after mass on the first Sunday of each month.

29 Spring St, Nashua, NH 03060, Phone: 603-882-2262

9.The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd

The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd was built in 1878, and it has been a central piece of the Nashua community ever since. It's known for its welcoming parish, and every Sunday, visitors are invited to come attend the Holy Eucharist, mingle during Fellowship Hour, and listen to the talented church choir perform. Choir performances and rehearsals are sometimes held during the week as well, and the church also holds special events all throughout the year, with highlights including a harvest dinner in the fall and a gingerbread village decorating gathering in the winter.

214 Main St, Nashua, NH 03060, Phone: 603-882-5352

10.Nashua Historical Society, Nashua, New Hampshire

Dedicated to collecting and preserving materials relating to Nashua's rich history, the Nashua Historical Society is run entirely by volunteers, and its collections are housed in two separate locations: the Florence H. Speare Memorial Museum and the Abbot-Spalding House Museum. Both locations are open to the public year-round by appointment, and the Florence H. Speare Memorial Museum is also open between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Group tours are available by appointment, and the society also operates a small gift shop where visitors can purchase historic prints, books, and small souvenirs like buttons and coffee mugs.

5 Abbott St, Nashua, NH 03064, Phone: 603-883-0015

11.Abbot-Spalding House, Nashua, New Hampshire

One of two museums owned and operated by the Nashua Historical Society, the Abbot-Spalding House is a great place to learn about the city's history, but it's also an important piece of architecture in its own right. It was constructed in 1804, and it's an excellent example of Federal period architectural style, although it was somewhat altered in the beginning of the twentieth century and now has a noticeable Colonial Revival influence. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1980, and if you want to pay a visit, you can arrange an appointment with the Nashua Historical Society.

5 Abbott St, Nashua, NH 03064, Phone: 603-883-0015

12.MT's Local Kitchen & Wine Bar, Nashua, New Hampshire

Originally opened as Michael Timothy's Urban Bistro, MT's Local Kitchen & Wine Bar has been providing Nashua with delicious food since 1995, but over the years, they've focused more and more on sourcing their ingredients from local producers. The menu changes according to what's in season, but you can usually expect to find a delicious selection of meat and fish entrees, grilled pizzas, and sandwiches. Many of the items can be made gluten-free, and plenty of vegetarian options are available. The drink menu features seasonal hand-crafted cocktails, and if you'd rather have wine, you can choose between regional options and high-quality national and international bottles.

212 Main St, Nashua, NH 03060, Phone: 603-595-9334

13.Surf, Nashua, New Hampshire

Located right across the street from MT's Local Kitchen & Wine Bar, Surf specializes in fresh, creatively prepared seafood. The menu offers plenty of hot and cold appetizers and entrees, but if you prefer your seafood raw, there's also a selection of sushi and a raw bar with oyster shooters, raw clams, and smoked fish. Many of the dishes can be prepared gluten-free, but because of the restaurant's focus on seafood, the menu doesn't have many offerings for vegetarians and vegans. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday, and reservations are only accepted for groups of six or more guests.

207 Main St #2963, Nashua, NH 03060, Phone: 603-595-9293

14.Martha's Exchange Restaurant and Brewing Co., Nashua, NH

Martha's Exchange Restaurant and Brewing Co. was the first brewpub in Nashua and the second in New Hampshire, but its history stretches all the way back to 1936 when a Greek immigrant opened a small candy shop. The establishment has grown and changed a number of times throughout the years, and although it still features an excellent chocolate shop and a brewery, it now also has a restaurant with a diverse menu of Greek and American food. Many of the brewery's beers are available on tap, and the space can be booked out for weddings and other private events.

185 Main St, Nashua, NH 03060, Phone: 603-883-8781

15.Collins Brothers Chowder Company

Collins Brothers Chowder Company isn't a traditional restaurant; instead, it offers gourmet take-out cooked from scratch by a professional chef, and it's the perfect solution for anyone who wants to enjoy a homemade meal in the comfort of their own home. Soups are their specialty, and although there are usually at least a dozen different soups on the menu, they also offer ready-to-eat meals like lasagna, meat loaf, and macaroni and cheese. They do their best to serve each customer in three minutes or less, but if you want to speed up your order, you can call the store before you stop by.

59 Temple St, Nashua, NH 03060, Phone: 603-883-2347