Attractions to Explore in New Hampshire with Kids

The American Independence Museum, which is housed in what served as the New Hampshire Treasury during the time of the American Revolution, consists of the Folsom Tavern and the eighteenth-century Ladd-Gilman House in downtown Exeter, New Hampshire. The permanent collection of the American Independence Museum features early drafts of the United States Constitution and an “original broadside of the Declaration of Independence.” Children in particular can find enjoyment with the hands-on exhibit at the Folsom Tavern, including trying on Colonial clothes, learning about Colonial games, and finding out how kids lived during the Colonial America era.

One Governor’s Ln, Exeter, NH 03833, Phone: 603-772-2622

Formerly known as the Mystery Hill roadside attraction, America’s Stonehenge is comprised of stone walls stretching across the hilltop, man-made caves, and mysterious rock formations. Located in the town of Salem, New Hampshire, the purpose and origin, of the mysterious structures has long been a topic of debate among amteur sleuths and scholars, raising even more questions. America’s Stonehenge is a maze of ceremonial meeting places, walls, and chambers, and at more than four thousand years old, is possibly the oldest man-made structure constructed in the country. All that’s known is that it was built by people knowledgeable in stone construction and astronomy.

105 Haverhill Rd, Salem, NH 03079, Phone: 603-893-8300

The nearly 700-acre Canterbury Shaker Village preserves the 200-year history of the Shakers of Canterbury, New Hampshire, offering a destination for reflection and learning, as well as the “renewal of the human spirit.” Today, visitors can join a 75-minute tour of the educational institution and non-profit museum for a look into the values, times, and lives of the Shakers. There are twenty-five original Shaker buildings, along with a museum shop, in which guests will find traditional crafts available for sale. Visitors can also explore the Physician’s Botanical Garden or nature trails traveling through woodlands to dams, mills, and ponds.

288 Shaker Rd, Canterbury, NH 03224, Phone: 603-783-9511

The Charmingfare Farm in Candia is a working farm, home to several traditional agricultural animals that visitors would expect to find on a real farm in the countryside. The Oakhurst Dairy Discovery Barn is a popular attraction among kids with its large petting zoo area. Farm animals that can be seen include alpacas, miniature horses, draft horses, dairy cattle, llamas, emu, miniature goats, and much more. Paths take guests into the wooded area to discover the farm’s wildlife exhibits featuring wildlife native to North America. Other activities at the Charmingfare Farm include pony ride, horse-drawn rides, and tractor train rides.

774 High St, Candia, NH 03034, Phone: 603-483-5623

Open every day of the week during the summer months, the Children's Museum of New Hampshire provides dozens of different activities and hands-on exhibits for kids, including the Yellow Submarine, the Cocheco River System, Music Matrix & Sound Watch, Kaleidoscopic, First Impressions, Dino Detective, Build It Fly It, Cave Explorers, and the Art Gallery. The Build It, Fly It exhibit lets children use their creativity and learn more about aerodynamics as they build their own flying machine, while the Cave Explorers exhibit invites kids to find cave paintings, read glow-in-the-dark books, and draw their own glowing paintings.

6 Washington St, Dover, NH 03820, Phone: 603-742-2002

The Conway Scenic Railroad provides an opportunity for a true old-fashioned railroad experience. Fun for the entire family, the railroad offers a choice of routes, such as the Bartlett or Conway Valley route or the Crawford Notch excursion. No matter what train route guests decide to take, they can delight in taking a journey back into the past. The Valley Train includes both First Class and Coach cars, or passengers can enjoy a meal in the Chocorua dining car. The Notch Train features First Class, Coach, and Dome seating, as well as some of the East Coast’s most dramatic natural scenery.

38 Norcross Cir, North Conway, NH 03860, Phone: 603-356-5251

The Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, New Hampshire is an art museum renowned throughout the world and features American and European paintings, sculptures, photographs, and decorative arts. Artists featured at the Currier Museum of Art include LeWitt, Wyeth, O’Keeffe, Monet, and Picasso. The museum also hosts programs and changing exhibitions throughout the year and offers both public and private tours as well. Public tours are available daily at 1:00pm and last around forty-five minutes to an hour. The Currier Museum Art Center also offers workshops for families on specific dates, including the Creative Studio the second Saturday of the month.

150 Ash St, Manchester, NH 03104, Phone: 603-669-6144

Managed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the land of the Franklin Falls Dam spans across five towns and encompass over 2,500 acres of woodland. The area is particularly popular with mountain biking enthusiasts, with the trail system for mountain biking centered near the administrative offices. This trail system consists of around ten miles of multi-use trails, designed and built “by mountain bikers for mountain bikers.” Along with mountain biking, the Franklin Falls Dam is also known to be a great spot for a picnic, with plenty of shade and tables, as well as hiking opportunities.

Federal Dam Access Rd, Franklin, NH 03235, Phone: 603-934-2116

High 5 Ballooning is one of the premier companies in New England for hot air balloon rides, providing guests with an unforgettable experience from the thrilling liftoff to the post-flight picnic. High 5 Ballooning takes passengers on a memorable aerial adventures that features breathtaking vistas of the scenic Merrimack River Valley, the Atlantic Ocean, the White Mountains, and even the skyline of Boston. At the end of the flight, guests are taken to the picnic site where they can relax and enjoy a complimentary picnic, and for those twenty-one years of age and older, sip champagne mimosas.

4 Joseph St, Derry, NH 03038, Phone: 603-893-9643