Concord Tourist Information and Tourism

(Concord, New Hampshire - NH, USA)



Brimming with history, culture and charm, the small city of Concord has its origins in the early 1730s, becoming the state capital of New Hampshire in 1808. Today, the city is central to the state's health care operations whilst also being called home by some sizeable insurance and printing businesses.

Concord is small for a state capital and this really is all part of its overall appeal, with its small-town vibe offering up lots of characterful historic buildings and attractive green spaces, a number of which are based around nearby Penacook Lake. The city's tourism is fairly understated, although there are numerous tempting attractions within close proximity.

Topped with an eagle and golden dome, the New Hampshire State House dominates central Concord and tourists will find that many of the principal places of interest radiate outwards from this capitol building, including some very decent restaurants, museums and period residences. Right next to the State House, on Commercial Street, is a conveniently located tourist information kiosk, run by the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce.





Concord Tourist Information and Tourism: Top Sights

When it comes to possible tourist attractions in the New Hampshire city of Concord, the choices are certainly varied. Many holiday makers choose to visit the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, where you can learn all about the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, whilst checking out the plentiful information about astronomy and space travel. Excitement is provided by the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in nearby Loudon, which dates back to the 1960s and hosts regular NASCAR racing events, drawing crowds of over 90,000 spectators at times.

For a spot of culture, the Capitol Center for the Arts is a popular performing arts complex comprising exhibition space and the Chubb Theater, while the Red Rivers Theaters offers an assortment of movie screenings, including mainstream films and some more obscure titles. On the westerly side of downtown Concord, Penacook Lake boasts plentiful recreational attractions and is a good place to come for an afternoon picnic. More information about Concord Tourist Attractions.

Apart from the instantly recognisable New Hampshire State House, there are a number of important and historic landmarks present within Concord. On North Main Street and just a stroll away from the State House, the New Phenix Hall was built in the 1890s, after its predecessor was destroyed by a fire. Interestingly, two former US presidents have made memorable speeches here, with Abraham Lincoln speaking in the 'Old' Phenix Hall in 1860, followed by Theodore Roosevelt in the present-day incarnation in the year 1912. Just down the road, the Eagle Hotel was once one of the city's premier places to stay, hosting numerous political events and welcoming the glitterati, although today, it is made up of a number of businesses and shops. Still on North Main Street, the Walker Woodman House serves as the most historic house in Concord and originates from the 1730s. Equally impressive is the Pierce Manse house on Horseshoe Pond Lane, where Franklin Pierce once lived before becoming America's 14th president. More information about Concord Landmarks and Monuments.

For those curious about the past of both New Hampshire and its capital city, Concord, the New Hampshire Historical Society on Eagle Square is one museum to pencil in, with its wealth of old artifacts and antiquities, and information about the American Revolutionary War. Lying on the southwestern side of the city, the NH Audubon's McLane Center resides within the Silk Farm Sanctuary and offers a mixture of environmental education and conservation exhibits, together with a large collection of birds of prey. Close by, both the historic buildings at the Canterbury Shaker Village attraction and the Mount Kearsarge Indian Museum at nearby Warner may also appeal. Back in Concord itself, the Mary Baker Eddy Historic House is also referred to as the Longyear Museum and remembers the life of the founder of Christian Science. If you are more interested in art, then you can choose between the Concord Retail Gallery on North Main Street, McGowan Fine Art on Hills Avenue, and the Mill Brook Gallery and Sculpture Garden on Hopkinton Road. More information about Concord Museums and Concord Art Galleries.

Being located on the southern side of New Hampshire means that Concord is well-placed for excursions to towns and cities such as Dover, Portsmouth and Rochester to the east, Manchester to the southeast, and Keene to the southwest. The White Mountains offer an abundance of seasonal interest, as does the Lake Region. Head to the north and you will soon reach Contoocook Park, Penacook and Boscawen, as well as the Merrimack River State Forest and Franklin, home of the Daniel Webster Birthplace State Historic Site. However, for most tourists, a day trip to Boston, Massachusetts, is the preferred option, with this famous city being roughly an hour and a half away and to the southeast, via Interstate I-93. Once in Boston, the sights come thick and fast, and many of the best line the highly recommended Freedom Trail route, such as the Paul Revere House and the Bunker Hill Monument. More information about Concord Attractions Nearby.

More Concord Information / Fast Facts and Orientation