Concord Town Guide: New Hampshire's Capital City

Concord is a small city with a big job. As New Hampshire's capital, it is home to the State House, the governor's office and the largest state legislature in the country, yet its downtown is compact enough to see on foot in an afternoon. Main Street runs past the gold-domed State House, independent shops, restaurants and a restored 1920s theater, all within a few blocks. This Concord town guide covers the city's history, what to see and where to eat, shop and stay, with picks from our directory.

Concord at a glance

• Population: 43,976 (2020 census)
• Settled: 1659
• Capital: seat of state government since 1808
• River: the Merrimack, which runs along the east side of downtown

A short history

Concord was settled in 1659, and the city grew along the Merrimack River. It became the seat of New Hampshire's government in 1808, and the State House followed soon after. Its downtown still carries that history in its brick blocks and civic buildings. Across from the State House, the Eagle Hotel on Main Street has been a downtown landmark since it opened in 1827. Just south of it stands Phenix Hall, which replaced an earlier hall of the same name that burned in 1893.

The New Hampshire State House

The State House is the heart of Concord. It was completed in 1819 and is the oldest state capitol in the country in which both legislative chambers still meet in their original rooms. The New Hampshire House of Representatives has 400 members, making it the largest state legislative body in the United States.

The building's gold dome is a downtown landmark, and the plaza in front, with its statues and memorials, is a natural first stop on any visit. Visitors can tour the building. Check the State House visitor center for current hours and tour information before you go.

Where to eat

The Barley House

Right on the State House square, The Barley House is a tavern and restaurant that sits almost in the shadow of the dome. Its location makes it a natural stop before or after a State House visit, and during the legislative session it is easy to imagine the conversations happening at nearby tables.

Yamas Greek Eatery

A few blocks down Main Street, Yamas Greek Eatery is a bright Greek kitchen. It is a good option for a casual lunch while exploring downtown.

Where to shop: Gibson's Bookstore

Gibson's Bookstore is an independent bookstore on South Main Street with a broad selection of new books and a busy author-event calendar. In a state that hosts the first presidential primary, a capital-city bookstore with a full event schedule is a fitting place to browse. Check its calendar for upcoming author talks and signings.

Arts and entertainment: Capitol Center for the Arts

The Capitol Center for the Arts on South Main Street is Concord's main performing-arts venue, with a full season of shows. It occupies the former Capitol Theatre, built in 1927, and opened as the Capitol Center for the Arts in 1995. The main hall seats 1,304 and is known for its Egyptian-motif decor, a style popular in theaters of the 1920s. Check the season schedule for concerts, comedy, theater and touring productions.

Where to stay: The Hotel Concord

The Hotel Concord is an independent boutique hotel occupying the top floors of Capital Commons downtown. Staying downtown puts the State House, Main Street restaurants, Gibson's and the Capitol Center within walking distance, so you can leave the car parked for the whole visit.

A day in Concord

Morning. Start at the State House. Walk the plaza, look at the monuments, and take a tour if one is available.

Lunch. Eat at The Barley House on the square or walk down to Yamas on Main Street.

Afternoon. Browse Gibson's Bookstore and the shops along Main Street. If you have children with you, the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, a space and science museum, is a short drive away.

Evening. Catch a show at the Capitol Center for the Arts, then walk back to The Hotel Concord.

Walking Main Street

Concord's Main Street is the easiest way to understand the city. Start at the State House plaza and walk south. You will pass the Eagle Hotel and Phenix Hall, two of the buildings that have framed the capital's main street for generations, then a run of independent shops, cafes and restaurants, Gibson's Bookstore and, a little farther along, the Capitol Center for the Arts. The whole stretch takes only a few minutes to walk, but it is worth taking slowly. Look up at the upper floors of the brick blocks, where the architecture of the 19th and early 20th centuries is easiest to see, and step into the shops along the way. In the evening, the theater marquee and restaurant windows make the walk back to the hotel part of the night out.

Concord and the presidential primary

New Hampshire holds the first presidential primary in the nation. As the capital, Concord sits at the center of state politics, and in primary season downtown can see candidates, reporters and campaign events. Outside those months the city is quieter, but the political history is all around you, starting with the State House itself.

Two more historic stops

The Pierce Manse was the home of Franklin Pierce, the 14th president of the United States, from 1842 to 1848, before his presidency. In 1971 the house was threatened with demolition during an urban renewal project. A local group called the Pierce Brigade raised money to save it, and the house was moved from Montgomery Street to its present location at 14 Horseshoe Pond Lane. It is now a house museum. Check its website for seasonal hours.

In neighboring Canterbury, Canterbury Shaker Village is one of the most intact surviving Shaker community sites and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1993. The non-profit museum preserves 27 original Shaker buildings, four reconstructed ones and 694 acres of forests, fields, gardens and mill ponds under a permanent conservation easement. It pairs well with a Concord day, especially for travelers interested in architecture or crafts. Hours and programs are seasonal, so check ahead.

Tips for visiting Concord

• Park once. Downtown is compact and walkable, so park in a garage or lot and explore on foot.
• Check the legislative calendar. The State House is busiest when the legislature is in session.
• Book shows early. Popular performances at the Capitol Center can sell out.
• Use the interstates. Interstate 89 and Interstate 93, the two main highways serving Concord, join just south of the city, making it an easy base for day trips around central New Hampshire.
• Arrive by bus. Concord Coach Lines and Greyhound serve the Concord Transportation Center on Stickney Avenue, next to Exit 14 on I-93, with service south to Boston and north toward Littleton.

FAQ

Is Concord the capital of New Hampshire?

Yes. Concord has been the seat of state government since 1808.

How old is the New Hampshire State House?

It was completed in 1819. It is the oldest state capitol in which both legislative chambers still meet in their original rooms.

How big is the New Hampshire House of Representatives?

It has 400 members, the largest state legislative body in the United States.

What is there to do in downtown Concord?

Tour the State House, browse Gibson's Bookstore, eat on Main Street and see a show at the Capitol Center for the Arts.

Where should I stay in Concord?

The Hotel Concord, a boutique hotel on the top floors of Capital Commons, puts you in the middle of downtown.

Sources

• Concord, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (settlement, capital since 1808, 2020 census, Eagle Hotel): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concord,_New_Hampshire
• New Hampshire State House, Wikipedia (completion 1819, original chambers): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Hampshire_State_House
• New Hampshire House of Representatives, Wikipedia (400 members): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Hampshire_House_of_Representatives
• Capitol Center for the Arts, Wikipedia (1927 theater, 1995 opening, 1,304 seats, Egyptian motif): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitol_Center_for_the_Arts
• Concord Coach Lines and highways: Concord, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (above).
• Business details: NHTG directory listings and each business's official website.
• Pierce Manse, Wikipedia (1842-1848, Pierce Brigade, moved 1971): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierce_Manse
• Canterbury Shaker Village, Wikipedia (NHL 1993, 27 original buildings, 694 acres): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canterbury_Shaker_Village