Day Trips from Manchester: Lakes Region, Seacoast and Concord

Manchester sits in the southern part of New Hampshire on the Merrimack River, and that location makes it a practical home base for exploring the rest of the state. Lake Winnipesaukee lies to the north, the Seacoast and Portsmouth are to the east, and the state capital, Concord, is just up the river. If you are planning day trips from Manchester NH, you can pick a direction and build a full day around a lake town, a historic seaport or a hands-on museum, and still sleep in your own bed.

Early June is a good time for this kind of trip. Days are long, lake towns are getting ready for summer, and outdoor museums are open for the season. This guide covers three directions, with specific stops in each, so you can choose the day that suits your group.

Lakes Region: Meredith

Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest lake in New Hampshire. It is about 21 miles long and from 1 to 9 miles wide, covering about 69 square miles. Meredith, a town of 6,662 people at the 2020 census, is one of the lake's major resort towns, and its commercial center, Meredith Village, lies along the shore. It makes an easy first stop for a Lakes Region day.

Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad is operated by the Granite State Railway, which runs scenic train rides in both the Lakes Region and the White Mountains. In the Lakes Region, its Winnipesaukee Railway offers scenic rides, lake views and seasonal events, and the company also runs rail bikes in Laconia. Wikipedia lists the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad as one of Meredith's attractions. A train ride along the lake is a relaxed way to see the water, and it works for every age.

League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery is on Lake Winnipesaukee and represents more than 250 of New Hampshire's artists and craftspeople. The gallery emphasizes home decor and carries pottery, jewelry, glass, stained glass, wrought iron, fiber art, mixed media and garden art, and it offers craft workshops and lectures. The League itself has been around for more than 80 years. If you are looking for a gift made in New Hampshire, this is one of the best places to find one.

Hart's Turkey Farm Restaurant in Meredith has been a New England tradition since 1954, locally owned and operated by the Hart family. The restaurant specializes in homestyle cooking made from scratch in its own kitchen and bakery, with seating for 500 guests across its dining rooms, a seasonal deck and the Copper Kettle Tavern. It does not take reservations, but it asks for a call for parties of 10 or more. There is also a shop for fresh or frozen prepared foods to take home.

Lakes Region: Gilford and Wolfeboro

If you have more time on the lake, two other towns are worth adding.

Gilford, population 7,699 at the 2020 census, sits on Lake Winnipesaukee and is home to Gunstock Mountain Resort, Ellacoya State Beach and Belknap Mountain State Forest.

Patrick's Pub and Eatery at 18 Weirs Road in Gilford calls itself a Lakes Region landmark for food, fun and entertainment, and goes beyond a typical Irish pub. It hosts regular events and entertainment, and its Pub Maniacs team has raised money for the Children's Auction. A meal here fits well after an afternoon at Ellacoya or a walk in Belknap Mountain State Forest.

Wolfeboro, population 6,416 at the 2020 census, is a resort area on Lake Winnipesaukee.

The Wright Museum of World War II in Wolfeboro is a nonprofit educational institution dedicated to recognizing and honoring the contributions and enduring legacy of World War II-era Americans. Its stated aim is to introduce the next generation to the greatest generation, and it has exhibits and collections for the whole family, plus a lecture series. The museum operates seasonally, so check its website before you plan around it.

The Seacoast: Portsmouth

Portsmouth is a historic seaport on the Piscataqua River, which forms the border with Maine. The city had 21,956 people at the 2020 census and is a popular summer destination.

Strawbery Banke Museum is an outdoor history museum in Portsmouth's South End historic district. It is the oldest neighborhood in New Hampshire to be settled by Europeans, and it has more than 37 restored buildings built between the 17th and 19th centuries in Colonial, Georgian and Federal styles. The buildings once clustered around a waterway called Puddle Dock, which was filled in around 1900 and is now a large open space.

The museum offers guided tours, historic houses, heirloom gardens, exhibits, roleplayers and traditional crafts, along with camps and events. Allow most of a day if you want to see the houses and gardens without rushing, then spend the evening in downtown Portsmouth.

The Capital: Concord

Concord is the capital of New Hampshire and the seat of Merrimack County, with a 2020 population of 43,976. It is the closest of these trips, which makes it a good choice for a half day or a rainy day.

McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center is dedicated to two New Hampshire space pioneers, Christa McAuliffe and Alan Shepard. It is a 45,000-square-foot air and space museum with indoor and outdoor exhibits, an observatory, a program series, a vintage 1956 Crusader jet, an outdoor Science Playground and a planetarium that the center says is one of only three in North America with a 10K projection system. Exhibits cover astronomy, aviation and Earth and space science. It is a strong pick for families with curious kids.

How to Choose Your Day

Each direction offers a different kind of day:

• Lake day. Ride the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad, browse the Meredith Fine Craft Gallery, and have a turkey dinner at Hart's. Add Patrick's Pub in Gilford if you are heading home that way.
• History day. Pick between Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth for colonial and early American history or the Wright Museum in Wolfeboro for World War II.
• Science day. Spend a few hours at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord and catch a planetarium show.

A few planning tips apply to every trip:

• Check before you go. Museums and attractions set their own seasons, hours and admission, and some operate only part of the year. Each website is the best source on the day you visit.
• Leave room in the day. Traffic on summer weekends near the lakes and the Seacoast can be heavy, so give yourself extra time.
• Pair a stop with a meal. Hart's and Patrick's Pub both work as anchors for a Lakes Region day.

FAQ

What are good day trips from Manchester NH?

Popular options include Meredith on Lake Winnipesaukee for a scenic railroad and craft gallery, Portsmouth for Strawbery Banke Museum, Wolfeboro for the Wright Museum of World War II, and Concord for the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center.

What is there to do in Meredith NH?

Meredith is home to the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad, the League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery and Hart's Turkey Farm Restaurant, all near Lake Winnipesaukee.

How big is Lake Winnipesaukee?

It is the largest lake in New Hampshire, about 21 miles long and 1 to 9 miles wide, covering about 69 square miles.

What is Strawbery Banke?

It is an outdoor history museum in Portsmouth with more than 37 restored buildings from the 17th to 19th centuries.

Is there a good rainy-day trip from Manchester?

The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord is a large indoor air and space museum with a planetarium.

Sources

• Manchester, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (on the Merrimack River): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester,_New_Hampshire
• Lake Winnipesaukee, Wikipedia (largest lake in NH; about 21 miles long, 1 to 9 miles wide; 69 square miles): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Winnipesaukee
• Meredith, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (2020 population 6,662; resort town; Meredith Village on the shore; Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meredith,_New_Hampshire
• Gilford, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (2020 population 7,699; Gunstock, Ellacoya State Beach, Belknap Mountain State Forest): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilford,_New_Hampshire
• Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (2020 population 6,416; resort area on Lake Winnipesaukee): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfeboro,_New_Hampshire
• Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (2020 population 21,956; seaport on the Piscataqua River bordering Maine; summer destination): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portsmouth,_New_Hampshire
• Strawbery Banke, Wikipedia (outdoor history museum; South End; oldest European-settled neighborhood in NH; 37+ restored buildings; Puddle Dock): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strawbery_Banke
• Concord, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (state capital; Merrimack County seat; 2020 population 43,976): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concord,_New_Hampshire
• Granite State Railway (Lakes Region Winnipesaukee Railway; White Mountains rides; Laconia rail bikes): https://gsscenic.com/
• League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery (on Lake Winnipesaukee; 250+ artists; craft types; workshops; 80+ years): https://meredith.nhcrafts.org
• Hart's Turkey Farm Restaurant (since 1954; Hart family; scratch kitchen and bakery; 500 seats; Copper Kettle Tavern; no reservations, call for 10+): https://www.hartsturkeyfarm.com/
• Patrick's Pub and Eatery (18 Weirs Road, Gilford; Lakes Region landmark; events; Pub Maniacs and Children's Auction): https://www.patrickspub.com/
• Wright Museum of World War II (Wolfeboro; nonprofit; mission; exhibits; lecture series; seasonal): https://www.wrightmuseum.org/
• Strawbery Banke Museum (tours, houses, gardens, exhibits, roleplayers, crafts, camps): https://www.strawberybanke.org
• McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (45,000 sq ft; observatory; 1956 Crusader jet; 10K planetarium; Science Playground): https://www.starhop.com