NH enjoyable in the summertime

Looking again at summer time 2025, which appears to have passed by like a flash of sunshine, dry and sizzling after a wet and moist spring, it’s attention-grabbing to think about the alternatives round us, which have offered enjoyable to us and our household, residents and guests alike.

In early August, an invite to go to and tour the renovated Manning House at Brookside Congregational Church on North Elm Street in Manchester, a spot many experience by on daily basis on their approach to work, offered a reminder of what a gem the place is, and the way tied it’s to Manchester and New Hampshire historical past.

Mary Carpenter Manning, who introduced collectively two of the outstanding Manchester households, constructed her dwelling on this 10-acre website.  Rather than hold it personal, Brookside Congregational Church was constructed adjoining and linked to her mansion. Now renovated, the location not solely continues as a spot of worship, however seeks to change into a neighborhood heart obtainable to teams who wish to meet and develop. A capital marketing campaign linked to that’s geared toward offering funds for this function. Look it up on the web.

Watching grandchildren play is instructive as to what alternatives for them to study and try are proper round us. The SEE Science Center in Manchester’s Millyard is a enjoyable place for them to study. A bit farther away, simply over the bridge from Hanover in Vermont, is the Montshire Museum, which, in the summertime, not solely has the science heart contained in the constructing however a pleasant outdoors water platform and paths to discover. Watching the grins on younger of us in each of those locations reveals how a lot enjoyable studying might be.

In Salem, the persistently pleasant Canobie Lake Park continues its custom as a shock to younger and previous alike. Seeing it with a 3 1/2-year-old who has change into an skilled on its rides and points of interest is nice enjoyable. Looking at it objectively, administration has saved up with the instances and made this a world-class amusement park, with a terrific water park contained in the partitions, and different points of interest that pair journey with restful experiences.  See for those who can sustain with the toddlers, however don’t miss this gem close to to dwelling.

Up north, Story Land and Santa’s Village proceed to attract enthusiastic youngsters together with their households, and are surprisingly up-to-date of their choices. While within the neighborhood, households get to go to Franconia Notch with the Flume and Pool, Cannon Mountain, and the entire climbing and different pure adventures.

Back all the way down to the Sunapee area, my favourite a part of New Hampshire, climbing Mount Kearsarge both from Wilmot (more durable) or Warner (simpler) supplies the chance to see the most effective views within the state. At Mount Sunapee State Park, not solely does the annual League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Fair present one of many premier experiences every summer time at the start of August, however all through the season of us can experience the chairlift to the highest, or take pleasure in different points of interest or simply hike as much as the highest so as to benefit from the view.

Bike riders, runners and walkers can benefit from the rail trails, which proceed to develop and supply alternatives for train in addition to enjoyment of the pure fantastic thing about the state, offering a have a look at the “backyards” of many cities, the place the trains used to go. Also, many cities have path programs maintained by their conservation commissions. These range from simple to fairly difficult, however invariably are free for the approaching, and might be discovered on city web sites.  One such latest hike reminded this author and his household that irrespective of how a lot we expect we all know the cities the place we reside, there are new experiences to be discovered, proper at dwelling or shut by, each in cities and rural areas.

New Hampshire is the house to various summer time theaters which have skilled choices. Those in Peterborough, Tamworth, Winnipesaukee and New London provide guests Broadway high quality near dwelling.  For us, the New London Barn Playhouse, with its firm of pleasant interns coming from everywhere in the nation, has been a relentless pleasure this 12 months, with sudden delights from performs like “Hairspray,” “Sister Act” and “Bridges of Madison County.” Supporting such seasonal theaters hold them sturdy and enriching our state.  They additionally remind us to help the year-round choices of establishments just like the Palace Theatre in Manchester and the Music Hall in Portsmouth.

Aside from these points of interest, are the alternatives offered by the parks and leisure services offered by our cities and cities. Newly renovated playgrounds in Manchester, like that at Livingston Park, present all residents a top quality and enjoyable time, with out nice price. People can go to Livingston Park, stroll round Dorrs Pond, and go throughout the road to the Puritan to get ice cream, with out breaking the financial institution.

We are extremely fortunate to reside in a spot like New Hampshire, and may take time to determine the alternatives subsequent door, in our cities or the adjoining ones, and reap the benefits of them.

Slow down and revel in what’s round us.

Brad Cook is a Manchester legal professional. The views expressed on this column are his personal. He might be reached at bradfordcook01@gmail.com.