NH fun in the summer

Looking back at summer 2025, which seems to have gone by like a flash of light, dry and hot after a rainy and wet spring, it is interesting to consider the opportunities around us, which have provided fun to us and our family, residents and visitors alike.

In early August, an invitation to visit and tour the renovated Manning House at Brookside Congregational Church on North Elm Street in Manchester, a place many ride by every day on their way to work, provided a reminder of what a gem the place is, and how tied it is to Manchester and New Hampshire history.

Mary Carpenter Manning, who brought together two of the prominent Manchester families, built her home on this 10-acre site.  Rather than keep it private, Brookside Congregational Church was built adjacent and connected to her mansion. Now renovated, the site not only continues as a place of worship, but seeks to become a community center available to groups who want to meet and develop. A capital campaign connected to that is aimed at providing funds for this purpose. Look it up on the internet.

Watching grandchildren play is instructive as to what opportunities for them to learn and strive are right around us. The SEE Science Center in Manchester’s Millyard is a fun place for them to learn. A bit farther away, just over the bridge from Hanover in Vermont, is the Montshire Museum, which, in the summer, not only has the science center inside the building but a delightful outside water platform and paths to explore. Watching the smiles on young folks in both of these places shows how much fun learning can be.

In Salem, the persistently delightful Canobie Lake Park continues its tradition as a surprise to young and old alike. Seeing it with a 3 1/2-year-old who has become an expert on its rides and attractions is great fun. Looking at it objectively, management has kept up with the times and made this a world-class amusement park, with a great water park inside the walls, and other attractions that pair adventure with restful experiences.  See if you can keep up with the toddlers, but don’t miss this gem near to home.

Up north, Story Land and Santa’s Village continue to draw enthusiastic children along with their families, and are surprisingly up-to-date in their offerings. While in the neighborhood, families get to visit Franconia Notch with the Flume and Pool, Cannon Mountain, and all of the hiking and other natural adventures.

Back down to the Sunapee region, my favorite part of New Hampshire, climbing Mount Kearsarge either from Wilmot (harder) or Warner (easier) provides the opportunity to see one of the best views in the state. At Mount Sunapee State Park, not only does the annual League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Fair provide one of the premier experiences each summer at the beginning of August, but throughout the season folks can ride the chairlift to the top, or enjoy other attractions or just hike up to the top in order to enjoy the view.

Bike riders, runners and walkers can enjoy the rail trails, which continue to expand and provide opportunities for exercise as well as enjoyment of the natural beauty of the state, providing a look at the “backyards” of many towns, where the trains used to go. Also, many towns have trail systems maintained by their conservation commissions. These vary from easy to quite challenging, but invariably are free for the coming, and can be found on town websites.  One such recent hike reminded this writer and his family that no matter how much we think we know the towns where we live, there are new experiences to be found, right at home or close by, both in cities and rural locations.

New Hampshire is the home to a number of summer theaters that have professional offerings. Those in Peterborough, Tamworth, Winnipesaukee and New London offer visitors Broadway quality close to home.  For us, the New London Barn Playhouse, with its company of delightful interns coming from all over the country, has been a constant joy this year, with unexpected delights from plays like “Hairspray,” “Sister Act” and “Bridges of Madison County.” Supporting such seasonal theaters keep them strong and enriching our state.  They also remind us to support the year-round offerings of institutions like the Palace Theatre in Manchester and the Music Hall in Portsmouth.

Aside from these attractions, are the opportunities provided by the parks and recreational facilities provided by our towns and cities. Newly renovated playgrounds in Manchester, like that at Livingston Park, provide all residents a quality and fun time, without great cost. People can visit Livingston Park, walk around Dorrs Pond, and go across the street to the Puritan to get ice cream, without breaking the bank.

We are incredibly lucky to live in a place like New Hampshire, and should take time to figure out the opportunities next door, in our towns or the adjacent ones, and take advantage of them.

Slow down and enjoy what is around us.

Brad Cook is a Manchester attorney. The views expressed in this column are his own. He can be reached at bradfordcook01@gmail.com.