Some days call for a plan. Others start with a more spontaneous question: Where should we go today?

One of the pleasures of living in New Hampshire is that there’s rarely just one answer. Beyond the state’s better-known attractions are plenty of places worth setting aside an afternoon or an entire day to explore. They can be just as enjoyable when you’re planning time with your partner as when grandchildren are visiting, friends are in town, or you simply feel like going somewhere new.

From RiverWoods’ communities in Exeter, Durham, and Manchester, many memorable New Hampshire day trips are within reach. Here are five of the best places to visit in New Hampshire worth adding to your list, along with practical tips and approximate drive times from each of our communities.

1. Things To Do Near Manchester, NH: New Hampshire Telephone Museum, Warner

If you’re looking for unusual New Hampshire day trips, the New Hampshire Telephone Museum in Warner offers something a little different. 

The museum traces how the telephone went from a remarkable new invention to something we most of us carry in our pockets without a second thought. Visitors can see the evolution of telecommunications, try their hand at being a switchboard operator, and discover some of the unexpected people who helped shape telephone history.

It’s one of those outings where different generations may find completely different things fascinating. Grandchildren may encounter technology they’ve never seen, while parents and grandparents may recognize objects that were once part of everyday life.

Best for:

• Multigenerational family outings
• Rainy-day trips
• Anyone interested in technology, history, or nostalgia

Things to keep in mind:

• The museum is ADA compliant, with an accessible entrance and restrooms.
• Seating is available throughout the galleries.
• Guided tours require reservations; self-guided visits are also available.
• Hours vary by season, so check their website before leaving.

Approximate drive from RiverWoods:

If you’re looking for things to do in Manchester, NH, this quirky, quaint museum is closest to our Manchester community, but not too far from our Exeter or Durham communities either. 

• Manchester: 40 minutes
• Exeter: 1 hour 
• Durham: 1 hour 5 minutes

Manchester residents love the central location—close to a city, but still nestled within 29 wooded acres. RiverWoods Manchester offers convenient access to Concord, NH and the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT). Boston is also just an hour’s drive away. 

2. Intergenerational Activities for Seniors and Youth at Prescott Farm

If you enjoy learning something new while getting your hands a little dirty, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center is worth adding to your list of things to do near Manchester, NH.

Spanning 160 acres in Laconia, Prescott Farm offers a seasonal calendar of hands-on intergenerational activities for seniors and youth to explore together, inspired by food, gardening, nature, and traditional skills. Depending on when you visit, you might learn to make herb-infused oils and salves, try your hand at vegetable fermentation, make homemade ice cream, or join a garden-to-table program featuring everything from sourdough popovers to homemade pizza.

For younger visitors, programs such as Polliwogs introduce children to gardens, food, and the natural world, making Prescott Farm an especially fun option when grandchildren are visiting.

If you’d rather spend the day outdoors, the property also has several trails and field paths. Options include the half-mile Forest Trail, the one-mile Pond Loop Trail, and the Sugar Trail, which leads through the sugar bush to the Sugarhouse.

Best for:

• Spending the day with grandchildren
• Trying  hands-on cooking or gardening 
• Learning a new skill with a friend or partner
• Pairing a scheduled activity with a short walk outdoors

Things to keep in mind:

• Programs change throughout the year, so check Prescott Farm’s current calendar before planning your visit.
• Some activities may require advance registration.
• Trails are open year-round, seven days a week, from sun-up to sundown.
• Only foot travel is permitted on the trails, and pets are not allowed.
• Wear appropriate shoes and dress for the weather and terrain if you plan to explore the trails.

Approximate drive from RiverWoods:

Whether you’re looking for day trips near Exeter, NH or things to do in Manchester or Durham, Prescott Farms is just a short drive away. 

• Manchester: 1 hour
• Exeter: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Durham: 1 hour 15 minutes

3. Scenic Drives in New Hampshire: Harrisville and Dublin

Sometimes the destination isn’t one place at all.

For a slower road trip, head toward the Monadnock Region and spend the day exploring Harrisville and Dublin. 

Harrisville is an unusually well-preserved 19th-century New England mill village, with historic brick buildings, millponds, and a streetscape that makes you want to park the car and wander for a while.

From there, continue toward Dublin and Dublin Lake, with Mount Monadnock providing the backdrop along parts of the journey.

This is one of those scenic drives in New Hampshire that’s particularly appealing when fall arrives—no sightseeing agenda required. Stop whenever something catches your attention, find somewhere for lunch, and enjoy the drive itself.

Best for:

• A relaxed road trip with your partner or friends
• New Hampshire fall foliage and scenic views
• Exploring small towns at your own pace

Things to keep in mind:

• Check the opening hours of shops, restaurants, or historic sites you want to visit before setting out.
• Build in extra travel time during peak fall foliage weekends.
• Keep the itinerary flexible so you can stop at interesting places along the way.

Approximate drive to the Harrisville/Dublin area from RiverWoods:

• Manchester: 1 hour
• Exeter: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Durham: 1 hour 35 minutes

4. Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park, Cornish

Art feels different when you encounter it among gardens, trees, and views of the New Hampshire countryside.

Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park preserves the home, studios, gardens, and work of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, one of America’s most influential sculptors. Rather than simply walking through gallery after gallery, visitors can explore the historic property and encounter sculptures throughout the grounds.

Saint-Gaudens deserves a spot on your list of the best places to visit in New Hampshire because it offers something beyond the usual sightseeing stops. It’s a place where art, history, architecture, and the outdoors come together—an especially appealing destination when friends come to town.

Best for:

• Art and sculpture lovers
• History and architecture enthusiasts
• A cultural day out with visiting friends
• Spending time outdoors without hiking

Things to keep in mind:

• Accessibility varies across the historic property. The visitor center and designated parking are wheelchair-accessible, but some buildings, gardens, and recreational trails are not.
• Paths include grass, brick, asphalt, mulch, cement, and gravel, with some uneven areas.
• Check current operating hours and seasonal information before planning your visit.

Approximate drive from RiverWoods:

• Manchester: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Exeter: 1 hour 55 minutes
• Durham: 2 hours 10 minutes

5. Hikes in New Hampshire: Madame Sherri Forest, West Chesterfield, NH

A stone staircase rising out of the woods sounds more like the beginning of a novel than a New Hampshire day trip.

The ruins at Madame Sherri Forest once belonged to Antoinette “Madame Sherri” Bramare, a theatrical costume designer who built an elaborate summer home here in the 1920s. The home is gone, but remnants, including the famous stone staircase, remain within more than 500 acres of protected forest.

If you are looking for moderate to easy hikes in New Hampshire, you can explore this landmark on the two-mile Ann Stokes Loop, which leads to scenic Indian Pond. You won’t have to walk very far to spot these ruins; they are located near the parking area. If you are looking for moderate to easy hikes in New Hampshire, you can explore this landmark on the two-mile Ann Stokes Loop, which leads to scenic Indian Pond.

Best for:

• Older adults who enjoy unusual history and local stories
• Photography enthusiasts
• A walk in the woods

Things to keep in mind:

• There are no restroom facilities.
• Parking is limited.
• The historic ruins are unstable and should not be climbed.
•  Winter weather may affect accessibility. Visit the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests’ website or download their mobile app to check availability and find trail maps.

Approximate drive from RiverWoods Communities:

• Manchester: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Exeter: 2 hours 5 minutes
• Durham: 2 hours 10 minutes

RiverWoods Communities: The Best of New Hampshire Within Reach

New Hampshire has so much to discover, from lush forest trails to small-town charm, arts and culture, family fun, and gorgeous fall colors. No matter what kind of retirement lifestyle you’re envisioning, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 

Living at RiverWoods puts many of these experiences within reach of our conveniently located communities in Exeter, Durham, and Manchester. At RiverWoods, we encourage residents to get outside and explore all that New Hampshire has to offer. Our communities are designed for dynamic, active older adults who aren’t slowing down in retirement. In our resident-led communities, we offer more than just passive activities. Residents can participate in a committee, start their own initiatives, and take an active role that suits their interests, such as editing the newsletter or helping to run the on-campus store. 

And with home maintenance taken care of, there’s more room in your day for curiosity, connection, and discovering somewhere new.

If you’re ready to explore a more engaging, fulfilling, and meaningful lifestyle where you can enjoy all of the treasures New Hampshire has to offer, contact us today to schedule a visit to one of our campuses. It’s a good excuse to get out and discover some of these great places.