Explore the Merrimack Valley Region

The Merrimack Valley Region is in south central New Hampshire. It is roughly 35 miles wide and extends from Canterbury south to the Massachusetts border. The region gets its name fro the Merrimack River which runs right through it. Concord, the state capitol, is situated here along with the state’s largest city, Manchester. Other notable cities include Nashua, Merrimack, Salem and Derry. To the east of the Merrimack Valley is the Seacoast Region and to the west is the Monadnock Region. Some of the attractions include the Christa Macauliffe Planetarium and New Hampshire Historical Society Museum both of which are located in Concord. The New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon is always a popular spot, and America’s Stonehenge is located in North Salem. It is said that one can determine solar and lunar events of the year here. One of the nicer travel routes is the “Canterbury Shaker Village Byway.” It is only 20 minutes from Concord. The byway runs right through this 694 acre village that steps you back into the past into the life of the Shaker. It is filled with scenic beauty of its woodlands, ponds, botanical garden, conservation areas and more. It totals about 24 miles round trip and is a must see.


Points of Interest:
Christa McAuliffe Planetarium
Canterbury Shaker Village
Merrimack Valley Attractions
Visit New England
Historic Homes and Sites
NH Historical Society
Area Attractions  

State Parks:
NH Division of Parks and Receation
Bear Brook State Park
Clough State Park
Hannah Duston Memorial
Northwood Meadows State Park
Pawtuckaway State Park
Robert Frost Farm
Silver Lake State Park
Taylor Mill State Historic Site

Routes and Maps:
Visit NH: The Merrimack Valley Region

Scenic Byways:
The Apple Way
Amoskeag Millyard
Currier and Ives Trail
Route 3A - Manchester to Nashua - 17 miles - Bancroft Hwy