Museums
Crazy for butterflies? Check out The Butterfly Place!
On a recent trip to Key West, my children and I visited a beautiful butterfly museum. Amazing! Inside the rainforest-esque atmosphere where thousands of colorful butterflies fluttering about the tropical flowers. It was eye candy of the best kind. Who …
Seabrook’s Nature & Science Center. Best Kept Activity Secret (Not Anymore!).
Did you know that Seabrook Nuclear Power Station has a free educational science and nature center? Did you know you can find a Barbie doll, a bicycle and a rare orange and white lobster inside? This is going to be …
Spencer-Pierce-Little Farm
The Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm is a family-friendly site with activities for visitors of all ages. It features an imposing architectural jewel, a late seventeenth-century major house built as the country seat of wealthy Newburyport merchants. It is also a foster farm …
Currier Museum of Art
150 Ash Street, Manchester NH(603) 669-6144http://www.currier.org The Currier Museum of Art is an internationally renowned art museum located in Manchester, New Hampshire. The Currier features European and American paintings, decorative arts, photographs and sculpture, including works by Picasso, Monet, O’Keeffe, …
Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve at Laudholm Farm
342 Laudholm Farm Road, Wells ME (207) 646-1555 http://www.wellsreserve.org/ Notes: Seven miles of hiking and cross-country skiing trails provide access to woodlands, fields, wetlands, beach, and dunes. The Visitor’s Center has exhibits, videos, brochures, trail maps, and a gift shop. …
Wells Auto Museum
1181 Post Rd Wells, ME (207) 646-9064 (June – September) (207) 646-5054 (Off Season) www.wellsautomuseum.com Notes: Offers a collection of over 80 antique and classic cars. Children under 6 are free.
Seashore Trolley Museum
195 Log Cabin Road, Kennebunkport ME (207) 967-2712 http://www.trolleymuseum.org Notes: Visit the oldest, and largest electric railway museum in the world. Seasonal hours. Children under 5 are free.
Museums of Old York
207 York Street, York ME (207) 363-4974 http://www.oldyork.org Notes: Explore nine historic museum buildings, a contemporary art gallery and outdoor gardens. Children under 6 free, admission is for two consecutive days.
Ogunquit Museum of American Art
543 Shore Road, Ogunquit ME (207) 646-4909 http://www.ogunquitmuseum.org Notes: Seasonal hours. Children under 12 are free.
Lowell’s Boat Shop
459 Main Street, Amesbury MA (978) 834-0050 http://www.lowellsboatshop.com/ Notes: National historic landmark dedicated to preserving and perpetuating the art and craft of wooden boat building. Learn about boat models, building and see other historial maritime artifacts. Museum has limited hours, …
Historical Society of Old Newbury
98 High Street, Newburyport MA (978) 462-2681 http://www.newburyhist.org/ Notes: Offers tours of the Cushing House and garden. Museum open seasonally, but offers special holiday tours and programs. Children under 5 are free.
Custom House Maritime Museum
25 Water Street Newburyport, MA 01950-2754 (978) 462-8681 http://www.customhousemaritimemuseum.org/ Notes: Seaside museum offering a unique collection of maritime art, model clipper ships, displays of famous shipwrecks, the history of the Coast Guard and more. Children under 12 are free.
McCauliffe-Shepard Discovery Center & Planetarium
2 Institute Drive, Concord NH (603) 271-7827 http://www.starhop.com/ Notes: Hands-on museum dedicated to space exploration offering weekly youth programs, specialty theater showings, day and overnight camps and birthday parties.
American Independence Museum
One Governors Lane, Exeter NH (603) 772-2622 www.independencemuseum.org Notes: Historical museum focused on discovering the stories behind America’s revolutionary past. Children 6 and under are free.
Albacore Park
600 Market Street, Portsmouth NH (603) 436-3680www.ussalbacore.org Notes: Hands-on submarine tour and museum which contains many photographs and historic artifacts from Albacore and other submarines. Children under 7 are free, or a family pack of 4 is $10. The park …
Seacoast African American Cultural Center
Discover Portsmouth Center, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth NH (603) 430-6027 http://saacc-nh.org/ Notes: Museum offering concerts, educational programs, exhibits from notable artists, and valuable collections of African artifacts.
Great Bay Discovery Center
89 Depot Road, Greenland NH (603)778-0015 www.greatbay.org Notes: Seasonal (May – October) marine discovery center offering special programs, touch tanks, outdoor trails.
Historic New England
Gov. John Langdon House 143 Pleasant Street, Portsmouth NH (603)436-3205 www.historicnewengland.org Notes: Historical museums and exhibits throughout the New England area.
Strawbery Bank Museum
14 Hancock Street, Portsmouth NH (603)433-1100 www.strawberybanke.org Notes: Historical indoor/outdoor museum offering guided tours and special season events.
Seacoast Science Center
570 Ocean Boulevard (Route 1A), Rye NH 603-436-8043 www.seacoastsciencecenter.org Notes: Marine discovery center and museum offering touch tank, special programs and events, seasonal day camps and birthday parties.
Children’s Museum of New Hampshire
6 Washington Street, Dover NH (603)742-2002 www.childrens-museum.org Notes: Experiential and learning environment for kids offering special programs and exhibits, seasonal day camps and birthday parties.
