Visiting family next week and have a day to poke around. What would you recommend seeing that isn't too far from Concord? I am up for anything to orchids, shopping, site seeing, etc. Your input is greatly appreciated.

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http://www.ci.concord.nh.us/defaulto.asp?url=/Tourdest/shaker/default.asp

Christa McCauliffe Planetarium

Shaker's Canterbury Village (actually outside, just north of city)

If you're interested in shopping, there's two small stores in downtown Concord (on Main St) that have lovely, albeit a bit pricey jewelry and arts/crafts items. One is the League of New Hampshire craftsman and the other (just a few storefronts down street) is the Capitol Craftsmen.

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And here are two more websites that'll help you find out what's going on in Concord.



http://www.concordmonitor.com/

http://www.concordnhchamber.com/

I'd recommend heading for Lake Winnepesaukee. Meredith is just an hour from Concord and is lovely. A cruise on the Mount Washington is a really fabulous way to spend a couple of hours! (see www.cruise-nh.com) For shopping, there's a large outlet mall 1/2 from Concord (which is halfway between Concord and The Lake), and there's no sales tax in NH!

Since you have family in the area, I would seriously like to know of any decent restaurants in Concord. We drive through on a semi-regular basis to visit family farther north and have never been able to find anyploace to eat.

Sorry, can't answer your question.

In addition to jewelry, downtown Concord has some other nice stores. Caardvark has some unusual gift items plus some wonderful calligraphy work (look up and behind the counter). Best pastry is at Bread and Chocolate on South Main st. Great folk art and wonderful grapevine wreaths at the Den of Antiquity. Even the Museum on NH History at Eagle Square off Main St has a great gift shop. If you want to look at flowers, drive to Mt Uncanoonuc Perennials on Mountain Rd in Goffstown. Some lovely display gardens and the day lilies should be in bloom.
The best sandwiches and soups are at In A Pinch on Pleasant St up near Concord High School. Hours are like 7:30 to 3PM right now. Absolutely fantastic cold soups. My favorite bagel place is Bagel Work on Main St. Best and only Thai is Siam Orchid on the corner of North Main and Bridge. Best Chinese/Japanese is Ginger Garden on Loudon Rd. I like the Barley House on Main St for casual dining. Best roast beef (very rare) with BBQ sauce sandwich is at Beefside on Manchester St. Thought Cheers was pretty good for casual dining (Storrs St across from Ames). The chain restaurants are all out on Loudon Rd near Steeplegate Mall.
I'll second the vote to visit Shaker Village in Canterbury. Very interesting place. You can even rent a canoe and paddle in the Merrimack River by the Everett Arena.

Thanks for the help so far! The Shaker Village sounds like fun, and some outlet shopping for a quick stop too! I'll keep checking out websites. Appreciate the ones given, I've been looking for a while and couldn't find anything but orchirds. I'm embarrased to admit that after living in Maine & Conneticut, I know very little about NH and what to visit as a tourist. Keep the ideas coming!

Do you know how long the Shakers Village tour is?

Missy: New Hampshire in general has a great deal to offer visitors, but Concord in particular does not. After the Shaker Village, I think I would head out of Concord to Lake Winnepasaukee, as suggested, or to Portsmouth and perhaps if you have time, Ogunquit, Maine. Or, you could head north out of Concord, on Rt. 93, and head for Franconia Notch and other sites in that area.

Missy, The Shaker village tour and gardens takes 2-3 hours. There is a small restaurant and gift shop on the grounds also. From west of Concord you could go to the Milford Drive-In theater, not many of those around any more. I believe that they have a website to see what current movies are showing there. To the south, Anheiser-Busch brewery, Clydesdale horse up close and beer tasting. To the east you could go to Portsmouth, Prescott Park has outdoor theater productions bring a blanket to sit on lawn, website is www.artfest.org.
You could also take the boat ride out of Portsmouth to the Isle of Shoals (approximately 2-3 hours) There is an old village called Strawberry Bank in Portsmouth with all restored 1600-1700's homes website-strawberrybanke.org. Some old forts, Fort Constitution and Fort Stark in New Castle (close to Portsmouth) and Hampton Beach for sun.
Hope this helps.
Sue

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Gail, ate a good lunch (nothing fancy, basic menu) at the Corner View Restaurant in Concord. It's on the corner of South & I think it was Clinton Sts? Phone no. = 603-229-4554. Located just outside the downtown area.