Manchester, New Hampshire

Welcome to my first adventure and post exploring Manchester, New Hampshire! Nestled in the heart of New England, Manchester is a vibrant city with a rich history, diverse culture, and endless opportunities for adventure. Manchester has something to offer everyone, whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, or food enthusiast.

Explore Arms Park and the Heritage Trail along the beautiful Merrimack River. Follow me for a walk down Elm Street to Veteran’s Memorial Park. The street is filled with cleverly named restaurants, shops, and services that capture the vibrant spirit of Manchester. It’s the perfect place to immerse yourself in the local culture and support small businesses that are the backbone of the American economy.

Manchester, New Hampshire is a city that invites you to explore, discover, and appreciate its unique charms. So whether you’re a resident or a visitor passing through, join me on a journey to experience the spirit of Manchester!

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Stark Park

Capturing New Hampshire’s historical markers is one of my challenges for New Hampshire Live Free and Explore. A visit to Stark Park to log another marker and learn more about one of the State’s famous icons seemed like a good start.

Who is John Stark from New Hampshire? General John Stark, a native of the Granite State, is renowned for his fearless-bravery, unwavering determination, and indomitable spirit. As a military leader during the American Revolutionary War, Stark was pivotal in securing the freedoms we enjoy today.

Known as “The hero of Bennington”, Stark’s contributions would extend beyond the battlefield. He famously uttered the phrase, “Live free or die; death is not the worst of evils.”  a sentiment that has become the motto of the great state of New Hampshire.

Arms Park

I wanted to park close to the Merrimack River to capture some pictures to share. The Merrimack runs through the heart of Manchester and was the key to its historic Mill Town evolution. Arms Street parking lot provided plenty of parking and a perfect start to the day’s exploring.

Arms Park was a fun find as I began to walk The Heritage Trail along the river. It is less of a “Park” and more of a viewing area to soak in the Merrimack River. The water was high from Spring runoff but was a nice spot to view the surrounding mill buildings and the river.

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Ralph Baer / Father of Video Games

A short walk down the Heritage trail led to a handsome guy sitting at a park bench. Ralph Baer is the “Father of Video Games” and is a legendary figure in the world of gaming.

Born in Manchester, NH, Baer is credited with inventing the first video game console, the Magnavox Odyssey. His pioneering work laid the foundation for the multi-billion dollar industry we know today.

Check out my post on Weirs Beach in Laconia, NH, and the section on Funspot for a great place to explore and share some family fun.

The Millyard Museum

The Millyard Museum is, most definitely, on my bucket list of things to return to Manchester for. I knew it wasn’t open during my Monday adventure, but I was pleasantly surprised to find the lobby and hallway open to the public. It gave me a great glimpse of what the museum must be like and a few great pics to share in this post.

The pictures and artifacts from the various industries that flourished in this Millyard era help to immerse you in life from that time. I look forward to exploring the Millyard Museum in Manchester, NH, and discovering the rich history and fascinating stories of Manchester.

From textiles to technology, the museum offers a glimpse into the past and highlights the innovative spirit that shaped Manchester.

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A Stroll Down Elm Street

Whenever I am out exploring a new town or city, I like to try and capture some of the downtown vibe to promote the businesses, services, and character they provide. With over 115,000 citizens, Manchester is New Hampshire’s biggest city. It will take several posts to better capture the essence of the city, but my stroll down Elm Street is a start.

You can’t help but be mesmerized by the incredible brick buildings that dominate the downtown area. Many have been repurposed from Millyard buildings into business hubs and housing. The University of New Hampshire building is a great example of repurposing old buildings for creative new demand.

Any downtown with a Ben and Jerry’s gets an automatic bump on the ratings chart in my opinion!

Veterans Memorial Park

Walking around Veterans Memorial Park provided a chance to remember all we have to be thankful for. The park does a great job of celebrating and acknowledging those who have served and are currently serving our country.

Veteran’s Park is the first downtown park created in the city of Manchester. Over 30,000 people came by train to see the opening of this park on September 11th, 1879.

Outdoor concerts and events occur in the park throughout the year. Per the city website, scheduled events include People Fest, the Downtown Film Fest, the YWCA’s Take Back the Night, the annual Adopt-A-Block fair, and many more.

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I hope you have enjoyed this first of what I expect will be many more posts on the city of Manchester. Feel free to leave comments or suggestions on future things to highlight or explore within the city!

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Until the next post: “Live Free and Explore!”