School’s out for the summer, and family schedules across New Hampshire are opening up. There is so much to do during summer vacation in the Granite State and only two months to pack it all in. Take advantage of the beautiful weather and see how many activities you can cross off the list.
1. Swing by Canobie Lake Park and let loose on the Boston Tea Party and other water rides. These attractions close in September, so make sure to catch them while you can.
2. If you want to have fun while keeping your feet on the ground, try your hand at mini golf or go-karting at Chuckster’s Family Fun Park in Chichester.
3. Host a cookout and invite all of your neighbors. Nothing brings people together like food.
4. Visit one (or a few) of New Hampshire’s 93 state park properties. Summer is the perfect time to hike, camp and fish before everything is buried in snow.
5. Plan a family road trip. Whether it’s across the state or across the country, make sure to include a few fun stops en route to your destination.
6. Catch a play. New Hampshire is one of the birthplaces of summer theatre. At the Palace Theatre in Manchester, the Summer Children’s Series brings popular tales like Beauty and the Beast,Aladdin and Snow White to life throughout July and August.
7. Make a reading list and stick to it. Concord Public Library hosts a themed Summer Reading Program each year. This year is all about “SPACE: A Universe of Stories!”
8. Have a picnic at the beach, at a park or in your own backyard. Just lay out a blanket and invite some friends. Lemonade is a must-have.
9. Make it your mission to track down the best ice cream in the region. Granite State Candy Shoppe in downtown Concord is one place to start your quest.
10. Cap off your Fourth of July celebrations by attending a local fireworks show.
11. Dust off a puzzle during a summer storm.
12. Spruce up your yard with a beautiful summer garden. Tomatoes, marigolds and blueberries flourish in the heat.
13. Go for a stroll along the beach and collect interesting shells.
14. Calling all space lovers! Enjoy space-related speakers and topics at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center’s Super Stellar Fridays on the first Friday of each month.
15. Clear skies and warm weather are the right conditions for bird watching. Find a quiet area with a good view of the sky and break out some binoculars.
16. Fly a kite. Pick a day with light winds and an open area where your kite won’t catch on anything.
17. At the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, New Hampshire residents who arrive before noon on the second Saturday of each month enjoy free general admission.
18. Join a monthly community hike on more than 80 miles of Concord trails.
19. Take to the water on a river or lake near you. The Contoocook River Canoe Company offers canoe, kayak and paddleboard rentals, as well as beginner courses.
20. Stop by the 45th annual Concord Market Days Festival on June 20 to 22 in downtown Concord. Attendance is free and there is a plethora of vendors, music, food and more.
21. Make time for a family bike ride.
22. Spend your free time giving back. There are plenty of local organizations doing important work that could use volunteers.
23. Attend an Old Home Day celebration. This tradition originated in New Hampshire over a century ago and is still recognized by over 30 towns.
24. Summer is the perfect time for stargazing. All you need to do is step outside and search for constellations.
25. Check out some beautiful creations at the Concord Arts Market, held on Saturdays in Bicentennial Square through September.
26. Spend an evening at the Milford Drive-In Theater. It’s the only drive-in theater in southern New Hampshire, complete with two screens and fully stocked concessions.
27. Snooze through the dog days of summer in an outdoor hammock.
28. Take yourself to the ball game and watch the Fisher Cats face other Minor League teams at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester.
29. Fill up some balloons and have a good old-fashioned water balloon fight.
30. Go strawberry picking at a patch near you.
What other fun ideas can you think of to do?