Manchester is the largest city in both New Hampshire and Northern New England.  Located 20 miles north of the New Hampshire-Massachusetts border, it rests in a valley surrounded by lakes, woods, the Amoskeag Falls and the Presidential Chain of the White Mountains.  Its winters are long and snowy (nearly 70 inches of snow per year on average) and its summers are mild.

Known for its historic sites, Manchester is home to the Amoskeag Millyard (listed on the National Register of Historic Places) and the Currier Museum of Art. Those seeking outdoor activity may be drawn to the Seacoast Region, while families with young children may find suitable activities in the Lakes Region.

Listed below are 14 free and low-cost activities for the greater Manchester area.

Merrimack Valley Region:

1. SEE Science Center- An interactive learning center located in Manchester. It promotes science and learning by offering hands-on experiences, group programs, workshops and mini courses, overnights, year around LEGO display of the Mill Yard Project, traveling exhibits, etc. Admission $6.

2. New Hampshire Conservation Center – Located in Concord. Ddemonstrates solar and wood heating methods.

3. Currier Gallery of Art - Features European and American paintings, decorative arts, photographs and sculpture, including works by Picasso, Monet, O'Keeffe, Wyeth, and LeWitt. Exhibitions, tours, and programs year-round. Manchester.

Seacoast Region:

4. Hampton Beach - 80 free evening concerts throughout the summer, as well as fireworks displays each week. Located in Hampton.

5. Prescott Park - For 34 years, this arts festival has been a favorite summer tradition on the Seacoast. 9,000 productions have been performed for the public with no fixed admission fee. Donation recommended.

White Mountains Region:

6. New England Ski Museum – Non-profit dedicated to the preservation of the history of skiing. Located in Franconia.

7. Village of Littleton - Take a self-guided tour of Littleton Grist Mill, which opened for business in 1798 and became the nucleus of this village’s industry.

Lakes Region:

8. Funspot Arcade – Located in Weirs Beach, Laconia, Funspot is the largest arcade in the world with the largest selection of classic games anywhere. It features more than 500 games, an indoor golf center, a 20 lane ten pin & candlepin bowling center, cash bingo, mini-golf, and a restaurant.

9. Kahuna Laguna Indoor Water Park - Northern New England’s first indoor water park. It is located at the Red Jacket Mountain View Resort in North Conway. The water park is 40,000 square feet and has several tubes, a wave pool, water basketball and volleyball and water cannons. The park is open year round rain or shine.

10. Dartmouth College Hood Museum of Art - Recognized by the American Association of Museums as "a national model," this is one of the oldest and largest college museums in the country. Unique collections, artifacts, exhibitions, and educational programs.

11. Canaan Historical Museum - This museum is devoted to 18th and 19th century history, with Shaker items on exhibit. Located in Lebanon.

Monadnock Region:

12. Horatio Colony House Museum and Wildlife Refuge - The Federal style house, located on Main Street in Keene, was the home of Horatio Colony. Descended from one of Keene's historic families. It is a 614-acre wildlife refuge of diverse plant communities, wetlands, rock outcroppings, stone walls and foundations.

Great North Woods Region:

13. Christy’s Maple Farm, – See how pure New England maple syrup is made, then try a sample. Located in Lancaster.

Statewide:

14. New Hampshire State Parks - 25 of New Hampshire’s state parks are available for public enjoyment, including Atlantic Ocean beaches, lakes, mountain hiking trails, birding and the most-climbed mountain in America - Monadnock. Copies of the new State Parks Guide are available at the parks and all state welcome centers.