Looking for cheap summer fun in Concord, New Hampshire? Check out our 12 ideas for completely FREE summer fun in the Concord, NH area:
1. Visit a playground in the Concord Area
We've enjoyed several playgrounds all over the Concord area. Here's some local favorites and why:
- White Park's Monkey Around Playground- Largest playground in Concord with wooden structures and tons to do. It is set to be totally redone with handicap accessible equipment.
- Merrill Park- Nice, clean park away from the busyness of downtown Concord. Also, visit Merrimack River Outdoor Education & Conservation Area right behind it!
- Boscawen Town Park- My boys LOVE this one, because of the merry-go-round! It is also adjacent to the Northern Rail Trail, so you may want to bring your stroller, bikes, or even horses if you have them!
- McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center is building a Science Playground and we can’t wait!!! (Museum passes are also available at many local libraries.)
- Donati Park- See the photo of it below. It's a large playground that includes a long series of equipment lined up to test children's gross motor skills (and fun for adults, I had to test it out!).
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2. Splash at a Concord Area swimming hole
There are some great bodies of water to cool off in this summer! We do enjoy the Merrimack River but be sure to not go in very far and/or wear life jackets especially when the water level is high.
- The Beach at Riverland Conservation Area (Canterbury)
- Clough Pond (Loudon residents only, must have dump sticker)
- Bear Brook State Park (free if your library carries passes for NH State Parks)
- Kimball Pond (Hopkinton residents only)
- Daisy Beach on the Contoocook River accessible from the Jim Hill Riverwalk
- Sewall Falls Recreation Area (Be careful especially with children!)
3. Enjoy the Market Days Festival
Market Days is a 3-day street festival planned by Intown Concord, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with deep roots in downtown Concord, New Hampshire. The festival encompasses most of Main Street and includes 150+ vendors selling clothes, food, jewelry, and MORE! In addition, the festival offers three stages of live music featuring locally and nationally known entertainers. There will be a KidZone area where they can play and listen to music, make friendship bracelets, bounce in a bounce house etc.
4. Go to your local library!
Libraries are great places to find book and magazines, but there's so much more! Did you know you may be able to borrow a telescope, activity kits, learning tablets, museum passes, or even a sewing machine from your local library?! Here's our big list of things to borrow! Also, don't miss all the Summer Reading Programs happening locally.
5. Enjoy live music in the Concord Area
- At Farmers Markets
- Live Music with the Library
- Music on the Green at Canterbury Shaker Village
- Music on the Patio at The Courtyard by Marriott Concord
- Tuesday Night Concerts with the Nevers Band
6. Take a hike in the Concord Area
Did you know Concord alone has over 80 miles of trails?! Check out 17+ Hiking Trails for Families in the Concord Area to explore several local favorites!
7. Go on a mural hunt in the Concord Area
- Donkey Kong Mural
- Storrs Street
- On the side of the old CVS building on N. Main St.
- Alec J. White Memorial Mural at Loudon Skate Park
- Arnie's
- Granite State Dog Recovery
- Granite State Naturals
- Keach Park- Painted as a community project during UMUGANDA 2022
- Ralph Pill Building
- Mosaic 250 inside Concord Public Library
 Getty Images Pro via Canva |
8. Go Geocaching
Do you and your children love the outdoors, exploring new places, and looking for interesting things? Then you should try geocaching! It's a treasure hunt right in your own neighborhood.
9. Get wet at White Park's new splash pad!
If you are a Concord resident, you can get into Concord pools for free as well as their brand-new splash pad (expected to open June 17 at the time of writing this article)! Click here for hours and info.
10. Do our Concord Selfie Scavenger Hunt
Whether you want to have fun family time, a double date, or great night out with a bunch of friends, our Concord Selfie Scavenger Hunt is a totally free way to explore the Concord area. It's even better as a competition, so grab friends or family to join in on the fun!
11. Take the Kids Fishing
Free Fishing Day is always the first Saturday of June and third Saturday of January, BUT children under 16 can always fish for free in New Hampshire! Click here for more info and here for our tips.
12. Check out the Macaroni KID Concord calendar!
We have all the FREE summer events we can find on our Macaroni KID Concord events calendar, which is always free to see!
