Concord, NH Area Guide

As a state capital, Concord has a lot of presidential history. The Phenix Hall on Main Street is a large auditorium used for many different purposes. Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln both gave speeches there.

The oldest standing house in Concord is located on Main Street, as well. Referred to as the Walker-Woodman House, it was built between 1733 and 1735 for the Reverend Timothy Walker and his family.

The most visible attraction in Concord is the New Hampshire State House. This gorgeous Federal-style building was constructed in the early 1800s and is today the oldest state house in the United States where a state legislature still meets. You can tour it for free. While you're at it, be sure to get pictures of the lovely gardens in front of the building and the shining gold eagle on top.

The Eagle Hotel, now a historic landmark, is also a must-see. Located across the street from the state house, it was an active hotel for 150 years, and entertained such well-known historical figures as Rutherford B. Hayes, Franklin Pierce, Ulysses S. Grant, Benjamin Harrison, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Richard Nixon as its guests.

There are two interstates that serve Concord. These are Interstates 93 and 89. Both of them join up with each other just south of the city. Interstate 89 links Concord to Vermont, while Interstate 93 links it to Massachusetts (and Boston, in particular). Interstate 93 is usually free of much traffic, but can get very congested on Friday afternoons as commuters who work in Boston during the week come home to New Hampshire for the weekends. In addition to the two main interstates, there is also a mini-interstate, number 393, which serves to connect the city of Concord specifically to Route 4, which leads to the state's small sea coast.

There is also bus service within the city, which is provided by the Concord Area Transit Company. It has five routes within Concord. Other companies are located in town that provide longer-distance bus travel, such as the Concord Transportation Center, which offers routes to Boston, with stops at all the main cities along the way.

Concord has no passenger rail service, and there is no Amtrak stop there. The small Concord Municipal Airport is in town for commuter and private planes. However, to get Amtrak service or commercial flights, it is necessary to travel about 30 minutes south to Manchester.