Nashua, New Hampshire was once a thriving mill town but has transformed into a vibrant city with a blend of history, culture, and modernity. This destination is located along the banks of the Nashua and Merrimack rivers, with the former crossing right through the heart of the city, past the scenic Mine Falls Park. Lovers of kayaking or canoeing have loads of opportunities to have fun at this park. Because of these features, Nashua ranks among New Hampshire’s most beautiful cities.
Nashua is known to have played a significant role in the American Industrial Revolution, with its numerous textile mills. Today, visitors can find out about Nashua’s rich past at the Nashua Historical Society and the Abbot-Spalding House Museum.
As the second-largest city in the state, Nashua also boasts a thriving arts scene, with the Nashua Symphony Orchestra providing entertainment for residents and tourists. To help visitors make the most of their trip, this comprehensive guide to Nashua covers everything one needs to know, from the things to do to the best time to visit, and so much more.
Things To Do In Nashua, New Hampshire
Nashua’s main draws are its parks that are established along the city’s rivers. However, this destination also appeals to sports and history lovers. This city certainly offers awesome things to do in New Hampshire and below are some of the top recommendations.
13 Visit Mine Falls Park
A trail in Mine Falls Park, Nashua
Mine Falls Park is found in the heart of Nashua, along the banks of the Nashua River. In fact, the park sits between the river and Nashua Canal Reservoir, which feeds Mill Pond (also found in Mine Falls Park).
With more than 300 acres, this site is excellent for those who love spending time in nature. There are paved hiking and biking trails charted through Mine Falls Park, leading to sites like the river, waterfalls, and even picnic sites.
Visitors also get a chance to view wildlife and go boating or fishing. Plus, those who drop by in winter can enjoy some cross-country skiing.
-
Address
: Whipple Street Nashua, NH 03060, United States -
Hours
: 6 am – 10 pm (daily) -
Admission
: Free
12 Hike Or Bike The Nashua River Rail Trail
A section of the Nashua River Rail Trail
The Nashua River Rail Trail runs along the river from Nashua all the way to Ayer in Massachusetts, a 12-mile stretch. Nashua’s section starts in Downtown Nashua, and it crosses several neighborhoods on the south side of the city. Most of it is paved, making it ideal for both hikers and bikers.
Visitors can choose to hike the entire rail trail, which should take roughly four hours to complete. Those who prefer this will go past the tows of Dunstable, Pepperell, and Groton, and end at Ayer. Still, tourists can explore just part of the trail in Nashua and get marvelous views of the Nashua River along the way.
-
Address
: Nashua River Rail Trailhead, Nashua, NH 03062, United States -
Hours
: 24 hours (daily)
11 Hang Out At Greeley Park
A building in Greeley Park, Nashua
Greeley Park boasts about 125 acres of space in which there are facilities like tennis courts, picnic areas, playgrounds, and a wading pool among others. This park’s story goes back to the late 1800s when it was a farm owned by the Greeley family before being donated to the city in the early 1900s.
Today, it is a space that’s popular among locals and tourists, offering stunning scenery made up of flower gardens, trees, and open fields. Visitors can explore the park via the network of paved trails that lead to Greeley Park’s different facilities, including the Merrimack River.
-
Address
: Greeley Park, 100 Concord St, Nashua, NH 03064, United States -
Hours
: 6 am – 10 pm (daily)
10 Learn About Local History At The Nashua Historical Society
Abbot-Spalding House Museum operated by the Nashua Historical Society
The Nashua Historical Society has been involved in preserving the city’s history since its establishment in 1870. The society runs two museums: the Abbot-Spalding House Museum and the Florence H. Speare Memorial Museum.
Both of these sites, and the historical society’s premises, have collections of thousands of photographs, artifacts, and documents combined, allowing visitors to learn all they need to know about Nashua’s history.
Visitors get to learn about Nashua’s culture over the centuries, its industrial history, and the city’s links to the Underground Railroad.
-
Address
: 5 Abbott St, Nashua, NH 03064, United States -
Hours
: Tue – Thu: 9 am – 4 pm (closed from Fri – Mon); Guided Tours from 10 am – 3 pm
9 Explore The Lovewell Pond Yudicky Farm – Conservation Area
The Nashua River in Nashua, NH
This site is found on the southern edge of Nashua, along the New Hampshire, Massachusetts border. It’s a scenic area with forests and the Lovewell Pond at the center.
Lovewell Pond Yudicky Farm has over 30 trails that vary in difficulty level, leading to different parts of the conservation area. These trails are ideal for hikers, bikers, and even joggers. And, in winter, visitors can enjoy snowshoeing and skiing on some of these trails.
-
Address
: 9 Jenny Hill Ln, Nashua, NH 03062, United States -
Hours
: 24 hours (daily)
8 Catch A Baseball Match At Holman Stadium
Holman Stadium exterior view
Constructed in 1937, Holman Stadium has over the years hosted numerous baseball matches, a role that it plays to date. The stadium is also a venue for concerts and events, so visitors are likely to find something happening at this site.
Lovers of baseball will enjoy learning about the Nashua Silver Knights, a collegiate summer baseball team that calls this stadium home. It’s also the home field of the Rivier Baseball team.
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Address
: 67 Amherst St, Nashua, NH 03064, United States
Pheasant Lane Mall interior
Pheasant Lane Mall is ranked among the largest malls in New Hampshire, with close to a million square feet of shopping space. This mall in south Nashua has over 100 stores, selling everything from fashion to electronics.
There are also dining spots that include Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chick-fil-A, and Dairy Queen.
-
Address
: 310 Daniel Webster Hwy, Nashua, NH 03060, United States -
Hours
: Mon – Thu: 10 am – 8 pm; Fri & Sat: 10 am – 9 pm; Sun: 11 am – 6 pm
6 Enjoy Indoor Skydiving At SkyVenture New Hampshire
SkyVenture New Hampshire exterior
The unparalleled thrill of actual skydiving can be harnessed at this indoor skydiving venue, Skyventure New Hampshire. Those interested receive training and instruction on body position and hand signals used during the flight.
Once ready, they experience the sensation of free-falling in a vertical wind tunnel that allows participants to float in midair.
SkyVenture also has indoor surfing, a rock climbing wall, and a rotating barrel ride, making this the ideal place to visit for thrill seekers.
-
Address
: 100 Adventure Way, Nashua, NH 03060, United States -
Hours
: Sat & Sun: 11 am – 6 pm; Wed – Fri: 2 pm – 8 pm (closed on Mon & Tue) -
Price
: From $55
5 Where To Eat In Nashua
A street in Nashua, New Hampshire
Famous foods in New Hampshire include apple cider donuts, clam chowder, maple syrup sundaes, and lots more that can be enjoyed in Nashua. Here’s a look at some of the places to eat in this destination.
Breakfast
-
Address
: 108 Spit Brook Rd, Nashua, NH 03062, United States -
Hours
: 5 am – 10 pm (daily) -
Popular Meals
: Breakfast Burritos, Nana’s Egg Sandwich, Smoked Salmon Bagel, Toasted Bagel, Freshly Baked Muffins
-
Address
: 149 Daniel Webster Hwy, Nashua, NH 03060, United States -
Hours
: Sun – Wed: 5:30 am – 10 pm; Thu – Sat: 5:30 am – 2 am -
Popular Meals
: Moe’s Steal Tips & Eggs, Pancakes, Belgian Waffles, Stuffed French Toast, Farmers Omelet
Lunch/Dinner
-
Address
: 310 Daniel Webster Hwy, Nashua, NH 03060, United States -
Hours
: Mon – Thu: 11:30 am – 9:30 pm; Fri & Sat: 11:30 am – 10:30 pm; Sun: 11:30 am – 9 pm -
Popular Meals
: Mediterranean Chicken Risotto, Braised Short Ribs, Cheeseburger, California Chicken Sandwich, Crab Cakes
-
Address
: 207 Main St, Nashua, NH 03060, United States -
Hours
: Tue – Sun: 4 pm – 9 pm (closed on Mon) -
Popular Meals
: Smoked Philly Sushi Roll, Lobster Maki, Tuna Sashimi, Salmon Nigiri
Dinner/Drinks
-
Address
: 48 Main St, Nashua, NH 03064, United States -
Hours
: Mon – Thu: 4 pm – 1 am; Fri: 12 pm – 1 am; Sat: 11 am – 1 am; Sun: 10 am – 1 am -
Popular Meals
: Ped’s Burger, Fish and Chips, Guinness Beef Stew, Cottage Pie, Ped’s Cobb Salad -
Drinks
: Bloody Maria, Peddler’s Mimosa, Peddler’s Punch
-
Address
: 212 Main St, Nashua, NH 03060, United States -
Hours
: Tue – Sat: 4 pm – 9 pm (closed on Sun & Mon) -
Popular Meals
: Chicken Milanese, Bacon Jam Filet, Almond Encrusted Salmon, Apple Cider Brined Pork Chop -
Drinks
: Espresso Martini, Irish Iced Coffee, Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc, J Pinot Noir
-
Address
: 1 Elm St, Nashua, NH 03060, United States -
Hours
: Tue – Thu: 5 pm – 12 am; Fri & Sat: 5 pm – 1 am (closed on Sun & Mon) -
Drinks
: Old Fashioned, Martini, Negroni, Sazerac, Aviation, Moscow Mule
4 Where To Stay In Nashua, New Hampshire
Cars in Downtown Nashua, New Hampshire.
Finding a place to stay in Nashua is easy enough, though the town is quite small.
Hotels
Residence Inn by Marriott Nashua
Homewood Suites by Hilton Gateway Hills Nashua
-
Address
:
15 Tara Boulevard, Nashua, NH 03062 -
Price
: From $184 -
Amenities
: Gym, tennis court, indoor pool, complimentary breakfast, laundry facilities, free parking, shuttle service, picnic area, BBQ grill, business center
-
Price
: From $109 -
Amenities
: Pool, gym, shared lounge, complimentary breakfast, laundry facilities, business center, on-site ATM, vending machines, bar
Vacation Rentals
-
Address
: Nashua, New Hampshire, United States -
Price
: From $326 -
Amenities
: 4 bedrooms, 1 bath, 3-car parking, washer & dryer, children’s books, full kitchen
-
Address
: Nashua, New Hampshire, United States -
Price
: From 226 -
Amenities
: 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, free parking, washer & dryer, exercise equipment, children’s books, workspace, full kitchen, fire pit, private patio, BBQ grill
-
Address
: Nashua, New Hampshire, United States -
Price
: From $70 -
Amenities
: Free parking, microwave, air fryer, refrigerator, shared bath
3 Best Time To Visit Nashua
The historical part of Nashua
The best time to visit Nashua is during the warmer months from May to September. However, visitors who love skiing can visit in winter. Here’s a look at what to expect in Nashua during the different seasons.
Spring (March to May)
The highs in spring range from the mid-40s to the low-70s (4 to 20 Celsius). The best month to visit during this season is May as it has the best weather. However, there are occasional rain showers, so visitors should check the weather forecast before traveling.
Still, there are a lot of beautiful spring destinations in New Hampshire near Nashua that are worth the trip.
Summer (June to August)
Summers are warm in Nashua, with temperatures ranging between the mid-60s and the mid-80s (18 – 30 Celsius). During this time, the city hosts a number of outdoor events, including the Summer Fun Run Series, the Nashua Riverwalk Summer Music Series, and the Nashua Farmers Market.
Autumn (September to November)
Temperatures start to drop in the fall but the weather remains pleasant, especially in September and early October. Plus, the fall foliage transforms the city into a beautiful destination. This is a good time to explore the parks and spend time outdoors.
Winter (December to February)
Winter gets quite chilly, with temperatures dropping to the mid-20s (-4 Celsius). However, lovers of skiing can visit at this time and head to New Hampshire’s ski resorts, or ski spots like the Nashoba Valley Ski Area found about 30 miles away.
2 Getting Around Nashua, New Hampshire
Aerial view of Nashua, New Hampshire
Visitors arriving in the area by air will land at the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, which is the nearest airport to Nashua. It’s served by Southwest, Spirit, American Airlines, and United, with flights from cities like Baltimore, Orlando, Washington, and Philadelphia.
Still, the Logan International Airport in Boston is about an hour away.
Once in the city, tourists can use the following means to get around.
Public Transportation
The Nashua Transit System operates buses in the city, which run from around 6 am to 7 pm. However, some routes have a night service that closes at around 10:30 pm. Sadly, there are no buses on Sundays, and a few routes are served on Saturdays.
- Fares cost $1.25 per ride and monthly passes cost $40.
Car Rental
For a more convenient means of transport, visitors can rent a car and drive themselves around the area. Major car-rental companies like Enterprise, Budget, and National are found in Nashua.
1 Spending The Perfect Day In Nashua
A water body in a park in Nashua
Start the day with a morning stroll along a section of the Nashua River Rail Trail before heading for breakfast at one of Nashua’s breakfast joints. Afterward, visit the Nashua Historical Society’s museums: the Abbot-Spalding House Museum and the Florence H. Speare Memorial Museum, to learn about the city’s history.
From there, head to Mine Falls Park for a picnic lunch and spend the afternoon hiking the trails, and boating on the Nashua River. Later, head to Pheasant Lane Mall for an evening shopping spree and dinner at one of the dining spots at the mall. Then, wind down the day at a local bar or catch a night event at Holman Stadium.
FAQ
Q: How close is Nashua to Manchester?
Nashua is about 20 miles from Manchester, New Hampshire, which is about a 30-minute drive, and one of the area’s most scenic in fall.
Q: What months does it snow in Nashua?
Nashua typically receives snow throughout winter (December to February) to early March, but sometimes it may snow as early as November. This makes Nashua one of New Hampshire’s winter destinations for lovers of snow activities.
Q: Is Nashua a city or a town?
Nashua is a city, and it was incorporated into one in 1853. However, it’s a small city—but one of New Hampshire’s best—with an area of just 32 square miles.
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