Everything they we're friendly knowable good selection of accessories lots of great ideas for local…read moremeetups

During my temporary time working in the area I would visit often to take advantage of the free WiFi…read morebut it soon became a second home for me the staff is super friendly and helpful, securing me private rooms to conduct work and helping to direct me to all the amazing attractions there are around the town, and of course I have to mention they have an amazing selection of books and other forms of entertainment for all ages.

During the fall and winter months, I try to stop at one of the libraries in the area as part of my…read moreusual weekend errand-run. If you live in southern NH, your library card will give you free access to most of the libraries in the area: Manchester, Bedford, Hooksett, Derry, Merrimack, Salem and a couple others. Very cool! Bedford has a great selection of books, including a decent amount of new titles. They have a huge collection of DVDs, including many TV series (since I dumped cable years ago I find this to be a great thing). The best part is they also have around 150+ blu-ray discs-as far as I know this is the only area library that carries them. There is a nice reading area in the back, lots of computers, an excellent kids section (the whole bottom floor, in fact), and it seems they have many public events during the week (movies, concerts, and such). My only disappointment is their graphic novel section is a little light, but seems to be growing. If you are into that kind of thing, Manchester has the best selection.

Good place serving the community we can read or borrow book can rent a meeting room. Lots of local…read moreactivities. Easy to find a parking.

A home away from home. A literal refuge in the storm (when…read moreyour power is out or you need to stop in to get out of the rain or snow). A community center, with crafts and reading groups. A wealth of knowledge, both in the books it holds and all the other ones you can access through its network. The Goffstown Public Library is a staple of our small town, providing the materials and space for countless events and adventures. I still remember doing their summer reading program as a kid and volunteering there as a teenager - researching "hamster sleeping patterns" and college application timelines - meeting my friends here and rushing to pick up a new book that had just come in. Get a card, greet one of the many friendly librarians, and get ready to have your mind opened.

I gave this library 4 stars because of the facility. The children's section is in the basement and…read moreI don't want to ever be in a basement and this basement is no different. There are vents in the floor right where they host story time that you can see cobwebs/spider webs and in some hard to reach places - this speaks nothing to the staff. What they can keep clean they do. The bathrooms are always clean, they clean up all the toys the kids leave out and they're always pushing carts of books to put away. Story time here is engaging, it is a mix of great stories and fun songs. There is plenty of participation and the librarians remember us. The front desk is always helpful whether we need to figure out what book we want to read next, check out piles and piles of books or get a museum pass. We're always in close to closing (sorry for that) but they don't kick us out. I do kind of feel like I'm running out of new books to take home and there are a bunch of books that just bore me but that's my fault for not yet taking advantage of the inter library loan option. There are steam toys, puzzles, dolls, cars etc. my son loves coming to the library. We haven't gotten to go to any of the events yet because I'm usually working but they do seem to host a lot for when the schools are closed and based on how great story time is I'm sure they are great. Can I say again that the staff is amazing? I'd like to see them in a newer facility and to be given more staff because I wish I could come after work or Saturday nights/Sundays but otherwise this is a great library.

I grew up in New Hampshire but never visited the Manse until a decade and a half after leaving. I…read moreemailed the Manse's Pierce Brigade (their volunteer group) to see if they could offer a tour for the day after Thanksgiving. They put it together and brought our group of four on a very in-depth tour. You will learn so much about NH's only president, about society at the time of Pierce's life and presidency, and what local homes were like in that era. Our volunteer was able to answer every question that we lobbed her way, even on things not directly related to the Pierces. Bonus: you can see the dress that Pierce wore as a child. My one quibble was that our tour guide seemed to dismiss our personal anecdotes that we offered that connected with what we were seeing, which was disappointing as I used to be a docent at a presidential library, and learned the most from people on my tours. She also was very short with me when she saw me taking some photos (non-flash!), but she hadn't told me that it was not allowed. Apparently there was a sign in the lobby but I hadn't seen it. Overall, totally worth spending an hour while you're in New Hampshire to learn some history!

What a lovely location! Considering this was not the original spot for the house, brought here from…read moretown, there are plenty of parking spots for visitors. The grounds are kept nice. There is a short video to watch before the guided tour. A little gift shop is also available. It was an enjoyable tour, and I learned lots about our past President and the items in the home. Don't forget to visit the gravesite about 1 mile away in the Old Cemetery.

This is the nation's oldest and continually operating Naval base in the country with its history…read morebased in shipbuilding because of its access to Northeastern pine. Shipbuilding began here in 1696 with the HMS Falkland, the first British ship built in the 13 colonies. Commissioned in 1800, famous ships refurbished here included The Constitution ("Old Ironsides") and the first of our nation's submarines built in 1917. Various buildings in this harbor held prisoners of the Spanish-American War and crews from captured German U-boats. President Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 for his signing the Treaty of Portsmouth right here that ended the Russo-Japanese war in 1905. What looks like an unassuming harbor with working naval boats holds so much history dating back to the founding of these United States. Take your children and history buff friends here.

Nice selection of items for size of exchange. Good prices and tax free.read more

My husband also found this mill online while looking for mills to visit when his parents joined us…read morefor the second week of our Fall 08 Foliage Tour. Check out their web site: www.littletongristmill.com Beautiful mill built in 1797, still grinding flour. Self-guided tour with a helpful docent at the cash register. Has a wonderful small town feel. The older woman tending the mill the day we visited was also doing a TV interview. She was embarassed that she didn't make herself up prettier for her unexpected moment of local news fame! Bought a small bag of rye flour...yum! Definitely worth a stop! Plus it's free.

The tour isn't really a tour, you can go downstairs and watch a video and look at some pictures of…read morehow the mill used to look, that's about the extent of the "tour". They were also out or light on many of their products for sale, but I was still able to pick up some oatmeal and popcorn, each $4.99 for a large bag. My mom bought several of their flours and granola. I'm giving mine as gifts, so I won't be able to try it. They also see a lot of local sodas and other items besides the ones they make in their mill. They better bulk up before the holidays though! Littleton is a really cute little town, and this mill is definitely worth a stop.

I discovered Fort Foster almost two years ago when I decided to explore Kittery. I was looking to…read morespend a bit more time along the pristine coast of Maine and enjoy the sounds of the ocean again. What I didn't expect to find was just how perfect this location was and how the seasons change the overall experience of walking along the beach trails. During late spring to early fall, charcoal grills are installed along the abundant picnic tables so the scent of grilled meats permeate the air and boast of good times. When the grills are removed for the rest of the "off-season", the crowds become much smaller and the sound of the ocean becomes the main soundtrack. But this time around, after missing several opportunities to witness how snow transforms Fort Foster, I finally had the chance to see the magic happen. Nothing could have prepared me for the sight of magical white blanketing this whole area in a peaceful glow. The clouds, the utter silence, and the cold but refreshing breeze that bites deep reminding you what it feels like to still be alive is a magic that cannot be replaced. I love it here and I finally can say that I've loved this place truly through all the seasons.

Remnants of the historic Fort Foster and Battery Chapin can be found at this hidden gem of a park…read morein Kittery, Maine. Fort Foster was commissioned in 1900 following the Spanish American War to protect the harbor underwater minefields. Originally, Battery Chapin was equipped with large mounted guns and a spotlight. The fort ceased operation after WWII and was left idle by the military. Local residents petitioned to turn the grounds into the park that stands today. The park has great views of two lighthouses and other historic structures in the bay and across the shore. There are plenty of picnic tables and a slightly dated playground for the kids. I was able to climb the aging stairs of the Battery Chapin and explore across the structure, but I had to be careful as there are no handrails and the stairs are narrow. The fort is interesting. There is plenty of parking during off season and there was no admission. (There may be admission during peak season, I couldn't tell). Portable potties are available in the parking lot. The park is a great place to bring kids, walk the dog or just have a peaceful afternoon. Lots of history and beauty to enjoy.

This is a very controversial memorial for reasons…read more In 1697, Hannah Duston was a puritan woman who was abducted by Abenaki during King Williams war. The abductors first killed many settlers, including children, as they raided Haverhill, MA. They burned down Hannah's home after taking her, her infant and the infants nurse captive. In the retelling of her tale, it is recorded that the Abenaki murdered her days old infant, in front of Hannah, during their two week march toward Canada. Brutal. She and the nurse were left with another native American family miles from their home, where this memorial stands. This family had adopted a 14 year old English boy who had their trust. With his help, Hannah was able to kill her captors, including six children and make her way down the Merrimack river along with the two other captives. They reached Boston where she presented the MA general assembly with ten scalps she had taken from those she killed and shared her story. Without a doubt, life in 1690's America (when this event happened) was very much a life of struggle. Disputes between English settlers, French Canadians and Native Indians resulted in years of war in this region. The previous King Philips war, which ended in 1657, decimated between 60 and 80 percent of the local, indigenous people. Some of the survivors were sold into slavery. Those who remained banded together with the Abenaki. In the late 1680's the Abenaki joined with the French Canadians during King Williams War to fight the continued expansion of English settlers. As part of raids conducted, they kidnapped English settlers who were then either sold back to their families, or adopted by the tribe to replace members who had been lost to the conflicts. Unfortunately for history, Hannah never wrote about her experience. Her story was retold three times between 1697 and 1702 by Cotton Mathers who believed all Natives were 'instruments of the devil' and savages. You may remember Cotton Mathers as the minister who persecuted residents of Salem, MA resulting in many of them being hanged for witchcraft. So yeah. History only has his version of her story. One hundred years after these events the U.S. is expanding westward and her story is published again as an example of how savage all native people were. The story was used to justify the acts being taken to remove indigenous people from lands settlers wanted. It was at this time that three monuments to Hannah Duston were created, two of which stand to this day. I have many thoughts about these memorials, the life Hannah lived and this experience she survived. I also have many thoughts about the way indigenous people assisted the English when they first arrived, teaching them how to survive. The indigenous peoples were trying to maintain their life and lands. The settlers were seeking a new life. A struggle between those who have what others want. A too common historical story. The hero's depend on which side you are on. We parked in the Boscawen Park 'n ride. The trail head is at one end of the lot and a roadside marker at the other end. Parking is also available at The Northern Rail Trailhead on Commercial Street. Both are about the same distance from the memorial.

Wow - what a crazy story! This is a monument honoring Hannah Duston and her escape from the Abenaki…read moretribe holding her hostage all the way back in 1697! She killed and scalped 10 people geez! It's believed that this is what started the "scalping" trend way back AND that she's the first American woman to be honored with a statue (according to wiki)! Kinda cool! There isn't much to this memorial and it's kinda hard to find...but I'm glad I came - was a fun little adventure! And a very interesting bit of history to learn about. I still can't get over that there are stories this old right here in America! If you're using the Apple Maps app, be aware it doesn't get you here - it takes you to some random field out in the middle of nowhere lol! But google maps got me here (and it used the address 60 Commercial St, Boscawen NH but apple didn't!!) - so be aware! It's right off a main road with plenty of paved parking. The entrance to the trail is well marked, but once you get down a little hill closer to the railroad tracks, it gets confusing. There's a dirt hiking path off to the left (DON'T take this one - it goes nowhere and is super sketchy!) and a paved one off to the right that looks like it dead ends into the railroad tracks - but that is actually the correct trail! And if you look off into the distance you'll actually see the tall statue so you'll know you're going the right way. You'll cross a bridge on a walking path next to the railroad tracks to get to the memorial statue overlooking the river. The area seemed a tad sketchy to me...I would've been a little scared except that there were lots of cyclists around and other hikers, as well as a tour group taking one of those pedaling tours on the railroad tracks (looked really fun)! There isn't much to it - just a statue with some cool info on it - unfortunately it was vandalized by some red paint but it kinda added to the aesthetic, given the nature of the story lol. A fun little side trip if you have time - I felt compelled to see it bc of how old the story is and the crazy nature of the story AND I just so happen to share her name lol!