5 budget-friendly museums to explore in NH

New Hampshire may be one of the smallest states in the country, but it offers people endless opportunities to explore history, nature, and different adventures on a low-budget. The Granite State is packed with inexpensive attractions such as trails, beaches, old theaters, and of course, museums! 

Here’s a list of my top favorite (must-visit) museums in New Hampshire you can explore without leaving a hole in your pocket:

• Hood Museum of Art in Hanover

Open to the public for free, the Hood Museum of Art is located on the campus of Dartmouth University in Hanover. There will be multiple exhibitions on display at the museum throughout the summer, including one titled “Coffee and Tea in Art” (All New Hampshire Dunkin’ lovers must visit!), showcasing cultural symbolism of the beverages reflected in art. Another one titled “Who Cares?” aims to highlight the acts of cleaning and caring, and draw attention to the value of that essential work. 

You can check out everything that’s on view at the museum here. 

The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and has varying timings for the rest of the week.

• Museum of the White Mountains in Plymouth

Admission into MWM is free to all, and remains closed on Sundays and Mondays. 

The museum is currently closed until its upcoming  exhibition, “Of Baskets and Borders” kicks off on Saturday, June 1. The exhibition will explore the art of Indigenous basketry, and bring to light the people, plants, and animals of the region. 

In addition to exhibits, the museum is a great resource for community activities— like Walkabout Wednesdays— and also offers information to develop at-home activities inspired by MWM’s exhibitions and collections. 

• Currier Museum of Art in Manchester 

While Currier has a $20 admission fee, it is free to visit every second Saturday of the month. The museum currently has five different exhibitions— each depicting a different historical period and art — on display. 

Apart from the arts, Currier also serves yummy weekend bruncheses (to be paid for separately, of course) in its Winter Garden that feature live music, special dishes, and Bloody Mary and Mimosa flights— perfect for a summer Sunday! 

• Cheshire Children’s Museum in Keene

A play-based children’s museum for families in Keene, Cheshire Children’s Museum is home to 22 hands-on exhibits. Ideal  for toddlers and young kids, its  interactive experiences  allow children to try their hands at being a news anchor, a mechanic, a firefighter, or a dentist— all in one day!

For parents looking for ideas on where to host their little one’s next birthday, check out how to book private space at the museum.

Entry is $5 a person, and the museum is closed Sundays. 

• Millyard Museum in Manchester

Wanna learn how raw cotton was made into cloth during the Industrial Revolution? Or check out dresses worn by some of the most remarkable women from Manchester’s history? If so, visit the Millyard Museum in Manchester. 

Operated by the Manchester Historic Association, the Millyard Museum is a nonprofit designed to preserve and showcase Manchester’s history. Located at the corner of Commercial and Pleasant Streets in the historic Amoskeag Millyard, the museum offers rotating exhibitions on a variety of historical topics.

Admission is $10 for adults, and the museum is closed Sundays and Mondays.