Over the past few years, downtown Concord, New Hampshire, has gone through an incredible rebirth — thanks to a multi-year and multi-million-dollar revitalization effort that gave the city a shiny new appeal. Think: better streets, wider sidewalks, and more attractive public spaces where residents and visitors can linger and enjoy their day. The city’s walkable downtown also ushered in a slew of new dining options, ranging from casual coffee shops to upscale restaurants, as well as one-of-a-kind boutiques, vibrant public art, and more. And now, there’s a whole new reason to visit: Arts Alley.
As the area’s anchor tenant, Arts Alley is an exciting destination filled with even more unique eateries, live entertainment, and ever-changing pop-ups and events. Not only is it a lively place to grab a bite for dinner or a pint after work, it’s where you go to feel the pulse of the city and soak up its energy. Staying in town for a few days? Ahead, you’ll find the perfect, breakfast-to-dinner itinerary for every kind of visitor — whether you’re planning a romantic afternoon with your significant other, a fun day out with your friends, or a family-friendly outing with the kiddos.
An Outdoorsy Day For Friends and Groups
Most of you and your friends’ early-morning coffee needs can be solved at Revelstoke Coffee, the city’s only roastery. Craft-culture fans will love the establishment’s focus on specialty coffee — bold and natural light roasts, specifically — but even the average coffee lover in the group will find an offbeat drink that hits the spot. Think: carrot cake, matcha, and salty honey lattes. From there, it’s a 6-minute walk to Bread and Chocolate, a Concord mainstay known for its European-style pastries and baked goods. Fill up on some much-needed carbs before lacing up your hiking shoes. The city boasts over 80 miles of hiking trails; Oak Hill Trail and Winant Park are the best of the bunch, offering a relatively easy trek and rewarding vistas.
After you’ve worked up an appetite, head over to Arts Alley, where you’ll find The Friendly Toast, a beloved regional chain serving up brunch staples. Arts Alley’s strategic location makes it an easy stroll to local shops and boutiques. Hunt down your next read at Gibson’s Bookstore, or pick through the jackets at Pitchfork Records. Don’t leave without stopping by Viking House, where you’ll find all manner of fun gifts and treats imported from Europe. When dinnertime rolls around, head to The Red Blazer — a classic local restaurant with a something-for-everyone menu, including house-made chicken tenders, fish and chips, and crowd-pleasing burgers with all the fixings.
A Romantic Day for Couples
For a quiet start to the day, take your partner to Totally Tea + Coffee. The tea-centric cafe’s bright-pink storefront is hard to miss, and inside, you’ll find an equally exciting menu of morning pick-me-ups and treats, like bubble teas, espresso drinks, and hand-rolled bagels. After you’ve fueled up on caffeine, take a leisurely stroll through Eagle Square before exploring what the city’s newly revitalized downtown has to offer. (Visiting on a weekend? Don’t forget to put a stop at the farmers’ market on the agenda.) If you’re feeling like a drink, meander over to Arts Alley’s Rooftop Social — a laid-back, open-air bar, where you can take in the city views while enjoying a well-deserved cocktail and shareable dishes.
After brunch, stroll down the area’s main drag to get to Kimball Jenkins’ historic campus, a community cultural center that plays host to a number of events and exhibitions every year. From June to August, you and your significant other can peruse On/Off The Wall — an immersive show created in collaboration with Pillar Gallery + Projects that celebrates contemporary printmaking across New England. Post-viewing, it’s time for dinner for two at Angelina’s Ristorante Italiano, which never fails to conjure up a romantic atmosphere with its moody lighting, brick interiors, and a superior selection of pastas and vino. Close out the night with a tiramisu or a visit to Granite State Candy Shoppe, where you can get a scoop of old-fashioned ice cream or a box of chocolate truffles.
A Fun Day for The Whole Family
If you’re a visiting family with children in tow, Concord has plenty of kid-friendly eateries and attractions that adults can enjoy, too. For a delicious breakfast the little ones will gobble up, you can’t go wrong with Tucker’s, which serves up a kids menu with Mickey-shaped buttermilk cakes, mini breakfast burritos, mini omelets, and more. Adults will also enjoy favorites like the cinnamon roll French toast and pillowy, gluten-free pancakes made with ground flax and chia seeds. Then, it’s off to the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, where the kiddos can spend the afternoon exploring the air and space museum’s indoor and outdoor exhibits (which includes a full-sized replica of a Mercury-Redstone rocket), full-dome digital planetarium, and observatory.
For lunch, pack your picnic fare and unfurl your checkered blanket at White Park, a 25-acre public park with a large playground, pond, and plenty of wide-open spaces for a game of tag with the kids. The fun can continue at Arts Alley’s courtyard — an open-air space where the kids can roam around and enjoy lawn games, while the adults take in the live music and experience constantly changing pop-ups and events. When hunger strikes, there’s a retro diner, Rose & Rye, on-site. Housed inside a former 1940s diner, here, you’ll find an elevated take on diner grub, with kid-friendly options.
