Thinking about moving to Manchester, NH? The Queen City is one of the best places to live near the mountains—and a great New England city to call home, thanks to its fantastic museums, expansive outdoor activities, and exciting sports scene. Check out these 14 things to know about living in Manchester!
Manchester at a Glance
- Manchester has a population of 114,918, making it New Hampshire’s largest city.
- Manchester is known for the historic Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, once the largest textile mill in the world.
- Located in the south-central part of New Hampshire, along the Merrimack River, Manchester is about 20 miles from the Massachusetts border and one hour northwest of Boston.
- Manchester hosts the world’s largest annual taco tour, where over 90 restaurants gather on Elm Street.
- This New England city is branded as the “Chicken Tender Capital of The World,” thanks to the Puritan Backroom—a Manchester-owned family restaurant that originated fried chicken tenders.
Enjoy an Affordable Cost of Living in Manchester, NH
Living in Manchester, and more generally, the state of New Hampshire—comes with major perks. For one, residents don’t have to pay state sales tax or income tax. The Granite State also has the lowest poverty rate in the U.S., coming in at 7.2%—compared to the 10.6 % U.S. average. On top of that, New Hampshire is one of the safest states to live in! And even though homeowners can expect to pay high property taxes, you can live more affordably in Manchester than in other major New England cities like Boston—the cost of living in Manchester is only 10% higher than the national average, whereas Boston’s cost of living is 48% higher.
Q: Is Manchester, NH an expensive place to live?
A: While its cost of living is 10% higher than the national average, Manchester is an affordable place to live compared to other New England cities like Boston. Plus, residents don’t have to pay state sales tax or income tax, adding to the city’s affordability.
Find Jobs at Top Companies in Manchester, NH
Once home to the world’s largest textile mill complex, Manchester is now one of the biggest business and financial centers of northern New England—making it an ideal place to start a career. Work in the Manchester offices of Fortune 500 companies like Eversource Energy, Northwestern Mutual, and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. Explore career options at software firms like business software company Oracle or educational tech company Skillsoft, both of which have offices in the Manchester-Nashua metro area. Find healthcare jobs in Manchester at Catholic Medical Center, Elliot Hospital, or the Manchester VA Medical Center. Teach or work in IT, marketing, or human resources at Southern New Hampshire University. Looking for work in a bigger city? Many Manchester residents commute to Boston and other nearby New Hampshire cities for work!
Q: Is the job market in Manchester good?
A: With an unemployment rate of 3.8%—well below the national average—Manchester’s job market is considered stable. It also offers diverse job opportunities, thanks to the abundance of major companies housed in and near the city—including Oracle, Northwestern Mutual, and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. Manchester is also one of northern New England’s largest business and financial centers.
Attend Great New Hampshire Universities
Manchester and the surrounding New England cities of Nashua, Concord, and more are home to some of the best colleges in New Hampshire. Study business, biological sciences, or computer science at the University of New Hampshire at Manchester, a top research university and one of the best colleges in Manchester, NH. Get a bachelor’s degree in nursing, physics, or criminal justice at Benedictine private college Saint Anselm College. Join the Penmen and study liberal arts, engineering, social sciences, and more with over 200 degree options at Southern New Hampshire University. Exercise your creative side with degrees in animation & game design, fine arts, or creative writing at the Institute of Art and Design at New England College in Henniker. Or drive 25 minutes to Nashua to study public health, elementary education, or English at Rivier University, a private Catholic college.
Q: Is Manchester, NH a good place for students?
A: Manchester, NH is a good place for students, with access to multiple colleges and research opportunities at the University of New Hampshire at Manchester, Southern New Hampshire University, Rivier University, and more. Manchester also has a diverse economy, making it easy for new grads to find work in the metro area. Plus, young adults have plenty of opportunities to experience great nightlife in Manchester!
Support Manchester, NH Sports Teams
Sports fans will love living in Queen City! Catch a Fisher Cats (MiLB) baseball game at the Delta Dental Stadium. Cheer on the men’s and women’s rugby teams of the Amoskeag Rugby Football Club (NERFU) at Highland-Goffe’s Falls Field. Watch local roller derby teams live up to their motto—”Skate Free or Die”—at an NH Roller Derby (WFTDA) match at the JFK Coliseum. Sign up for recreational sports leagues like flag football, cornhole, and basketball with NH Urban Sport, a veteran-owned and operated organization. See the ladies of the New Hampshire Rebellion (WFA D-III) play tackle football at Gill Stadium. Watch the SNHU Penmen (NCAA D-II) men’s and women’s teams play volleyball, baseball, ice hockey, and more. Catch the UNH Wildcats (NCAA D-I) compete in field hockey, football (FCS), skiing, gymnastics, and more. Or get your NASCAR fix, see motorcycle road racing, or watch Laps For Charity at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway—also known as “The Magic Mile.”
Q: What minor league team is in Manchester, NH?
A: Manchester is home to the Fisher Cats (MiLB), which is the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays (MLB) and has been a staple of the Manchester sports scene since 2004. They play regularly at Delta Dental Stadium, located in the heart of Downtown Manchester along the Merrimack River.
Discover Unique Outdoor Activities in Manchester, NH
Whether you want to hike in the mountains, spend time on the river, relax in the parks, or have a beach day, the Manchester area has what you’re looking for! Play baseball, run on the track, or hit the pool in Livingston Park. Hike the 150-foot summit for a great view of the city, play pickleball, or let your child run on the playground at Rock Rimmon Park—the largest park in Manchester! Go mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and see the statue of General John Stark—who coined New Hampshire’s state motto, “Live Free or Die“—in Stark Park. Go boating, fishing, or hike the Rockingham Trail at the Lake Massabesic Watershed—named for an Abenaki word meaning “the place of much water.” Take a swim, go hiking, and relax on the beach by the bathhouse at Crystal Lake Park in Southern Manchester. Go hiking, bird-watching, or snowshoeing along The All Persons Trail at the Manchester Cedar Swamp nature preserve. Head just outside the city to go mountain biking, swimming, fishing, hiking, and more at Bear Brook State Park, the largest developed state park in New Hampshire! Or drive 35 minutes to the town of Hampton to spend the day building sand castles, enjoying views of the Atlantic coastline, or attending annual events like the Miss Hampton Beach Pageant at Hampton Beach.
Q: What are some fun outdoor activities in Manchester, NH?
A: You can find a wide range of parks and trails in and near Manchester to enjoy the outdoors! Go birdwatching at The All-Persons Trail, play pickleball at Rock Rimmon Park, or go fishing at the Rockingham Trail.
Go Skiing in Manchester
Because of the city’s location in the New England area, the winter months transform the town of Manchester into a snowy wonderland. The annual average snowfall is 58 inches—with an average winter temperature of 28 degrees—creating the perfect landscape for winter sports. Go skiing, snowboarding, or tubing at McIntyre Ski Area, known as “Manchester’s winter playground.” Sign up for the Learn to Ski & Ride Program, corporate racing, or Pats Pike Ski Team at Pats Peak Ski Area. Get your Epic Season Pass to ski all winter, sign up for the adult racing league, or get a private snowboarding lesson at Crotched Mountain. Cross the border into Massachusetts to visit the Terrain Park, get a private ski lesson, or sign your kids up for the Bradford Ski Team at Ski Bradford—located less than an hour away from Manchester. Try snow tubing, sign up for the Adult Team Racing (ATR) ski league, or participate in a group snowboarding lesson at the nearby Nashoba Valley Ski Area. Or go cross-country skiing, experience night skiing on the mile-long Lantern Loop, or try snowshoeing nearby at the Great Brook Ski Touring Center in Carlisle, Massachusetts.
Q: What are winters like in Manchester, NH?
A: Winters in Manchester are cold and snowy, with snowfall throughout the season and average January lows reaching 13 degrees. Residents can take advantage of the winter weather with the many ski areas in and near the city, including Pats Peak Ski Area and McIntyre Ski Area.
Visit Museums in Manchester, NH
Manchester museums and attractions draw in visitors from all over the area! See the original owners’ collections of paintings, sculptures, pottery, and more while touring the Zimmerman House and the Kalil House—the only two houses in New England designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Learn about 11,000 years of Amoskeag Falls and Amoskeag Manufacturing Company history, take your kids on the children’s tour, or explore exhibits like Woven in Time at The Millyard Museum. Explore the northeast’s largest display of Boy Scout and Girl Scout memorabilia, go on a group tour, and browse books and scouting magazines from the Max I. Silber Library at the L. L. Lee Scouting Museum. Trace the history of the Derry area from its European settlement to the present, go on the Forest Hill Cemetery Tour, or schedule a tour at the Derry Museum of History. Marvel at the Art Deco 1937 Terminal, learn about the history of flight in the Granite State, or peruse the collection of aviation artifacts at the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire. Go on a self-guided walk of the nature and poetry trail, or book a guided tour and explore the early 1900s home of famous poet Robert Frost at The Robert Frost Farm Historic Site.
Q: What are the best museums in Manchester, NH?
A: Manchester has a variety of museums to enjoy, especially for history lovers! Some of the best history museums in Manchester include The Millyard Museum, the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire, the Derry Museum of History, and the L.L. Lee Scouting Museum.
Admire Art in Manchester, NH
Living in Manchester means you’ll have access to many local art galleries and museums! Explore exhibitions like Pepe Mar: Dream House, Florentine Baroque: The Haukohl Collection, and Danny Lyon: The Bikeriders at the Currier Museum of Art. Admire beautiful oil, pastel, and acrylic landscape paintings by New Hampshire artist Diane Crespo at Diane Crespo Fine Art in nearby Exeter. Check out other local and international artists’ work at Art 3 Gallery. Learn how to paint with acrylics, or do figure drawing classes at Art House Studios School for Drawing & Painting. Paint your own pottery, sign the whole family up for Sculpting or Pottery Wheel Workshops, or send your teen to the Teen/Tween Clay Camp at Studio 550 Art Center. Or learn conceptual illustration, paper quilling, or crochet at Manchester Craft Market.
Q: What is the art scene in Manchester, NH like?
A: Manchester has a growing and vibrant art scene, thanks to the variety of local art galleries and museums in and near the area. From a variety of Renaissance period pieces at the Currier Museum of Art to contemporary New England art at the Art 3 Gallery, residents have many opportunities to enjoy art.
Appreciate the Performing Arts in Manchester
The Queen City has a ton of great attractions for patrons of the arts! Buy tickets to Broadway musicals, the ballet, or live tribute shows at The Palace Theatre. Let your kids audition or volunteer at Palace Youth Theatre shows, the Palace Teen Apprentice Company, or attend youth camps at Forever Emma Studios. Laugh the night away at Friday Night Comedy, listen to live music from major artists, or marvel at the Symphony NH at the Rex Theatre. See community theater shows, take music lessons, or sign your kids up for summer camps at The Majestic Theatre. Catch an opera, dance, or Shakespeare on the Green performance at Saint Anselm College’s Dana Center for the Performing Arts. Enroll your child in a Young Dancer Camp, see the annual performance of The Nutcracker, or sign up for an adult drop-in class at the Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater. Experience traditional West African dance and drumming led by Theo Martey at a show, or attend a summer program from the Akwaaba Ensemble.
Q: What is the Palace Theatre in Manchester, New Hampshire?
A: The Palace Theatre is a non-profit performing arts center where you can watch your favorite Broadway shows, support local youth theater, and more. They own multiple venues—including Forever Emma Studios and The Rex Theatre—and organize annual events like the Garden Tour.
Explore Family Activities in Manchester, NH
Moving to Manchester with your kids? You’ll find plenty of family fun in Manchester for the whole family! Try your hand at escape rooms like Project Mars, Mystery at Cook Manor, and Game Show Showdown at Granite State Escape Room. Watch the kiddos go on a fossil dig, learn about bubbles and the planets, or participate in a First Steps in Science program at the SEE Science Center. Gaze at the stars during a planetarium show, watch the kids try to land the Space Shuttle, and learn about spacecraft at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord. Play laser tag, climb on the indoor ropes course, and get your fill of classic arcade games at Block Party Social. Attend playgroups with the little ones, watch the kids play on the inflatable playgrounds, and attend events like Friday Night Fun at Cowabunga’s Indoor Playground. See llamas, visit the animals at the Dairy Discovery Barn petting area, or go on a Horse-Drawn Ride at Charmingfare Farm. Ride go-karts, play mini-golf, and try out the batting cages at Mel’s Funway Park. Or swim in the outdoor or indoor pools, have your pick of playgrounds, and spend a day in the Children’s Rec Hall when you rent a campsite or cabin at Friendly Beaver Campground.
Q: Is Manchester, NH family-friendly?
A: Manchester is a great New England city for families, offering family-friendly neighborhoods, highly-rated schools, and plenty of fun activities! Residents can send their kids to private schools like Holy Family Academy or The Derryfield School, public schools through the Manchester School District, or charter schools like the Academy for Science and Design in nearby Nashua. For family-friendly activities in Manchester, residents enjoy local spots like Granite Escape Room, the Friendly Beaver Campground, and Cowabunga’s Indoor Playground.
Take Part in Festivals & Events in Manchester, NH
Manchester residents will find a variety of community events and festivals to keep them busy throughout the year! Every September, listen to live music, support local vendors, and sample all kinds of local brews at the annual Manchester Brewfest. Celebrate the state’s Irish heritage with Irish music from local and international artists like Screaming Orphans, The Spain Brothers, and Ronan Tynan at the New Hampshire Irish Festival. See a variety of comedies, documentaries, and short films at the Manchester International Film Festival. Attend the NASCAR Cup Series, SIG SAUER Academy Dirt Duels, or Halloween Hooptiefest at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Put on your running shoes and participate in the 5k, relays, half marathon, or full marathon during the Manchester City Marathon. Or pick up fresh fruits, veggies, and baked goods from the Concord Farmers’ Market.
Q: What are some things to do in Manchester?
A: With the variety of events and festivals year-round, you’ll never run out of things to do in Manchester! Some resident-favorite festivals include the annual Manchester Brewfest, New Hampshire Irish Festival, and the NASCAR Cup Series at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Manchester residents also have easy access to several seasonal farmers’ markets, including the Concord Farmers’ Market, Candia Farmers Market, and Bedford Farmers Market.
Discover Elm Street in Downtown Manchester
Once home to millyards, the downtown area is now full of unique businesses that line trendy Elm Street near the Merrimack River! Start your morning with a Cinnamon Raisin Bagel, Caramel Macchiato, or Banana Rama Smoothie at The Bridge Cafe. Go browsing for a new book, join a monthly book club, or take the little ones to Storytime & Crafts at Manchester’s independent bookstore, Bookery. Find your new favorite plant, get a tarot card reading, or design a fully custom Panama hat at The Terracotta Room. Satisfy your sweet tooth with cupcake flavors like Grasshopper, Samoa, and Salted Caramel Oreo at Queen City Cupcakes & Gift Shop. Try the House-Made Ricotta, Branzino, or Classic Roman Carbonara from Campo Enoteca. Or play your favorite board games with friends, sip on signature cocktails like the Spellcaster, or join a Dungeons and Dragons campaign at Boards and Brews.
Q: Is Downtown Manchester, NH walkable?
A: Downtown Manchester is very walkable—especially along Elm Street. This makes it possible to easily enjoy various downtown restaurants and unique local businesses on foot. Downtown Manchester is also fairly bikeable, with the city providing information for various convenient routes.
Find Great Places To Eat in Manchester, NH
No matter what you’re craving, there are tons of restaurants in Manchester to choose from! Start your morning with breakfast favorites like Moe’s Steak Tips & Eggs, the Country Breakfast Bowl, or the Pork Pie & Eggs from Red Arrow Diner. Try authentic Nepalese and Indian food like the Chicken Biryani, Saffron Rice, and Lamb Vindaloo at Kathmandu Spice. Munch on the Fenway Frank, Brisket Chinese Pie, or Original Pulled Chicken Sandwich at KC’s Rib Shack. Listen to live music while enjoying dishes like the Cuban Panini, Braised Short Rib Pasta, and Citrus Honey Glazed Chicken at The Foundry Restaurant. Taste the cooking of chef, author, and owner Jeffrey Paige with Pan-Seared Scallops, Cotton’s Bistro Steak, and Buttermilk Herb Fried Chicken at Cotton. Or get the Bacon Wrapped Sea Scallops, Surf and Turf, or Kurobuta Pork Chop paired with an Asian Pear Martini at fine-dining restaurant Hanover Street Chophouse.
Q: What food is Manchester, NH known for?
A: Manchester is known for its chicken tenders, as it’s home to the Puritan Backroom, which originated fried chicken tenders in the 1970s. While the Puritan Backroom is the most notable chicken tender spot, residents also enjoy eating chicken tenders at local spots like the Goldenrod Drive-In, Vintage Pizza, Charlie’s of Goffstown, and the Irish-inspired Shaskeen Pub.
Get Down with Nightlife in Manchester, NH
Want a fun night out in the Queen City? Check out Manchester nightlife! Relax in the bar, chill out on the patio with craft beers and friends, or attend Wednesday open mic at Strange Brew Tavern—”NH’s Original Craft Beer Bar.” Sip on drinks like Love Letter to Manchester, play your own records, or peruse the collection of nearly 1,000 vinyl records at To Share Brewing Company. Grab drinks with friends while attending fun weekly events like Rap Night Every Sunday, Trivia Every Monday, and Comedy Every Wednesday at Shaskeen Pub. Listen to live music from local and national acts like Saka, Saved By Skarlet, and Johnnie G & The Royalty at Jewel Music Venue. Enjoy a Porch Party cocktail, listen to live music, or try line dancing at Bonfire Country Bar and Restaurant—Manchester’s “Original Country Bar!” Attend live comedy events featuring acts like Dueling Pianos, Lenny Clarke, and Jodie Sloane at the Headliners Comedy Club. Or try year-round brews on tap like Milly’s Oatmeal Stout, Tasha’s Red Ale, or the ManchVegas IPA at Stark Brewing Co.
Q: Is Manchester, New Hampshire a fun city?
A: Residents of Manchester can enjoy non-stop fun in the city with its abundance of breweries, pubs, music venues, and more! Enjoy live comedy events at the Headliners Comedy Club, live music from local artists at Jewel Music Venue, or fun drinks and music at To Share Brewing Company. Many singles and young professionals in Manchester choose to live in lively neighborhoods like Downtown, North End, and Rimmon Heights.
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