The Best Things To Do In Concord New Hampshire On A Budget: A $200 Challenge

We found the best things to do in Concord New Hampshire - all while on a tight budget. But could we save enough to make our $200 travel challenge a success?

Some links in this post may be affiliate links, which means we are paid a small commission should you make a purchase.

I often start a lot of blog posts by explaining that a certain destination has been on my travel bucket list for a long time, or that I've read a lot about a place and thus jumped at the chance to visit when an opportunity presented itself. But not Concord. The state capital of New Hampshire wasn't on my radar, not one little bit, when we booked our trip. However, travel in general was on my mind in a big way. I had returned from the always inspiring Women in Travel Summit and was highly motivated to see more of the cities around me. I instructed Ryan to find a place within a 6 hour drive that would cost $50 a night and, just like that, I was researching the best things to do in Concord NH, making lists of local cheap eats, and getting excited to discover something new.

The end result was one of the best spontaneous travel decisions we've ever made. Concord NH is just LOVELY! And it was filled with all sorts of me-ish places to explore. From an amazing bookstore to a delicious doughnut stand - I was hooked! But, of course, I wasn't in Concord just to have a great time. I was thinking of all my dear readers as well! I wanted to put Concord to the test with my $200 Challenge. The premise is simple enough. Can two people travel for two days and spend just $200? The $200 Challenge has to include clean, safe accommodations with a hot shower, three proper meals a day, and enough activities to fill two days.  With past Challenges including London, Boston, and Washington, DC, how would Concord hold up?

What to do in Concord NH on a budget...

Visiting the New Hampshire State House

Ryan and I are big fans of visiting State Houses. We've done so previously in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Providence, Rhode Island. They are always beautiful buildings, filled with interesting history and architectural significance. And they're free! Oh, and there's free tours as well! What's not to love? Happily, the Concord NH State House is just as lovely, just as interesting, and just as frugal-friendly as the others we've visited. Talk about the perfect start to the $200 Challenge!

Built in 1819, the New Hampshire State House (107 North Main St) has a unique claim to fame. It's the oldest state house in which the state legislature still occupies its original chambers. Some of the don't-miss-it historical displays includes the Hall of Flags, which is home to 115 fragile banners which date back to the Civil War. Visiting is free, as are tours. There's no set schedule here but if a docent is available, they will happily show you around or you can pick up their self-guided tour brochure (if you're visiting with a large group you should get in touch to make tour arrangements with them). 

The New Hampshire State House is also home to handsome manicured gardens. The lawns are an ideal place for kids to run around and for penny-pinching travelers to enjoy a picnic with yummy fare from the farmers' market which takes place beside the State House on Saturday mornings.  

New Hampshire State House Visitor's Center Hours of Operation: 
Monday through Friday 8:00 am until approximately 4:15 pm.
​Docent led tours, when available, run from 8:15 am to 3:15 pm.
Note: The Visitor's Center is often closed during lunch hour.

Visit Pierce Manse, home of President Franklin Pierce

Photo credit: Wikipedia

As the 14th President of the United States, President Franklin Pierce doesn't get a lot of attention these days. But in Concord, the only American president born and raised in New Hampshire is still very present in every day life. His former home, Pierce Manse (14 Horseshoe Pond Ln) has been converted into a museum, thanks to passionate volunteers who saved it from destruction in 1971. You can learn about Pierce's life and see how a historic home operated thanks to many original belongings of the Pierce family. Guided tours are included with admission. Once a month, the Manse's Brigade Lecture series offers historically-focused talks and presentations on everything from the history of theater in Concord, one room school houses in New Hampshire, and Franco-American music. 

If you're especially passionate about American history, you'll also want to visit Concord's first burial ground, dating to 1730, and Pierce's grave at the Old North Cemetery. You can also put the New Hampshire Historical Society on your list as another must-see destination for history buffs. However, its (admittedly reasonable) $7 admission fee doesn't include free tours like the Pierce Manse does so under the tough value-focused approach of the $200 Challenge, Pierce wins the day!

Pierce Manse Hours of Operations: Public Tour Availability
From mid June to August 31: Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 am-3:00 pm
From September to mid October: Fridays and Saturdays from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. 
Cost: $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $3 for children, $15 for families.

Brigade Lecture Series.
March to October, fourth Tuesday of the month, 7:00 pm. 
Cost: Free!
Lecture series schedule and special events calendar can be found here.

Outdoor time! Fun things to do in Concord NH for nature lovers. 

Photo credit: Trip Advisor

Photo credit: Trip Advisor

The Susan N. McLane Audubon Center (84 Silk Farm Rd) is set in a gorgeous location, with trails that bring hikers to Great Turkey Pond, a fantastic bird watching spot. However, if you have no luck on your hikes, the Center's life animal exhibit is home to a bald eagle, peregrine falcon, and screech owl. They focus on conservation, environmental education, school programs, and camping programs. 

Susan N. McLane Audubon Center Hours of Operations:
Monday - Friday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Cost: Free! (Donations always welcome).

Older than the Pierce Manse, older than the State House, the Carter Hill Orchard (73 Carter Hill Rd) has been in business since the mid-1700s. If you're visiting Concord in the autumn, visiting the orchard is a must-do activity. It's the perfect time for picking fresh apples! However, self-pick fruit, such as blueberries and peaches and raspberries, is available through the summer. There's an on site bakery which is famous for their whoopie pies as well! If you're traveling with children, this is a great place for them to run off some steam and have some fun, all while picking up some treats. 

Carter Hill Orchard Hours of Operations:
Monday - Sunday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (roughly from mid-summer to late-fall). 
Cost: Free! (But you better count on buying some treats at the bakery).​

Pros and cons of visiting the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center

I've gone back and forth on including the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Dr) on my list of the best things to do in Concord NH. On one hand, we went there and we wanted to tell you all about it! We love discovering small museums and it was nice to see a science center outside a major city. The staff at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center were extremely knowledgeable and very nice. And the idea that not one but two extraordinary astronauts came from Concord is pretty amazing and the full size replica of a Mercury Redstone Rocket reinforces just what an important role Concord played the space race. 

But on the other hand.... The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center costs $11.50 per person to visit, plus an extra $5 per person for the planetarium show. This isn't an outrageous cost. But we still had a bit of sticker shock when we paid $33 for both of us to visit. Once that price was converted into Canadian funds by us after the fact, we realized our visit cost us $43. That just felt steep, especially because we only spent an hour or so at the Center.

Our short visit was due in part because we were a bit confused by the Center's curation and layout. We thought it was supposed to be all about space exploration but part of the ground floor was more focused on things such as climate and weather. Then we thought it was about aeronautics in general, as it is home to some cool early airplane replicas on the second floor. Then we were back to space exploration, with a fascinating display of newspaper front pages, chronicling the space race. Then part of the ground floor display on route to the planetarium show focused a bit on McAuliffe and Shepard - until it didn't! There's no denying the Center had some interesting artifacts, but the confusing layout and lack of a strong central theme failed to hold our attention. The planetarium show was similarly lackluster - and the chairs were brutally uncomfortable. I feel so horrible saying this but we just didn't have a great time.

I'm sorry, McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center! I really wanted to love you! But you don't make the cut for the $200 Challenge, except perhaps for visitors with an extreme passion for science. If that sounds like you, note that the hours of operation vary considerably based on holidays and school schedules. You can see full details here. 

Hang out at Gibson's Bookstore

I'm normally not a big fan of shopping, especially on a $200 Challenge! But shopping in Concord NH isn't like most other cities. There are so many fantastic independent shops. My favourite of all is Gibson's Bookstore (45 South Main St).

In business since 1898, Gibson's is the largest independent bookstore in northern New England. It's home to a massive kid's section, quirky gifts, a good selection of local authors, and the delightful True Brew Cafe. An indie cafe within an indie bookstore? Yep, I pretty much fell in love. Gibson's also maintains a busy calendar of events, featuring a book club and a lot of author readings. I could have spent hours here and it should be your top priority on a rainy day.

Gibson's Bookstore Hours of Operations:
Monday - Saturday 9:00 am. -7:00 pm.
Sunday 11:00 am-6:00 pm.
Cost: Free - if you can avoid shopping.

Meet people and pooches at the Concord Farmers Market

Every Saturday morning, Concord's finest people and pooches head to the same place - the Concord Farmers Market! Right next to the State House (Capitol St at North Main St) approximately 40 vendors gather to sell fresh produce, flowers, toiletries, dog treats - and even apple cider doughnuts! It's a lovely spot to stock up on food, find little gifts, and pat a lot of dogs. 

What I loved most about the farmers market - aside from the doughnut, obviously - is that it's the perfect place to get better acquainted with the city. The people watching is great, everyone is really friendly, and the sense of community here is palpable. 

Concord Farmers Market Hours of Operations:
Every Saturday morning. 8:30 am -12:00 pm, May to October
Cost: You gotta try an apple cider doughnut for $1.50

The best bargain priced restaurants and diners in Concord NH

The best part of any trip is the food and the Concord NH restaurants we tried did not let us down. We had SO much amazing food - and we didn't even make it through our entire list of budget friendly eats. 

I'm doing something different with this $200 Challenge and I'm trying to break down each meal into super cheap options, frugal options, and more indulgent options. First of all, I wanted to take into account that some meals might be really light (for those people who really *do* just want coffee and a quick bite at breakfast or never have a heavy meal at dinner).

I also wanted to give options for both the people who are traveling on a sparse shoestring and really do want to know the absolute least expensive thing they can get - as well as those who are certainly frugally inclined but don't mind paying a little bit more so they can indulge in dessert or avoid sharing with their spouse.

​And finally, as I have learned again and again with this challenge, travel always throws some curve balls. You arrive exhausted, late at night, and you just want to swap out your ultra-frugal plan for some real comfort food. Or you wake up late and thus really only need a small lunch after a late breakfast. I hope having these different price points helps with everyone's planning and encourages a bit more flexibility as well!

Now, break out your forks. It's time to dig in!

Cheap breakfast in Concord NH

Our first breakfast was technically on day two of our trip (as we ate at home before we left on day one.) This is the first $200 Challenge we've ever done where we had to buy breakfast separately as it wasn't included in our hotel rate. Let's see how we did!

Breakfast Day 2: The Works Cafe (42 North Main St)

A staple of the North Main St food scene, our favourite thing about eating at The Works Cafe was that we sat outside, enjoyed the sunshine, and saw nearly two dozen dogs (all *very* good boys and girls). Concord residents are definitely big dog lovers and we saw every breed imaginable walk on by - and, in some cases, lounge under the cafe tables while their humans lingered over coffee. The Works Cafe is a fantastic stop for super cheap breakfast, lunch, and snack options, provided you stick to your plan, as there are some slightly more expensive options mixed in with the cheapies.

A bagel with cream cheese is $2.99. As you can see from the photo, they're thick bagels with an ever thicker application of cream cheese! I went for the super cinnamon bagel but savory fans will want to note that a tomato-basil bagel with smoked salmon infused cream cheese will cost a mere $3.49. If you want a bit more protein, bagels with eggs, cheese, and a generous amount of roasted ham cost about $5.00. Just a bagel with scrambled eggs is $3.69

Super Cheap Cost: Two basic bagels and cream cheese plus two small coffee: $9.00

Frugal Cost: A bagel with smoked salmon cream cheese, a bagel with scrambled eggs, plus a medium coffee and a juice: $13

Indulgent Cost: Two bagel breakfast sandwiches with cheese and ham, a large latte, and a large smoothie: $20.00

Breakfast Day 3: The Post Breakfast and Lunch (58 North Main St.)

I cannot say enough good things about this little restaurant. Their prices are fair and budget friendly and their serving are generous. I absolutely love that The Post Breakfast and Lunch is so flexible with all their sides. Getting toast? Choose from at least five different kinds of homemade bread. Want beans? They're available too - but if you rather not you can choose from home fries or my personal favourite, warm cinnamon apples. If your plate comes with meat you can choose from the usual bacon or sausage, as well as turkey sausage, baked ham, Canadian bacon, or kielbasa.

The "Half Farmers" breakfast is a phenomenal bargain at $5.99. It comes with two eggs, one pancake, bacon and sausage (they kindly gave me turkey sausage) and a breakfast side (I got the warm cinnamon apples and promptly put them on my pancake, which was 100% a boss move).  Many simple side dishes, add ons, and upgrades ring in at under $3.00 A stack of two pancakes, a crepe loaded with peaches, or one egg with toast and a choice of side are all options which cost less than $5.00. If you're feeling fancy, eggs Benedict and omelettes both start at just under $9. 

Super Cheap Cost: One "half farmers", and you split the pancakes which come with it (and add on the apples for free, of course), plus one super cheap side order of about $3 and you split one cup of bottomless coffee (Sneaky!):  About $11, plus tip. 
​
Frugal Cost: Two "half farmers" or similar low cost menu items, plus two coffee: About $16, plus tip.

Indulgent Cost: An Eggs Benedict and an omelette platter with one coffee and one large juice: About $25.00, plus tip.


Total breakfast costs for two, for two days
Super Cheap option: $20.00
Frugal option: $29.00
Indulgent option: $45.00

Cheap lunch options in Concord NH

We were late getting on the road to Concord, owing to some car kerfuffles, and so we didn't have a chance to try all the best diners in Concord and check out everything on our list. But we have a lot to recommend! So I guess we can say that "Day One" is all the items and options I have listed at the end and our Day Two is...

Lunch Day 2: Smokeshow BBQ (89 Ford Eddy Rd.)

First up is Smokeshow BBQ. I highly suspect how much you enjoy Smokeshow will depend on your barbecue heritage. I can't say for sure if it would pass muster with folks from Austin or Kansas City but everyone else should be okay. A 1/2 lb serving of meat here starts at $7.25 and options include pork loin, smoked turkey, sausage, pulled pork, brisket, and ribs. At $5.50, we opted for economical sandwiches, which I'd estimate at roughly 1/4 lb of meat on a small plain bun (there are a couple of different barbecue sauces and mustards on the table to dress it yourself.)

Sides cost $2.50 for a generous personal serving and include coleslaw, mac and cheese, baked beans, potato salad, cream corn, chili, and collard greens. Overall, we had high praise for the quality of the meat and the sauces and Ryan was really impressed by the chili. The coleslaw was very good but nothing outstanding (which is fine - it's coleslaw!) and the personal size container was big enough for both of us to have some on the side of our sandwiches. However, the mac and cheese was HORRIBLE. Easily the worst we have ever had. Imagine grossly overdone noodles and a sauce that was like a flavorless orange soup. It's just a menu item done wrong, wrong, wrong. I would still recommend this place for lunch, minus the mac, and I think two sandwich buns and two personal sides would be more than enough for two people. 

Super Cheap Cost: Two sandwiches, one side, bring your own water: $13.50 (We're pretty sure we saw free sliced pickles at the condiments area - I say go ahead and load up).

Frugal Cost: Two sandwiches and two sides and sharing one drink: $18.00

Indulgent Cost: Two half-pound servings of meat and two sides and two drinks: $25.00

So about that Day One which we missed....

Some other great options for a cheap lunch in Concord include The Post (yep, my beloved breakfast spot!) Sandwiches and burgers run about $6 or $10 for a platter with fries. Pot roast and chicken pot pie platters are less than $10.

Angelina's, a nice Italian restaurant which runs a little on the posh and pricey side at night, is a good choice for a slightly fancy-yet-frugal lunch. Lunch entrees with soup or salad start at $10.95.

Puppy Love hot dogs, a cherished local food cart serving nothin' but dogs, is a good choice at a few bucks a person. And Nadeau's Subs, a local New Hampshire chain, you can find an alternative to fast foot sandwich shops and you can build a thick sub to go for about $7.00.

​Total 2 Day Lunch Costs For 2 People:

Super Cheap Cost: $20.00
(The super cheap option at the Smokeshow and another low cost option like Puppy Love).

Frugal Cost: $35.00
​(The frugal option at Smokeshow and another frugal choice like The Post or Nadeau's).

Indulgent Cost: $50.00
(The indulgent option at Smokeshow and a place like Angelina's or the pricier options at The Post).

Cheap dinner options in Concord NH

There were so many Concord NH restaurants recommended to us that we were utterly spoiled for choice - and we found it hard to stay on budget. It's not that we felt things were pricey or inflated. We just wanted to experience everything  and try all the appetizers, options, and desserts. We did manage to rein things in and these are some of our top choices for the best cheap dinners in town. 

Dinner Day 1: Dos Amigos Burritos (26 North Main St).

Dos Amigos is the embodiment of the perfect $200 Challenge restaurant. Sure, there are frugal and filling meals and the flavor is off the charts. But it really goes the distance in so many ways, like having a strong emphasis on community and sourcing their homemade tortillas locally. Having a really great selection of salsas and sauces, a nd turning their used cooking oil into eco-friendly bio fuel. They have a great selection of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options. And their food was just DELICIOUS! It was even better than we thought it would be and we were so, so very happy after dinner - we couldn't stop raving about how great it was. Of everything we ate in Concord, coming back to Dos Amigos would be my top priority for a repeat visit.

We each had burritos with a few add ons and the staff put a small handful of chips on our tray - it made for a very filling meal. However, if you want to be a bit lighter, I'd suggest mixing things up by ordering a few different kinds of tacos to get max flavor without over doing it.

Super Cheap Cost: One bean burrito at $6.49 (we think all burritos come with a few free tortilla chips. Or maybe the staff just liked us because we stuffed their tip jar? Combine these "free" chips with the free salsa sauce at the condiments bar and you have a winning side!), plus a chicken taco at $3.69 and a fish taco at $4.29, stick with water: $14.47 + tip.

Frugal Cost: One chicken burrito $7.99, one pork burrito $8.59, add on guacamole to one at $1.75 and add one drink to share: About $21.50 + tip.

Indulgent Cost: One steak burrito bowl $9.49, one chicken quesadilla $8.99, a hearty garden salad $5.99, chips and guacamole $4.49, and two drinks: About $35.00 + tip.


Dinner Day 2: The Barley House (132 North Main St).

So much deliciousness! So much temptation. You could very, very easily have a $50 or even a $100 meal at The Barley House. But if you're super crafty, you might just find some $200 Challenge-friendly options. And $200 Challenge fans are nothing if not crafty.

One thing which really helps your dollars go the distance is that each dinner come with a complimentary serving of crunchy bread-sticks and an outstanding homemade garlicy hummus as an appetizer. And because we were charming and polite and basically begged for a refill, we got a second serving of it. Honestly, I'd recommend the Barley House just for this alone. 

Frugal foodies will want to note budget friendly dishes like the vegetarian sheppard's pie ($15), the mac and cheese ($13), chicken pot pie ($15), the veggie burger platter ($10), the house hamburger platter ($12), the Dublin burger with blue cheese and whiskey gravy ($15), roasted turkey and house smoked mozzarella panini with cranberry mayo, eggplant and pesto panini, or grilled chicken, ranch, and monterey jack panini (all $10) and the three cheese and house made sausage pizza for $13.00.

If you're a super sneaky planner, there's live Irish music on Tuesday nights from 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm. If your $200 Challenge happens mid week, why not try to work things out so you get a free show as well?

Super Cheap Cost: $20.00 + tip.
(Two of the $10 options, sticking with water)

Frugal Cost: $34.00 + tip.
​(A $15 item and a $13 item and maybe having two soft drinks or sharing one craft beer).

Indulgent Cost: $70.00
Did I not mention that the sky is the limit here? Imagine hanger steak ($25), grilled salmon ($22), two pints of beer, and the bread pudding with caramel and whiskey butter sauce.

I totally had the bread pudding, it totally blew my budget, and it was totally worth it. Every bite!


Total 2 Day Dinner Costs For 2 People:

Super -Cheap Cost: $34.50 + tip.
(On a crazy tight budget? You might need to skip the Barley House in favor of something cheaper like a good pizza).

Frugal Cost: $55.00
​
Indulgent Cost: $105.00
Yep, kiss the $200 Challenge limit goodbye! But it might just work if you're staying with friends or are happy to work with a budget of $200 per person, not per duo. And, hey, you only live once, right?


Total $200 Food Costs: For Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (not including tips were appropriate or taxes where applicable.)

Super -Cheap Cost: $74.50 - Amazing!

Frugal Cost: $98 - Cutting it close, but not too shabby! 
​
Indulgent Cost: $200. So we're way over budget. That was some mighty good food - and still frugal in the grand scheme of things!

Cheap hotels in Concord NH

We stayed at the Courtyard Concord by Marriott (70 Constitution Ave.) If you're thinking that this sounds like the nicest accommodations we've ever had while on a $200 Challenge, then you would be right. And if you're thinking there is no way that this kind of hotel would fit into a $200 Challenge budget, well, then you would also be right - kind of.

We are very, very lucky that we found a sensational discount code to compliment a sensational good price. As such, we paid just $50 a night to stay in a gorgeous hotel in Concord. 

But before you start muttering "yeah, must be nice", know that super frugal accommodations are possible in Concord even if you don't have a once in a lifetime hotel discount code. I did a search for properties in and around downtown Concord using a couple of different theoretical dates in the future.

This is what I came up with:

• A one bedroom rental apartment in nearby Manchester which sleeps four for $65 a night, plus property fee.
• The admittedly rather basicHill-Brook Motel in Bedford for $73 a night.
• The Best Western Concord Inn and Suites for $96 a night. Nice! Free breakfast is included as well.
• The Comfort Inn Concord for $110 a night, breakfast included.
• Several properties on AirBnB which cost around $50 a night for a private bedroom within in a home. 

My conclusion: Staying on budget with the $200 Challenge *is* possible, provided you book ahead, maybe look at sharing an AirBnB or a hotel room with another couple. But even if you do technically go over budget, there are a lot of affordable hotel rooms in Concord. Being the state capital, there are a lot of hotels relevant to the city's size to accommodate conferences, state business, etc. Should you find a pocket of time when tourism and business is a bit slow, you can find great bargains. 

So... how did we do? Was the $200 Challenge a success?

It IS possible for two people to travel for two days and spend just $200 in Concord. Assuming you find the cheapest accommodations and opt for the super-cheap food options, you'd have close to $25 leftover to spend on activities, shopping, and other assorted fun. Even if you chose the more middle of the road frugal food options and still found bargain basement accommodations, you'd ring in right around $200 - but you'd have to stick to free activities. And if you took the most indulgent route, choosing the most luscious food, going for a slightly nicer hotel room, and spending money on paid activities and a bit of shopping, it would cost around $500. That's not bad for a weekend of food, fun, and frivolity - all with a bit of frugality wrapped in.  

So how exactly did WE do? Well, while we unmistakably won when it came to accommodations, we were about $100 over our original $200 goal. The culprits were the Discovery Center, Gibson's Bookstore, and the bread pudding at The Barley House, plus a few extra snacks and money for parking. But when books and desserts are on offer, you have to say yes! I regret nothing - and I'll travel to Concord NH again soon.

​
Traveling to New England? These articles will help you plan your trip.

$200 Challenge: Portsmouth, New Hampshire
How To Save, Splurge, and Steal in Cap Cod
Planning A Budget Friendly Trip To Vermont