New Hampshire Field Trips for Homeschoolers

Even though it’s made up of less than 10,000 square miles, New Hampshire is big when it comes to all the fun field trip destinations available to families. Whether you want to explore the state parks and learn about nature, or visit the historic homes and museums full of exhibits and stories from the past, there is something for every age and every interest.

Start planning all the educational fun with this page that features over 20 field trip ideas throughout the Granite State’s seven regions. This free printable map of New Hampshire will allow your student to learn about the state’s geography before you head out. Then, be sure to download the Time4Learning lesson tie-ins at the end of this post to help supplement your field trips in New Hampshire. Please make sure to contact each site before you plan your visit, as COVID-19 may have impacted their hours of operations.

Field Trips in the Great North Woods Region

• Milan Hill State Park, Milan – Some of the things you can do in this New Hampshire park include hiking, kayaking, wildlife viewing, and more. Be sure to climb the fire tower to get a bird’s eye view of numerous mountain ranges, as well as several surrounding states and Canada.
• Moffett House Museum, Berlin – Learn about Coos county at this museum whose mission it is to “educate a broad and diverse public about the county’s rich history, culture and ethnic roots.” Families can explore the museum’s exhibits that include thousands of artifacts, photos, books, documents, and more.
• The Poore Family Homestead Historic Farm Museum, Stewartstown – Take a step back in time and learn about the Poore family and how they lived back in the 1830s. Visitors can explore the museum, house, barns and other buildings. Homeschoolers can download a guide and take a self-guided tour that includes exhibit descriptions, interesting facts, and more.

Field Trips in the White Mountains Region

• Mount Washington Cog Railway, Bretton Woods – Take a once-in-a-lifetime train ride up to the highest peak in the Northeast. Opened to the public in 1869, the Cog takes passengers on a 3-hour ride with a stop to view the summit and a visitor center that features a museum with displays and interactive exhibits. Your kids will find this day trip to be the highlight of their week!
• Mount Washington Observatory, North Conway – Home to various educational facilities, families can enhance their science curriculum as they explore and learn about climate and weather. Homeschoolers can explore the hands-on exhibits at the Weather Discovery Center, take a guided tour of the mountaintop weather station, and more.
• Tin Mountain Conservation Center, Albany – Founded in 1980, this non-profit offers tons of learning opportunities for families, making it a great choice for an educational trip. Visitors can take part in naturalist-led hikes, walks or boat cruises as they learn about the area’s ecology, and the plants and animals that call it home. Homeschool programs are also available for families.

Field Trips in the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Region

• Fort at No. 4 Living History Museum, Charlestown – Once the northernmost British village in the state, this fort, that was established in 1744 now serves as a living history museum that gives students a look at life during the Colonial Era. Families can learn how settlers lived through numerous hands-on programs, reenactments, educational tours, and other events.
• Mount Kearsarge Indian Museum, Warner – If you’re studying Native Americans, this museum is an educational field trip you definitely want to take. In addition to its informative exhibits, homeschoolers can learn about Native American history by taking part in guided or self-guided tours, workshops, special events, and more. The museums features thousands of Native-made objects, an outdoor Medicine Woods trail, arboretum, and more.
• The Ice House Museum, New London – From vintage cars to horse-drawn carriages, students can learn about various types of transportation at this museum that offers free admission. Homeschoolers will love seeing a 1926 fire engine, various ride-on toys, antique machinery, steam whistles, and more.

Field Trips in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire

• Polar Caves Park, Rumney – Ready to do some cave exploration? With nine granite boulder caves to choose from, families can make a day trip of this fun destination that has been opened since 1922. Formed during the last Ice Age, this natural attraction offers visitors the opportunity to learn about these underground chambers and how they were formed. Families can also explore the natural trails, animal park, climbing wall, and more.
• Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness – Opened to the public in 1969, this center and zoo features live animal exhibits and tons of learning opportunities for students. Families can take part in homeschool programs, adventure camps, nature tours, and more.
• The Loon Center & Markus Wildlife Sanctuary, Moultonborough – Built in 1993, this center serves as the headquarters of the Loon Preservation Committee and features informative displays, exhibits, videos, and more that allow visitors to learn about the area’s loons and other wildlife. Families can also enjoy the two walking trails at the 200-acre Markus Wildlife Sanctuary where the center is located.

Field Trips in the Monadnock Region

• Rhododendron State Park, Fitzwilliam – The state’s only botanical state park is home to a 16-acre grove of rhododendrons that was named a National Natural Landmark in 1982. Families can get a close up view of the fragrant flowers that typically bloom in mid-July as well as hike numerous trails, one of which provides a magnificent view of Mt. Monadnock.
• Mariposa Museum & World Culture Center, Peterborough – Is your child learning about different cultures in their social studies lessons? Then be sure to visit this field trip destination that is home to over 7,500 artifacts from various places including Africa, Europe, Latin America, Japan, and more.  Families will be able to learn with hands-on and informative exhibits and various education programs.
• Chesterfield Gorge Natural Area, Chesterfield – This 13-acre state park is home to a picturesque gorge, waterfalls as well as a hiking trail that allows families to get scenic views along the way. A visitor center offers brochures, maps, and other literature.

Field Trips in the Merrimack Valley Region

• Currier Museum of Art, Manchester – Art lovers will be able to view American and European paintings by Picasso, Monet, O’Keeffe, and more. Homeschoolers can sign up for studio classes or take part in other family activities like storytime, art walks, and more. Various tours are available, including one of the nearby Zimmerman House designed by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
• Robert Frost Farm Historic Site, Derry – Literature fans can step into the home that poet Robert Frost lived in for over 10  years and where he wrote many of his works. Families can take guided tours of the house and take a self-guided tour of the nature/poetry trail that features 14 signs with a Frost poem on each one.
• NH State House Visitors’ Center, Concord – Families can bring their government and politics studies to life by taking a guided or self-guided tour at this educational field trip destination. Students can also learn about NH history, state government, and more with the exhibits located in the visitor center.

Field Trips in the Seacoast Region

• Strawberry Banke Museum, Portsmouth – This 10-acre outdoor history museum features 32 buildings, various educational  programs, exhibits, and more. Homeschool programs include homeschool days that are offered several times a year as well as weekly homeschool classes.
• Seacoast Science Center, Rye – Since it first opened in 1992, this center has been educating the public about the importance of protecting our oceans. In addition to exhibits such as H20 Today, the Gulf of Maine, and Discovery Dock, and daily presentations, there are also several homeschool programs that allow students to learn about environmental and marine biology.
• Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, Dover – Spend a few hours exploring all the educational exhibits at this museum whose mission it is to “actively engage families in hands-on discovery.” Students can learn about a number of topics with exhibits like Dino Detective, STEAM Innovation Lab, One World, Cave Explorers, and more.