Discover Strafford

There are several ways to plan a trip to Strafford, with options including culture in Dover, paths and landscapes along rivers, and recreational opportunities at a pond and in a park. If you’re looking for a hotel, you could first consider whether museums, walks, outdoor activities, or a seasonal festival will shape your stay. The places below differ both in their themes and in the activities mentioned for each.

Museums and History in Dover

The Woodman Museum brings together natural history, history, and art. Its exhibits are intended for all age groups, providing a broad introduction to a museum visit. The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire focuses on something different: its two floors feature interactive exhibits for children from toddler age through middle school. The two museums therefore differ not only in subject matter, but also in the stated focus of their exhibits.

History and landscape also come together at the Isinglass River Conservation Reserve. The reserve includes five properties totaling approximately 400 acres, as well as more than two miles of the Isinglass River corridor. From Pig Lane, visitors can walk to cellar holes, cemeteries of the original settlers, and the ruins of once-busy mills. A walk through the area thus offers visible traces of its past uses. The Isinglass River also has the highest-rated water quality in the Great Bay watershed.

River Landscapes, Parks, and Trails

At Northwood Meadows State Park, activities on the water and on the trails go hand in hand. A pond formed by an impounded stream is used for fishing and non-motorized boating. The easily accessible trails are suitable for biking, hiking, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. The park therefore offers both recreation on the pond and different ways to use the trails; the listed activities vary considerably in whether you’ll be on the water or traveling on foot or with suitable sports equipment.

Nebi Park is a public park on the Cochecho River. Its features include river access, recreational facilities, and a public pavilion. For much of its route through the city, the Dover Community Trail follows a former railroad bed. It is intended to provide public access to protected greenways along the Cochecho and Bellamy Rivers. These two places offer different highlights: the park emphasizes its riverside location and existing facilities, while the trail highlights its former railroad route and its intended purpose of providing access to protected greenways.

Durham also has a trail network that can be used for walking, running, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Some maps may not be up to date. So check the map you plan to use before heading out. When considering the available options, it’s helpful to note the differences between the places: Northwood also lists biking and snowmobiling, while the list for Durham includes walking, running, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

Summer Festival and Travel Planning

The Sunflower Festival takes place every summer and celebrates the sunflower fields at the peak of their bloom. Food vendors are available throughout the festival week. If you’d like to include the festival in your travel plans, check the event dates for your intended travel period.

For travel by public transportation, Dover has an Amtrak Downeaster passenger rail platform. The Exit 9 Park & Ride/Bus Terminal also offers bus connections to Boston and New York City. No specific departure times are provided, so it’s a good idea to check current schedules when planning your trip. Together with the different museum, trail, and park options, this information can help you plan your trip around your interests and choose a suitable starting point for your hotel search.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Dover, Durham, Strafford, Carroll, Merrimack County, Hillsborough County, Sullivan County, Cheshire.

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