Discover Dover: City History, River and Nature

Dover offers different ways to experience the city during your stay: a children's museum and self-guided city history, a public riverside park, and gardens and natural areas. When looking for a hotel in Dover, it helps to distinguish between places in the city center, urban green spaces and destinations in the surrounding area.

City History and Experiences in Dover

The Children's Museum of New Hampshire is located in Henry Law Park in the city center and spans two floors. Its custom-designed interactive exhibits are geared toward children from toddler age through middle school. Activities include digging up dinosaur fossils, making music, piloting a space shuttle and navigating a submarine. Individual exhibits may change over time, so check what's currently on offer before visiting.

With “Faces of Dover,” you can explore historical themes on a self-guided tour using photo markers and explanatory signs placed throughout the city. The markers are usually on display from late April to mid-November. For a different perspective on the surrounding area, visit Garrison Hill Tower: the 76-foot steel tower stands in Garrison Hill Park and was built in its current form in 1993. On a clear day, the 360-degree view extends to the White Mountains, the coast of Maine and Portsmouth Harbor. Various observation structures have stood at this historic site since the 17th century.

Riverside, Gardens and Trails

Nebi Park, a public riverside park, is located on the Cochecho River in the heart of downtown and opened in July 2026. Landscaped promenades, gathering spots, seating areas and river access characterize the grounds. A pavilion is intended for community events, recreation, dining and boating activities. As operational details may change, check usage information before planning a specific visit.

The downtown section of the Dover Community Trail connects downtown—with a trailhead at the Transportation Center—to the campuses of Dover Middle School and Dover High School, as well as Bellamy Park. The section is suitable for pedestrians and cyclists. For much of its length, the trail follows a former railroad bed. Planned rural extensions along the Cochecho River and Bellamy River are intended to offer opportunities for cycling, hiking, birdwatching and fishing. The planned sections are also intended to provide public access to protected green corridors along both rivers.

The Joe B. Parks Riverwalk Public Gardens, which opened in 2008, invite visitors to stroll and linger. Their themed areas feature wildflowers, rhododendrons, hostas, mountain laurels, daylilies and other plants; the gardens are connected to Dover's natural heritage. At Bellamy Preserve, also known as Bellamy River Wildlife Sanctuary, two loop trails pass through forests, tidal streams and salt marshes. Together, the trails are about 1.5 miles long.

Nearby and Waterfront Nature Destinations

The Willand Pond Recreation Area lies between Dover and Somersworth. Its 66-acre pond is surrounded by wooded trails; the area is suitable for walking, fishing and wildlife watching. Another nearby natural area is the 400-acre Bellamy River Wildlife Management Area on the west bank of the Bellamy River, between Dover and Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Its trail network is suitable for hiking, cross-country skiing and wildlife watching.

Founded by Paul and Maya Halthore-Kelley, Cochecho River Recreation aims to help people in Dover experience the Cochecho River. Its offerings include kayak and canoe rentals, personal boat storage and introductory courses in safe paddling. Check current operating details before making plans. Downtown, the women-led business Auspicious Brew brews kombucha and serves it by the glass, as a flight or in a growler. Check opening hours before visiting.

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