Concord is a pretty unique city. How many capital cities have as much agriculture, wildlife and natural resources as this one?
With all of the nature the city has to offer, it only makes sense that it also has the New Hampshire Audubon McLane Center, where you can learn all about the things you see around you every day.
The McLane Center is on Silk Farm Road, off Clinton Street. It’s a little ways away from the downtown core, but not too far, which fits in nicely with our hidden gems theme. It also works out well because a place like this needs some open space to operate, and that’s hard to come by right downtown.
The center offers all kinds of educational and fun programming for kids and adults all year long, including school and youth group programs and summer camps. There are several live animals on display complete with full fact sheets, and almost all of them are examples of animals you could see right here in Concord, with a few exceptions, said Ruth Smith, the McLane Center’s community engagement manager.
“On occasion, we’ve taken pets,” she said, explaining why there was a python among the reptiles on display. In general, though, the center isn’t really looking to take in pets, as they don’t have the capacity to add lots of animals.
The ones they do have are there because they can’t live on their own in the wild – none of the animals are captured purely for the purpose of being put on display, Smith said.
Given all the live animals you get to see up close and personal, the place is kind of a hit with the kids.
“It’s a popular place for field trips,” Smith said.
But you don’t have to be in school to check out things like hawks, eagles, owls, turtles and snakes. Families and individuals can show up any time (during business hours, anyway), and there’s never a charge, though donations are welcomed and appreciated.
The place is also available to rent for seminars, meetings or parties. They’ve even hosted weddings, Smith said. What better setting for a rural wedding?
Outside, you can access the West End Farm trail via Wendy’s Loop. You can actually walk all the way to Carter Hill Orchard from here. If you want, you can plan a whole day around the McLane Center – come early, check out the animals, then go for a nice walk through the woods – where you could see even more animals.
And there’s a hidden gem within a hidden gem along these trails. Not long after you enter the trail by the parking lot, there’s an impressive tree house about 20 feet up.
It’s not a rickety old thing either – this thing was professionally built and seems as solid as the tree itself. Feel free to climb the stairs and go out on the porch to look around (spoiler alert: there’s not much of a view due to the dense tree population, but it’s fun nonetheless).
As you’re leaving, stop by the Nature Store inside. You can find useful things like field guides, binoculars and bug nets, as well as toys and activities for kids.
Keep the McLane Center in mind as fall approaches – they do an Enchanted Forest in October that’s fun for the whole family.
For more information, check out nhaudubon.org or call 224-9909.
