A river corridor, historic mill ruins and a pond for non-motorized boating show how much there is to discover in Strafford. The Isinglass River Conservation Reserve comprises five properties covering approximately 400 acres and more than two miles of the Isinglass River corridor. Along Pig Lane, you can walk to cellar holes, cemeteries of the original settlers and the ruins of once-busy mills.
River Landscapes and Trails
The Isinglass River has the highest-rated water quality in the Great Bay watershed. The Dover Community Trail offers a different connection to the rivers: For much of its length through the city, it follows a former railroad bed and is intended to provide public access to protected greenways along the Cochecho and Bellamy rivers. Pig Lane leads to named historic sites; the Community Trail, by contrast, focuses on its intended role in providing access to river greenways. The trails also differ in what they invite you to focus on: traces of early settlements and mills, or a planned public connection to protected greenways.
At Northwood Meadows State Park, the pond was formed by damming a stream. It is used for fishing and non-motorized boating. The accessible trails are suitable for cycling, hiking, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Durham's trail network adds opportunities for walking, running, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Cross-country skiing is common to both trail networks; running and snowshoeing are listed for Durham, while cycling and snowmobiling are listed for Northwood Meadows. Some maps of the Durham trail network may not be up to date. Check the relevant map if you plan to use it for guidance.
Nebi Park is a public park on the Cochecho River. Its features include river access, recreational facilities and a public pavilion. This gives it a different focus from the trail networks described above: Here, access to the river and park amenities take center stage.
Museums and Summer Festival
The museums also offer different perspectives. The Woodman Museum presents exhibits on natural history, history and art for all ages. The Children's Museum of New Hampshire spans two floors, with interactive exhibits for children from toddler age through middle school. If you're looking for a range of topics under one roof, the Woodman Museum offers several areas of knowledge and art; the Children's Museum tailors its exhibits specifically to younger visitors.
A seasonal event is the Sunflower Festival, held every summer to celebrate the sunflower fields at the peak of their bloom. Food vendors are present throughout the festival week. If you'd like to plan your visit around the festival, check the dates before you travel.
Getting There and Getting Around
Dover has an Amtrak Downeaster passenger rail platform. The Exit 9 Park & Ride/Bus Terminal in Dover also offers bus connections to Boston and New York City. These provide different starting points for planning your trip, without specifying a particular connection or departure time. If you plan to travel by train or bus, check current schedules for your travel dates.
Explore more destinations: Dover, Durham, Strafford, Hillsborough County, Cheshire, Belknap, Carroll, Rockingham.
For the main travel overview: New Hampshire.
