From outdoor spaces full of wildlife to indoor playgrounds, Merrimack gives families plenty of room to play and explore. Its spot next to Nashua, Manchester, and Concord also makes it easy to reach museums, farms, and more within a short drive. Merrimack has a famous brewery, an outlet mall, a lake beach, and quiet nature trails, so there is something here for every age. If you are moving to Merrimack, explore our guide to the best things to do in town, indoors and out.
Top Merrimack Attractions for the Whole Family
Merrimack is a small town with a few big draws. These spots pull in visitors from across New Hampshire, and they work well for families.
Anheuser-Busch Brewery and the Clydesdale Hamlet
The Anheuser-Busch Merrimack Brewery is the town’s best-known attraction. It sits at 221 Daniel Webster Highway and has brewed beer here since 1970. Families come mainly for the Clydesdale Hamlet, where you can meet the famous Budweiser Clydesdale horses up close. Kids also love Brewer, the resident Dalmatian.
The grounds include the AB Biergarten and host events like the annual RibFest, with food, music, and games. The brewery offers tours of the brewing process, though hours change by season, so check the schedule before you go. Beer tours and tastings are for guests 21 and older, but the horses and grounds welcome all ages.
Merrimack Premium Outlets
The Merrimack Premium Outlets is a large open-air shopping center at 80 Premium Outlets Boulevard, just off Exit 10 of the Everett Turnpike. It holds about 100 stores with brands for the whole family. It makes an easy rainy-day option, and it pairs well with a meal nearby. The outlets sit close to the brewery, so you can visit both in one trip.
Outdoor Spaces: Parks and Nature Walks
As the second most forested state in the country, only behind Maine, New Hampshire offers countless outdoor spaces for children and adults to enjoy the natural beauty of the Northeast. Sitting close to the Merrimack River, Merrimack gives kids many chances to get outside and fall in love with nature.
Wasserman Park
Wasserman Park at 116 Naticook Road is one of the best family spots in Merrimack. The 46-acre park sits on Naticook Lake and holds the Norma French Memorial Playground, one of the larger playgrounds in the area. Families come for the swings, the ball fields, the tennis and pickleball courts, the dog park, and the walking trails that connect to Horse Hill Nature Preserve.
In summer, the park has a town beach with docks and lake swimming. Note that the beach is for Merrimack residents and their guests, so bring a resident pass or parking pass if you plan to swim. Lifeguards are on duty on weekdays when camp is in session, and children under 13 need an adult with them.
Twin Bridge Park and Kids Kove
One of the highest-rated spots for children, Twin Bridge Park and its Kids Kove playground draw families of all ages. The 27-acre park includes the Kids Kove play area, Bise Field for Little League baseball, a half-court basketball court, and picnic tables. Named for the two bridges that cross Baboosic Brook, Twin Bridge Park also has scenic walking paths that let families enjoy the woods that have drawn people here since colonial times.
Horse Hill Nature Preserve
This roughly 563-acre property, maintained by the Conservation Commission, is the largest preserved open space in Merrimack. Its wide network of trails is home to a diverse range of wildlife and plants. The preserve takes its name from Horse Hill, one of two 400-foot hills in the area. Settlers once lived here, and traces of that history still remain. Stone walls, crumbling foundations, and two hand-dug wells blend into the forest that grew back after decades of logging. You can hike, bike, walk the dog, and even ride horses in this popular spot.
Mitchell Woods and Watkins Forest
A small but vital part of Merrimack’s water supply, Mitchell Woods holds an unnamed brook surrounded by wet, flooded land that locals use as an informal walking path. The wetlands here, close to Baboosic Brook, make the area great for bird watching and for spotting amphibians and fish. Mitchell Woods abuts Watkins Forest, a 61-acre parcel owned by the town. Watkins Forest is open to the public and also permits hunting, so wear bright colors in season.
Wildcat Falls Conservation Area
Wildcat Falls is an 87-acre conservation area with hiking trails, a small waterfall, and views of the Merrimack River. It is a quiet spot for a family walk in the woods. Keep young children close near the falls, since the water can move fast and the rocks get slick.
Indoor Entertainment in and Around Merrimack
If you cannot get outside with the kids, Merrimack has plenty of indoor options. Indoor playgrounds and recreation centers give children a great place to play. Merrimack’s location also makes it easy to drive to nearby attractions when local spots get crowded. Here are our picks.
Altitude Trampoline Park
Altitude Trampoline Park at 360 Daniel Webster Highway is a large indoor trampoline park in Merrimack. Kids can jump on wall-to-wall trampolines, play dodgeball, run a ninja warrior course, and drop into foam pits. It works for a range of ages and makes an easy rainy-day plan or birthday party.
Nuthin’ but Good Times
Nuthin’ but Good Times at 746 Daniel Webster Highway is a family indoor playground built around a large soft-play structure. It has a separate area for toddlers under 4, a café with allergy-friendly food, and a lounge for parents. Walk-ins are welcome, and there are no bouncy houses or arcade games, just open play.
Merrimack Ten Pin Center
Merrimack Ten Pin Center gives families of all skill levels the chance to enjoy a day at the lanes. Its family fun center has automatic scoreboards, plus lightweight balls, bumpers, and ramps for children. More competitive players can join leagues. Go at night for glow bowling with music, and have food and drinks delivered right to your lane.
Merrimack Community Center
Merrimack’s Park and Recreation Department runs adult, teen, and youth programs all year. Trips to New York City, classes on self-esteem and leadership, and American Red Cross courses all happen thanks to the department. Check their website or subscribe to the newsletter to stay up to date on local happenings.
Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, Dover
About an hour’s drive from Merrimack, the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in Dover blends education and fun. Interactive exhibits cover nature, STEAM, and world cultures, with special exhibits for children ages 0 to 3, so the museum suits kids from infants to age 12. It also has an Adventure Playground with swings, slides, and climbing structures that keep kids active while parents relax.
Carriage Shack Farm, Londonderry
About a 30-minute drive away, Carriage Shack Farm offers a fun-filled day of petting and feeding animals, learning about farming, and seeing how the farm connects to the table. The farm also offers pony rides and rentals, education programs like Dinosaur and Reptile Days, parties, field trips, and seasonal events for Halloween and Easter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Things to Do in Merrimack
What are the best things to do in Merrimack, NH?
Top picks include the Anheuser-Busch Brewery and its Clydesdale Hamlet, the Merrimack Premium Outlets, and Wasserman Park on Naticook Lake. Families also enjoy Twin Bridge Park with the Kids Kove playground and indoor spots like Altitude Trampoline Park.
Are there indoor playgrounds in Merrimack, NH?
Yes. Nuthin’ but Good Times on Daniel Webster Highway offers a soft-play indoor playground with a toddler area and a café. Altitude Trampoline Park adds trampolines and a ninja course. Both work well on rainy days.
Can kids visit the Anheuser-Busch brewery in Merrimack?
The brewery grounds and the Clydesdale Hamlet welcome all ages, so kids can meet the horses. Beer tours and tastings are for guests 21 and older. Tour hours change by season, so check ahead.
What is the best park for kids in Merrimack?
Wasserman Park is a favorite for its large playground, lake beach, and trails, though the beach is for residents and guests. Twin Bridge Park is another strong choice, with the Kids Kove play area and Little League fields.
What free things can families do in Merrimack?
Merrimack’s parks are free to explore, including Twin Bridge Park, Horse Hill Nature Preserve, and the trails at Wasserman Park. The Anheuser-Busch grounds and Clydesdale Hamlet are also free to visit.
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