Concord is the state capital and home to several attractions worth exploring. Christa McAuliffe Planetarium, built in honor of the New Hampshire schoolteacher who died in the space shuttle Challenger tragedy, features interactive exhibits and a 40-ft (12-m) domed theater.
Located just north of Concord is the well-preserved Canterbury Shaker Village, which was founded by the Shaker religious community over 200 years ago. The performing arts come alive at Capitol Center for the Arts, a venue for music, opera, theater and dance. Other attractions in the area include the Museum of New Hampshire History, Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum and Kimball-Jenkins Estate.
Just southeast of the city is Bear Brook State Park, the largest developed state park in New Hampshire and an outdoor playground that affords hiking, biking and swimming. The park's museum is a must-see for visitors interested in learning about natural and human history.
