McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center

The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord, New Hampshire is a small interactive space based activity center for children with an attached planetarium.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The center is dedicated to the two New Hampshire space heroes Alan Shepard, the first American in space and Christa McAuliffe, the teacher who tragically died in the space shuttle Challenger explosion.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Most of the displays are interactive and geared to keeping the young children involved. There are also many school affiliated activities that the center sponsers. This is an ideal place for any child with an interest in the space program. I would strongly suggest you look into the center sponsered events and activities. The attached planetarium is also great for both children and adults.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

What I found most interesting were the displays of old space toys and magazines.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Restaurant Review – The Beach Plum (Epping, New Hampshire)

In a mood for seafood we decided to try The Beach Plum in Epping, NH. Conveniently located just off the highway only a few miles from our house with a counter ordering layout which led to a quick turnaround, ideal if in a hurry. The service is beach style where you order at the counter, find a seat and pick up your food when it is ready.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The usual fried seafood options were available on the menu with a selection of burgers and wraps as well. The food was plentiful and filling and although not gourmet by any means a satisfying New England fish shack experience. Not the same as getting the ultra fresh fare you will find in the many coastal towns of Maine and New Hampshire but a decent second option.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Custom House Maritime Museum – Newburyport, Massachusetts (Essex National Heritage Area)

The Custom House Maritime Museum in Newburyport, MA is part of the Essex National Heritage Area an affiliate of the National Park System. Built in 1835 and designed by the same architect that designed the Washington Monument; Robert Mills. The building is located on the harbor in downtown Newburyport and is surrounded by restaurants and pleasant shops within easy walking distance. The museum has ship models and artifacts from the heyday of Newburyports trade and shipping history. The museum is small and an interesting overview of Newburyport’s maritime past and the docent we had as a guide was tremendous. If you go I hope you get the same guide but the trip is worth it for the architecture alone.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

There is a Passport to your National Parks cancellation station in the small gift shop.