Our readers’ top picks for New Hampshire families
In summer 2020, ParentingNH asked readers to vote online in its 10th annual poll to help determine those businesses that make New Hampshire a great state for families. Readers cast their votes in more than 50 categories including favorite date night restaurant, favorite pediatrician, favorite ice cream, favorite kid-friendly museum, and more. Congratulations to 2020’s Family Favorite winners, and thanks for all you do to make this state a wonderful place to live.
— MELANIE HITCHCOCK, EDITOR
Adventure and Aerial Park
Chuckster’s
9 Bailey Road, Chichester
798-3555; www.chuckstersnh.com
Amusement Park
Canobie Lake Park
85 North Policy St., Salem
893-3506; www.canobie.com
Bakery and Dessert
Buckley’s Bakery & Cafe
436 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack
262-5929; www.buckleysbakerycafe.com
Greater Concord (tie): Bread and Chocolate
29 South Main St., Concord
228-3330; Find on Facebook
Jacques Fine European Pastries
128 Main St., Pembroke
485-4035; www.jacquespastries.com
Multi-location: Frederick’s Pastries
NH locations: Bedford and Amherst
www.pastry.net
Bike Shop
S&W Sports
296 S. Main St., Concord
228-1441; www.swsports.net
Greater Manchester: The Bike Barn
252 Willow St. Manchester
668-6555; www.bikebarnusa.com
Lakes Region: MC Cycle & Sport
574 Main St., Laconia
528-1133; http://mccycleandsport.com
Local multi-location: Goodale’s Bike Shop
Hooksett, Nashua, Concord
www.goodalesbikeshop.com
Birthing Center or Hospital
Childbirth Center at St. Joseph Hospital
172 Kinsley St., Nashua
595-3162; www.stjosephhospital.com
Seacoast: Women & Children Center at Wentworth-Douglas Hospital
789 Central Ave., Dover
742-5252; www.wdhospital.org
Greater Concord: The Family Place at Concord Hospital
250 Pleasant St., Concord
225-2711; www.concordhospital.org
Greater Nashua: The Birth Place at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center
8 Prospect St., Nashua
577-2560; www.sbirthplace.org
Greater Manchester: Mom’s Place at Catholic Medical Center
100 McGregor St., Manchester
663-6667; www.catholicmedicalcenter.org
Bowling Alley
Boutwell’s Bowling Center
152 North State St., Concord
224-0941; www.boutwellsbowl.com
Greater Nashua: Merrimack Ten Pin Center
698 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack
429-0989; www.merrimacktenpin.com
Lakes Region: Funspot
579 Endicott St. N., Laconia
366-4377; www.funspot.com
Candy Shop or Chocolatier
Granite State Candy Shoppe
13 Warren St., Concord
225-2591; www.granitestatecandyshoppe.com
Lakes Region: Kellerhaus
259 Endicott St., Laconia
366-4466; https://kellerhaus.com
Greater Manchester: Van Otis Chocolates
341 Elm St., Manchester
627-1611; www.vanotischocolates.com
Northern NH: Chutters
Littleton and Lincoln locations
www.chutters.com
Child Photographer
Photography by Genevieve
Amherst
www.photographybygenevieve.com
Children’s Local Book Store
Gibson’s Book Store
45 South Main St., Concord
224-0562; www.gibsonsbookstore.com
Greater Manchester: Bookery
Manchester
848 Elm St., Manchester
836-6600; www.bookerymht.com
Children’s Shoe Store
Alec’s Shoe Store
1617 Southwood Drive, Nashua
882-6811; www.alecs-shoes.com
Children’s Toy Store
Toyland
321 Nashua St., Milford
Find on Facbook
Seacoast: Noggin Factory
53 Washington St., Dover
742-0012; www.nogginfactorytoys.com
Northern NH: Toy Chest
2703 White Mountain Hwy., Conway
356-7176; www.toychestnh.com
Multi-location: Josh’s Toys and Games
NH locations: Salem, Nashua, Manchester
www.joshstoysandgames.com
Chiropractor
Chiropractic Associates of Bedford
765 South Main St., Dartmouth
Commons Manchester
626-3900; www.askachiro.net
Greater Manchester: Amoskeag Chiropractic
55 Amoskeag St., Manchester
624-8000; www.nhchiropractors.com
Lakes Region: Awakening Chiropractic
7A Grange Road, Tilton
729-0009; www.awakeningchiropractic.com
Seacoast: Crossroads Chiropractic
629 Calef Highway, Epping
679-3222; www.crossroadschiropractic.com
Greater Concord: Performance
Heath Spine & Sports Therapy
91A North State St., Concord
724-2297; www.performancehealthnh.com
Clothing Consignment M&C Clothing and Gifts
135 Route 101A, Amherst
886-6727; www.m-c-clothing-andgoods.myshopify.com
Cupcakery
Queen City Cupcakes
790 Elm St., Manchester
624-4999; www.qccupcakes.com
Greater Nashua: Bite Me Kupcakez
4 Mound Court, Merrimack
674-4459; www.bitemekupcakez.com
Northern NH: White Mountain Cupcakery
2 Common Court, North Conway
730-5140; www.wmcupcakery.com
Lakes Region: Lakes Region Cupcakes
1002 Union Ave, Laconia
527-8286; Find on Facebook
Greater Manchester: Cupcakes 101
132 Bedford Center Road, Bedford
488-5962; www.cupcakes101.net
Dance Studio
Dance Inspirations
45 Chenell Drive, Suite 2
Concord: 856-8545;
www.danceinspirations.com
Greater Manchester: Dimensions in Dance
84 Myrtle St., Manchester
668-4196; www.dimensionsindance.com
Greater Nashua: The Dance Company
130 Route 101A, Amherst
864-8374; www.thedancecompanyonline.com
Environmental and Educational Center
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
23 Science Center Road, Holderness
968-7194; www.nature.org
Greater Manchester: SEE Science Center
200 Bedford St., Manchester
669-0400; www.see-sciencecenter.org
Seacoast: Seacoast Science Center
570 Ocean Blvd., Rye
436-8043; www.seacoastsciencecenter.org
Greater Concord: NH Audubon McLane Center
84 Silk Farm Road, Concord
369-4329; www.nhaudubon.org
Equestrian Center
Lucky 7 Stables
154 Litchfield Road, Londonderry
432-3076; www.lucky7stables.com
Greater Manchester: Different Drummer Farm
55 South Road, Candia
483-2234; www.differentdrummerfarm.com
Family Dentist
Lindner Dental Associates
72 South River Road, Bedford
624-3900; www.lindnerdental.com
Greater Manchester: Hoertdoerfer Dentistry
4 Elliot Way, Suite 306, Manchester
669-1251; www.bruinsdentist.com
Greater Nashua: Nashua Family Dentistry
25 Riverside St., Nashua
546-7460; www.nashuafamilydentistry.com
Seacoast: Exeter Family Dental Care
193 High St. Exeter
772-3351; www.exeterfamilydentalcare.com
Greater Concord: Generations Dental Care
9 Triangle Park Drive, Concord
225-6331; www.generationsdental.com
Greater Salem: Haas Dental Associates
4 Manchester Ave., Derry
434-1586; www.haasdentalnh.com
Family Fitness Club
YMCA of Greater Nashua
Merrimack and Nashua locations
www.nmymca.org
Seacoast: The Works Family Health and Fitness
23 Works Way, Somersworth
742-2163; www.theworkshealthclub.com
Greater Concord: Concord
Family YMCA
15 North State St., Concord
228-9622; www.concordymca.org
Monadnock Region: Hampshire Hills Athletic Club
50 Emerson Road, Milford
673-7123; www.hampshirehills.com
National chain: Planet Fitness
627-5566; www.planetfitness.com
Family Mental Health and Counseling Services
Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester
401 Cypress St., Manchester
668-4111; www.mhcgm.org
Greater Concord: Riverbend Community Mental Health
278 Pleasant St., Concord
228-1600; www.riverbendcmhc.org
Greater Manchester: Bedford Family Therapy
10 Commerce Park North, Unit 1A, Bedford
606-1233; www.bedfordfamilytherapy.com
Seacoast: Seacoast Mental
Health
Portsmouth and Exeter locations
www.smhc-nh.org
Greater Nashua: Greater Nashua
Mental Health Center
15 Prospect St., Nashua
889-6147; www.gnmhc.org
Family Pediatrician
St. Joseph Hospital Pediatrics
Nashua and Milford locations
www.stjosephhospital.com
Greater Concord: Concord Pediatrics
248 Pleasant St., Suite 1700, Concord
224-1929; www.concordpediatrics.com
Greater Manchester: Dartmouth-Hitchcock Pediatrics
5 Washington Place, Bedford
695-2500; www.chadkids.org
Family Restaurant
Puritan Backroom
245 Hooksett Road, Manchester
669-6890; www.puritanbackroom.com
Greater Manchester: Tuckaway
Tavern & Butchery
58 Route 27, Raymond
244-2431; www.thetuckaway.com
Lakes Region: Hart’s Turkey Farm
233 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith
279-6212; www.hartsturkeyfarm.com
Northern NH: Woodstock Inn
Brewery
135 Main St., North Woodstock
745-3951; www.woodstockinnbrewery.com
Local multi-location: La Carreta
6 NH locations
https://lacarretamex.com
Family Ski Resort
Pats Peak
686 Flanders Road, Henniker
www.patspeak.com
Family-friendly Bank
TD Bank
www.tdbank.com
Family-friendly Credit Union
St. Mary’s Bank
www.stmarysbank.com
Gymnastics Facility
Flipz Gymnastics
14 Chenell Drive, Concord
224-3223; www.flipzgymnastics.com
Greater Nashua: Gymnastics
Village
13 Caldwell Drive, Amherst
889-8092; www.gymnasticsvillage.com
Greater Concord: Granite State
Gymnastic Center
1316 Hooksett Road, Hooksett
935-9816; www.granitestategymnastics.com
Greater Manchester: YMCA
Allard Center Gymnastics
116 Goffstown Back Road, Goffstown
497-4663; www.graniteymca.org
Holistic Medicine and Health Services
Practitioner
Whole Health Concord
91 North State St., Concord
369-4626; www.naturalmedicine.com
Greater Manchester: Northeast
Integrative Medicine
360 Route 101, Unit 7, Bedford
647-0600; www.northeastintegrative.com
Greater Concord: New Dimensions Family Care
102 Pleasant St., Concord
275-9585; www.drcindicroft.com
Greater Nashua: Living Natural Inc.
22 Concord St., Suite 6, Nashua
594-0002; www.livingnaturalinc.com
Hospital or Medical Center
St. Joseph Hospital
172 Kinsley St., Nashua
882-3000; www.stjosephhospital.com
Greater Manchester: Elliot Hospital
4 Elliot Way, Suite 401, Manchester
669-5300; www.elliothospital.org
Seacoast: Wentworth-Douglass
Hospital
789 Central Ave., Dover
742-5252; www.wdhospital.org
Greater Concord: Concord
Hospital
250 Pleasant St., Concord
225-2711; www.concordhospital.org
Greater Nashua: Southern
New Hampshire Health
8 Prospect St., Nashua
www.snhhealth.org
Northern NH: Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center/CHaD
1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon
650-KIDS; www.chadkids.org
Ice Cream
Hayward’s Ice Cream
Nashua and Merrimack locations
www.haywardsicecream.com
Greater Manchester: Puritan
Backroom
245 Hooksett Road, Manchester
669-6890; www.puritanbackroom.com
Greater Concord: Arnie’s Place
164 Loudon Road, Concord
228-3225; Find on Facebook
Monadnock Region: Kimball Farm
158 Turnpike Road, Jaffrey
532-5765; www.kimballfarm.com
Lakes Region: Jordan’s Ice
Creamery
894 Laconia Road, Belmont
267-1900; Find on Facebook
Ice Skating or Hockey
Facility
Tri-Town Ice Arena
311 West River Road, Hooksett
485-1100; www.tri-townicearena.com
Indoor Play Place
Funspot
579 Endicott St. N., Laconia
366-4377; www.funspot.com
Greater Concord: Krazy Kids
Indoor Play & Party Center
60 Sheep Davis Road, Pembroke
228-7529; www.krazykids.com
Greater Manchester: Sky Zone Trampoline Park (closed)
Multi-location: Altitude
Trampoline Park
Concord, Merrimack, Pelham
www.altitudetrampolinepark.com
Kid-friendly Museum
SEE Science Center
200 Bedford St., Manchester
669-0400; www.see-sciencecenter.org
Greater Concord: McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery
Center
2 Institute Drive, Concord
271-7827; www.starhop.com
Greater Manchester: Currier
Museum of Art
150 Ash St., Manchester
669-6144; www.currier.org
Seacoast: Children’s Museum of New Hampshire
6 Washington St., Dover
742-2002; www.childrens-museum.org
Kids’ Favorite Breakfast Place
Parker’s Maple Barn
1316 Brookline Road, Mason
878-2308; www.parkersmaplebarn.com
Lakes Region: Tilt’n Diner
61 Laconia Road, Tilton
286-2204; www.thecman.com
Kids’ Favorite Breakfast Place (multi-location)
Tucker’s
1328 Hooksett Road, Hooksett
206-5757; www.tuckers.com
Greater Salem: MaryAnn’s Diner
4 Cobbetts Pond Road, Windham
www.maryannsdiner.com
Seacoast: Friendly Toast
113 Congress St., Portsmouth
430-2154; www.thefriendlytoast.com
Greater Manchester: Red Arrow
Diner
61 Lowell St., Manchester
www.redarrowdiner.com
Kids Hair Cut
Sweet Snips
105 Lafayette Road, Hampton Falls
601-7610; www.sweetsnips.com
National Chain: Snip-its
317 Amherst St., Nashua
889-0000; www.snipits.com
Learning or Tutoring
Service
Parker Academy
2 Fisk Road, Concord
228-4209; www.parkereducation.com
National chain: Sylvan Learning
Center
Bedford, Hampton Falls, Rochester, Portsmouth, Salem locations
www.sylvanlearning.com
Local Party Supplies Store (tie)
J & J Party & Janitorial Supplies
68 Route 101A, Amherst
672-8555; www.jandjpartyandjanitorial.com
Party Center
290 South Broadway, Salem
898-1089; www.partycenterstores.com
Martial Arts Studio
Manchester Karate Studio
371 South Willow St., Manchester
782-0010; www.manchesterkarate.com
Greater Manchester: Bedford
Martial Arts Academy
292 Route 101 West, Bedford
626-9696; www.bedfordmartialartsacademy.com
Lakes Region: White Tiger Karate
20 Canal St., Franklin
998-9012; www.whitetigerkarate.net
Multi-location: Tokyo Joe’s Studio
Nashua and Milford locations
www.tokyojoes.net
Mini Golf
Chuckster’s Family Fun Park
9 Bailey Road, Chichester
798-3555; www.chuckstersnh.com
Greater Manchester: Mel’s
Funway Park
454 Charles Bancroft Hwy., Litchfield
424-2292; www.melsfunwaypark.com
Lakes Region: Pirate’s Cove Mini
Golf
3253 Route 3, Meredith
366-5058; www.piratescove.net
Movie Theater
Regal Cinemas
100 Technology Drive, Hooksett
www.regmovies.com
Multi-location: Chunky’s Cinema
NH locations: Manchester, Nashua, Pelham
www.chunkys.com
Music or entertainment venue
Palace Theatre
80 Hanover St., Manchester
668-5588; www.palacetheatre.org
Musical Instruction
Manchester Community Music
School
2291 Elm St., Manchester
644-4548; www.mcmusicschool.org
Greater Manchester: Bedford
Youth Performing Company
155 Route 101, Bedford
472-3894; www.bypc.org
Greater Nashua: Nashua
Community Music School
5 Pine St. Ext., Nashua
881-7030; www.nashuacms.org
Greater Concord: Concord
Community Music School
23 Wall St., Concord
228-1196; www.ccmusicschool.org
OB/GYN
St. Joseph OB/GYN Associates of Southern NH
Hudson and Merrimack locations
www.stjosephhospital.com
Greater Manchester: Bedford
Commons OB/GYN
201 Riverway Place, Bedford
www.bcog.com
Concord Obstetrics and Gynecology
250 Pleasant St., Concord
225-2711; www.concordhospital.org
Greater Nashua: Full Circle
Midwifery Care
168 Kinsley St., Nashua
595-3951; www.fullcirclemidwifery.com
Orthodontist
Lindner Dental Associates
72 So. River Road, Bedford
624-3900; www.lindnerdental.com
Greater Manchester: Mehan & Johnson Orthodontics
113 Mammoth Road, Manchester
623-8003; www.nhorthodontics.com
Greater Nashua: Elliott
Orthodontics
27 Loop Road, Merrimack
424-1199; www.elliottorthodontics.com
Concord Pediatric Dentistry
248 Pleasant St., Suite 1700, Concord
224-1929; www.concordpediatrics.com
Party entertainment or entertainer
Wildlife Encounters
923-1168; www.weecocenter.com
Pediatric Dentist
Concord Pediatric Dentistry
16 Foundry St., Suite 101, Concord
224-3339; www.concordpediatricdentistry.com
Lakes Region: Children’s
Dentistry of the Lakes Region
369 Hounsell Ave., Gilford
527-2500; www.childrensdentistnh.com
Greater Manchester: Lindner
Dental Associates
72 South River Road, Bedford
624-3900; www.lindnerdental.com
Greater Salem: Haas Dental
Associates
4 Manchester Ave., Derry
434-1586; www.haasdental.com
Pizza
900 Degrees
50 Dow St., Manchester
641-0900; www.900degrees.com
Greater Nashua: Lui Lui (Greater
Nashua)
259 Daniel Webster Highway, Nashua
www.luilui.com
Greater Concord: Constantly
Pizza
39 South Main St., Concord
224-9366; www.constantlypizza.net
Lakes Region: Tilton House of Pizza
298 Main St., Tilton
286-7181; www.tiltonhouseofpizza.com
Seacoast: La Festa Brick & Brew
300 Central Ave., Dover
https://lafestabrickandbrew.com
Greater Manchester: Pizza Man
of Hooksett
254 West River Road Hooksett
www.thepizzamandelivers.com
Regional chain: Sal’s Pizza
7 NH locations
www.sals-pizza.com
Place for Arts and Crafts
Muse Paintbar
42 Hanover St., Manchester
421-6500; www.musepaintbar.com
Multi-location: You’re Fired
Bedford, Salem, Concord
www.yourefirednh.com
Place to Buy a Family Car
AutoFair
Manchester, Nashua, Plaistow, Stratham locations
www.autofair.com
Restaurant for Date Night
Tuckaway Tavern & Butchery
58 Route 27, Raymond
244-2431; www.thetuckaway.com
Greater Manchester: The Copper
Door
15 Leavy Drive, Bedford
488-2677; www.copperdoor.com
Multi-location: The Common
Man
www.thecman.com
Scenic Outdoor Adventure
Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves
1712 Lost River Road, North Woodstock
745-8031; www.lostrivergorge.com
Spa Day for Mom
Serendipity Day Spa
23 Sheep Davis Road, Pembroke
229-0400; www.serendipitydayspa.com
Greater Manchester: Chill Spa
1224 Hanover St., Manchester
622-3722; www.chillspa.com
Lakes Region: The Common Man
Inn & Spa
The Common Man Inn & Spa
21 Water St., Claremont
www.thecmaninn.com
Greater Nashua: Innovations The Salon & Spa
228 Naticook Road, Merrimack
880-7499; www.innovationsnh.com
Seacoast: Wingate Salon and Spa
139 Portsmouth Ave., Stratham
772-8400; www.wingatespa.com
Sporting Event for Families
New Hampshire Fisher Cats
www.nhfishercats.com
Swing sets and outdoor play systems
Swings-n-Things
16 Route 125, Kingston
642-4500; www.swings-n-things-countrystore.com
Urgent or Immediate Care Center
Milford Medical Center — St. Joseph Hospital
444 Nashua St., Milford
673-3014; www.stjosephhospital.com
Greater Manchester: Elliot Urgent
Care at River’s Edge
185 Queen City Ave., Manchester
663-3000; www.elliothospital.org
Greater Concord: Concord
Hospital’s Walk-In Urgent Care Center
60 Commercial St., Concord
230-1200; www.concordhospital.org
Greater Nashua: Immediate
Care of Southern New Hampshire
112 Spit Brook Road, Nashua
577-2273; www.shealth.org
Multi-location: ConvenientMD
Urgent Care
www.convenientmd.com
Water Park
Water Country
2300 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth
427-1111; www.watercountry.com
