Skip to content
McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, Concord, NH
Museums

McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center

A New Hampshire air and space museum honoring Christa McAuliffe and Alan Shepard, with exhibits, a planetarium, and an outdoor play area.

2 Institute Drive, Concord, NH 03301 · Concord, NH

About McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center

The center is a science museum in Concord that celebrates two New Hampshire figures from the space age, teacher Christa McAuliffe and astronaut Alan Shepard. Its roughly 45,000-square-foot building holds indoor and outdoor exhibits, an observatory, and a vintage 1956 jet. Visitors can also see a planetarium with a 10K projection system, one of only three of its kind in North America, and an outdoor Science Playground. The museum focuses on astronomy, aviation, and Earth and space science, and it runs school visits, summer camps, and outreach programs. It also rents its space for events outside regular hours.

  • #air and space museum
  • #planetarium
  • #science museum
  • #observatory
  • #STEM education

What's around here?

The closest stops to McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Shopping
    Local Gem

    League of NH Craftsmen Fine Craft Gallery

    No admission fee

    A nonprofit gallery selling juried, handmade fine crafts from New Hampshire artisans.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    1.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Shopping

  • Sports & Outdoors
    Local Gem

    S&W Sports

    $25–$50

    Locally owned bike, ski and snowboard shop in Concord, NH offering gear sales, rentals and repairs.

    2.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Sports & Outdoors

  • Sports & Outdoors
    Outdoor Adventure

    New Hampshire Camping

    No admission fee

    Statewide guide to New Hampshire campgrounds, from member-run RV parks to tent sites across the state.

    10 mi awaySwitch it up: Sports & Outdoors

  • Museums

    Weare Historical Society

    Check prices

    Local historical society in Weare, New Hampshire, housed in the Stone Memorial Building with town artifacts and history publications for sale.

    13 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    Rainy-Day Pick

    Currier Museum of Art

    Under $25

    See paintings by Picasso, Monet and O'Keeffe, and book a guided tour of two nearby Frank Lloyd Wright houses.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    16 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    Family Favorite

    SEE Science Center

    Under $25

    A hands-on science museum in Manchester's historic Millyard.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    17 mi awayMore like this