Concord’s must-visit McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center honors two New Hampshire residents: Alan Shepard, who in 1961 was the first American to travel into space, and Christa McAuliffe, a teacher who was aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger that tragically exploded just after it launched in 1986. Visitors to this family-friendly attraction can learn about space travel and science through hands-on exhibits, demonstrations and planetarium shows.

Concord, the capital of New Hampshire, has plenty of hotel chains and budget-friendly lodging, but if you’re looking for something different and historic, consider The Centennial Hotel, located in a 19th-century Victorian mansion.