Highest-rated museums in New Hampshire by visitors

Museums are popular tourist attractions because they provide fun ways to learn about history, science, and culture. As stewards of our civilization, they collect and exhibit items of significant importance, typically based around a theme, topic, or place. Many cover areas like art, natural history, or science, but some museums dedicate themselves to highly specific topics like mustard, play, hot air balloons, and even funeral history. Ultimately, museums present a window into different eras of society so people can learn about the past.

Collecting, preserving, and displaying items is not a new idea. The world's first museum dates to about 530 B.C., a project of Princess Ennigaldi-Nanna, a Babylonian who had a collection of Mesopotamian artifacts. The oldest public museums still in existence are the Capitoline Museums in Rome, a collection of art and archeology museums started in 1471. America's oldest museum predates our country's founding. The Charleston Museum, a preservation of South Carolinian Lowcountry history, opened in 1773.

Museums are important not just because they preserve important elements of our history and culture but also because they can improve our well-being. Naturally, museums promote education and learning and can also bring joy. Researchers studying art museums found that they can reduce depression and increase people's sense of belonging. Quiet museum environments allow people to slow down and relax, and looking at exhibits can reduce stress. Museums also foster community by hosting events, activities, and tours that encourage social interaction.

No wonder they attract nearly 900 million visits a year.

With over 30,000 museums in the country to choose from, there's something for everyone. Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated museums in New Hampshire on Tripadvisor as of Aug. 11, 2025. Tripadvisor rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews. Keep reading to see what museums are in your own home state.

You may also like: Highest-rated specialty museums in New Hampshire by visitors

Tripadvisor

1 / 27

#27. Mariposa Museum of World Cultures

- Rating: 4.7/5 (37 reviews)
- City: Peterborough New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

2 / 27

#26. New Hampshire Aviation Historical Society

- Rating: 4.5/5 (28 reviews)
- City: Londonderry New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

3 / 27

#25. The Libby Museum of Natural History

- Rating: 4.4/5 (32 reviews)
- City: Wolfeboro New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

4 / 27

#24. Cheshire Children's Museum

- Rating: 4.4/5 (39 reviews)
- City: Keene New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

5 / 27

#23. Enfield Shaker Museum

- Rating: 4.3/5 (77 reviews)
- City: Enfield New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

You may also like: Highest-rated IPAs in New Hampshire

Tripadvisor

6 / 27

#22. North Conway League of NH Craftsmen Fine Arts Gallery

- Rating: 4.7/5 (28 reviews)
- City: North Conway Conway New Ham
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

7 / 27

#21. New Hampshire Historical Society

- Rating: 3.9/5 (57 reviews)
- City: Concord New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

8 / 27

#20. Jackson Art Studio & Gallery

- Rating: 5.0/5 (67 reviews)
- City: Jackson New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

9 / 27

#19. American Independence Museum

- Rating: 4.6/5 (57 reviews)
- City: Exeter New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

10 / 27

#18. John Paul Jones House, part of the Portsmouth Historical Society

- Rating: 4.0/5 (86 reviews)
- City: Portsmouth New Hamp
- Read more on Tripadvisor

You may also like: Highest-rated things to do in New Hampshire by visitors

Tripadvisor

11 / 27

#17. Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum

- Rating: 4.7/5 (61 reviews)
- City: Warner New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

12 / 27

#16. North Conway Model Railroad Club

- Rating: 4.4/5 (34 reviews)
- City: North Conway Conway New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

13 / 27

#15. New Hampshire Telephone Museum

- Rating: 4.9/5 (84 reviews)
- City: Warner New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

14 / 27

#14. New Hampshire Boat Museum

- Rating: 4.5/5 (101 reviews)
- City: Wolfeboro New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

15 / 27

#13. Woodman Institute Museum

- Rating: 4.7/5 (108 reviews)
- City: Dover New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

You may also like: Most common dog breeds available for adoption in New Hampshire

Tripadvisor

16 / 27

#12. Andres Institute of Art

- Rating: 4.7/5 (73 reviews)
- City: Brookline New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

17 / 27

#11. Hood Museum of Art

- Rating: 4.6/5 (93 reviews)
- City: Hanover New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

18 / 27

#10. Children's Museum of New Hampshire

- Rating: 4.5/5 (169 reviews)
- City: Dover New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

19 / 27

#9. McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center

- Rating: 3.8/5 (161 reviews)
- City: Concord New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

20 / 27

#8. SEE Science Center

- Rating: 4.2/5 (175 reviews)
- City: Manchester New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

You may also like: As more states adopt traffic enforcement cameras, here's where New Hampshire stands

Tripadvisor

21 / 27

#7. Millyard Museum

- Rating: 4.5/5 (117 reviews)
- City: Manchester New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

22 / 27

#6. Explore the Ocean World Oceanarium

- Rating: 4.9/5 (69 reviews)
- City: Hampton New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

23 / 27

#5. Wright Museum of WWII

- Rating: 4.8/5 (348 reviews)
- City: Wolfeboro New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

24 / 27

#4. Canterbury Shaker Village

- Rating: 4.6/5 (391 reviews)
- City: Canterbury New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

25 / 27

#3. Albacore Park

- Rating: 4.5/5 (632 reviews)
- City: Portsmouth New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

You may also like: More electric vehicles means less gas tax revenue: How this impacts New Hampshire's budget

Tripadvisor

26 / 27

#2. Currier Museum of Art

- Rating: 4.6/5 (655 reviews)
- City: Manchester New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

27 / 27

#1. Strawbery Banke Museum

- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,171 reviews)
- City: Portsmouth New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.