Dartmouth is home to wildlife refuge, nature center, and more science fun

Fells Historic Site
John Hay National Wildlife Refuge on Lake Sunapee

Route 103A / P.O. Box 276 Newbury, NH 03255 Phone: 603-763-4789

The Fells Historic Estate & Gardens is one of New England's finest examples of an early 20th-century summer estate. Come and discover 84 conserved acres of beauty and tranquility; learn the legacy of its founder, diplomat and statesman John Milton Hay, during historic guided tours of the 22-room Colonial Revival home; explore forest succession and nature's diversity while walking woodland trails; and enjoy the renowned gardens.
Hours: Gardens and trails, open year-round, daily. Shop and Main House open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as follows: weekends and Monday holidays from May 26 to Columbus Day; Wednesdays through Sundays, June 20 through Labor Day; daily during the July 4 week. Main House and Shop are in winter.
Admission: Adults, $7-$10; seniors and students, $6-$8; children ages 6-17, $3-$4. Winter admission (December through March) is $5 per household.

Meriden Bird Sanctuary

Main Street Meriden, NH

This nature center is set on 30 acres, and features trails through woodlands and fields. Admission is free, and the sanctuary is open year-round.