Manchester Facts

Abraham Lincoln visited Manchester in 1860 while on the presidential campaign trail and said to one of the Millyard workers, "Young man, the hand of honest toil is never too grimy for Abe Lincoln to clasp." In this statement, Lincoln summed up many of the most important values of the city. Its rich history of textile production, pristine setting upon the Merrimack River, and political importance during presidential campaigns have helped to make Manchester a vibrant and cultured city. Manchester is located only an hour outside Boston, but its small-town feel belies its status as the largest city in New Hampshire. So whether you are looking to learn about the Industrial Revolution, sample cuisines...

...is the history of its mills. Brick buildings still line both shores of the Merrimack River today, reflecting an era when New England was one of the manufacturing centers of a rapidly growing nation. That industrial age has long since passed, but visitors are still impressed by the mills, some now converted into restaurants and offices, others serving as university classrooms, and one that has leapt eras by housing a technology center.

With 100,000 residents, this is northern New England's largest city, and it feels like it: The place has a grittier, more urban feel than anywhere else in the three states covered in this book. (Streetwise comic actor Adam Sandler grew up here.) As such, it's...