Zoos and Aquariums in New Hampshire

Explore New Hampshire's diverse animal attractions including wildlife centers featuring native species, interactive aquariums, educational farms, and conservation facilities. From mountain lions and black bears to marine touch tanks and petting zoos, discover unique opportunities to connect with wildlife across the Granite State.

15+

Animal Attractions

3

Major Aquariums

40+

Wildlife Sanctuaries

8,000

Acres Protected

Featured Wildlife Centers

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center

Location: Holderness, NH

Specialty: Native New Hampshire wildlife

Animals: Black bear, mountain lion, bobcat, river otter, raptors (bald eagle, red-shouldered hawk, great horned owl), coyote, fisher, red fox, live turtles, frogs, and fish in aquariums

Size: 200 acres with live animal exhibit trail, open meadows, mature forests, and marsh boardwalks

Hours: May 1 - November 1, daily 9:30am - 5:00pm (last trail admission 3:30pm)

Time Needed: Approximately 2.5 hours to walk the exhibit trail

Special Features: Guided Squam Lake cruises, Kirkwood Gardens, Blue Heron Montessori School, Life Underground exhibit with human-sized chipmunk burrow

Education: School field trips, live animal programs (indoor/outdoor), lake education programs for grades 5+, aligned to Next Generation Science Standards

All animals are rescues unable to survive in the wild, serving educational missions since 1966

Living Shores Aquarium

Location: 850 NH Route 16, Glen, NH (at Story Land)

Specialty: Interactive ocean and freshwater exhibits

Animals: Stingrays (touchable in 4-ray cold water exhibit), otters, reptiles, silver moony, fresh and saltwater species from oceans and native New England lakes

Size: Over 32,000 square feet of indoor walk-through adventure

Hours: Year-round indoor facility

Interactive Features: Tide pool touch tanks, immersive ocean activities, hands-on experiences with marine life

Focus: Discover widespread oceans and native New England lakes in fun, interactive environment suitable for all ages

Perfect for families seeking hands-on marine education regardless of weather

Charmingfare Farm

Location: 774 High Street, Candia, NH

Specialty: Working farm with domestic and exotic wildlife

Farm Animals: Alpacas, beef cattle, chickens, dairy cattle, ducks, geese, donkeys, draft horses, llamas, miniature horses, Nigerian goats, Old English Babydoll sheep, oxen, peacocks, pigs, ponies, rabbits, saddle horses, turkeys

Wildlife: Black bears, wolves, camel, eagle owl, red foxes, bobcats, coyotes, porcupines, raccoons, fallow deer

Hours: May 10 - September 28, Thursday - Sunday 10am - 4pm (closed August 28 - September 1 during Hopkinton State Fair)

Admission: Children 23 months and under FREE

Activities: Dairy Discovery Barn with hands-on petting area, horse-drawn hay and sleigh rides year-round, pony rides (children up to 75 lbs), tractor train rides

Special Events: Teddy Bear Picnic, Reptile Day, concerts, magic shows, hayrides, Halloween pumpkin picking

State and federally licensed zoo, open year-round for special events October-March

Marine Science Centers and Aquariums

Seacoast Science Center

Location: Odiorne Point State Park, Rye, NH

Status: New Hampshire's only marine science center

Exhibits:

  • Our Dynamic Gulf of Maine: The Lobster Trap, Captured in Currents, Coastal Invaders, Cashes Ledge, On the Move
  • The Edge of the Sea: Tide Pool Touch Tank (handle sea stars, scallops, sea urchins), Water Table Station
  • Marine Mammals of the Gulf of Maine
  • Restoring Reefs exhibit
  • 32-foot skeleton of juvenile humpback whale named Tofu

Mission: Promote ocean health through educational programs and interactive exhibits

Located in beautiful Odiorne Point State Park with coastal trails and wildlife viewing opportunities

Explore the Ocean World Oceanarium

Location: Hampton Beach, NH

Type: Small, hands-on educational facility

Mission: Educate visitors about the importance of estuarine and oceanic ecosystems of the New Hampshire coast

Exhibits:

  • Refrigerated aquarium with invertebrates from coastal and deep-ocean habitats
  • Hands-on touch tanks with sea animals
  • Unique opportunity to view and touch marine creatures rarely encountered

Note: Limited staff and resources compared to full-scale aquariums, focused on intimate educational experiences

Perfect for families seeking interactive marine education on Hampton Beach

Great Bay Discovery Center

Location: Greenland, NH

Season: May - October (seasonal operation)

Features: Newly renovated education center with interactive exhibits

Interactive Exhibits:

  • Live osprey camera feed
  • Lobstering and clamming play corner
  • Viewing tank with local mudflat organisms
  • Horseshoe crabs and other estuarine species

Focus on Great Bay estuary ecosystem and hands-on learning for children

Petting Zoos and Farm Animal Parks

J & F Farms

Location: Derry, NH

Admission:

  • June - October: $5 grain cup to feed animals
  • November - May: $2 admission or $10 minimum purchase requirement

Activities: Pet and feed farm animals in family-friendly environment

Carriage Shack Farm, LLC

Location: 5 Dan Hill Road, Londonderry, NH

Specialty: Petting farm educational zoo with reptiles

Services:

  • Hands-on experiences with farm animals and reptiles
  • School gatherings and educational programs
  • Reptile shows
  • Unicorn meet and greets
  • Corporate meetings and private celebrations

Sunnycrest Farm

Location: Londonderry, NH

Animals: Goats, sheep, occasional pigs

Location: Across from farmers market, next to pick-your-own apple booth

Access: Feed and pet animals through fence

Windy Ridge Orchard

Location: New Hampshire

Animals: Donkeys, goats, sheep

Features: Creative feeding stations, friendly animals that love visitors, barnyard favorites and new additions

McDonny's Traveling Farm

Location: Derry, NH area (mobile service)

Service: Mobile petting zoo and pony rides

Operating Since: 1997 (family owned)

Features: Animals between 2-5 months old, clean, friendly, and loveable for children

Services: Children's birthday parties in New Hampshire and Boston, Massachusetts

Special Animal Attractions

Polar Caves Park

Location: Baker River Valley, Rumney, NH

Operating Since: 1922

Main Attractions: Nine granite boulder caves, giant boulder maze, nature trails

Animals:

  • European Fallow Deer: Smaller than White-tailed deer (5' long, 3' tall), brown, white, and/or spotted, originally from Turkey, can be fed by visitors
  • Ducks: Domestic and wild varieties, mallard ducks fly in seasonally and return each year
  • Exotic Birds: Can be fed by visitors
  • Pheasants: Feeding available
  • Peregrine Falcon: Nesting high in rocks (special wildlife sighting)

Family Activities: Feed animals, walk nature trails, Polar Mining Expedition, Klondike Mines

Wildlife Conservation and Rehabilitation Centers

NH Veterinary Center for Wildlife

Service Area: Statewide New Hampshire

Mission: Free skilled veterinary care for wildlife

Services:

  • Over 1,500 injured or orphaned animals treated annually
  • Public educational programs
  • Training for wildlife rehabilitators
  • Professional rehabilitation facilities

Critical statewide resource for wildlife emergency care

Millstone Wildlife Center

Location: Windham, NH

Specialty: Mammal rehabilitation

Mission: Rehabilitation services for injured or orphaned mammal wildlife in New Hampshire

Educational Services:

  • Public education about coexistence with wildlife
  • Educational outreach programs for students of all ages

Wings of the Dawn Wildlife Rescue

Location: Henniker, NH

Services: Wildlife rehabilitation and bird sanctuary

Focus: Advice on helping wildlife and determining when to bring injured wildlife to facility

Elaine Conners Wildcare

Location: Mount Washington Valley area

Priority Service: Carroll and Coos Counties

Mission: Professional and compassionate care to injured and orphaned native wildlife, public education about wildlife rehabilitation

Harris Center for Conservation Education

Location: Hancock, NH

Region: Monadnock Region

Achievements: Protected more than 26,000 acres of land, treats 1,500+ injured or orphaned animals annually

Focus: Connect people to natural world through land protection, education of all ages, conservation research, outdoor participation programs

NH Audubon Wildlife Sanctuaries

Network: 40 wildlife sanctuaries covering over 8,000 acres across all 10 New Hampshire counties

Access: Open to the public, FREE of charge

Features: 75 miles of trails through forests, bogs, along lake shores, and over mountains

Conservation: Active habitat enhancement through field maintenance, wildlife openings, invasive species removal, protection of rare plants and animals

Notable Sanctuaries

  • Ashuelot Wildlife Sanctuary - Washington
  • Paradise Point Wildlife Sanctuary - Hebron
  • Ponemah Bog Wildlife Sanctuary - Amherst
  • Bellamy River Wildlife Sanctuary - Dover
  • Little River Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary - North Hampton
  • Saltmarshes Wildlife Sanctuary - Hampton Falls/Hampton/Seabrook

Sanctuary Benefits

  • Important wildlife habitat protection
  • Recreation and hiking opportunities
  • Wildlife watching and birding
  • Educational experiences
  • Nature centers at select locations
  • Interpretive trail guides
  • Well-developed trail systems

National Wildlife Refuges

Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Location: Newington, NH (eastern shore of Great Bay)

Established: 1992

Size: Over 1,000 acres along seacoast

Primary Species:

  • Wintering Bald Eagles: New Hampshire's greatest concentration
  • Migratory birds
  • Several state-listed rare and endangered species

Habitats: Diverse ecosystems supporting many native plants and animals

Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge

Location: Northern New Hampshire and Maine

Habitats: Forests, wetlands, lakes, rivers

Unique Features: Transition zone between boreal forests (southern range) and deciduous forests (northern range)

Wildlife:

  • Songbirds and waterfowl
  • Moose (regularly spotted)
  • White-tailed deer
  • Black bears
  • Coyotes and foxes
  • Reptiles and amphibians
  • Bald eagles and osprey

Perfect for peaceful wildlife viewing in Great North Woods setting

Nearby Zoos Outside New Hampshire

Note: New Hampshire does not have any AZA-accredited traditional large-scale zoos. For AZA-accredited facilities, visit neighboring Massachusetts or other New England states. Fewer than 10% of the approximately 2,800 animal exhibitors licensed by USDA are AZA accredited (238 facilities as of 2025).

Southwick's Zoo MA

Location: Mendon, MA

Size: Over 200 acres, New England's Largest Zoo

Animals: 850+ animals, 150+ species from around the world

Features: 35-acre Deer Forest with hand-feeding, petting zoo, live bird shows, keeper chats

Attractions: Within the Wild Carousel, Soaring Eagle Zipline, Woodland Express Train, Skyfari Sky Ride

Special Pricing: NH residents get $15 general admission during ME, VT & NH weekend

Franklin Park Zoo MA

Location: Boston, MA

AZA Accredited

Environments: Free-flying birds, rainforests with pygmy hippos and Western lowland gorillas, butterfly tent, Outback Trail with kangaroos and emus, tiger, lions, Serengeti creatures

Combines fun and education for one-of-a-kind experience

Stone Zoo MA

Location: Stoneham, MA

AZA Accredited (through September 2030)

Animals: Snow leopard, cougar, jaguar, gibbons, otters

Exhibits: Himalayan Highlands, Treasures of the Sierra Madre

Membership: $125/year includes both Stone Zoo and Franklin Park Zoo

Plan Ahead Pricing: Purchase advance tickets for best rates. MA ConnectorCare cardholders: $11/person for up to 4 people (through Dec 31, 2025)

Active military and dependents receive 50% discount on general admission

Buttonwood Park Zoo MA

Location: New Bedford, MA

AZA Accredited

Recognition: Named one of the finest small zoos in America

Animals: Elephants, harbor seals, river otters, black bears

York's Wild Kingdom ME

Location: York, ME (Southern Maine coast)

Type: Zoo and amusement park combination

Animals: Dozens of species including African lion, Bengal tiger, African pygmy goats, deer, ducks

Special Features: Interactive exhibits with animals, Butterfly Kingdom (5,500 sq ft with free-flying butterflies)

Roger Williams Park Zoo RI

Location: Providence, RI (off I-95)

Status: Open year-round

Africa Section: Elephants, giraffes, cheetahs

Marco Polo Area: Red pandas, snow leopards

Bucket list destination for Rhode Islanders and New England day trippers

Frequently Asked Questions

New Hampshire does not have a traditional large-scale zoo like many other states. However, the state offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities at the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness, which features native New Hampshire animals including black bears, mountain lions, bobcats, river otters, and raptors. All animals are rescues unable to survive in the wild and serve educational missions. For AZA-accredited traditional zoos, New Hampshire residents typically visit nearby facilities in Massachusetts (Southwick's Zoo in Mendon, Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo in Boston area) or Maine (York's Wild Kingdom).

The Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness is the premier destination for viewing native New Hampshire wildlife. The 200-acre facility features a live animal exhibit trail with rescued native species including black bear, mountain lion, raptors (bald eagle, red-shouldered hawk, great horned owl), river otter, bobcat, coyote, fisher, and red fox. The trail takes approximately 2.5 hours to walk and is open May 1 through November 1, daily from 9:30am to 5:00pm. The center also offers unique exhibits like Life Underground with a human-sized chipmunk burrow. All animals are rescues unable to survive in the wild and serve educational purposes.

For wild animal sightings in their natural habitat, visit Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge in northern NH (moose, eagles, osprey, bears), Crawford Notch State Park (5,775 acres with deer, bears, turkeys, occasional moose), or Pittsburg area (premier wildlife viewing destination in rural forests).

New Hampshire has several excellent petting zoos and farms perfect for children to interact with animals:

  • Charmingfare Farm (Candia): State and federally licensed zoo with Dairy Discovery Barn featuring hands-on petting area, farm animals (alpacas, goats, sheep, ponies, rabbits, chickens, ducks) and wildlife (black bears, wolves, foxes, bobcats). Open May-September, Thursday-Sunday 10am-4pm. Includes pony rides (children up to 75 lbs), tractor train rides, and special events. Children 23 months and under are FREE.
  • J & F Farms (Derry): Petting zoo where children can pet and feed farm animals. June-October: $5 grain cup, November-May: $2 admission or $10 minimum purchase.
  • Carriage Shack Farm (Londonderry): Petting farm educational zoo with reptiles and family fun, school programs, and private events.
  • Living Shores Aquarium (Glen): Over 32,000 sq ft indoor aquarium with touchable stingrays in cold water exhibit, interactive tide pools, year-round operation perfect for any weather.
  • Seacoast Science Center (Rye): Touch tanks where youngsters can handle sea stars, scallops, and sea urchins.

New Hampshire has three major aquariums and marine science centers:

  • Living Shores Aquarium (Glen): Over 32,000 sq ft indoor facility with stingrays (touchable), otters, reptiles, fresh and saltwater habitats. Year-round operation at Story Land.
  • Seacoast Science Center (Rye): New Hampshire's only marine science center located at Odiorne Point State Park. Features Our Dynamic Gulf of Maine exhibit (Lobster Trap, Cashes Ledge), Edge of the Sea with Tide Pool Touch Tank, 32-foot skeleton of juvenile humpback whale named Tofu, Marine Mammals of the Gulf of Maine, and Restoring Reefs exhibit. Focus on ocean health and Gulf of Maine ecosystem.
  • Explore the Ocean World Oceanarium (Hampton Beach): Small hands-on educational facility with refrigerated aquarium containing coastal and deep-ocean invertebrates, hands-on touch tanks. Mission focuses on estuarine and oceanic ecosystems of NH coast.

Additionally, Great Bay Discovery Center in Greenland (seasonal May-October) features viewing tanks with local mudflat organisms including horseshoe crabs, live osprey cam, and interactive exhibits about estuarine habitats.

Yes, New Hampshire offers several free animal viewing opportunities:

  • NH Audubon Wildlife Sanctuaries: All 40 sanctuaries covering over 8,000 acres across all 10 NH counties are open to the public FREE of charge. These include 75 miles of trails through forests, bogs, along lake shores, and over mountains. Notable sanctuaries include Ashuelot (Washington), Paradise Point (Hebron), Ponemah Bog (Amherst), Bellamy River (Dover), Little River Marsh (North Hampton), and Saltmarshes (Hampton Falls/Hampton/Seabrook).
  • National Wildlife Refuges: Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge (Newington) with over 1,000 acres featuring New Hampshire's greatest concentration of wintering bald eagles; Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge (northern NH/Maine border) with moose, eagles, osprey, waterfowl.
  • Discover WILD New Hampshire Day: Free annual event (April 19, 2025) with over 100 education and experiential exhibits for families to explore NH wildlife resources.
  • Wildlife Viewing in State Parks: Crawford Notch State Park (5,775 acres) and other state parks offer free wildlife viewing opportunities for deer, bears, turkeys, and occasional moose.

For a small admission fee, Squam Lakes Science Center and local farms provide excellent value for close-up animal encounters.

New Hampshire does not have any AZA-accredited zoos or aquariums. The closest AZA-accredited facilities are located in Massachusetts:

  • Stone Zoo (Stoneham, MA): Closest to New Hampshire, featuring snow leopard, cougar, jaguar, gibbons, and otters. AZA accredited through September 2030. Plan Ahead Pricing available - purchase advance tickets for best rates. MA ConnectorCare cardholders receive $11/person admission for up to 4 people through December 31, 2025. Active military and dependents get 50% discount.
  • Franklin Park Zoo (Boston, MA): Larger facility with free-flying birds, rainforest with pygmy hippos and Western lowland gorillas, butterfly tent, Outback Trail with kangaroos and emus, tiger, lions, and Serengeti creatures. Family membership $125/year includes both Stone Zoo and Franklin Park Zoo.
  • Buttonwood Park Zoo (New Bedford, MA): AZA accredited, named one of the finest small zoos in America. Features elephants, harbor seals, river otters, and black bears.

Only 238 facilities worldwide are AZA accredited as of 2025, representing fewer than 10% of the approximately 2,800 animal exhibitors licensed by the USDA. For New England's largest zoo, Southwick's Zoo in Mendon, MA offers 850+ animals across 150+ species on over 200 acres, with special NH resident pricing during ME, VT & NH weekend ($15 general admission).

Yes, New Hampshire offers comprehensive educational programs aligned to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS):

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center:

  • Indoor Programs: Up-close encounters with live native NH wildlife at the center or in your classroom. Minimum fee $140 + $1/mile travel fee. One classroom per program for maximum interactivity.
  • Outdoor Programs: Small group hands-on explorations of fields, forests, and ponds at the center or in your schoolyard.
  • Lake Education Programs: Study Squam Lake ecology aboard pontoon boats. Maximum 24 students grade 5+, 12 per boat, includes classroom introduction and wrap-up.
  • Programs taught by expert teacher naturalists, customizable to specific interests.

NH Audubon School Programs:

  • Place-based, inquiry-driven, student-centered lessons adapted for all ages
  • Available at McLane Center (Concord), Massabesic Center (Auburn), Newfound Center (Hebron - summer only), or they travel to your school
  • Standard 1-hour program: $150 + mileage (limit 25 students)
  • Live animal ambassadors available for additional $75
  • Wild NH Outdoor Field Trips: $200 for 2 hours (limit 25 people)

Both organizations provide diverse topics covering NH wildlife, ecology, and conservation education.

Wildlife viewing in New Hampshire peaks during two seasons:

Spring (April - June):

  • Migratory birds are most active
  • Animals raising young, increasing daytime activity
  • Moose more visible as they leave winter yards
  • Nesting season for raptors and waterfowl
  • Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge excellent for migratory bird viewing

Fall (September - October):

  • Animals preparing for winter, actively foraging
  • Migratory birds passing through
  • Wintering bald eagles begin arriving at Great Bay (November peak)
  • Moose more active during rutting season
  • Cooler weather makes animals more active during daylight hours

Year-Round Indoor Options:

  • Squam Lakes Natural Science Center: May 1 - November 1 (outdoor trail)
  • Living Shores Aquarium: Open year-round indoors
  • Seacoast Science Center: Year-round marine exhibits
  • Charmingfare Farm: May-September regular hours, October-March special events

For specific wildlife viewing locations, consult the New Hampshire Wildlife Viewing Guide (72 locations statewide) available from NH Fish and Game: 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301, or call 603-271-3421. Top viewing destinations include Pittsburg (premier wildlife area), Crawford Notch State Park (5,775 acres), Umbagog Lake (Great North Woods), and Dolly Copp campground (Mount Washington base).

Last updated on November 27, 2025