Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Greenland, NH
Okay, Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve or Great Bay Discovery Center Trail took me way too long to check out with the kids! My husband even visited it before I did and told me I should go, but I wasn’t exactly sure of the location, so I was nervous. I finally went with the intention of meeting two friends there and one of my friends went to the wrong spot! So it definitely proved my point. I’m going to tell you all about it, though, so you don’t get lost!
Location
We are starting with the location of Great Bay so you won’t forget! This spot that I am talking about is located at 89 Depot Road, Greenland, NH. There will be a small sign on the road leading up to it indicating “Discovery Center” and right near that sign is a “Dead End” sign. You’re still going the right way, it’s at the end of a dead end road!
When I was meeting my friends Jess and Emily, Emily went to Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Newington, NH. She also had a great time and loved her solo walk, but we missed her! Quick side note: I am so thankful for my friendships with Jess and Emily and we have been hanging out weekly since January (we’ve only missed a few weeks). My friend Jess is a licensed therapist and has her own practice (and is killing it!) and this is her Instagram page. My friend Emily has her own professional organizing business that she started last year and she’s doing amazing! Check out Bradstreet Organizing or her Instagram here! My hope for every new mom is that you have a good support system of friends around you. I’m so thankful my Instagram account has brought me Emily and deepened my friendship with Jess!
Fees and hours it is open
To explore outside, which is what we always do, that is all free. To even go inside the Discovery Center is also free! We actually haven’t gone inside yet because I haven’t visited during a time it was open. We recently went and it was on a Sunday morning and it was closed.
The outside walking path and playground are open year round from dawn to dusk. Inside the Discovery Center is open from May to October from 10am-4pm. Check their website before you go if you plan on going inside to check updated hours!
Parking
Parking is so easy here! There is a small lot that you can’t miss. I’ve been a few times now, and even when there was a field trip in June, and there has always been parking.
Bathrooms
There are bathrooms located inside the Discovery Center when it is open, but there is also a porta-potty located in the parking lot.
Things to do at Great Bay
There is a lot of different areas here for my kids to explore! There is a small playground near the parking lot. I love it because it’s more of a natural playground (there is a treehouse fort, a see-saw made out of a log and a long piece of wood and a small slide).
When you walk down the garden path, which is stroller friendly, and go behind the Discovery Center you will get to two small wooden boats for the kids to play on. If you go left into the woods, that will lead you to a boardwalk. If you go right that will lead to a small access area to the water.
In June when we visited there were SO many horseshoe crabs along the shore! We counted 14! It was really so cool, so make sure you check it out.
When you go beyond the boats and through the woods, it is a very short path through the woods before you get to the boardwalk. This path in the woods is stroller friendly, but does get a little muddy when there is a lot of rain, so keep that in mind. The boardwalk is obviously stroller friendly and is wide enough for two strollers side by side so I could chat with friends!
The boardwalk has painted small animal footprints along the way that my kids love!
Stroller friendly
This doesn’t need much explanation! It is all stroller friendly. The path in the woods can get a little muddy when there is a lot of rain, but you can still pass. The boardwalk is very short, just a small loop and all flat. So you don’t even have to bring a stroller or wagon.
In the area
You have to check out Great Bay with kids! And before or after you go, Stratham Hill Park is just 7 minutes away. There are a couple playgrounds there, long walking trails and the pump track, which is our favorite! Check out my blog post on Stratham Hill Park here.
