Cheap flights to Manchester, NH from £584

Manchester overview

As the oldest states in the U.S., New England states never fail to delight visitors with a brilliant combination of history, natural beauty and modern conveniences. New Hampshire, with its reputation for maple syrup, apple cider and stunning fall foliage, is no exception – nor is its largest city: Manchester.

The city got its start as a major player in the textile industry, with mills, warehouses and plants dominating the cityscape into the early 20^th century. Today, remnants of Manchester’s manufacturing roots are still visible in the city’s skyline, where centuries-old brick buildings sit next to towering skyscrapers, a nod to Manchester’s recent move into new modern areas of industry, including finance and technology.

Visitors can explore Manchester’s past with a visit to The Millyard Museum, which traces the city’s past back 11,000 years to tell of the earliest inhabitants, the workers who built the city and the 21^st-century persona that Manchester has since adopted. Another worthwhile stop is The Currier Museum of Art, where works by the likes of Matisse, Monet, Picasso and O’Keeffe are on display.

Even those who generally loathe shopping may want to reconsider while in Manchester, as the state of New Hampshire is one of the rare places in the U.S. where no sales tax is charged. The Mall of New Hampshire in Manchester is the third largest in the state and offers plenty of opportunity to make the most out of a sales tax-free trip.

Cuisines from around the world are well represented in Manchester, and after dinner, the lively energy of Elm Street’s bars are an inviting way to end a night in the city.

Getting around Manchester

Buses are available throughout Manchester, though they usually stop running fairly early in the evening. It is also possible to walk between some attractions, but it is easiest to get around by hiring a car. Taxis can also be arranged by phone but are typically a very expensive option.

Getting from the Airport to the City

Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) is about six miles south of the city centre, and passengers can take express buses into Manchester. Taxis are also available, and passengers can easily arrange for a hire car at the airport.

Manchester airport overview

Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, often referred to locally as simply Manchester Airport, is a small airport about 5km (3 miles) from Manchester, New Hampshire. It handles roughly four million passengers a year and functions as a low-cost alternative to the airport in Boston, about 50 miles (80km) south and accessible by bus. Flights to Manchester-Boston Regional Airport come in mainly from hubs across the US, although Air Canada also operates a route from Toronto.

The biggest city in the state, Manchester is home to a number of historic sports venues, a few museums and a couple of colleges. There are some beautiful historic buildings in the downtown area, which is experiencing a revival, although most of Manchester-Boston Regional Airport’s traffic is still headed south to Boston and New York City.

No matter where you’re headed, Manchester-Boston is an efficient and friendly gateway to the delights of New England.