2018 Durham Summer Guide
Memorial Day just passed, and that means it's officially time to think about summer. While you may already have some vacation plans, what about the time you're hanging around Durham?
After a prolonged absence, Durham will once again have fireworks! Rotary Club of Durham-Great Bay is presenting fireworks Tuesday, July 3 at UNH's Wildcat Stadium. Because this is such a big and expensive event, residents can help the Rotary Club by making a tax deductible donation towards the fireworks at the Rotary Club of Durham Great Bay Facebook page. For more information, contact Durham-Great Bay Rotary President Andrew Corrow
Durham Main Street Makery Visit the Makery and
express your creative side. The workshop space will
be offering crafts and projects all summer. The cost is
just $5 per person and will include an ever changing assortment of ingredients to fuel your creative maker self. Drop in during open business hours Tuesday-Friday 10-6 Saturday 10-4. Groups of 4 or bigger can reserve the space for a private group experience. This is a diy crafting space. All ages welcome!
Even Better Now Located on Jenkin's Court, they have a board game night Thursdays from 5PM to 10PM.
Durham Restaurant and Food Guide When you don't feel like cooking on a hot day, Durham has
plenty of great places to eat. Many have outdoor seating.
Check out our food guide for a complete listing of your options.
The Candy Bar & Creamery / UNH Dairy Bar Every town needs a good ice cream place in the summer, and these are ours! They both have great ice cream and a wide selection of toppings.
Emery Farm Market and Cafe. One of the rewards of summer is fresh produce. Emery Farm produces their own and also has locally-sourced items. Stop by with your kids to grab an apple cider donut, and check out the petting zoo.
Freedom Cafe. They have "open mic" nights from 7PM-9PM June 6th, June 27th , July 18th , and August 8th. Come in and listen or perform local music.
Durham Farmers's Market Local famers sell produce and
products at Jackson's Landing Park on Mondays from 2:15PM-6PM.
While we are close to the beach, it 's really
convenient to have a heated community pool.
In 2016 during the upgrade of the
Hamel Recreation Center, UNH completely
renovated their existing pool.
The facility has zero depth entry for younger swimmers and swim lanes for laps. It also has plenty of space to soak up some sun.
The Campus Recreation department offers both season memberships or multi visit pool passes. Durham residents receive 20% off the total cost of a season membership or multi-visit passes. Passes need to purchased in person at the Outdoor Pool or Hamel Recreation Center, and proof of residency must be provided to receive this discount. For complete information of pool hours and
cost of passes, visit the UNH Campus Recreation pool site.
Rachel Gasowski, director of Durham Parks & Recreation, has a full slate of fun activities scheduled this summer. Register for any event at durhamrec.recdesk.com.
Outdoor Adventure Week- 8/13-8/17, This camp features rock climbing, paddle boarding, and surfing. It is open to ages 10-15 and runs from 8:30 AM to 5PM. $365 per person.
Adventure Paddle Camp 8/20-8/24, 7 Rivers Paddling instructs this full week camp at Wagon Hill, and it is for ages 10-15. It runs from 9AM-4PM at Wagon Hill and cost $365.
Trips for Teens
Tube the Pemi River July 16th. 10 mile
float in a tube down the Pemigewasset River
on calm, Class I water. $50 per person.
Must be 12 or older.
Gunstock Premium Adventure July 23. Ride on one of the longest zip line canopy tours in the US. Explore the Aerial Treetop Adventure, Explorer ATA Course, Mountain Coaster, Lift rides, and all other Gunstock features. Must be 12 or older. $100 Per person.
Pottery Making and Painting August 8. Spend the day making bowls at Portland Pottery. Must be
12 or older.$50 dollars per person.
Trips for Adults
Peabody Essex Museum July 18. Spend the day exploring the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA. $10 for transportation. Participants cover museum fee.
Explore the Old Port July 25. Day trip to Portland Maine. $10 for transportation.
Arts in the Vines July 15. Day trip to the Zorvino Vineyard for their Art In The Vines event. $10 for transportation.
Community events
Family Camp Out June 23. Dinner, campfires, smor'es,
and camping at Wagon Hill. $35 per family.
Preregistration required.
Party at the Commons July 14. First time event. Stay tuned for more information.
Picnic in the Park July 18, 6PM. Bring a picnic dinner to
Jackson's landing and watch Tolba and Earthdriver by
The Little Red Wagon.
Music on Main August 2, 6PM-8PM. Music by Fling. Bouncy House, cotton candy, and ice cream eating contest. Super fun for the entire family.
Summer Splash August 12, 6PM to 8:30PM. Potluck and music at the UNH pool. Free community event.
Durham Day at Wagon Hill September 22. Free BBQ and music.
Still looking for more? Parks & Recreation also has music, fitness, and wellness classes.
You can find a listing of times and events at the Parks & Recreation website.
Summer Reading The library has a 5 week youth
summer reading program that runs June 25 through July 27.
Registration begins June 11. When you register you
will receive a packet including your reading logs,
calendars, gifts and a fun bag! Keep track of your reading minutes and have them checked once a week to earn a prize of the week and a raffle ticket for bigger prizes. At the end, you will receive a new book, and prizes.
Great America Read The Durham Public library is partnering with NHPBS or Great America Read. From 11AM-1PM June 1st, July 6th, August 3rd, Sept. 7th – 11:00am- 1:00pm, you pick your favorite book and are photographed with your pick, film a quick video clip explaining your choice or simply write a quote for us. Participants will be featured in NHPTV’s Great American Read programming.
DPL Music on the Lawn Series: Wednesday Nights at 6:30pm.
June 27- The Hadacol Bouncers
July 11- Truffle
July 18- Salt River
July 25- Blue Note Big Band
Family Movie Night Mondays at 6 PM.
June 25 -The Greatest Showman
July 2- Peter Rabbit
July 9- A Wrinkle in Time
July 16- Cocoa and The Black Panther
Summer Reading Kick-Off Celebration & Picnic
Friday, June 29 10:30AM. Celebrate our new
storywalk and enjoy face painting,a fun craft, and
watermelon. Pack a picnic lunch.
YA Cartooning Workshops Mondays June 25,
July 2,9,16,23 4PM-5PM. Open to grades 5-8
Just Dance, Name That Tune, Kahoot, and Art &
Music June 26, July 10,17, 24 6:30 PM Ages 9-12
For more information, make sure to check out the library website.
Have a great summer!!