Location: Loudon
Top Things to do in Loudon
10 Things to Do in Loudon That You Shouldn't Miss
Loudon is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 5,317 at the 2010 census. Loudon is the home of New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Restaurants in Loudon
1. Rusty Wallace Racing Experience
Overall Ratings
5 based on 178 reviews
Reviewed By Emily C
I bought this driving experience as a gift for my fiancé s a birthday gift and had no regrets!
We attended the event held at New Hampshire Speedway, which was easy to find! There was staff all over the property directing us where to go!
The instructor Ken was informative and humorous! He was cracking jokes while also stressing the importance of safety.
When it can time to actually get in the car, everything went so smoothly! He quickly got his helmet and fire suit, then was matched to a car that suited my fiancé's size.
I watched from the bleachers, while my fiancé sped off. My fiancé was BEAMING after his laps and said how he received great direction from the spotters and people who were getting him ready!
My only complaint was the picture purchasing. We had spent extra on extra laps and the video, so we were disappointed that we had to spend so much for a picture of him with his car. I understand that we were also paying for the plaque it came on, but we would've been happy with just the picture itself.
Overall great experience!!
2. Canterbury Shaker Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 221 reviews
Canterbury Shaker Village, Inc., is an internationally-known non-profit museum founded in 1969 to preserve the heritage of the Canterbury Shakers. Designated as a National Historic Landmark for its architectural integrity and significance, the Village has 25 restored original Shaker buildings, 4 reconstructed Shaker buildings, and 694 acres of forests, fields, gardens, nature trails, and mill ponds under permanent conservation easement. Canterbury Shaker Village is dedicated to preserving the 200-year legacy of the Canterbury Shakers and to providing a place for learning, reflection, and renewal of the human spirit.
Reviewed By Lleeder - Ipswich, United Kingdom
Visited on a very wet day, not terribly busy but think that added to the atmosphere. It was peaceful and calm. All the guides and other staff were very knowledgeable about Shakers and the site in general. Choice of four hot soups for lunch, very welcome on such a wet day.
3. Red River Theatres
Overall Ratings
5 based on 122 reviews
Reviewed By GraceMarieGMC - NH
We've been to Red River Theatres a few times now and have not been disappointed. The movies screened are both independent films and first run movies. The staff is friendly, and the seats are comfortable. Prices are reasonable, and there is fresh popcorn, etc. - including wine and beer. The only drawback is the lobby; when the place is crowded, it's a free for all.
4. New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 147 reviews
Known for hosting the Winston Cup stock-car races and Motorcycle Week.
Reviewed By bradwhipple - Sugar Hill, New Hampshire
I have been privileged to work as a Security Specialist at an amazing one mile oval racetrack, about 20 miles east of Concord, the state capitol. Several events are scheduled each year , providing entertainment for many people from NH, MA,ME,VT and surrounding states. Opportunities exist to meet your favorite NASCAR driver, take photos of their cars and crews before watching them compete. From the bleachers or VIP seating and even from the best vantage point -The Ledges- between turns three and four Concessions offer food, beverage and souvenirs.In two weeks I will again securely cover my area of assignment.
5. Canterbury AleWorks
Overall Ratings
5 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By bealeco - Harvard, Massachusetts
This is a must see for anyone that likes good beer, a cozy friendly environment, and a confirmation that the American inventive spirit is still going strong. Where else can you see a working water wheel that will soon be generating all the electricity needed...MoreI am super glad you had a great visit! Thanks for there kind words and great review! CHEERS!
6. New Hampshire State House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 192 reviews
The oldest state capitol building in the United States.
Reviewed By Robert S - Lawrence, Kansas
We took the self guided tour. The tour brochure was very well organized. The New Hampshire government is a little different. The House has 400 members - largest in the world. Their chamber looks like a college auditorium - each Rep represents about 3,000 citizens. The Senate is more standard. That chamber has a set of nice murals. Another NH difference is that there is no Lieutenant Governor, but rather, has a Executive Council that meets with the governor throughout the year.
A lady in the Governor's office gave us a mini-tour and history lesson about that area.
We enjoyed or visit a lot.
7. Richard Petty Driving Experience
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By 147Adventure - Atlanta, Georgia
Awesome! I have coordinated for two years a group of friends to go on this event, both the ride along and the rookie driving experience-outstanding! I work with Pete Bartlett who is head of corporate sales and he is amazing-very professional and just top notch. Everyone at the track is professional and kind and lots of fun. I can't say enough about how wonderful the folks are there. The ride along is fun-wait for specials and the price is then very reasonable. The rookie experience isn't inexpensive but worth every dime-great time. This is a classy, highly professional organization that really puts on a great experience. I would recommend for anyone-a must do!
8. Hackleboro Orchards
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By sandytravelbug - California
Ok, I love farms, farmstands and orchards.... Hackleboro Orchard is all three! Get some of the most beautiful apples in the state, pet the farm animals, stop inside the farm store and get pre-picked fruit, local veggies, the most HUGE local baked pies, gifts and souvenirs.
Take the path to the observation deck... ... there are only about 10 stairs to climb and you're rewarded with sweeping views of the countryside and mountains. The leaves had not turned color yet, but the smoky-blue hillside, hazy fragrant air, blue sky and puffy clouds made it a perfect autumn day!
9. Loudon Country Club
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By jmasci - Hopkinton NH
We come here often. The course has a very nice selection of holes, set in a beautiful forested (classic NH) setting. For the most part the course is well maintained. However the 2nd and 3rd holes could really use some rethinking - one impossibly sloped green and a par 5 with way too many hazards and OB areas. If not for those 2 holes this would be 5 stars for the money.
The clubhouse is also very nice, with good pub food and great service.
10. Exotic Driving Experience
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
Imagine driving the world’s fastest and most exotic high performance cars on a real racetrack…no traffic…no stoplights…no law enforcement…just your dreams, your adrenaline and the wide-open asphalt! Located at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, NH, Exotic Driving Experience features supercars by Ferrari, Lamborghini, Audi, Porsche, Nissan and Aston Martin. Exotic Driving Experience gives you the opportunity to get behind the wheel of these supercars and make your dreams a reality.
Reviewed By knick76 - Weymouth, Massachusetts
This is a company based out of Orlando, that travel around the country to tracks. I think they came to New Hampshire twice in 2013. I was there on July 5th to fulfill a long time dream. I've driven a lot of cars (even an Audi R8 on this track at an Audi event a few years ago) so this type of thing is what I love. I was dying to drive the Nissan GTR as a long time fan so I booked that, for 9 laps (standard is 5 laps) and also the Aston Martin Virage as I had never seen any other event with an Aston to drive.
After a half hour intro meeting/ safety meeting, they do pictures with all the cars and then helmet up. This company is great as they allow you to drive fast as long as you can handle it. As I have a small amount of track experience, I was never told to slow down. Driving the GTR, on the first lap I skidded a little while braking. The instructor just stressed to brake while in a straight line, and in that corner he always reminded me, but never told me to slow down, and actually helped me to go faster. Between his advice and following the cones they set up to show you where to turn it's very well set up for people who haven't driven on track before.
Also great is while driving my 9 laps in the GTR, I got caught behind slower cars 2 or 3 times. This is normally an awful let down when at car events. Not with these guys, they called for a pass over the radio, and more importantly, gave me a couple of extra laps recognizing that I was going slower than I wanted on a couple of laps due to traffic. I can't stress enough that they want to keep you happy.
I then drove the Aston Martin 5 laps, I didn't enjoy this car as much as It is more of a touring car, less of a racing car. I also found the car slow to shift when I shifted so I didn't like that either. It may have been in the wrong driving mode, and if I had left it in automatic I may not have had that problem. I still enjoyed the ride though.
All the cars are paddle shift standards with the option of just leaving it in automatic. I did paddle shift but there's no shame in leaving these in automatic if you're not good at shifting and just enjoying the ride. After the ride you can buy your in car video on USB for 89 dollars, and pictures they took for (I think 20 dollars?) each. One complaint is if you buy a picture you don't get a digital copy (even if you bought the USB already??) but, I went to walmart and just had a digital copy made from a scanner for less than 5 dollars, problem solved.
One other thing they give you (free) is a track printout showing the map of the track, your lap times, and your max speed on each lap. I was able to hit 113 in the GTR and 106 in the Aston Martin. I absolutely loved this experience and I'll be watching for it again in the future. It makes a great experience for any car fan!
My advice for this event is: listen to the instructors, they'll slow you down if you're out of control. If you're comfortable, don't wait for them to tell you to go faster, just go faster if you're ready....people tend to be scared of driving an expensive car but if you're in control, go for it! My other advice is if you can afford it, do either additional laps in one car or an additional car. It's not cheap, but the GTR was my dream car and if I had to get out of it after 5 laps I would have not been as happy as after my 9 laps. Also the extra laps help you get comfortable and go faster. I can't recommend this company/ event enough, I smiled the whole 2 hour ride home!
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