ROCHESTER

Rochester is the sixth most populous city in New Hampshire, located in Strafford County along the Cocheco River. Its downtown along Wakefield Street has been reinvesting in arts and cultural programming anchored by a restored historic theater.

The Rochester Opera House is a 750-seat theater built in 1908 inside Rochester City Hall, notable for having the only known fully moveable floor mechanism still in use in the United States. It programs an annual season of concerts, theater, comedy, and children's shows. The Rochester Performance & Arts Center, which opened in 2017 nearby, adds a 150-seat recital hall and gallery space.

Rochester has a blue-collar honesty to its arts scene. The Opera House restoration has been a point of civic pride, and the audience tends to be local families and couples looking for an affordable night out. The downtown is still developing its restaurant and nightlife presence compared to neighboring Dover.

Tip: The Rochester Opera House is inside City Hall on Wakefield Street in the center of downtown. Parking is available on surrounding streets and in lots.

Neighborhoods: Downtown • Wakefield Street • East Rochester • Gonic