Plan Your Visit to Andres Institute of art
Sculpture and Hiking Trails are open every day, dawn to dusk.
Events include special ways to interact with the park and art
Live Music, Concerts & Shows hosted in our performance venue
School Trips, Corporate Events. Docents avail for group visits
parking & Planning
Parking
The parking lot is at the Andres Visitor Center at 106 Route 13, Brookline, NH. From the lot, follow signs to the trail head where you will find an information kiosk and maps as well as a port-o-john.
Planning
Trails are open every day from dawn until dusk. There is no fee to enter but donations are greatly appreciated either online or in the trailhead or studio or Welcome Center donation boxes.
Dogs on-leash are welcome. Please clean up after your dog so we can continue welcoming them. Also, please be respectful of other visitors when bringing a dog. At events, you may be asked to move to the back of a group for the safety and comfort of all involved.
Be sure to bring a water bottle and bug spray. There are no trash receptacles, the AIA is a carry in-carry out environment. If you are coming for a Hike, please see our Hiking Page for more details on hiking our 10+ miles of trails
Use maps (see below) to find the AIA, plan your visit, or just wander and discover. A map makes returning to the parking area easier after wandering the trails.
Visit the Sculpture Gallery on our website to see pictures of most of the works at AIA. You can use the online Sculpture Gallery and Maps to plan a personally curated visit.
Welcome Center
The Welcome Center is open when staffed by our fabulous volunteers. The regular schedule is Wed/Th/Fri 11-3. Check our Facebook page for pop-up hours, including some Saturdays. Inside, visit the AIA Art Gallery with a variety of Art and Sculptures for sale. You will also find a diorama of the hill, pictures of previous symposia and smaller works by our Director and Co-Founder John Weidman. Wifi and restrooms are available.
Brookline’s Finest, serving food and offering items from local craftspeople, is open in the yellow doors next to the Welcome Center doors. They are open daily 9-6, Saturday and Sunday til 4pm.
To learn about volunteering at AIA, visit the Volunteer page.
Andres Institute of Art Visitor Center
106 Route 13, Brookline, NH
Parking & the Trail Head, when facing the Center as in the photo above, are to the right.
What to Expect
Situated on a former ski area, there is a good bit of vertical rise on the trails. There is a paved accessway to the Studio with easier footing, the Parkway Trail with works visible from and adjacent to the road. Above the Studio, the trails around the summit are more gradual, and then there is the descent with more sculptures to pause, rest and observe. The sculpture trails are dirt and gravel, tree-covered and peaceful. Wear secure shoes to navigate the occasional tree root, gravel and stones. Plan to spend 1-2 hours – or more. It will take several visits to see all of the works.
Access & Accommodations
Please contact the Andres Institute of Art with any questions regarding disability access needs for individuals or groups. With advance notice we can permit driving access to the Studio and/or help identify works that are most accessible for your needs. Please reach out via email at [email protected], or call (603) 732-0216.
Events
Our main events are the Iron Melt Fundraisers (Spring and Fall) and the Annual Symposium. 2026 will mark the 26th Symposium, and the dates are set for September 12 – October 4, 2026. There is also a live music concert series with concerts every month. Scroll down below “Maps” for other events or to sign up for the newsletter, or check out the Facebook page and our Event Calendar to find out what is happening at the Andres!
Docent-Guided Visits
The Andres Institute of Art is happy to help you plan a visit for your group, class or club. See more info below.
Monthly Newsletter
Complete the form at the bottom of this page to sign up for the monthly newsletter to stay informed about all of the events.
Field Trips, School and Corporate programs
The Andres Institute of Art serves as a premier destination for experiential learning, offering a diverse array of field trip opportunities tailored for public, private, and homeschooled students, clubs and groups of all ages, as well as specialized corporate team-building programs. Spread across 140 acres of rugged New Hampshire woodland in Brookline, our “open-air museum” provides a rare, multi-sensory environment where the boundaries between human creativity and the natural world disappear.
Art and the Global Perspective
Our collection features over 100 permanent sculptures created by artists from across the globe. For students and professionals alike, this provides a unique laboratory for discussing artistic theory, medium, and cultural storytelling. By observing how materials like granite, steel, and wood weather and interact with the changing seasons, visitors gain a deeper understanding of the dialogue between a creator’s vision and the environment.
Nature and Natural History
The Institute is located on the historic slopes of the former Big Bear Mountain ski area, offering a rich tapestry of natural and local history. Guided treks allow participants to explore:
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Geology and Ecology: Observe the unique rock formations of the Monadnock region and the diverse flora and fauna that thrive in this protected habitat.
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The “Ski Hill” Legacy: Discover how the landscape has transitioned from a bustling recreational hub to a serene sanctuary for the arts, providing a tangible lesson in land conservation and historical evolution.
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Environmental Stewardship: The trails offer a practical look at forest management and the importance of maintaining local ecosystems.
Planning Your Visit
Whether you are looking to inspire a classroom of students or foster collaboration within a corporate team, our programs are designed to engage both the body and the mind. To ensure a high-quality educational experience, volunteer docents can be arranged with advance notice to provide expert insights into the collection and the mountain’s history.
To schedule your program or learn more about our customized group hikes, please contact us at [email protected] or call us at (603) 732-0216.
maps
Directions to Andres Institute of Art
Directions
OUR ADDRESS IS #106 ROUTE 13 – BROOKLINE NH 03033
From Manchester take 101 West to Route 13 South. Travel 6.5 miles south to the AIA Center & Parking on your right.
From Nashua take Route 130 West through Hollis to Brookline Center. After the Library turn left on Bond Street for one block. The AIA Center & Parking is nearly opposite Bond Street at Route 13.
Download/Print Trail Map
Download or print a trail map before you go. The second page includes a numbered list of the sculptures. These maps can also be found at the Visitor’s Kiosk at the base of the trails.
Interactive Online Trail Map
Trailforks is an online map of hike, mountain bike and snowmobile trails. AIA trail information also includes scultpure names and details.
AIA events
Watch this space for upcoming events and links to register. The newsletter is a good way to learn of events and you can follow our Facebook page.
Other events occur throughout the year including live music concerts & performances, lectures and schools partnering with us for adult and youth classes.
School Field Trips, Corporate & larger groups can schedule a docent-led tour or event – please contact us at [email protected]
Big Music Week at BBL
Two great shows lined up to celebrate music and to raise funds for the art, trails and mission of the AIA. Tickets still available, but selling quickly, for Aces & Eights on Saturday. Concert proceeds support the AIA, a NH non-profit organization, and are staffed by...
New Exhibition in the Andres Institute of Art Gallery – Claudia Michael
Saturday, April 4th, we welcome artist Claudia Michael and her exhibition opening in the art gallery within the Welcome Center at Andres Institute of Art. Her show will run from April 4th - May 16th. Gallery Artists: Claudia Michael Select works by John Weidman,...
Portrait in Jazz Live Sunday March 22nd at Big Bear Lodge
Join us on Sunday March 22nd at 6PM when the Portrait in Jazz makes their debut to the Dream Trax Stage at Big Bear Lodge for some spectacular Jazz! Portrait In Jazz is a highly regarded, long-standing New England jazz ensemble founded in 1993 by guitarist and...
Connect with AIA
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Sculpture Park Entrance &
Welcome Center
106 Route 13, Brookline, NH 03033
Call or Mail
(603) 732-0216
Andres Institute of Art, PO Box 226, Brookline, NH 03033-0226