Usually overshadowed by its neighbors, New Hampshire quietly presents beautiful pure landscapes of granite rock formations and the White Mountains.
Nicknamed the Granite State, New Hampshire homes America’s first wind farm, holds our nation’s first presidential main throughout election season, and harbors the very best peak within the Northeastern United States. Briefly, we should always not take the Granite State with no consideration.
Let’s discover one of the best issues to do in New Hampshire so you possibly can plan your adventures within the proud New England state.
New Hampshire Provides A lot To Do Yr-Spherical
New Hampshire is 9,300 sq. miles and is one in all America’s smallest states. Though miniature, its mountainous landscapes, huge wilderness expanses, and quaint cities provide a lot for vacationers to do.
The state has historic sites and a vibrant arts and tradition scene. Nonetheless, attributable to its mountains, rivers, and lakes, New Hampshire shines brightest in pure magnificence and out of doors recreation.
A part of the Appalachian Path passes by means of New Hampshire. Moose and black bears inhabit the state for many who take pleasure in observing wildlife.
New Hampshire delivers out of doors recreation in spades year-round. Winter sports activities are widespread within the northern mountain areas. Guests can take pleasure in snowboarding, snowmobiling, and sleigh rides. For many who don’t like chilly climate, New Hampshire’s quaint cities welcome you with purchasing and scrumptious eateries.
Spring is a superb time for hikers to savor gushing waterfalls and colourful flowers in bloom. The state proudly holds over 90 sugarhouses and welcomes guests to study concerning the maple-sugaring course of in spring.
Summer season is a superb time to take pleasure in water sports activities on the New Hampshire lakes and rivers. Friends delight within the pretty wildflower-filled inexperienced meadows.
Fall is an absolute dream for foliage lovers. Very similar to its neighbor Vermont, all the state reveals a canvas of daring autumnal colours. Friends can benefit from the views by means of scenic drives, mountain climbing, biking, prepare rides, and navigating corn mazes.
Regardless of the season, a go to to New Hampshire yields rewarding views and recreation. Let’s chisel deeper into the granite to seek out issues to do in New Hampshire that fit your pursuits.
Mount Washington Cog Railway
Embark on a journey on the world’s first mountain-climbing cog railway. The thrilling prepare trip takes you to the summit of the very best peak within the Northeastern United States, Mount Washington. Passengers chug alongside steep grades by means of three local weather zones earlier than reaching an elevation of 6,288 ft in lower than an hour.
“The Cog” nestles in northern New Hampshire, within the coronary heart of the White Mountains. Biodiesel locomotives energy a lot of the prepare rides. The railway operates two coal-fired steam engines which are over a century previous in hotter months.
It’s an exhilarating prepare trip with spectacular summit views. Your entire expertise is about three hours, giving visitors an hour on the summit.
Go to the Mount Washington Cog Railway site to confirm charges and availability. Though the railway is open year-round, the prepare schedule, pricing, and sorts of excursions usually differ all year long.
Franconia Notch State Park
Thought of by many the crown jewel of New Hampshire, Franconia Notch State Park sits within the core of the White Mountains Nationwide Forest. Named for a scenic mountain go between the towering peaks of the Franconia and Kinsman mountain ranges, the park sits close to Lincoln and Franconia.
An eight-mile scenic parkway winds by means of the park, connecting Echo Lake to the north and the well-known Flume Gorge to the south. The beautiful park has many facilities, together with mountain climbing trails, campgrounds, seaside swimming, snowboarding, fishing, boat leases, picnic areas, and bicycling. It’s a dream vacation spot for hikers, waterfall chasers, and nature lovers.
Flume Gorge is the park’s spotlight, comprising a 2-mile loop path alongside an enormous pure gorge. Hikers will encounter stairs, a coated bridge, and towering granite partitions alongside the surreal journey. Guests ought to make reservations on-line because of the reputation of the Flume Gorge Path.
A bucket list adventure, visitors can trip North America’s first passenger tramway. The Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway is an eight-minute trip to the height, yielding breathtaking views. On a transparent day, passengers can see mountains from 4 states and Canada.
Hampton Seashore State Park
New Hampshire proudly claims the shortest ocean shoreline of any state. Regardless of consisting of solely 18 miles, the stretch of shoreline is beautiful. Guests can discover this gem within the state’s southeast nook.
Hampton Beach State Park is open year-round. Its vast, sandy seashores invite you to swim and absorb rays whereas having fun with the view. Past swimming, the coastal state park presents fishing, picnicking, and tenting. For these searching for a singular expertise, Hampton Seashore permits horseback driving from October by means of April.
Kancamagus Freeway
For those who take pleasure in scenic drives, the Kancamagus Freeway, a portion of State Route 112, is one in all America’s finest. Though shorter than the well-known Blue Ridge Parkway, it presents an analogous expertise. The twisty 34.5-mile Nationwide Scenic Byway runs east and west throughout the state between Lincoln and Conway.
Though a phenomenal drive year-round, it shines brightest every autumn throughout peak foliage weeks. The Kancamagus Scenic Byway presents many pull-off factors for drivers and passengers to savor views of babbling brooks, cascading waterfalls, and hovering mountains.
Highlights alongside the journey embody the White Mountains, Sabbaday Falls, the Swift River, Decrease Falls, and Rocky Gorge. For many who need greater than to look at nature from the overlooks, “The Kanc” has many mountain climbing trails and 6 campgrounds.
Lake Winnipesaukee
Spanning 72 sq. miles, Lake Winnipesaukee is New Hampshire’s largest lake. It sits within the Lakes Area on the foothills of the White Mountains within the east-central portion of the state. The spring-fed water sparkles towards the beautiful wooded shoreline.
Quaint cities ring the island-dotted lake, delivering household leisure similar to miniature golf, arcades, and go-karting. Adults can pattern scrumptious drinks with a view from varied wineries and breweries.
For many who favor out of doors recreation, “Lake Winni” has seashores, boating, fishing, mountain climbing, and biking. Winter brings snowboarding, snowboarding, sledding, ice skating, and snowmobiling alternatives.
Hood Museum of Artwork
Positioned on the Dartmouth School campus in Hanover, the Hood Museum of Artwork has an unlimited assortment of over 65,000 items. Their collections embody American, European, African, and Native American artifacts and artworks. The museum rotates displays, solely displaying parts of the general stock at any time.
Admission is free, making it a wonderful alternative to understand artwork and discover an Ivy League campus. It’s adjoining to the Hanover Inn, a historic boutique resort with New England allure.
Misplaced River Gorge & Boulder Caves
A novel out of doors journey awaits guests in New Hampshire’s Kinsman Notch. Misplaced River Gorge & Boulder Caves is called for a river that disappears beneath a glacial gorge.
The principle attraction is a 1-mile wood boardwalk loop path containing greater than 1,000 stairs. You’ll uncover jagged rock partitions, large boulders, and cascading waterfalls alongside the trail.
The Misplaced River Gorge presents further challenges if you’re fairly limber and cozy with small openings and darkness. It homes eleven boulder caves that require crawling and maneuvering by means of tight areas. The boulder caves are a nightmare for some, whereas others relish such an exhilarating journey.
This New Hampshire gem presents different distinctive excursions, together with the Forest Journey Path, treehouse, and suspension bridge. Climb above the forest for a spectacular view from the large fowl nest. Guests may also navigate the gorge and caves on a nighttime lantern tour.
Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves is often open from early Might to mid-October.
Gunstock Mountain Resort
Resting atop the Belknap Mountain Vary in Gilford, New Hampshire, Gunstock Mountain Resort is a family-friendly ski resort with year-round adventures. The resort presents 49 trails and 227 skiable acres. Friends can take pleasure in downhill snowboarding, snowboarding, tubing, snowshoeing, and cross-country snowboarding. Proceed the enjoyable at night time, snowboarding and tubing underneath brightly lit trails.
The summit delivers beautiful views of Lake Winnipesaukee and the White Mountains. You will see that loads of locations to seize a chunk and sip a sizzling cup of cocoa whilst you savor the panoramic vista.
Summer season vacationers will uncover distinctive adventures at Gunstock Mountain Resort, together with ziplining, scenic chairlift rides, aerial impediment programs, a 4,000-foot-long mountain coaster, mountain climbing, fishing, and mountain biking. With so many choices, it is a superb household vacation spot.
Currier Museum of Artwork
The Currier Museum of Art sits in Manchester in south-central New Hampshire. Its assortment is comprised of 15,000 artwork items.
Though the museum options work and sculptures from the 14th by means of the seventeenth centuries, it additionally has a pleasant assortment of latest artwork. The museum often shows particular and rotating gallery displays.
Friends can attempt distinctive experiences like audio excursions, studio lessons, and touring two Frank Lloyd Wright properties. Afterward, take pleasure in a leisurely snack or meal at their Winter Backyard Cafe. The cafe presents a brunch menu and cocktails on Sundays.
McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Middle
New Hampshire is happy with their astronaut historical past. The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Harmony is an air and area museum that honors American area vacationers, together with well-known state residents Alan Shepard and Christa McAuliffe.
Shepard was the primary American to journey into area in 1961. McAuliffe was a instructor aboard the House Shuttle Challenger throughout the tragic 1986 explosion.
McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Middle presents an immersive expertise for households. The museum has indoor and out of doors displays, together with a full-sized reproduction of a Mercury-Redstone rocket, an observatory, and a full-dome planetarium. Guests can study area journey by means of planetarium reveals, hands-on displays, and demonstrations.
Prescott Park
For vacationers searching for tranquility, head to Portsmouth. The seaside metropolis in southeast New Hampshire homes a phenomenal 10-acre park with pretty waterfront views and colourful flowers.
Brick walkways invite you to walk alongside completely manicured gardens with aromatic blossoms. You’ll uncover many particular person areas with distinctive themes and designs. The botanical backyard has loads of benches to calm down and replicate. Better of all, it’s free.
The Prescott Park Arts Competition happens in summer season. Accordingly, it will get busier throughout this time. The pageant holds many particular occasions, together with concert events, theater productions, motion pictures, neighborhood showcases, and extra.
Story Land
When you’ve got younger youngsters, Story Land in Glen, New Hampshire, is the proper spot for leisure. The theme park incorporates rides and sights celebrating basic fairy tales and nursery rhymes.
Youngsters can expertise fantasies that really feel like they arrive straight out of the pages of a storybook. Journey in a flying Dutch shoe as you gaze upon a land of canals and windmills. Meet Cinderella in her citadel. Pilot a swan boat throughout calm waters or spin in a teacup with Alice and the Mad Hatter.
Rides embody swings, coasters, a prepare, and a raft trip the place visitors often get splashed. Past the enjoyable rides, Story Land presents a petting zoo, character experiences, stay reveals, and a playground. Additionally, you will discover carnival video games and loads of meals choices.
Fort In The Clouds
Nestled atop the Ossipee Mountains in Moultonborough, Fort within the Clouds is a historic mansion on 5,500 acres with breathtaking views. The mountaintop mansion was in-built 1913 and has 16 rooms.
A self-guided tour grants entry to the primary two flooring, whereas a guided tour is required to see the basement. The Lucknow Mansion options some fascinating know-how that was distinctive on the time, similar to a central vacuum system and a house-wide interphone system.
For many who take pleasure in mountain climbing, the property presents over 28 miles of scenic trails alongside lush forests, gushing waterfalls, and difficult summits. Friends can snowshoe or cross-country ski the paths in winter.
After your tour or hike, seize a chunk to eat and calm down. Cafe within the Clouds is a great spot for a light-weight snack, whereas the Carriage Home Restaurant serves scrumptious meals, out of doors seating, and sweeping views.
Go to the Castle in the Clouds website to verify hours and charges. Home excursions usually run from late Might to late October.
Conway Scenic Railroad
The Conway Scenic Railroad in North Conway presents heritage rail excursions and scenic prepare rides by means of Crawford Notch and Mount Washington Valley. Guests can select from three distinctive excursions. Every departs from a Victorian prepare station in-built 1874, yielding an old style railroading expertise.
The Conway Valley Prepare is a basic rural rail journey that journeys 11 miles in underneath an hour. It’s splendid for households with younger youngsters.
The Sawyer River Tour is a classic prepare trip that crosses a number of bridges and supplies picturesque views of the Sawyer River. Your trip is a bit of over two hours.
Previously named the “Notch Prepare,” the Mountaineer transports you on a scenic journey by means of the valley and over the rugged Crawford Notch. The tour usually spans 4 to 5 and a half hours.
Lunch is offered for buy on the Sawyer River Tour and the Mountaineer prepare trip. Past seeing North Conway, every rail journey presents an opportunity to journey again in time.
Funspot
For those who love video video games, a visit to Laconia, New Hampshire, is a should. Funspot is the world’s largest arcade, with over 600 video games. About half of these are classic arcade games like Asteroids, Pac-Man, and House Invaders. You will see that many fashionable video games as properly.
Funspot additionally has pinball machines, skeeball, bumper automobiles, money bingo, a bowling alley, indoor miniature golf, a restaurant, and a tavern. With so many issues to do in a single place, it’s a surefire hit for adults and children.
There Are Many Improbable Issues To Do in New Hampshire
New Hampshire is just not probably the most well-known East Coast state, nevertheless it presents many wonderful issues to do. Its quaint cities have a wealthy historical past, artwork, tradition, and locations for household leisure. New Hampshire’s stunning woodlands, lakes, rivers, and mountains present year-round out of doors adventures. Like a granite mountain, experiences in New Hampshire are rock-solid.
This text initially appeared on Wealth of Geeks.
We’re Scott and Julie of Miles with McConkey. After almost 30 years, we took a leap of religion out of the company world to take pleasure in a lifetime of journey and journey. We hope to encourage you to seek out methods to journey extra and luxuriate in life now.
