Simply north of Boston and straddling the state border with Vermont, New Hampshire is an absolute gem to go to whereas in the USA. Don’t be fooled by its measurement—it won’t be the most important state, however there are heaps of the perfect locations in New Hampshire to go to throughout this gorgeous East Coast gem.
What makes New Hampshire notable (for me, not less than) is that it’s the proper state to go to on a street journey. You’ll get somewhat style of the state’s cities and delve deeper into the extra rural areas and parks that make New Hampshire so particular.
So, that can assist you alongside your method, I’m sharing our prime locations in New Hampshire that you would be able to’t miss whenever you go to. Oh, and as all the time, message us should you want some other ideas in your route or journey. We love New Hampshire!
1.) Mount Washington Cog Railway
The Mount Washington Cog Railway is a couple of 90-minute drive north of Harmony. It’s unbelievable to expertise, and never only for the historic stopping level on the Mount Washington Observatory. The practice journey climbs steeply up the mountainside. That is a type of experiences that’s simply as a lot in regards to the journey as it’s in regards to the vacation spot.
Better of all, there’s a pleasant conductor onboard who appears to know every little thing and something about New Hampshire.
Now, I might say that it’s greatest to e-book your tickets on the railway’s web site earlier than taking the practice. Areas are restricted, and the carriages can simply refill at peak occasions.
When you arrive, you’ll board the unbelievable practice and expertise this historic journey as much as Mount Washington. The go to will take round 3 hours, so it’s a wonderful exercise for a half-day journey whereas exploring the broader area in New Hampshire.
2.) Franconia Notch State Park
Not too removed from the Mount Washington Cog Railway, Franconia Notch State Park is likely one of the greatest locations in New Hampshire to go to should you love the nice outside. What makes this state park so particular is that it’s completely untouched—the panorama hasn’t modified right here for hundreds of years.
As soon as right here, be part of the ‘falling waters path’ (Google Maps hyperlink to trailhead) that can cease off at some iconic spots like Cloudland Falls alongside the best way. In case you’re in search of an extended trek, be part of the Basin Cascade Path (Google Maps hyperlink to trailhead) that follows a part of the Pemigewasset River. It’s stunning.
Oh, and don’t overlook to cease off at Artist’s Bluff Lookout. It affords incredible views over Echo Lake and is completely gorgeous on a hotter summer time’s day.
Additionally, should you’ve bought time (or plan to spend just a few days right here in Franconia Notch State Park, then make your method in direction of the Flume Gorge and Franconia Notch. The previous might be accessed by way of the path from the Flume Gorge Customer Centre.
We beloved the area, and it’s simply probably the greatest locations in New Hampshire to go to at any time of yr—even in winter! You possibly can even cease off at Cannon Mountain Ski Resort should you go to within the chillier winter months.
Learn extra: Greatest locations in Maine to go to
3.) Portsmouth
Hugging the state border with Maine, Portsmouth is a coastal city that’s truly gorgeous to go to. It’s quaint, very ‘East Coast’ (if that is sensible), and has heaps of attraction.
As soon as right here, go to the Seacoast Repertory Theatre for a night present. It’s solely a small venue, however it’s so charming. We completely love the area. So, verify what’s enjoying whenever you’re visiting Portsmouth.
Oh, and seize a chew to eat at The Oar Home. It’s proper on the harbour entrance, and their crispy polenta and contemporary East Coast oysters are wonderful. Naturally, we popped a great deal of scorching sauce and horseradish on them. Yum!
Lastly, be sure to cease by the Strawbery Banke Museum. Within the 1600s, the primary European settlers gave Portsmouth the title Strawberry Banke.
At present, you may head contained in the Strawbery Banke Museum at 454 Court docket Road. It covers as much as 10 acres of land and options homes from 400 years of the 400-year-old port neighbourhood. Some properties have been furnished and restored to show how life was in varied eras, and it’s so fascinating to wander round. We beloved it right here.
Learn extra: Greatest locations in Maine to go to
4.) Monadnock
East of Keene, Mt. Monadnock is the world’s most climbed mountain, and with good cause! The views are unbelievable, and there are heaps of trails to the highest of Mt. Monadnock. Better of all, the hike isn’t fairly as laborious as you may suppose. It’s definitely not for these with restricted mobility, however if you’re comparatively adept at mountaineering, you’ll discover the paths fairly manageable right here.
Now, some components of the paths require a little bit of scrambling up rocky outlays. This may be robust in your ankles, so be sure to put on good mountaineering sneakers.
We beloved the White Dot Path, which begins on the Monadnock State Park Customer Centre (that is the Google Maps hyperlink to the trailhead).
5.) Peterborough
A comparatively small city in New Hampshire, Peterborough is properly value stopping by for just a few hours while driving by the broader area. Additionally, it’s probably the greatest locations in New Hampshire for breakfast – properly, for my part.
You see, you’ve got Peterborough Diner, which isn’t solely completely scrumptious but in addition so quaint. The diner is inside a Nineteen Fifties cart, and it feels such as you’ve gone again in time. Ensure to attempt the buttermilk pancakes or crunchy French toast. Each are so good!
Afterwards, head to Toadstool Bookshops, a quaint little store crammed with all method of books. In case you’re one thing of a bookworm, you’ll like it right here.
6.) Hampton Seaside State Park
Round a 10-mile automobile journey from Portsmouth, Hampton Seaside State Park is a must-visit. It’s one in all my favorite locations in New Hampshire to go to in order for you a day on the seaside.
The seashore at Hampton is totally enormous, sandy, and fantastic. Though it may possibly get busy, there may be sufficient room for everybody alongside the stretches of sand right here.
The shallow waters make the waves comparatively small in New Hampshire. Nevertheless, bear in mind and hearken to native recommendation and lifeguard data on when (and when not) to enter the water. Riptides and all method of currents can happen on seashores on the East Coast.
While on the seashore, head into the streets close by and seize lunch at The Goat. Their rooster and waffles are out-of-this-world!
7.) North Conway
Not too removed from the Maine state border, North Conway is an space of New Hampshire that’s properly value a cease whereas driving throughout the state. Not solely that, however there are a good few accommodations in North Conway, making it an important ‘anchor’ for day journeys round this state space.
After arriving, take a look at the North Conway Scenic Railway, which you’ll journey. Now, I might say it’s greatest to verify what days the practice runs. Sometimes, you see many weekend journey choices, however there are some weekday choices at sure occasions. Oh, and e-book your tickets prematurely on the practice’s web site. It’s so value it and distinctive.
Cease off at Story Land should you’re visiting New Hampshire with the broader household. It’s open within the hotter summer time months and is an ideal place for all of the household to have enjoyable. We beloved the bamboo chutes (log flume) and Moo Lagoon, a waterpark for youthful kids. You’ll have heaps of enjoyable!
Learn extra: Greatest locations in Maine to go to
8.) Harmony
One other nice little city to go to in New Hampshire is Harmony. Similar to Peterborough, it may possibly act as an anchor to discover the broader area and is the proper stopping level for resort (Lodge Harmony is our favorite) and a few chill time (should you’re fed up with driving).
As you discover the broader space, be sure to hop on the Scenic RailRiders at close by Penacook. Right here, you may peddle your method alongside historic practice tracks over about 2 hours, taking in about 6 miles of tracks. It’s truly unbelievable and one of the crucial distinctive issues you are able to do on the East Coast, for my part.
Once more, like most issues, e-book prematurely as there are restricted areas for the every day rides.
9.) North Conway and Mt. Washington Valley Ski Resorts
In case you’re visiting New Hampshire within the colder winter months, benefit from the wonderful pistes and ski runs dotted across the state.
If that seems like enjoyable to you, hop on over to Cannon Mountain Ski Resort. It’s one of many largest ski resort areas in New Hampshire and has runs for all skills. Not solely that, however it’s additionally thought-about to be one of many very first ski resorts within the US, and it nonetheless stays a prime ski vacation spot in the entire of the USA.
New Hampshire is an ideal state for ski lovers and novices, or anybody who desires to affix the enjoyable on the slopes. Simply be sure to wrap up heat.
10.) Manchester
North of Boston, in Massachusetts, Manchester is an easy metropolis to go to as you enterprise north by New Hampshire. Plus, it’s probably the greatest locations in New Hampshire to go to in order for you extra of a metropolis break.
As soon as right here, be sure to cease off on the Currier Museum of Artwork and Zimmerman Home. It has a whopping 11,000 items and works masking totally different facets of artwork from modern-day, to centuries passed by. Visits will take round 60 minutes and an ideal stopping level for a morning discover.
Additionally, don’t overlook to pop into Cotton Restaurant for lunch. Their seared scallops are so good.
11.) Crawford Notch State Park
Crawford Notch State Park is one other epic spot to discover the nice outside in New Hampshire. It’s colossal and crammed with heaps of trails, scenic drivewaysand spots like that Willey Home. It’s simply probably the greatest locations in New Hampshire for a a lot larger street journey (from, say, Boston to Montreal, which is nice, by the best way).
Now, there are far too many trails and walks to element proper right here, however one in all our favourites is the Webster Cliff path and the Appalachian Path, which is able to take you previous factors like Ethan Pond and Zeeland Notch. By the best way, it’s colossal, so don’t count on to finish it. Please take it in bite-sized chunks and set a time you need to hike.
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