Just north of Boston and straddling the state border with Vermont, New Hampshire is an absolute gem to go to whereas within the United States. Don’t be fooled by its measurement—it won’t be the largest state, however there are heaps of one of the best locations in New Hampshire to go to throughout this beautiful East Coast gem.
What makes New Hampshire notable (for me, at the very least) is that it’s the right state to go to on a highway journey. You’ll get a bit 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 means, I’m sharing our prime locations in New Hampshire that you could’t miss once you go to. Oh, and as all the time, message us should you want another 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 Concord. 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. This is a type of experiences that’s simply as a lot concerning the journey as it’s concerning the vacation spot.
Best of all, there’s a pleasant conductor onboard who appears to know every part and something about New Hampshire.
Now, I’d say that it’s greatest to e-book your tickets on the railway’s web site earlier than taking the practice. Spaces are restricted, and the carriages can simply refill at peak instances.
Once 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 superb 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 open air. What makes this state park so particular is that it’s completely untouched—the panorama hasn’t modified right here for 1000’s of years.
Once right here, be a part of the ‘falling waters trail’ (Google Maps hyperlink to trailhead) that may cease off at some iconic spots like Cloudland Falls alongside the best way. If you’re in search of an extended trek, be a part of the Basin Cascade Trail (Google Maps hyperlink to trailhead) that follows a part of the Pemigewasset River. It’s stunning.
Oh, and don’t neglect to cease off at Artist’s Bluff Lookout. It gives improbable views over Echo Lake and is completely beautiful on a hotter summer season’s day.
Also, should you’ve acquired time (or plan to spend a couple of days right here in Franconia Notch State Park, then make your means in the direction of the Flume Gorge and Franconia Notch. The former may be accessed by way of the path from the Flume Gorge Visitor Centre.
We beloved the area, and it’s simply the most effective locations in New Hampshire to go to at any time of yr—even in winter! You may even cease off at Cannon Mountain Ski Resort should you go to within the chillier winter months.
Read extra: Best locations in Maine to go to
3.) Portsmouth
Hugging the state border with Maine, Portsmouth is a coastal city that’s really beautiful to go to. It’s quaint, very ‘East Coast’ (if that is sensible), and has heaps of attraction.
Once 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 house. So, verify what’s enjoying once you’re visiting Portsmouth.
Oh, and seize a chunk to eat at The Oar House. It’s proper on the harbour entrance, and their crispy polenta and recent East Coast oysters are superb. Naturally, we popped a great deal of sizzling sauce and horseradish on them. Yum!
Finally, be sure that to cease by the Strawbery Banke Museum. In the 1600s, the primary European settlers gave Portsmouth the identify Strawberry Banke.
Today, you may head contained in the Strawbery Banke Museum at 454 Court Street. 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 attention-grabbing to wander round. We beloved it right here.
Read extra: Best locations in Maine to go to
4.) Monadnock
East of Keene, Mt. Monadnock is the world’s most climbed mountain, and with good purpose! The views are unbelievable, and there are heaps of trails to the highest of Mt. Monadnock. Best of all, the hike isn’t fairly as exhausting as you may assume. It’s definitely not for these with restricted mobility, however if you’re comparatively adept at mountain climbing, you’ll discover the paths fairly manageable right here.
Now, some elements of the paths require a little bit of scrambling up rocky outlays. This may be robust in your ankles, so be sure that to put on good mountain climbing sneakers.
We beloved the White Dot Trail, which begins on the Monadnock State Park Visitor Centre (that is the Google Maps hyperlink to the trailhead).
5.) Peterborough
A comparatively small city in New Hampshire, Peterborough is properly price stopping by for a couple of hours while driving via the broader area. Also, it’s the most effective locations in New Hampshire for breakfast – properly, for my part.
You see, you will have Peterborough Diner, which isn’t solely completely scrumptious but additionally so quaint. The diner is inside a Fifties cart, and it feels such as you’ve gone again in time. Make positive to strive the buttermilk pancakes or crunchy French toast. Both are so good!
Afterwards, head to Toadstool Bookshops, a quaint little store full of all method of books. If you’re one thing of a bookworm, you’ll adore it right here.
6.) Hampton Beach State Park
Around a 10-mile automobile journey from Portsmouth, Hampton Beach State Park is a must-visit. It’s one among my favorite locations in New Hampshire to go to in order for you a day on the seaside.
The seaside at Hampton is completely large, sandy, and fantastic. Although it will possibly get busy, there’s sufficient room for everybody alongside the stretches of sand right here.
The shallow waters make the waves comparatively small in New Hampshire. However, remember and take heed to native recommendation and lifeguard info on when (and when not) to enter the water. Riptides and all method of currents can happen on seashores on the East Coast.
Whilst on the seaside, 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 price a cease whereas driving throughout the state. Not solely that, however there are a good few motels in North Conway, making it an awesome ‘anchor’ for day journeys round this state space.
After arriving, try the North Conway Scenic Railway, which you’ll journey. Now, I’d say it’s greatest to verify what days the practice runs. Typically, you see many weekend journey choices, however there are some weekday choices at sure instances. Oh, and e-book your tickets prematurely on the practice’s web site. It’s so price it and distinctive.
Stop off at Story Land should you’re visiting New Hampshire with the broader household. It’s open within the hotter summer season 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 youngsters. You’ll have heaps of enjoyable!
Read extra: Best locations in Maine to go to
8.) Concord
Another nice little city to go to in New Hampshire is Concord. Just like Peterborough, it will possibly act as an anchor to discover the broader area and is the right stopping level for a very good lodge (Hotel Concord is our favorite) and a few chill time (should you’re fed up with driving).
As you discover the broader space, be sure that to hop on the Scenic RailRiders at close by Penacook. Here, you may peddle your means alongside historic practice tracks over about 2 hours, taking in about 6 miles of tracks. It’s really unbelievable and one of the distinctive issues you are able to do on the East Coast, for my part.
Again, like most issues, e-book prematurely as there are restricted areas for the day by day rides.
9.) North Conway and Mt. Washington Valley Ski Resorts
If you’re visiting New Hampshire within the colder winter months, benefit from the superb pistes and ski runs dotted across the state.
If that appears 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 talents. Not solely that, but it surely’s additionally thought of 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 United States.
New Hampshire is an ideal state for ski lovers and novices, or anybody who needs to hitch the enjoyable on the slopes. Just be sure that to wrap up heat.
10.) Manchester
North of Boston, in Massachusetts, Manchester is an easy metropolis to go to as you enterprise north via New Hampshire. Plus, it’s the most effective locations in New Hampshire to go to in order for you extra of a metropolis break.
Once right here, be sure that to cease off on the Currier Museum of Art and Zimmerman House. It has a whopping 11,000 items and works protecting completely different features of artwork from modern-day, to centuries passed by. Visits will take round 60 minutes and an ideal stopping level for a morning discover.
Also, don’t neglect 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 open air in New Hampshire. It’s colossal and full of heaps of trails, scenic driveways, and spots like that Willey House. It’s simply the most effective locations in New Hampshire for a a lot larger highway 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 among our favourites is the Webster Cliff path and the Appalachian Trail, which can take you previous factors like Ethan Pond and Zeeland Notch. By the best way, it’s colossal, so don’t anticipate to finish it. Please take it in bite-sized chunks and set a time you wish to hike.
Read extra: Best locations within the northeast of the USA to go to
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