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 may not be the largest state, however there are heaps of the most effective locations in New Hampshire to go to throughout this gorgeous East Coast gem.
What makes New Hampshire notable (for me, a minimum of) is that it’s the proper 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 approach, I’m sharing our high locations in New Hampshire that you may’t miss while you go to. Oh, and as at all times, message us for those who want every other ideas in your route or journey. We love New Hampshire!
1.) Mount Washington Cog Railway
The Mount Washington Cog Railway is a few 90-minute drive north of Harmony. It’s unimaginable 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 the whole lot and something about New Hampshire.
Now, I’d say that it’s finest to guide your tickets on the railway’s web site earlier than taking the practice. Areas are restricted, and the carriages can simply replenish at peak instances.
When you arrive, you’ll board the unimaginable 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 finest locations in New Hampshire to go to for those who love the good outdoor. 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 a 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. If you happen to’re on the lookout for an extended trek, be a part of the Basin Cascade Path (Google Maps hyperlink to trailhead) that follows a part of the Pemigewasset River. It’s lovely.
Oh, and don’t overlook to cease off at Artist’s Bluff Lookout. It presents unbelievable views over Echo Lake and is completely gorgeous on a hotter summer season’s day.
Additionally, for those who’ve obtained time (or plan to spend a number of days right here in Franconia Notch State Park, then make your approach in the direction of the Flume Gorge and Franconia Notch. The previous may be accessed through the path from the Flume Gorge Customer Centre.
We liked 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’ll be able to even cease off at Cannon Mountain Ski Resort for those who go to within the chillier winter months.
Learn extra: Finest 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 smart), and has heaps of appeal.
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 house. So, verify what’s enjoying while 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 sizzling sauce and horseradish on them. Yum!
Lastly, ensure that to cease by the Strawbery Banke Museum. Within the 1600s, the primary European settlers gave Portsmouth the title Strawberry Banke.
Right this moment, you’ll be able to head contained in the Strawberry Bange Museum at 454 Courtroom Avenue. 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 numerous eras, and it’s so fascinating to wander round. We liked it right here.
Learn extra: Finest locations in Maine to go to
4.) Monadnock
East of Keene, Mt. Monadnock is the world’s most climbed mountain, and with good motive! The views are unimaginable, and there are heaps of trails to the highest of Mt. Monadnock. Better of all, the hike isn’t fairly as onerous as you would possibly suppose. It’s definitely not for these with restricted mobility, however in case you are comparatively adept at mountain climbing, 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 ensure that to put on good mountain climbing sneakers.
We liked 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 nicely price stopping by for a number of hours while driving by the broader area. Additionally, it’s probably the greatest locations in New Hampshire for breakfast – nicely, in my view.
You see, you may have Peterborough Dinerwhich isn’t solely completely scrumptious but additionally so quaint. The diner is inside a Nineteen Fifties cart, and it feels such as you’ve gone again in time. Make certain to attempt the buttermilk pancakes or crunchy French toast. Each are so good!
Afterwards, head to Toadstool Bookshopsa quaint little store stuffed with all method of books. If you happen to’re one thing of a bookworm, you’ll adore it right here.
6.) Hampton Seaside State Park
Round a 10-mile automobile trip from Portsmouth, Hampton Seaside State Park is a must-visit. It’s considered one of my favorite locations in New Hampshire to go to if you’d like a day on the seaside.
The seaside at Hampton is completely big, sandy, and fantastic. Though it may well 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. Nonetheless, remember 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 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 nicely price a cease whereas driving throughout the state. Not solely that, however there are a good few motels in North Conway, making it an incredible ‘anchor’ for day journeys round this state space.
After arriving, take a look at the North Conway Scenic Railway, which you’ll be able to trip. Now, I’d say it’s finest to verify what days the practice runs. Usually, you see many weekend journey choices, however there are some weekday choices at sure instances. Oh, and guide your tickets prematurely on the practice’s web site. It’s so price it and distinctive.
Cease off at Story Land for those who’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 liked the bamboo chutes (log flume) and Moo Lagoon, a waterpark for youthful youngsters. You’ll have heaps of enjoyable!
Learn extra: Finest 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 well act as an anchor to discover the broader area and is the proper stopping level for a very good lodge (Lodge Harmony is our favorite) and a few chill time (for those who’re fed up with driving).
As you discover the broader space, ensure that to hop on the Scenic RailRiders at close by Penacook. Right here, you’ll be able to peddle your approach alongside historic practice tracks over about 2 hours, taking in about 6 miles of tracks. It’s truly unimaginable and one of the distinctive issues you are able to do on the East Coast, in my view.
Once more, like most issues, guide prematurely as there are restricted areas for the every day rides.
9.) North Conway and Mt. Washington Valley Ski Resorts
If you happen to’re visiting New Hampshire within the colder winter months, profit from the wonderful pistes and ski runs dotted across the state.
If that feels 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 high ski vacation spot in the entire of the USA.
New Hampshire is an ideal state for ski lovers and novices, or anybody who needs to affix the enjoyable on the slopes. Simply ensure that to wrap up heat.
10.) Manchester
North of Boston, in Massachusetts, Manchester is a simple metropolis to go to as you enterprise north by New Hampshire. Plus, it’s probably the greatest locations in New Hampshire to go to if you’d like extra of a metropolis break.
As soon as right here, ensure that to cease off on the Currier Museum of Artwork and Zimmerman Home. It has a whopping 11,000 items and works masking totally different elements 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 good outdoor in New Hampshire. It’s colossal and stuffed with heaps of trails, scenic driveways, and spots like that Willey Home. It’s simply probably the greatest locations in New Hampshire for a a lot greater 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 considered one of 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 anticipate to finish it. Please take it in bite-sized chunks and set a time you need to hike.
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