Simply north of Boston and straddling the state border with Vermont, New Hampshire is an absolute gem to go to whereas in the US. Don’t be fooled by its measurement—it won’t 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 right state to go to on a highway journey. You’ll get just a little 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 which you could’t miss whenever you go to. Oh, and as all the time, message us in case you want every other suggestions 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 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 all the things and something about New Hampshire.
Now, I’d say that it’s greatest to e-book your tickets on the railway’s website earlier than taking the practice. Areas are restricted, and the carriages can simply replenish at peak instances.
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 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 in case you love the nice 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 part of the ‘falling waters path’ (Google Maps link to trailhead) that may cease off at some iconic spots like Cloudland Falls alongside the best way. In case you’re on the lookout for an extended trek, be part of the Basin Cascade Path (Google Maps link to trailhead) that follows a part of the Pemigewasset River. It’s lovely.
Oh, and don’t neglect to cease off at Artist’s Bluff Lookout. It gives unbelievable views over Echo Lake and is completely gorgeous on a hotter summer time’s day.
Additionally, in case you’ve acquired time (or plan to spend just a few days right here in Franconia Notch State Park, then make your means in direction of the Flume Gorge and Franconia Notch. The previous will be accessed by way of the path from the Flume Gorge Visitor Centre.
We beloved the area, and it’s simply top-of-the-line locations in New Hampshire to go to at any time of 12 months—even in winter! You may even cease off at Cannon Mountain Ski Resort in case you go to within the chillier winter months.
Read more: Best places in Maine to visit
3.) Portsmouth
Hugging the state border with Maine, Portsmouth is a coastal city that’s really gorgeous to go to. It’s quaint, very ‘East Coast’ (if that is smart), and has heaps of allure.
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 taking part in whenever you’re visiting Portsmouth.
Oh, and seize a chew to eat at The Oar House. It’s proper on the harbour entrance, and their crispy polenta and recent East Coast oysters are wonderful. Naturally, we popped a great deal of sizzling sauce and horseradish on them. Yum!
Lastly, make certain to cease by the Strawbery Banke Museum. Within the 1600s, the primary European settlers gave Portsmouth the title Strawberry Banke.
At the moment, you’ll be able to 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.
Read more: Best places in Maine to visit
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. Better of all, the hike isn’t fairly as laborious as you may assume. 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 make certain to put on good mountain climbing sneakers.
We beloved the White Dot Path, which begins on the Monadnock State Park Customer Centre (this is the Google Maps link to the trailhead).
5.) Peterborough
A comparatively small city in New Hampshire, Peterborough is nicely price stopping by for just a few hours while driving by the broader area. Additionally, it’s top-of-the-line locations in New Hampshire for breakfast – nicely, for my part.
You see, you might have Peterborough Diner, which 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. Ensure to strive 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 adore it right here.
6.) Hampton Seaside State Park
Round a 10-mile automotive journey from Portsmouth, Hampton Seaside State Park is a must-visit. It’s one among my favorite locations in New Hampshire to go to if you need a day on the seaside.
The seaside at Hampton is totally big, sandy, and great. Though it could actually 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 take heed 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 a fantastic ‘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’d say it’s greatest 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 e-book your tickets prematurely on the practice’s website. It’s so price it and distinctive.
Cease off at Story Land in case 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!
Read more: Best places in Maine to visit
8.) Harmony
One other nice little city to go to in New Hampshire is Harmony. Identical to Peterborough, it could actually act as an anchor to discover the broader area and is the right stopping level for a great lodge (Resort Harmony is our favorite) and a few chill time (in case you’re fed up with driving).
As you discover the broader space, make certain to hop on the Scenic RailRiders at close by Penacook. Right here, you’ll be able to peddle your means alongside historic practice tracks over about 2 hours, taking in about 6 miles of tracks. It’s really unbelievable and some of the 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 each day rides.
9.) North Conway and Mt. Washington Valley Ski Resorts
In case you’re visiting New Hampshire within the colder winter months, take advantage of 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 prime ski vacation spot in the entire of the US.
New Hampshire is an ideal state for ski lovers and novices, or anybody who desires to hitch the enjoyable on the slopes. Simply make certain 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 top-of-the-line locations in New Hampshire to go to if you need extra of a metropolis break.
As soon as right here, make certain to cease off on the Currier Museum of Art and Zimmerman Home. It has a whopping 11,000 items and works overlaying 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 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 outdoor in New Hampshire. It’s colossal and crammed with heaps of trails, scenic driveways, and spots like that Willey House. It’s simply top-of-the-line 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 Path, which can 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.
Read more: Best places in the northeast of the USA to visit
Examine Out The Very Best Of Great Britain!
