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 dimension—it won’t be the largest state, however there are heaps of the very best locations in New Hampshire to go to throughout this gorgeous East Coast gem.
What makes New Hampshire notable (for me, at the least) is that it’s the right state to go to on a street journey. You’ll get a little 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 you could’t miss while you go to. Oh, and as all the time, message us in the event 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 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 kind of experiences that’s simply as a lot concerning the journey as it’s concerning 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 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 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 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 among the finest locations in New Hampshire to go to in the event you love the good outside. 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.
As soon as right here, be a part of the ‘falling waters path’ (Google Maps link to trailhead) that can cease off at some iconic spots like Cloudland Falls alongside the best way. When you’re on the lookout for an extended trek, be a 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 implausible views over Echo Lake and is completely gorgeous on a hotter summer season’s day.
Additionally, in the event you’ve obtained time (or plan to spend just a few 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 Visitor Centre.
We liked the area, and it’s simply among the best 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 the event 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 truly 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 enjoying while 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 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 identify Strawberry Banke.
At present, you may head contained in the Strawbery Banke Museum at 454 Courtroom 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 liked 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 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 exhausting as you may suppose. It’s actually 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 elements of the paths require a little bit of scrambling up rocky outlays. This may be powerful in your ankles, so ensure that to put on good mountaineering footwear.
We liked 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 effectively value stopping by for just a few hours while driving by way of the broader area. Additionally, it’s among the best locations in New Hampshire for breakfast – effectively, in my view.
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. Make sure that to strive the buttermilk pancakes or crunchy French toast. Each are so good!
Afterwards, head to Toadstool Bookshops, a quaint little store stuffed with all method of books. When you’re one thing of a bookworm, you’ll adore it right here.
6.) Hampton Seaside State Park
Round a 10-mile automobile experience from Portsmouth, Hampton Seaside State Park is a must-visit. It’s one in every of 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. Though it will probably 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. 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 seaside, head into the streets close by and seize lunch at The Goat. Their hen 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 effectively value a cease whereas driving throughout the state. Not solely that, however there are a good few lodges in North Conway, making it a terrific ‘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 experience. Now, I’d say it’s finest 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 website. It’s so value it and distinctive.
Cease off at Story Land in the event 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 liked 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. Similar to Peterborough, it will probably act as an anchor to discover the broader area and is the right stopping level for a great lodge (Lodge Harmony is our favorite) and a few chill time (in the event you’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 may peddle your approach 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, in my view.
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
When you’re visiting New Hampshire within the colder winter months, benefit from the wonderful 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 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 desires to hitch the enjoyable on the slopes. Simply ensure that to wrap up heat.
10.) Manchester
North of Boston, in Massachusetts, Manchester is an easy metropolis to go to as you enterprise north by way of New Hampshire. Plus, it’s among the best locations in New Hampshire to go to in order for you extra of a metropolis break.
As soon as right here, ensure that to cease off on the Currier Museum of Art and Zimmerman Home. It has a whopping 11,000 items and works overlaying completely 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 good outside in New Hampshire. It’s colossal and stuffed with heaps of trails, scenic driveways, and spots like that Willey House. It’s simply among the best locations in New Hampshire for a a lot greater 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 every of 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 anticipate 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
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