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 very best 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 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 means, I’m sharing our high locations in New Hampshire that you could’t miss while you go to. Oh, and as at all times, message us if you happen to 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 prepare 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 finest to e-book your tickets on the railway’s web site earlier than taking the prepare. Areas are restricted, and the carriages can simply refill at peak instances.
When you arrive, you’ll board the unbelievable prepare 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 if you happen to love the good open air. 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 may cease off at some iconic spots like Cloudland Falls alongside the best way. Should 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 lovely.
Oh, and don’t neglect to cease off at Artist’s Bluff Lookout. It provides implausible views over Echo Lake and is completely gorgeous on a hotter summer time’s day.
Additionally, if you happen to’ve obtained time (or plan to spend a couple of days right here in Franconia Notch State Park, then make your means in direction of the Flume Gorge and Franconia Notch. The previous may be accessed by way of the path from the Flume Gorge Customer Centre.
We liked the area, and it’s simply among the finest 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 if you happen to 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 smart), 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, test 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, be sure that 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 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 numerous eras, and it’s so attention-grabbing to wander round. We liked 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 actually 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 be sure 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 value stopping by for a couple of hours while driving by means of the broader area. Additionally, it’s among the finest locations in New Hampshire for breakfast – nicely, in my view.
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. Be certain to strive the buttermilk pancakes or crunchy French toast. Each are so good!
Afterwards, head to Toadstool Bookshops, a quaint little store full of all method of books. Should you’re one thing of a bookworm, you’ll find it irresistible 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 every of my favorite locations in New Hampshire to go to if you would like a day on the seaside.
The seashore at Hampton is totally big, sandy, and great. Though it could 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 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 nicely value a cease whereas driving throughout the state. Not solely that, however there are a good few motels in North Conway, making it an excellent ‘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 finest to test what days the prepare 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 prepare’s web site. It’s so value it and distinctive.
Cease off at Story Land if you happen to’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 liked the bamboo chutes (log flume) and Moo Lagoon, a waterpark for youthful youngsters. 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 could act as an anchor to discover the broader area and is the proper stopping level for a very good resort (Resort Harmony is our favorite) and a few chill time (if you happen to’re fed up with driving).
As you discover the broader space, be sure that to hop on the Scenic RailRiders at close by Penacook. Right here, you may peddle your means alongside historic prepare tracks over about 2 hours, taking in about 6 miles of tracks. It’s truly unbelievable and probably the most 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 every day rides.
9.) North Conway and Mt. Washington Valley Ski Resorts
Should 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 talents. Not solely that, but it surely’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 hitch the enjoyable on the slopes. Simply 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 by means of New Hampshire. Plus, it’s among the finest locations in New Hampshire to go to if you would like extra of a metropolis break.
As soon as right here, be sure that to cease off on the Currier Museum of Artwork and Zimmerman Home. It has a whopping 11,000 items and works overlaying totally different points 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 open air in New Hampshire. It’s colossal and full of heaps of trails, scenic driveways, and spots like that Willey Home. It’s simply among the finest 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 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 count on to finish it. Please take it in bite-sized chunks and set a time you wish to hike.
Learn extra: Greatest locations within the northeast of the USA to go to
Examine Out The Very Greatest Of Nice Britain!
