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 dimension—it won’t be the largest state, however there are heaps of the most effective locations in New Hampshire to go to throughout this beautiful 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 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 will help you alongside your approach, I’m sharing our high locations in New Hampshire you could’t miss if you go to. Oh, and as all the time, message us in the event you want some 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 kind 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 guide your tickets on the railway’s web site earlier than taking the practice. Areas are restricted, and the carriages can simply refill 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 without doubt one of 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 hyperlink to trailhead) that can cease off at some iconic spots like Cloudland Falls alongside the way in which. If you happen to’re in search of 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 neglect to cease off at Artist’s Bluff Lookout. It provides unbelievable views over Echo Lake and is completely beautiful on a hotter summer season’s day.
Additionally, in the event you’ve acquired time (or plan to spend just a few days right here in Franconia Notch State Park, then make your approach in direction of the Flume Gorge and Franconia Notch. The previous could be accessed by way of the path from the Flume Gorge Customer Centre.
We cherished 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’ll be able to even cease off at Cannon Mountain Ski Resort in the event you 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 beautiful 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 house. So, test what’s taking part in if 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 recent East Coast oysters are superb. Naturally, we popped a great deal of scorching 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.
In the present day, you’ll be able to head contained in the Strawbery Banke 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 attention-grabbing to wander round. We cherished 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 unbelievable, and there are heaps of trails to the highest of Mt. Monadnock. Better of all, the hike isn’t fairly as arduous as you may suppose. It’s actually not for these with restricted mobility, however in case you are 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 robust in your ankles, so ensure that to put on good mountaineering sneakers.
We cherished 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 properly price stopping by for just a few hours while driving by means of the broader area. Additionally, 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 in addition so quaint. The diner is inside a 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 Bookshops, a quaint little store full of all method of books. If you happen to’re one thing of a bookworm, you’ll like it right here.
6.) Hampton Seaside State Park
Round a 10-mile automotive 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 if you need a day on the seaside.
The seashore at Hampton is totally big, sandy, and fantastic. Though it could 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, 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.
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 properly price a cease whereas driving throughout the state. Not solely that, however there are a good few inns in North Conway, making it an excellent ‘anchor’ for day journeys round this state space.
After arriving, try the North Conway Scenic Railway, which you’ll experience. Now, I might say it’s finest to test 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 upfront on the practice’s web site. It’s so price 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 cherished 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. Identical to Peterborough, it could act as an anchor to discover the broader area and is the right stopping level for an excellent resort (Resort 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’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 unbelievable and probably the most distinctive issues you are able to do on the East Coast, for my part.
Once more, like most issues, guide upfront as there are restricted areas for the each day rides.
9.) North Conway and Mt. Washington Valley Ski Resorts
If you happen to’re visiting New Hampshire within the colder winter months, benefit 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 talents. Not solely that, however it’s additionally thought of 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 US.
New Hampshire is an ideal state for ski lovers and novices, or anybody who needs to hitch 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 means of New Hampshire. Plus, it’s the most effective locations in New Hampshire to go to if you need 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 overlaying 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.
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 full of heaps of trails, scenic driveways, and spots like that Willey Home. It’s simply the most effective locations in New Hampshire for a a lot greater highway journey (from, say, Boston to Montreal, which is nice, by the way in which).
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 way in which, 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.
Learn extra: Finest locations within the northeast of the USA to go to
Verify Out The Very Finest Of Nice Britain!
