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New Hampshire is a fantastic place to visit, and its natural beauty is known all over the world. Along with its sparkling Lakes Region and a small stretch of Atlantic coastline, It has beautiful mountains and forests that go on forever.
New Hampshire is known as the “Switzerland of America” because of its large wilderness areas, dramatic snow-capped peaks, and quiet, old-fashioned towns. It also has beautiful beaches.
Some of the best places to visit in New Hampshire are the state’s beautiful natural areas, which are perfect for hiking, camping, kayaking, and skiing. One of the best times to go is in the fall, when the leaves on the trees change colors and look like a rainbow.
New Hampshire should be on everyone’s list of places to visit. It has everything from waterways, mountains, and beaches. Here is a list of the 10 best places to visit in New Hampshire.
Check out our list of the best places to vacation in New Hampshire for more ideas. Check out these best small towns in New Hampshire, and best beaches in New Hampshire, if you must plan your vacation to this exciting city.
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Best Places To Vacation In New Hampshire
New Hampshire is full of places to go and things to do, from the historic seaport of Portsmouth and its nearby beaches to the majestic peaks of the White Mountains and the vast northern forests.
If you’ve never been to New England before, going to New Hampshire, is a great experience. We’ve made a great list for you of the best and most fun things to do in New Hampshire.
Here’s a list of the best places to visit in New Hampshire to get you started with planning and packing.
1. Portsmouth
Portsmouth was one of the most important Colonial seaports because it had a deep harbor and an endless supply of tall pine trees that the British Royal Navy needed to build ships. When you go to one of the many historic homes from that time with its own unique features, it’s easy to see how rich the merchants were. One of the most beautiful places in New Hampshire to vacation.
For example, the elegant Warner House has the oldest colonial wall paintings still in their original places and the oldest Queen Anne furniture in America. Both the Rundlet-May House and the Moffatt-Ladd House are known for their period gardens. The Moffatt-Ladd House was built in 1763 and is just as elegant as the Rundlet-May House.
2. Franconia Notch and Western White Mountains
Glaciers carved New Hampshire’s notches into bowl-shaped passes, and Franconia Notch has some of the best things to do in the western White Mountains. To protect the fragile ledges and wild feel of the notch, Interstate 93 turns into a two-lane road here. The Flume is the first place you come to when heading north. Franconia Notch is one of the best places in New Hampshire.
It is a deep gorge with steep walls that was made by a small brook that still runs through it. A longer path that you can choose to take goes by Table Rock, Avalanche Falls, Liberty Gorge Cascade, and a covered footbridge. The Basin, which is a round rock-cut pool, is just up the road. Take a short side trip to Lost River to see another interesting rock formation.
3. Kancamagus Highway
The spine of the Appalachian Mountains splits the White Mountains in New Hampshire in half. The 2,855-foot Kancamagus Pass connects the two parts at the middle. The two-lane NH Route 112 climbs over the spine in a series of tight switchback turns on the western side and a bit more gradually on the eastern side.
Near the top, there are places to look out over layers of mountains and the undeveloped wilderness of the White Mountain National Forest. The views from these spots are even better than the ones from the road. Note that if you don’t already have a National Forest pass, you’ll need to stop at the Lincoln or Conway end to get one.
Along the way, you’ll also be able to stop at a number of interesting places. Most of these are on the Conway side. First are the beautiful Rocky Gorge and Lower Falls, both of which are near the Swift River and are popular places to swim and have picnics. Along “The Kanc,” you can take a short hike to Sabbaday Falls, which is a waterfall in a 40-foot gorge.
4. North Conway and Eastern White Mountains
North Conway is in the heart of the White Mountains, right in the middle of a beautiful valley carved out by the winding Saco River. This makes it a natural center for skiing in New Hampshire in the winter and outdoor sports in the summer. Cranmore Mountain was one of the first ski resorts in the country. In the summer, its Aerial Adventure Park and Mountain Coaster turn it into a place to play.
North Conway built on these strengths and used the fact that New Hampshire doesn’t have a sales tax to become a hub for name-brand outlet stores. Along with shopping in the outlets and the shops that line Main Street, one of the most popular things to do here is ride the vintage trains of the Conway Scenic Railroad, either south through the beautiful Saco Valley or north through the rough terrain of Crawford Notch.
5. Lake Winnipesaukee
It’s a lot easier to find things to do near Lake Winnipesaukee than it is to spell its name. You can drive around it to visit towns on the lake, explore it by kayak, take a cruise on a lake steamer, ride a train next to it, or just sit in an Adirondack chair on your hotel balcony and look at the lake. Weirs, Gilford, and Wolfeboro all have beaches where you can swim in it.
Families can find things to do around Weirs Beach, where you can board the historic cruise boat MS Mount Washington, the US Mailboat MV Sophie C., or the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad for a scenic ride to the lakeside town of Meredith. For rainy day fun, Funspot has a big arcade and the world’s biggest video game museum. Lake Winnipesaukee is the best vacation spots in New Hampshire.
6. Mount Washington
Mt. Washington is the highest point in the northeast and the tallest mountain in New Hampshire. It is at the top of the Presidential Range of the Appalachian Mountains. On days when there are no clouds, you can see four states from the top. When clouds come, it’s hard to see your hand at arm’s length. One of the best places in New Hampshire.
Mt. Washington can be seen in many different ways, and each one is a unique adventure. On the fully paved Mt. Washington Auto Road, you can drive your car to the top. The road climbs more than 4,500 feet at an average grade of 12 percent, passing through woods that get smaller and more twisted until they give way to a rocky landscape with endless views.
The same winding route can be taken in a van or, in the winter, on a Snow Coach with track-wheels. You can also climb Mt. Washington from several different approaches. A favorite, with waterfalls and some of the best views, is the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail from the base of the Cog Railway.
7. Concord
The capital of New Hampshire has the charm of a traditional main street and an arts and culture scene that would make a much bigger city proud. The State House, which has a gold dome, is the main attraction in Concord’s downtown, which is full of cute shops and boutiques.
The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen Gallery and Gibson’s Bookstore, which has been in Concord since 1898 and has a whole section of books about the state and written by New Hampshire authors, are two of the best. Step onto Warren Street and go to Granite State Candies to treat yourself to something sweet.
The Capital Center for the Arts is close to Gibson’s and has a full schedule of live performances from all kinds of genres, as well as movies and simulcasts. Check the Concord Community Music School’s calendar for concerts, recitals, and jam sessions that are open to the public during lunchtime. There are first-run independent films, classic and foreign films, and on-screen art exhibits at the small Red River Theatres.
8. Lake Sunapee
Like Squam Lake, Lake Sunapee doesn’t have a lot of development along its shores. The cottages along the water are well hidden by trees. With its wooded shore and Mount Sunapee in the background, this lake is one of the most beautiful in New Hampshire.
Sunapee State Park’s most popular activities are swimming at the long beach and taking a cruise on the MV Mt. Sunapee II or a dinner cruise on the MV Sunapee Lake Queen. Even though these trips are beautiful all year round, they are especially photogenic in the fall when the leaves are changing color.
At Mount Sunapee Ski Resort, skiers have the best view of all because the whole lake is at their feet. In the fall, people who want to see the fall colors go there on the chairlift. One of the best places in New Hampshire.
On the south side of Lake Sunapee, stop at The Fells to see its beautiful gardens and 22-room mansion. It is one of the best summer homes in New England.
9. Squam Lake
The movie “On Golden Pond,” starring Katherine Hepburn, was mostly filmed at the beautiful, mostly undeveloped Squam Lake. The lake is just as idyllic in real life as it was in the movie. Unlike neighboring Winnipesaukee, Squam’s shore is almost entirely covered with trees, and you can only see a few cottages.
The Squam Lake Loon Initiative protects the loons that live there, and there are strict rules about how fast power boats can go. Cottage lots are large, and they are often passed down from generation to generation, so there isn’t much room for shore development.
The towns of Holderness and Sandwich, which are both worth a stop, are near Squam Lake. The Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is in Holderness. It has displays about the wildlife in the area and offers nature cruises on the lake.
On Route 113 between Holderness and Sandwich, look for a trailhead for the Old Bridle Path to the ledges on West Rattlesnake Mountain (named for the island below), where you can see beautiful views of Squam Lake.
10. Manchester
The red brick mill buildings that stretch for more than a mile along the Merrimack River are only a small part of what made Manchester a major manufacturing center. At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th, the Amoskeag Falls powered one of the largest mill complexes in the world.
These buildings are now home to offices, universities, restaurants, and two museums. One of these is the great Millyard Museum, which shows what the falls were used for from the Paleolithic period to the Industrial Revolution. This shows how important the waves of immigrants who worked here were to Manchester. One of the best places in New Hampshire.
Immigrant groups have come and gone over time, but they still make Manchester a lively, diverse city. This is clear from the wide range of restaurants, which serve food from Nepal, the Caribbean, Africa, Mexico, Creole, Colombia, Greece, Pakistan, and Brazil.
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FAQs About Best Places To Vacation In New Hampshire
Is New Hampshire worth visiting?
New Hampshire is a popular place for people to visit in the northeast of the United States. It is also known as “The Granite State.” This small state between Vermont and Maine has beautiful landscapes, a rich history, and fun things to do for everyone.
What is New Hampshire best known for?
It is often called the Granite State because it has so many granite formations and quarries. It also has three other names: Mother of River, the White Mountain State, and Switzerland of America.
How do I spend a day in New Hampshire?
Top Attractions in New Hampshire
Mount Washington.
White Mountain National Forest.
Kancamagus Highway.
Lake Squam.
Portsmouth.
What is the rainiest month in New Hampshire?
From May 9 to August 19, which is the wetter season, there is a greater than 29% chance that any given day will be rainy. In Manchester, June is the month with the most rainy days. On average, it rains at least 0.04 inches on 10.3 days that month.
What is the prettiest town in New Hampshire?
Harrisville.
Jackson.
Keene.
Littleton.
Meredith.
Peterborough.
Portsmouth.
Tell Us In The Comments About One Of The Best Places to Visit in New Hampshire!
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