Experience the best things to do in New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state that offers year-round entertainment that goes far beyond politics. Nestled between Vermont and Maine is this small state whose motto “Live Free or Die”.
Reiterates the state’s prominence throughout American history as a freedom-loving independent state. It’s also known for its abundant wildlife, stunning fall scenery, and excellent ski resorts.
Most popular attractions are its scenic byways that race to the tops of mountains and past vividly colored fall foliage. Like the Kancamagus Highway, and the Mount Washington Cog Railway.
When you’ve had your fill of luscious scenery, head to the small towns to view some of the country’s most important historical landmarks.
Hampton Beach
New Hampshire’s Hampton Beach is the state’s most popular beach community, and you don’t have to leave the mainland to pay a visit. Hampton Beach is bordered by Ocean Boulevard. A popular boardwalk with shops, hotels, and the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom.
Hampton Beach State Park is a 50-acre state park in the community of Hampton Beach. Hampton Beach State Park provides year-round recreation, with Atlantic ocean-front facilities situated along miles of sandy beach. Activities in the park include swimming, fishing, picnicking, and RV camping with full hook-ups in the campground.
Kancamagus Highway
New Hampshire Route 112, better known as Kancamagus Highway is one of New Hampshire’s most popular thoroughfares. Each fall as the leaves change color’s sightseers come in droves to view the stunning autumn foliage.
The 26.5-mile-long road runs through the White Mountains. Along the Swift River valley, up to Kancamagus Pass at 2,855 feet to the city of Lincoln. The Kancamagus Highway is also a National Scenic Byway. You’ll want to take advantage of the scenic pull-outs, as some of the best views are not visible from the road.
Castle in the Clouds
It’s not really in the clouds, but by all appearances, this 16-room mansion atop Lee Mountain in Moultonborough is high above the world. The mansion features craftsman style architecture.
Castle in the Clouds offers self-guided, guided, and behind-the-scenes tours of the historic 1914 mansion. Enjoy dining at The Carriage House Restaurant, where visitors can enjoy their meal in vintage horse stalls or outside on the terrace with sweeping views of New Hampshire’s largest lake and surrounding mountains.
Visitors can also access 28 miles of walking or hiking trails, visit Riding in the Clouds horse stables which offers trail rides, carriage rides, and pony rides.
Mount Washington Cog Railway
The world’s first mountain-climbing cog, or rack-and-pinion, railway. Summits Mount Washington in New Hampshire. The Mount Washington Cog Railway is the second steepest in the world with an average grade of 25% over its 3 miles of track. The trip to the summit is about 45 minutes an hour on the steam-powered train. The round-trip is about 3 hours, including the layover at the top.
The Cog Railway only ascends to the summit between May and October, but in the winter, you can ride as far as the Waumbek Station, an Alpine meadow at 4,000 feet elevation. There you can enjoy the sweeping views, relax in the warming huts or around a fire pit.
Franconia Notch State Park
Franconia Notch State Park is located in the White Mountains in northern New Hampshire. Straddles 8 miles of Interstate 93 as it passes through Franconia Notch. A mountain pass between the Kinsman Range and Franconia Range. Attractions in the state park include the Flume Gorge and visitor center. Old Man of the Mountain historical site and miles of hiking, biking and ski trails.
The Flume Gorge, in Franconia Notch State Park, is an 800-foot-long crack in the rock at the base of Mount Liberty. Its walls rise 70 to 80 feet above the brook that flows through it, and you can follow it on a boardwalk just feet above the water.
Canobie Lake Park
Canobie Lake Park is an amusement park in Salem, New Hampshire. The Park features a variety of rides and attractions. The Yankee Cannonball, a 1930s-era wooden roller coaster is one of the park’s best-known rides. Also has a looping, steel roller coaster named the Canobie Corkscrew.
With over 100 Rides, Games, Live Shows and Attractions! Roller Coasters, Family Rides, Thrill Rides, Kiddie Rides, Tons of live shows, games & shops as well as hundreds of your favorite summer food items.
Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site
In Cornish, New Hampshire you’ll find this site dedicated to Augustus Saint-Gaudens. One of America’s most talented sculptors. The Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site preserves the sculptor’s home, gardens, and artist studio.
Visitors to the historic site can also view several original sculptures on display. If you’re an art lover, a stop at sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ estate in Cornish is mandatory. You’ll have the opportunity to view replicas of Saint-Gaudens’ most intricate and important works cast from original molds, learn about the sculptor’s life.
Mount Washington Auto Road
Aside from taking the popular train. Visitors wishing to summit the 4,618 meters to the top of Mount Washington can use Mount Washington Auto Road with an average gradient of 12%. Because of its scenic location and alluring gradient, the road is a popular site for races by car, foot, or bike.
The views across the White Mountains keep getting better as you climb. It takes about 30 minutes from its base on the eastern side of Mt. Washington. The narrow road begins through woodlands with occasional valley views.
Currier Museum of Art
The Currier Museum of Art is an art museum in Manchester. It features European and American paintings, decorative arts, photographs and sculpture. The permanent collection includes works by Picasso, Matisse, Monet, O’Keeffe, Calder, and Goldsmith. John Singer Sargent, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Andrew Wyeth.
With over 11,000 artworks, this museum offers masterpieces by renowned artists. Enjoy the extensive collections of paintings, sculpture, furniture, glass and ceramics.
Prescott Park
Prescott Park is a ten-plus acre waterfront park in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. With over 10 acres of waterfront property along the Piscataqua River. The Park grounds offer over ten acres of riverside lawns, gardens and walkways. Three boardwalk piers, two public docking and an island with picnic tables, shelters and grills.
Home to several buildings from Portsmouth’s industrious past including Shaw’s warehouse, a 200 year old wooden construction.
Things to Do in New Hampshire
Throughout history New Hampshire has held a special place in the hearts of America’s poets, writers, and artists. With stunning landscapes around every corner. A history rich with aspirations of independence and freedom. It’s clear why New Hampshire has captivated and inspired so many.