As the home of the White Mountains, Lake Winnipesauke, and vast stretches of beautiful New England scenery, New Hampshire boasts many attractions and points of interest to see. Whether you prefer stunning mountains views, quiet woodlands or miles of pristine beaches, New Hampshire has it all. Although well known for its rural charm and quaint scenery, New Hampshire is home to several unique regions and varying landscapes. Getting to know these better will help you have the best New Hampshire trip possible.
The basics
New Hampshire is a largely rural state in northern New England. Manchester is its largest city, and most of the state’s population is concentrated in the southeast. New Hampshire is known for its beautiful autumn foliage and mountain scenery. Its citizens are friendly and welcoming. The outdoors also plays a large part of New Hampshire culture, as hunting, fishing, hiking and boating are all very popular recreational activities.
New Hampshire’s climate is temperate but with four very distinct seasons. A car is the best mode of transportation in the state, as public transportation is scarce.
The Seacoast
New Hampshire’s Seacoast region boasts 18 miles of coastline. Here, you’ll find sandy beaches, excellent ocean views and historic resort and port towns. The city of Portsmouth is the largest in the region and also boasts a number of attractions, including the USS Albacore Museum and Park, the Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse and the Strawberry Banke Museum.
Nearby, history enthusiasts should check out Fort Constitution in the town of New Castle. This historic town is also home to the historic Wentworth-by-the-Sea Hotel. Elsewhere along the seacoast, visitors will find plenty of beaches, fishing spots and boating opportunities.
The Merrimack Valley
The Merrimack Valley is home to New Hampshire’s largest cities: Manchester, Nashua and Concord. This region serves as the political, economic and cultural center of New Hampshire.
Manchester is home to a number of cultural institutions, including the Palace Theatre, the Currier Museum of Art and the New Hampshire Institute of Art. Shopping abounds at the Mall of New Hampshire. Nashua, just a short drive from Boston, offers rich history and excellent architecture. In Concord, visitors can check out the New Hampshire State House, the historic Eagle Hotel and the Capitol Center for the Arts.
Monadnock
In the Monadnock region, travelers will find beautiful natural scenery juxtaposed with charming and historic New England towns. This area is also home to the lively college town of Keene and also offers the Connecticut River for fishing, boating and other recreational activities.
Dartmouth - Lake Sunapee
The Dartmouth – Lake Sunapee region is home to the Ivy League Dartmouth University as well as the beautiful Lake Sunapee. The lake is an ideal place to relax and go swimming or fishing. Throughout the region, you will find plenty of pristine forests, picturesque farms and other great natural scenery.
The Lakes Region
As its name suggests, the Lakes Region boasts many lakes and ponds; 273 of them, in fact. It goes without saying that this region is a fisherman’s paradise. Visitors should also take advantage of the ample swimming and boating opportunities here.
Lake Winnipesauke dominates the region and is a major attraction all by itself. As the largest lake in New Hampshire, it offers stunning mountain scenery with plenty to do on the lake itself. You can cruise its crystal clear waters on the historic paddlesteamer Mount Washington, spend the day fishing or relax on one of its many beaches.
The towns surrounding Lake Winnipesauke offer much to do as well. Laconia serves as the main commercial center for the Lakes Region, while Moultonborough is home to the Castle in the Clouds, an estate atop a small mountain. Wolfeboro, which lays claim to the title of the “oldest summer resort in America,” is home to many restaurants and unique shops.
The White Mountains
The rural White Mountains region contains 48 4,000 foot peaks, including iconic Mount Washington, the highest mountain in the Northeastern U.S. Pay a visit to the 800,000 acre White Mountain National Forest to best see the region's gorgeous scenery and natural beauty. Outdoor recreational opportunities abound, such as hiking, biking and walking along nature trails.
The Great North Woods
Finally, the Great North Woods region is rural New Hampshire at its best. Here, you can go hiking, take a bike ride and go moose watching— all in the same day. This sparsely populated region boasts many covered bridges, camp grounds, hiking trails and vacation lodges.
Visit New Hampshire!
With so much to do, there’s no wonder why New Hampshire is one of the most popular vacation destinations in America. With its rural feel, New England charm, natural beauty and colonial history, New Hampshire offers a little something for everyone!
Steve Longo - I am a writer and filmmaker living in New York City. My interests include film, politics, world affairs, sports and government issues.
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