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Where is New Hampshire located?
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Why is New Hampshire a popular getaway destination?
- New Hampshire is a year-round travel destination, offering diverse attractions for all seasons.
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What historical and cultural attractions can visitors explore?
- The state is renowned for its historic homes and heritage museums, providing insight into its rich past.
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What types of destinations can visitors find in New Hampshire?
- New Hampshire offers a variety of experiences, including:
- Charming small towns
- Lakes and beaches
- Bustling, culture-filled cities
- Wide open spaces waiting to be explored
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1. Concord
Visit the State House and explore museums on an easy educational trip.
Concord is the capital of New Hampshire and offers visitors a variety of interesting, fun, and educational attractions. You can start your visit in the revitalized downtown, which forms the hub of the city and serves as the starting point for a tour of the impressive New New Hampshire State House.
Concord has a thriving arts scene you can uncover at the Capitol Center for the Arts. Families can have some educational fun at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center. You can spend time outdoors along some of the 30 hiking trails.
2. Portsmouth
Stroll historic streets and enjoy harbor views on a romantic weekend escape.
Portsmouth was settled in 1623, making it the third-oldest town in the USA. Consequently, history buffs will find plenty of interesting museums and historic sites to explore, starting with the Strawbery Banke Historic District.
Here you can visit a few historic homesteads that date back to around 1760 and then move on to tour some museums, including the American Independence Museum and the Discover Portsmouth Center. For a break from history you can visit Hampton Beach, go on a whale watching boat tour or an Adventure Lobster Tour, hit the Lighthouse trail, or visit a few local breweries. Families should make time to visit the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, York Wild Kingdom, Water Country, and the Seacoast Science Center.
3. Nashua
Shop local boutiques and walk river trails on an affordable day trip.
Nashua is New Hampshire’s second largest city and has a good mix of historic, cultural, and outdoor activities
on offer. There is a well-preserved collection of historic buildings that you can tour on foot in the Nashville Historic District just north of Downtown. Be sure to include a visit to the Abbott-Spalding Building (one of the oldest dating back to 1804 that now operates as a museum).
While you are in the area you can take a detour to Greeley Park, which is a large green space offering ball-fields, gardens, hiking trails, and a boat ramp. For more hiking choices, you should head to Mine Falls Park, which is also good for cycling, picnics, and kayaking on the river. Art lovers should visit in October to enjoy the annual Art Walk Weekend.
4. Manchester
Explore art spaces and visit breweries on a quick city weekend.
Manchester has many fun activities for visitors
here. You can choose from two Historic Walking Tours, both of which showcase historic architecture and include interesting museums and landmarks.
The arts are very much alive and well in Manchester, and you can feast your eyes on the great collection at the Currier Museum of Art or catch a live performance at the Majestic Theatre or Palace Theater. The city has a large selection of parks and recreation areas where you can go hiking and biking, and in winter the McIntyre Ski Area beckons skiers and snowboarders. The interactive SEE Science Center is a must-do attraction for families.
6. Keene
Admire colonial charm and browse downtown shops on a relaxing couples trip.
The City of Keene exudes small town charm and offers visitors an interesting and relaxing getaway destination. Absorb the atmosphere as you stroll through the picturesque downtown, which contains a mix of historic and modern buildings housing restaurants and shops and a colorful Central Square.
You can introduce the children to a real working farm at Stonewall Farm, go on a scenic drive to find Covered Bridges, or go hiking in Mount Monadnock area. You can learn about the town’s history at the Wyman Tavern Museum and the Horatio Colony Museum, which is housed in a historic building dating back to 1806. Round off your day with a great New Hampshire dinner and then catch a show at the Colonial Theatre or the Peterborough Community Theatre.
7. Salem
Explore local attractions and enjoy family-friendly fun on a summer weekend.
Salem
is situated at the southern gateway to New Hampshire and offers easy access to Boston, which makes this little rural town
an ideal base for exploring the area. For a day of family fun you can head to Canobie Lake Park to enjoy over 40 rides, including some specially suited to children; if you visit in summer you may catch an open-air concert.
Astronomy enthusiasts will enjoy America’s Stonehenge where you will learn about the mysterious astronomic rock calendar. The kids can enjoy the petting zoo, and you can hike some of the trails. You can also go hiking in Salem Town Forests where the trails are particularly scenic in fall. The Mall at Rockingham Park beckons shoppers with over 150 stores and more than ten eateries.
8. Dove
Visit children’s museums and walk riverfront paths on a fun kids trip.
Originally settled in 1623, Dover is New Hampshire’s oldest town, and wherever you look there are historic buildings and sites to delight history buffs. You can take a walking tour along the streets around downtown where you can see the old restored cotton mills, now home to interesting modern shops, art galleries, and restaurants.
The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is a must-visit attraction for families, and those wanting to see a really unusual and whacky museum should not miss the Woodman Institute Museum. Outdoor enthusiasts can follow the Riverwalk from Downtown to the Cocheco River where canoeing and kayaking are popular summer activities. There are also many hiking trails to explore and several annual festivals and events to attend.
10. Plymouth
Hike nearby trails and explore campus culture on an exciting fall trip.
The town of Plymouth
is perfectly positioned between the White Mountains and the Lakes region of New Hampshire, offering visitors a great choice of outdoor activities. Starting close to town, you can go hiking, biking, or cross-country skiing in Langdon Park, which also has a children’s playground and a small river beach.
A little farther out you will find Tenney Mountain, where you can go rock climbing, kayaking, biking, and fishing in summer and skiing in winter – guides and lessons are available. Adventure seekers will particularly enjoy Adventure Gorge, which combines a chairlift ride with a thrilling 3,000-foot zip-line descent. Back in town you can enjoy a great New Hampshire dinner and catch a show at the Silver Center for the Arts.
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