Day Trips in New Hampshire

1. Hampton Beach

Set on the Atlantic Coast, Hampton Beach is a busy beach resort town that has been a popular vacation destination since the 1840s. Hampton Beach State Park is the best place to fish and swim, but if you're looking for shops and restaurants, you'll want to head to Ocean Boulevard, which features a boardwalk and plenty of local businesses. There are also a number of special events held here, particularly during the summer, with highlights including the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival and the annual Sand Sculpting Competition.

2. Portsmouth

Portsmouth is a lovely port town full of historic charm. The downtown Market Square is a wonderful spot to shop, while the ten-acre waterfront Prescott Park is the perfect place to go if you want to relax with a view of the water. During the warmer season, there are several great beaches to choose from in the area. Year-round, you can visit The Warner House, Governor John Langdon House, Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion and other historic attractions on your weekend getaway.

3. Squam Lakes Natural Science Center

A visit to the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is a great idea for a family-friendly day trip in New Hampshire. Located on Route 113 in Holderness, the center is set around the beautiful Squam Lakes, which form the backdrop to your wildlife and nature adventure. There is a brilliant 2.5 hour Adventure Trail which takes you on a walk through a variety of habitats which are home to native animals like black bears, mountain lion, otters and more.

The center offers several special exhibits and educational programs including their Blue Heron School and Bald Eagle Adventure and you can also take a cruise on the lake to see some wonderful birds and other wildlife. Admission includes the live animal exhibit trail and all hiking trails. If you plan to visit a few times, consider becoming a member to receive free admission and support the non-profit nature center.

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, 23 Science Center Rd, Holderness, NH 03245, Phone: 603 968 2229

4. Canterbury Shaker Village

One of the best-preserved Shaker community sites in the country, the Canterbury Shaker Village was established in the late 18th-century and declared a National Historic Landmark in 1993. The site features 29 buildings, 25 of which date back to when the community was built, and visitors are welcome to explore the property at their leisure. Guided tours are included in the price of admission, and visitors will get to watch live artisan demonstrations of traditional crafts like spinning an broom making. If you get hungry, there's also an on-site restaurant that specializes in traditional Quaker cuisine, although it's closed during the winter.

288 Shaker Rd, Canterbury, NH 03224, Phone: 603-783-9511

5. Exeter

First settled in 1638, Exeter is a charming river town with tree-lined streets and a wonderfully walkable downtown core. The historic 1709 Gilman Garrison House is sometimes open to the public for tours, while Gilman Park and the Swasey Parkway are the perfect place to go if you want to enjoy New Hampshire’s natural beauty. The town was also the state's capital during the Revolution, and visitors can learn about this important part of the country's history at the American Independence Museum, which hosts a historic festival with a battle re-enactment at the end of every July.

6. Franconia Notch State Park

Nestled in the spectacular White Mountain National Forest, Franconia Notch State Park is a nature lover's paradise. The best-known feature in the park is the majestic Flume Gorge, a natural chasm that stretches for 800 feet along the base of Mount Liberty, and it's well worth taking the 2-mile loop trail that runs through the chasm. After visiting the gorge, you can fish in Profile Lake, take the aerial tramway up Cannon Mountain, and relax on Echo Lake Beach. If you bring your bike, you can also cycle along the Franconia Notch Bike Path, which runs the entire length of the park.

Flume Gorge, Daniel Webster Hwy, Lincoln, NH 03251, Phone: 603-823-8800

7. Gorham

Gorham is a small town in the Mount Washington Valley, and although there's not much to do in the town itself, it's the perfect place to base yourself if you're interested in exploring the surrounding mountains. As the tallest peak in the Northeast, Mount Washington is a challenging but rewarding hiking destination, although most day trip visitors choose to drive to the summit along the fame Auto Road rather than walk. Mount Adams and Mount Jefferson are two other popular hiking destinations nearby, and if you like to ski or snowboard, Wildcat Mountain is home to a wonderful ski resort.

8. Hancock

Named in honor of John Hancock, the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence, Hancock is a peaceful village that looks much the same as it did in the 19th century. Everything in the town is within walking distance, including the beach and the town square, and the downtown Main Street is lined with buildings listed on the Register of Historic Places. One of the town's most popular spots is Norway Pond, which can be used for swimming in the summer and skating in the winter. A few miles outside town is the Harris Center, a nature preserve with plenty of beautiful walking trails.

9. Hanover

Best known as the home of Dartmouth College, a class="ref1" href="https://explorehanovernh.com" target="_blank">Hanover is a small but inviting city located on the banks of the Connecticut River. It's worth visiting the Dartmouth campus to relax on the beautiful green, and if you like museums, three of the town's best are the Montshire Museum of Science, the Enfield Shaker Museum, and the Hood Museum of Art. Visitors can also hike along the portion of the Appalachian Trail that runs through town, and in the winter, you can downhill ski on Whaleback Mountain or cross-country ski at the Dartmouth Cross Country Ski Center.