Encompassing charming towns and sprawling wilderness areas, New Hampshire is a small but diverse state in New England. It was inhabited for thousands of years by Native American peoples before the arrival of Europeans in the early 17th century. New Hampshire has the shortest coastline of any U.S. coastal state and is home to the highest mountain in the Northeast.
Things to do in New Hampshire
With its fascinating history and magnificent protected areas, New Hampshire offers more than meets the eye.
Ride the Mt. Washington Cog Railway. Established in the 1860s, this historic cog railway ascends to the summit of Mount Washington and is one of the steepest rack railways in the world. During the summer months, you can enjoy sweeping panoramas across four different states and learn about extreme weather conditions at the Mount Washington Observatory. In the winter, the Mt. Washington Cog Railway ascends as far as Waumbek Station, where you can enjoy a warming hot chocolate overlooking its alpine meadow.
Explore Flume Gorge. Forming part of Franconia Notch State Park, this natural crack stretches for 240 metres at the base of Mount Liberty. Follow the boardwalk trail that leads along its meandering brook before riding the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway to the 1,243-metre-high summit. From the 360-degree observation deck, there are impressive views across New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont.
Sightsee in historic Portsmouth. Located on the banks of the Piscataqua River, Portsmouth is a historic seaport and shipbuilding town. It is clustered with beautifully preserved buildings that date back to the 17th and 18th centuries, many of which are connected along the Portsmouth Harbor Trail. Admire the 1855-built North Church and visit the Strawbery Banke Museum, which is notable for its Colonial, Georgian and Federal architecture.
Getting around New Hampshire
Boston Logan International Airport is the main aviation gateway to New Hampshire and has flights to destinations across the globe. Amtrak’s “Vermonter” and “Downeaster” lines travel through the state while long-distance buses serve destinations not on the railway network. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around New Hampshire.