70 Great Things to Do in New Hampshire

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From mountains to seacoast to its delightful small cities, New Hampshire has a multitude of wonderful things to do, all years. Interesting places to explore like America’s Stonehenge or the shops and theaters and Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth are among many of the attractions that bring loyal visitors to the Granite State year after year, in all seasons.

A popular form of accommodations is resorts – some in the mountains, some on the seacoast – because they typically welcome families and offer a wide assortment of entertainments and access to the tools (rented kayaks, canoes, snowshoes, for instance) for outdoor adventure.

Conway Scenic Railroad - Great Things To Do in New Hampshire

Morningside Flight Park

357 Morningside Lane Charlestown, NH, 03603 Phone: 603-542-4416

Find aerial adventure at Morningside Flight Park

Seeking adventure? Morningside Flight Park is the place. Learn hang gliding, paragliding or powered paragliding at the country's most complete flight park. We've been teaching students of all ages and skill levels for over 40 years. In addition to lessons we offer tandem flights, zip-line canopy tours, kayaking and outdoor laser tag. We're located in Charlestown, NH, an easy drive from Boston, Hartford, Portland, Burlington, Montreal and New York. Come for the day or stay all weekend at our expansive campground surrounded by old-growth forest. Pitch your own tent or enjoy more comfort in a platform tent or our hilltop cabin. Morningside's campground is complete with fire pits, swimming ponds, playing fields, picnic areas, kitchen, bathhouse and breathtaking views of the Connecticut River Valley.

Whitewater Rafting - Mt. Washington Valley Chamber - North Conway, NH

Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce

Spring in the White Mountains is a season so fresh you can taste it

Every season is a reason to visit the mountains of New Hampshire. Surrounded by the White Mountain National Forest and home to the highest peak in the Northeast, outdoor adventure abounds with hundreds of trails to get you to a rushing waterfall or a mountain summit. Relax at a spa, museum, coffee shop, or bookstore, enjoy live theater and music, ooh and ahh at stunning vistas, and check out the great events and attractions for the whole family. When you’re hungry you be thrilled will all the options to choose from. We have cozy eateries, stylish bars, Irish pubs, elegant dining, and more. Shopping is tax-free in New Hampshire, and with over 200 name-brand outlets, boutique, and specialty stores it’s no surprise that North Conway is world renowned as a shopping destination. Plan a visit soon. Visit Mt. Washington Valley, NH online or call our friendly concierge at 800-337-3563 for more info on first class lodging and exciting events to plan your next adventure!

Ice Castles

24 Clark Farm Road North Woodstock, NH, 03262 Phone: Toll-Free: 888-407-4054

Your moment of imagination, exploration and magic awaits at Ice Castles

This immersive experience built entirely from ice enchants visitors with its captivating photogenic appeal. Escape into a world of frozen caves, maze-like tunnels, fountains and ice-carved slides. Ice Castles in North Woodstock is built by hand using hundreds of thousands of icicles that are grown, harvested, and planted every day to create the acre-sized interactive attraction. And the effect is heightened at night when LED lights frozen inside change colors in perfect synchronization to music. You don’t have to be a fan of “Frozen” to find the whole experience magical. Remember to dress warmly, but in case that's not enough there's an on-site concession stand serving up hot chocolate, apple cider, and warm treats! Tickets are guaranteed to sell out each weekend, so be sure to buy yours in advance online at IceCastles.com!

Canobie Lake Park

85 North Policy Street Salem, NH, 03079 Phone: 603-893-3560

Reopening on July 16th - Great expectations are met at this historic family fun park

With a century’s old history and an exciting approach to fun, Canobie Lake Park offers one of New England’s best family values. 85 thrill rides, family rides, water rides, and kids rides, plus indoor-outdoor games and an arcade await just 30 miles north of Boston. There’s live entertainment on two stages and the Dance Hall Theater, special events and attractions, and a dedicated Kiddieland area. More than 20 great places to eat will keep you well fed and there’s tax free shopping for souvenirs, everyday items and keepsakes. You’ll find discounts for school or company outings and summer lodging packages that include 2 tickets to the Park plus options for additional tickets at a discounted rate. Parking is always free. Canobie Lake Park was ranked as one of the 2018 top ten amusement parks in the U.S. by Time’s Money Magazine. Click here for 2020 park information.

The White Mountains of New Hampshire - Making Memories Every Day!

Castle in The Clouds

Route 171 - 455 Old Mountain Road Moultonborough, NH, 03254 Phone: 603-476-5900

A mountain estate featuring activities, tours to hikes, horseback riding

Tour an elegant mansion. Hike (or ski or snowshoe) past waterfalls. Go horseback riding (or take a sleigh trip). You can do all of this, and more, at Castle in the Clouds, a mountaintop estate with incredible views and a full slate of activities, starting with a tour of the Arts and Crafts-style Lucknow Mansion, where the 1910s and 1920s come alive. The mansion, state-of-the-art in its day, features vacuum and housewide phone systems as well as vintage clothing and furnishings. And, you can tour the basement to see how the servants lived. Outside are gardens, a pond where kids can feed the leaping rainbow trout, hiking and skiing trails past waterfalls and a restaurant with panoramic views.

Mount Washington Cog Railway

Off Route 302 Bretton Woods, NH, 03589 Phone: 603-278-5404 Toll-Free: 800-922-8825

Climb to the clouds on New Hampshire's Cog Railway

Step aboard the Cog Railway and get ready to climb to the Northeast's highest summit, New Hampshire's Mount Washington. The three-hour trip is always an adventure. The train travels the steepest railroad tracks in North America, passing through several climate zones before reaching the top. There, on a clear day, you'll see New England spread out before you. On other days you may be above the clouds, as if you're walking about in a fairyland. There's history on the train, too. Construction of the railway was a 19th-century engineering marvel. And you won't find engines like ours anywhere else east of the Rockies. Learn all about it at our Base Station museum, where you'll also find a restaurant and gift shop. Trains run late April through November.

Summer Dog Sled Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel & Raft Jefferson New Hampshire

Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel & Raft NH

32 Valley Road Jefferson, NH, 03583 Phone: 603-545-4533

The seasons change the fun remains

Enjoy rolling dog sleds and exciting raft trips on Class II to Class 4 rapids. Muddy Paw sled tours allow you to meet the sled dogs, help the musher harness and hitch the team, enjoy the dog sled ride, and reward the sled dogs for a job well done. You’ll soak in the views and have plenty of photo opportunities. Raft NH is a family-friendly, rafting outfitter offering whitewater trips for ages 6 and up with or without experience. Trips from mild to wild offer an unforgettable adventure for everyone. The “Paws & Paddles” package combines daytime whitewater rafting and evening rolling dog sledding for a great day outdoors.

Seven Birches Winery

River Walk at Loon - 22 South Mountain Drive Lincoln, NH, 03251 Phone: 603-745-7550

Wine-lovers, experienced and novice, will love this winery’s tours, atmosphere

Seven Birches Winery is the perfect activity for wine-lovers, whether you’re a novice or just beginning your love affair with wine. Located inside the lovely Riverwalk Resort at Loon Mountain, the winery offers intimate meet-the-winemakers tours of its production facility, where you can see how local fruits and European grape varietals are handcrafted into very special wines. Or, just opt for a tasting off the wine menu. Knowledgeable staff will be happy to help you with a choice or order up a flight for true sampling. In the nearby Lincoln Village Shops, the winery’s Atrium Wine Bar offers tastings in a rustic atmosphere as well as easy access to the region’s finest shops and restaurants.

Brewery Tour 2019 - Woodstock Inn, Station & Brewery - North Woodstock, NH

Woodstock Inn Brewery

135 Main Street North Woodstock, NH, 03262 Phone: 603-745-3951 Toll-Free: 800-321-3985

Beers and Brewery Tour - Why Not?

Find out how Woodstock Inn Brewery evolved from a small seven-barrel brewery to a 30-barrel, state-of-the-art solar fed facility (#PoweredByNH), distributing our year round, seasonal and limited edition beers all across New England. Each tour finishes with a chance to try five selected samples, and you go home with a pint glass, plus you might even discover what we mean when we say “Now Made With 100% More New Hampshire!” Try any of our brews at one of four on-site pubs or bring some home from the gift shop! Tours can be booked online at WoodstockInnNH.com

Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train

3 Crossing at Riverplace North Woodstock, NH, 03262 Phone: 603-745-3500

A unique White Mountain culinary attraction

Plan a memorable event aboard the family owned and operated Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train. Rolling along the western slopes of the White Mountains, you’ll experience one of the region’s premier destinations majestic scenery and beautifully restored railcars, while sharing in a distinctive culinary experience. You’ll travel at a leisurely pace down and along the Pemigewasset River, through the woods, and return on the same track. Enjoy great service and plated fare highlighting quality seasonal and farm fresh ingredients from an inspired menu that offers an exceptional dining experience for you and your guests. Depart on your two-hour, 20 mile round trip in a convivial ambiance with classic cocktail offerings or one of the fine domestic or international wine selections.

Canterbury Shaker Village

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

The simple life made extraordinary by the Shakers

The Shaker religious sect is considered by many historians to be the most successful communitarian society in American history. Throughout the 1800s some 300 members of the Shaker sect lived at the Canterbury Shaker Village site in Canterbury, NH growing their own food and supporting the community through their crafts and trades. Come see how the community thrived. Step inside 25 restored original Shaker buildings. Discover Shaker artifacts and photographs amidst 700 beautiful acres of forest, fields, gardens and mill ponds. The site offers workshops on woodworking, letterpress printing, broom making and more. Enjoy a simple lunch at the Horse Barn Cafe and shop for products made by local artisans at the Museum Store.

Chuckster's Family Fun Park

Two Great Locations Chichester and Hooksett, NH Phone: 603-798-3555

Golf, zoom around a go-kart track or fly through the air!

You might not really hit a hole-in-one on the giant mini-golf courses at Chuckster’s two New Hampshire locations. But you’ll feel like you did after spending time at these fun-filled activity parks. In Hooksett, tackle the 18-hole Fire Tower or Cave courses then let the winner buy cones at the ice cream barn. In Chichester, if golf isn’t your thing, no worries: There’s a go-kart speedway, the TimberTrek Aerial Adventure Park where you will traverse the woods in unique ways 10-35 feet off the ground, and coming soon an enormous new bumper boat pond with waterfall and fountain! Feeling competitive? How about Shoot-N-Shower (guess what happens to the loser). Or play volleyball/basketball on trampolines or jump and flip up to 18 feet on the Jumpster.

White Mountains Attractions

Visitor’s Center at Exit 32 Off I-93 North Woodstock, NH, 03262 Phone: 603-745-8720 Toll-Free: 800-346-3687

Everything for a memorable vacation is here to enjoy!

Families, friends and the intrepid loner will love the White Mountains, a majestic and activity-filled area of northern New Hampshire. Pleasures and fun abound year-round in cozy hotels and resorts, great food, snowy mountain trails and pristine lakes. The best skiing, hiking and biking make any vacation memorable and so will amusement & water parks and nature walks. Explore the forests & caves along the mountainside and strap yourself in for zip lines and canopy tours. The vistas from aerial tramways, valley & mountain railroads and the famous Mt. Washington Auto Road will take you to the top of the world. And for shopping enthusiasts there's quaint family-run shops, traditional country & general stores, and modern discount outlets.

New Hampshire Campground Owners Association

Enjoy endless activities from New Hampshire’s campgrounds

Get away from the everyday with a visit to a New Hampshire campground. Stay in a tent, RV, cabin, cottage, lodge – even a yurt! – and enjoy activities from horseshoes and fishing to snowmobiling and snowshoeing. Hike, bike or take a cog railroad up a pine-scented mountain or kayak a pristine pond, river or lake. From your camping site in the woods, near the ocean or in a meadow, check out the Granite State’s historic sites, quintessential New England towns and acres upon acres of natural splendor. Visit our website for a handbook with all the details for individual parks, from whether they are pet-friendly to which ones have cottage rentals, pools, fireplaces, tennis courts, live music – or cable TV.

Fun World

200 Daniel Webster Highway Nashua, NH, 03060 Phone: 603-888-1940

A Day of Play for the Whole Family

Time to PLAY! Fun World resembles a castle outside, but inside it’s a gigantic play space with tons of games and activities for kids from tots to the teens. More than 250 video and redemption games range in style from classic arcade favorites up to newer multiple-player games. Your kids are sure to end up happily tired after rumbling about in the three-story play space with lots of climbing structures and really long slides. Whew! Elsewhere, the Himalaya, roller coaster, and elegant Italian-built carousel will keep them fascinated and engaged. Games for older kids include Aliens, Terminator, Fast & Furious, Transformers, Ghost Squad, old-school air hockey tables and pinball games, and dance and sports games. The staff members are helpful; the cost is very reasonable.

Bike Race - Mount Washington Auto Road - Gorham, NH

Mt. Washington Auto Road

Route 16, Pinkham Notch Gorham, NH, 03581 Phone: 603-466-3988

So much to explore on the Highest Peak in the Northeast

Due to its remarkable location, weather and history, the Mt. Washington Auto Road is unlike any other driving experience in the Eastern United States. A trip on Mt. Washington Auto Road is a one-of-a-kind experience offering ever-changing weather extremes, panoramic views and the opportunity to pass through four distinct climate zones as you climb to the highest peak in the Northeast. The constantly-changing weather adds to the allure and mystique of the famous peak, often allowing visitors to experience high winds and dramatic cloud formations. No matter the weather, the entire family will love all there is to do on the legendary Auto Road.

Great Waters

54 N. Main Street Wolfeboro, NH, 03894 Phone: 603-569-7710

Something for everyone to enjoy under the N.H. summer sky at Great Waters concerts

A summer evening in the fabled Lakes District of New Hampshire, listening to great music in a tent in a meadow: Those are the nights Great Waters has planned for this season of marvelous music at the spectacular Castle in the Clouds. There’s a fun event for everyone in 2021, from jazz artist Peter Cincotti, a free folk festival and a Bee Gees tribute band to rock ’n’ roll music, a Broadway spectacular featuring artist Kate Baldwin and a Comedy Night guaranteed to get everyone laughing. At the Castle in the Clouds, visitors can tour the historic Lucknow Mansion and its exhibits, stroll through gardens or enjoy miles of hiking and walking trails. There’s even a pond where kids can feed the ducks.

Sunset Ride - Northeast AVT & Snowmobile - Gorham, NH

Northeast ATV & Snowmobile

325 Main Street Gorham, NH, 03581 Phone: Toll-Free: 800-458-1838

Bring out your adventurous side!

Whether the trail is warm and dry or covered in snow or mud, Northeast ATV and Snowmobile has everything you need for a great outdoor excursion. They've got a selection of Polaris™ snowmobile and ATV rentals at reasonable rates to choose from to fit any trail conditions - including the on-road Slingshot if you're interested in a modern style White Mountains road cruise. All rentals include helmets, trail map, instructional video and GPS location system. They've got three locations in New Hampshire's White Mountains and western Maine to choose as the start of your outing. They've got the experts available to train, assist and guide you on your adventure, and also offer side-by-side tours.

Santa's Village

528 Presidential Highway Jefferson, NH, 03583 Phone: 603-586-4445

Pure Joy. Family Style. Every Summer & Christmastime, too.

Enjoy the only New England park named one of the Top 25 Amusement Parks in the USA by TripAdvisor 2014 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Santa’s Village in Jefferson, NH. It’s home to Santa and his reindeer, and dozens of amusement rides and shows and other attractions for families with young children. It’s the joy and excitement of Christmas morning, and every bit as memorable for the entire family. One low admission price covers an entire day of memory-making. For over 60 years and three generations, from our family to yours – oh, what fun it is! Seasons: Open Memorial Day weekend to Christmas.

Bear Rock Adventures

545 Beach Road Pittsburg, NH, 03592 Phone: Toll-Free: 866-663-9777

Pick your own ATV adventure in the Great North Woods with Bear Rock Adventures

Embrace your inner trailblazer with New Hampshire’s premium Polaris outfitter, Bear Rock Adventures. As “Your Guide to the Wilds,” Bear Rock Adventures offers fully-equipped top-of-the-line ATVs and side-by-sides (2, 4 and 6-seat options) with electric start, reverse, 4-wheel drive, automatic transmissions and power steering. Get ready to experience over 1,000 miles of Ride the Wilds interconnected trails throughout Northern New Hampshire where you are free to explore the Great North Woods on half, full, or multi-day excursions. Pick your own adventure with customized itineraries, perfect for families and thrill-seekers alike. Bear Rock Adventures is open now through September 30, 2018.

Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa

Mountain View Road Whitefield, NH, 03598 Phone: 888-260-4929

The list of things to do at this resort is almost endless – and lots of fun

Mountain View Grand is open for overnight stays! Please review our health & safety measures for current updates and information.

The list of fun things to do onsite at the Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa is only outdone by the list of things to do in the immediate area. On the inn’s 1,700 pristine acres, you can hike, snowshoe, cross-country ski, play golf on a course with spectacular views, play tennis – even engage in an axe-throwing competition. There are night campfires (with s’mores, of course), an indoor and outdoor pool and gameroom, as well as a full slate of kids’ activities. In the area is everything from fishing, whitewater rafting and mountain biking to shopping, dogsledding, horseback riding and moose tours. Come back to a luxurious room and four-star dining.

Conway Scenic Railroad

38 Norcross Circle North Conway, NH, 03860 Phone: 603-356-5251

All aboard the Conway Scenic Railroad in New Hampshire's White Mountains

Conway Scenic Railroad offers old-fashioned train rides departing from the beautiful 1874 Victorian Station in North Conway Village. Choose from heritage train rides on the Valley routes to Conway or Bartlett, or embark on the scenic Mountaineer to Crawford Notch. Premium class, First Class, and Coach seating options are available on all routes. Trains run rain or shine! Round-trip excursions run from 1 to 5½ hours. Schedules vary, so call 603-356-5251 for details, or visit our website by clicking above. Valley trains run April through December. The Mountaineer operates June through October. Snow Trains run weekends in January and February. Take a journey back in time that the whole family will enjoy!

Waterville Valley Resort

33 Village Road Waterville Valley, NH, 03215 Phone: 603-468-2553 Toll-Free: 800-468-2553

Every season is a perfect season at this active resort surrounded by mountains

Consider this menu of activities at the Waterville Valley Resort, the gateway to the glorious White Mountains: In the winter, there’s alpine and Nordic skiing, skating, snowshoeing, snow-tubing, and fat-biking. In the warmer weather, there are miles of scenic trails for hiking, biking and mountain-biking; a pretty pond for swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding and pedal-boating. Indoor activities include tennis, a rock-climbing wall, and swimming pools. The resort’s vibrant Town Square features live music, food festivals, shopping, restaurants and outdoor activities for all ages. Guests have a wide range of lodging choices and a shuttle to take them everywhere they want to go. With breathtaking views, the resort is the perfect place for a romantic getaway or a fun family escape.

Loon Mountain Resort

60 Loon Mountain Road Lincoln, NH, 03251 Phone: 603-745-6281 Toll-Free: 800-229-5666

New England’s most accessible mountain resort destination

Pick a season and bring the family to Loon Mountain Resort – just 3 miles from I-93. In summer and fall, ride New Hampshire’s longest gondola skyride to the summit for breathtaking views of the White Mountains and great food at the Summit Café. Explore glacial caves and climb the observation tower. At the Adventure Center, swing through the Aerial Forest, soar across the Pemigewasset River on the zipline, beat the clock the LogJam Maze, or climb a 30-foot-tall spider web. Bunyan’s Bouncin’ Backyard has a bounce house. In winter, big mountain skiing and snowboarding features 2,100 feet of vertical with three peaks of terrain for all abilities – including an award-winning progression of terrain parks and New Hampshire’s only Superpipe. There’s also snow tubing, snowshoeing, cross country skiing.Photo Credit: Hinkley Photo

America's Stonehenge

105 Haverhill Road Salem, NH, 03079 Phone: 603-893-8300

Explore America's Oldest Known Structure

In fourteen hundred and ninety-two Columbus sailed the ocean blue. But was he really the first European to reach North America? At America's Stonehenge in Salem, New Hampshire, some say there's evidence others got here first, perhaps by a thousand years. The pine woods here are full of stone megaliths like those built throughout Great Britain by Druid priests. Were they the first arrivals? Or maybe some other group with knowledge of astronomy and stone construction? Wander our woodland trails with your family, and let your kids see for themselves. We're near the New Hampshire seacoast, which makes America's Stonehenge a great destination for days when clouds keep you off the beach. We're got a picnic area, a museum, and a herd of friendly alpacas to greet you.

Candy, Candles, Collectibles

Wintry weather, family holidays, and candy. These three go together like two horses and a carriage. Since 1906, Kellerhaus on Endicott Street North in Weirs Beach has been delighting customers year-round with homemade candies, unique gifts, and awesome views, not to mention the candle and collectible showrooms. Visitors can watch the candy being made by hand in the candy shop. Bring your appetite to the ice cream sundae and waffle buffets. Your taste buds will thank you.

A New Hampshire Country Store, from Aged Cheese to Pewter Gifts

Calef’s Country Store, at routes 9 and 125 in the Seacoast town of Barrington, has been dispensing welcome, hospitality, and good food since the horse-and-buggy days. Stop in for a deli sandwich during your explorations of the area, and, if you can, pick up some great food gifts to charm the people you left back home. These include Caleb’s Snappy Old Cheese, maple foods, jams, jellies, butter, pickles, relishes, olives, chutney, salsa and pretzel dips, soup mixes, and more. Caleb’s also carries beautiful artwork by the New Hampshire Pewter Company. Open daily.

waterfalls of New Hampshires with VisitNewEngland.com

Walk to a Waterfall

Many waterfalls in the White Mountains have parking near trailheads and accessible paths. Some allow swimming and picnicking.
Sabbaday Falls, Conway: There are three drops in the falls and lovely pools. Handicapped accessible path.
Glen Ellis Falls, Pinkham Notch: The deep green pool of water below is off limits to swimmers. Read signs that describe the geology.
Arethusa Falls, Bretton Woods: This plunge seems to fall from the sky. Powerful in spring; a trickle in summer.
Flume Cascade, Crawford Notch: Small plunges end up in the Saco River.
Jackson Falls, Jackson: Popular swimming holes on a summer day. Easily accessible.
Diana's Baths, Conway: Perfect for a little moonlit skinny dip! You need to hike about a half mile in.

Explore the Rocks

The Rocks Estate at 4 Christmas Lane in Bethlehem is famous for its Christmas trees, but this former summer home of the wealthy Glessner family also hosts lots of other seasonal outdoor activity for visitors. This site of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, the 1,400-acre property offers guided and individual exploration and learning programs. Guests may hike and explore through the spring, summer, and fall. The property has short, easy strolls or longer hikes, past magnificent views of the Presidential Range. Northern wildlife abounds at the estate. Phone: 603-444-6228.

Beautiful Sabbaday Falls Is Easy to Find

Sabbaday Falls, on the Kancamagus Pass, drops 40 feet in an unusual and scenic form. The water drops eight feet into a small emerald green pothole. The outlet of the pothole is a slide resulting in a 20-foot horsetail into a tight gorge where it makes a ninety degree turn. The falls is well-marked, off Route 112 (Kancamagus Highway) between the towns of Lincoln and Conway. To find it: Sabbaday Falls is the focal point of the Sabbaday Falls Picnic Area, a well marked locale on Route 112, about 11 miles east of Kancamagus Pass, about 3.4 miles west of the Jigger Johnson Campground and about 17 miles west of Conway. Image courtesy of NH Tour Guide.

Fabric Artistry Like You’re Never Seen

People interested in unique ((intended, here, to truly mean one-of-a-kind) fabric art will be charmed by Nancy Morgan Art, a working studio and gallery at 238 State Street in Portsmouth. Using very basic machine sewing gear and techniques, Nancy Morgan, artist and gallery owner, creates images, including many showing Portsmouth town and seaside views, with cloth, embroidery and quilting techniques, and finely detailed stitchery. She is happy to show and demonstrate her techniques, and her books, “Shades of Tulle” and “The Fabric of Bow Street,” offer insights. The gallery is open to the public Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Polly Want a Pancake!

All people who hold an appropriate reverence for pancakes need to trek to Polly’s Pancake Parlor on Route 117 in Sugar Hill, a third-generation family business that has been making and serving pancakes since 1938. All day long, Polly's serves whole wheat, buckwheat, and cornmeal pancakes, sausage or bacon, and maple toppings. Visit the gift shop and take home the pancake mixes and maple syrup to hold you over until your next visit.

Craftsmen in Merrimack

Founded in 1932, the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen is one of the oldest craft organizations in the country. The League was formed during the Depression to help New Hampshire craftspeople make a living through difficult financial times by building an audience and market for fine handmade craft. The League operates seven retail galleries throughout New Hampshire. The galleries present the work of juried craftspeople, along with demonstrations, exhibits and educational programs.
Galleries in the Merrimack region are Concord Retail Gallery, 36 North Main Street, Concord, 603-228-8171.

Pickering Farm Quilt Shop celebrates country primitive

Penny quilts? Yes, you quilting people know what that means, and, if you don’t they are a fun way to begin quilting and making unique gifts for yourself and friends. Pickering Farm Quilt Shop at 19 Fitzwilliam Road in Richmond is in an 18th century restored barn. You will find 3000 bolts of 100 percent cotton, notions and supplies of all kinds, and hundreds of antique reproduction fabrics from 1780 to the 1930s. Also: wool for penny rugs, books and patterns, and a fabulous gift line. Fun and inspiring! Open year round Thursday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 603-239-7550

Dog-Friendly Trails in Merrimack, Lakes, White Mountains Regions

Lake Massabesic Trail, Auburn [Merrimack region] -- This trail network passes through and by woods, fields, and wetlands, with views of Lake Massabesic. Distance is 3 miles and trail is easy. Surface is dirt, grass, meadow, road, and unpaved. Dogs allowed on leash. No admission cost. This is an Audubon sanctuary and there is an Audubon center nearby. Map.
Mount Major and Brook Trail Loop, Alton Bay [Lakes Region] -- Enjoy views of Lake Winnipesaukee while walking this moderate-difficulty trail. Length is almost four miles. Leashed dogs are welcome, and many of them enjoy a dip in a nice stream by the trailside. Map
Arethusa Falls and Frankenstein Cliffs, Bartlett [White Mountains region] -- This 5-mile round-trip walk, which passes a glorious waterfall, is considered difficult. There is a 1,400-foot elevation gain. This is a very popular hike because of the beauty of the water falls and pools. Dogs allowed on leash. Map.

Get Lost at the Gorge

The story of the Lost River in North Woodstock began many millions of years ago, with the formation of mountains of igneous rock in present-day New Hampshire. A thick ice sheet of 150,000 to 25,000 years ago ground down the mountains and tumbled the rocks, creating the Lost River Gorge and partly burying its river. Today, you can visit the Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves at 1712 Lost River Road (Route 112W), walk the three-quarter-mile boardwalk into and through the gorge, explore the caves, and climb up the Dilly Cliff. Lantern tours offered at night, Kids enjoy the Lost River Mining Sluice, which replicates the work of sifting for gems. Open early May to mid October. Phone: 603-745-8031.

Gift Shopping in Hanover

You can almost always rely on a college town for fun shopping for new or consigned items. In Hanover, for instance, fans love the the Pink Alligator consignment shop of South Main, where you can easily find top-shelf brands at reasonable prices. Color-obsessed shoppers will enjoy the store’s arrangement, by color. Also for gifts, be sure to visit Lemon Tree Gifts of Hanover on South Main. Again, there’s no way to characterize the stock: think of baby gifts, candles, lamps, cute serving ware.

Unique Riverside Shop for Candles and Gifts

Der Markt at Marklin at 28 Riverside Drive in Contoocook sells interesting and high-quality products from skilled artisans. At this fine-quality shop you will find candles, jewelry, honey, Simon Pierce glass, felt slippers, Himalayan salt, wooden ggifts , cards, books, women's and children's clothing. . The gift shop is associated with the neighboring M G Marklin, which creates candles, wooden products and liturgical goods onsite at this riverside location.

Hanover Offers Outdoor Fun & Food for the Intellect

The town of Hanover – home to Dartmouth College – offers a mix of New England beauty and lots of interesting cultural activity, as befits a top-drawer college town. Hanover is in the Upper Valley, a swath along the Connecticut River that includes Hanover and Lebanon, NH, and Norwich and White River Junction, VT. Hanover’s downtown offers shopping, cool restaurants, and attractions like the Hood Museum of Art, a gallery of the League of NH Craftsmen, Left Bank Books, Ledyard Canoe Club, among many other intellectual and outdoors hot spots. Outdoor sports and activities are abundant in the region, in all seasons. Find plenty of day hikes and great bike riding.

Bird Watchers Paradise

The Great North Woods of New Hampshire contains five habitats for bird watching. The open lakes, ponds, and rivers of the northern waterways have nesting water birds like the loon. Freshwater marshland supports warblers, olive flycatchers, and rusty blackbirds. Grasslands kept clear by grazing animals or fires have the eastern meadowlark and bobolink. Mixed forestland supports warblers. The Great Northern Boreal Forest is a unique habitat and has rare birds like the spruce grouse and Canada jay. Experts at the North Country Chamber of Commerce in Colebrook are ready to offer advice, referrals, and assistance to bird watchers. Phone: 603- 237-8939.

Catch That Updraft

The Franconia Soaring Association, located at Franconia Airport, Route 116 Easton Road in Franconia is essentially a club for owners and operators of gliders. But! The club offers glider rides to the general public as a way of introducing the general public to the sport of glider flying. Is your inner Indiana Jones starting to tingle at the very idea? Public flights are offered by advance arrangement, weather permitting. All introduction to soaring flights are preformed by FAA licensed commercial pilots or FAA certified flight instructors. 603-823-5034.

Elegant Antiques; Discerning Taste

Prospect Hill Antiques Barn, off Prospect Hill Road in Sunapee, is three floors of antique furniture and fine furnishings representing years of expertise and collections. The 12,000 square feet of display shows of items of mid-century household goods and art, with more items constantly under acquisition from over the world. Also, original work from the best local artists. Check website for hours of operation; this is a gem you won’t want to miss. 603-763-9676

Caves Are Cool; Access Is Easy

The Polar Caves off on Route 25 in Rumney were formed about 50,000 years ago as the third continental glacier retreated across New Hampshire’s White Mountains. When glacier left behind a series of caves and passageways. Polar Caves Park has build boardwalks through the caves and among the boulders, creating an intriguing self-guided walks. To get to the caves, visitors walk through a pine forest, where they can learn about the local Indian tribes who spent summers on the Baker River. Behind the maple sugar house are more trails and a gazebo, which is a great place to carry in and carry out a picnic lunch. Phone: 603-536-1888.

Absolute Hunger Relief at Murphy's

As a college town, Hanover does not suffer a shortage of pubs and heavy comfort food. If you are warming up from a day on the ski slopes or just bumping around town, a place to restore your stomach and spirits is Murphy's on the Green at 11 S Main Street. Travel + Leisure magazine writes: " Murphy’s on the Green is a classic Yankee college town tavern fraternized in equal number by tweedy Dartmouth professors, honor roll students, and townie regulars. Members of the Theta Delta Chi chapter pledge their loyalty to the Murph Burger, a half-pound Angus beef patty with crispy shallots, rémoulade, bacon, and American cheese." Stop in, for your stomach's sake. Phone: 603-643-4075.

General Store Celebrates Inspired Nonsense

Zeb’s General Store in the mountain village of North Conway is the place to find New England products of all imaginable kinds – and some you might not easily imagine, like Nantucket Sea Clay Soap, Maine Maple Champagne Mustard, or Out on a Limb Blueberry Pie Filling. Some products are eccentric and all are worth a ride home in your shopping satchel. There are plenty of New England specialty foods and classic favorites like penny candy. You can even design your own gift basket from crates, baskets, or boxes (one of them a replica of the store itself), which you then fill with Zeb’s goodies. Phone: 800-676-9294.

The Old Country Store; Old History Stage

You can buy treats and trinkets of all kinds at the Old Country Store on Whittier Hwy. in Moultonborough. And if you have all your senses tuned up, you might feel the stories of long ago in this place, built in 1781 on land given to Jonathan Moulton for his service during the Revolutionary War. The place also has served as a library and a post office and has hosted town meetings. Today, go there for candles, toys, shoes, local products, kitchenware, and penny candy, with a pickle barrel, maple syrup, and a good dose of John Deere merchandise. Kids will love it. 603-476-5750

Fun Shopping Is in Store in Jackson Village

Jackson Village is a great place to shop for gifts and mementos of your trip to the majestic White Mountains. Just behind the Jackson Fire Department, at 60 Main Street, shoppers can find the intriguing Ravenwood Curio Shoppe, offering sculptures, statuary, pottery, handmade paper and reeds, funky garden ornaments, unique glass vases, artistic bird baths, and more. Then just down the road but before the Honeymoon Covered Bridge, look for Flossies's General Store, known for its country store feeling with a wonderful array of gifts and collectibles for all ages, the White Mountain Photo Gallery, at The Snowflake Inn in Jackson Village, is a fine art gallery of scenic and abstract images of the White Mountains.

I, Whirlygig

Here’s a chance to get the fun of flying without the fear of flying. SkyVenture , located on Poisson Road in Nashua, is a vertical wind tunnel where visitors can experience the freedom of flight. There is no falling sensation. You just float above the trampoline floor with ease. The indoor vertical wind tunnel is not only used by the world’s best skydivers to train in but it was also designed for the general public to experience the sport of body flight. No experience necessary! Also: indoor rock climbing, indoor surfing. and water slides. Open Wednesdays through Sundays. 603-897-0002.

Off-Road Adventures in High Mountains

Alpine Adventures on Main Street in Lincoln offers off-road trips in all seasons through fantastically beautiful wintry scenes through Franconia Notch, Twin Mountain, Bog Pond, and Mount Moosilauke. Buckle up and hold on, because you're in for an off-road thrill, via the six-wheel-drive Swiss army transport vehicles called Pinzgauers. Pinzgauers have modified seating to accommodate 11 guests in blue bucket seats with lap belts. The company padded the overhead cages and added a kickin' stereo system with mikes for the guides to entertain you on your journey. Book online in advance.

Stop to Shop

The Seacoast region has wonderful shopping for beautiful and unusual items. The Fox Run Mall in Newington is a place to start for national names, followed by a trip to Boardwalk Strip at Hampton Beach. The cream of the shopping experience has to be Portsmouth's Market Street, crammed with art, toys, home decorations, clothing, hardware, jewelry, flowers, and more. Voted one of New England's Best Shopping Streets by Travel and Leisure Magazine.

Fruit Wines, Apple Brandy, and Vodka to Taste Year-Round

Flag Hill Vineyard and Winery at 297 North River Road in Lee has ground in 20 years from a family-operated vineyard to an established winery in this picturesque seacoast region. The winery produces more than 15 varieties of red and white wines. Flag Hill produces distilled spirits such as General John Stark Vodka and Josiah Bartlett Apple Brandy. A tasting room and gift store, offering events, tours, sales, is in a post-and-beam building that once served as a barn. Open year round, Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. except for major holidays. 603-659-2949.

Art in Pewter Evokes New England's History

Few artistic materials are more evocative of New England than pewter. Hampshire Pewter at 9 Railroad Avenue in Wolfeboro, practices the Colonial pewterer's craft in a modern environment. The company welcomes guests to tour its workshops and watch the creation of its pewter tableware and ornaments. Watch pewter artists mix pure tin with other fine metals and then cast this liquid pewter into shapes using bronze molds. Then, workers join these castings to create classically shaped goblets, tankards, and candlesticks. After joining, they cut away all of the rough gray metal and carve the fine details. After your tour, browse through the Gift Shop to choose a piece of Hampshire Pewter as a remembrance of your visit. Open daily except Sunday. 866-282-7384

Apple Cider Is Ingredient #1 at This Restaurant

Fine dining, café, market and apple pressing – apples are the thing, but not the only thing, at White Mountain Cider Co. at 207 Route 302 in Bartlett. Owner Teresa Stearns, a Culinary Institute of America-trained chef, presents fine dinners with a Cidertini cocktail, cider-braised pork and ice cream-topped cider doughnuts for dessert. Try the cider slushy and watch cider-making in progress on fall weekends. A fall pleasure, any time of the year. 603-383-9061

Head to the Hood

People with every taste and preference in world art will find something wonderful to savor at the Hood Museum of Art on East Wheelock Street on the campus of Dartmouth College in Hanover. The Hood is home to an outstanding collection of European, American, Middle Eastern, African, and Asian art and artifacts. The collections are especially strong in American art, with portraits and landscapes by noted Americans. A new app uses augmented reality technology to let viewers discover these and other hidden details in two of Dartmouth's most prized works of art. What's going on in the landscape behind the throne in Perugino's painting "Virgin and Child with Saints"? 603-646-2808.

Biking Alongside Winnipesaukee History

The Winnipesaukee River Trail is just right for people interested in taking a walk or bike ride on a scenic historic trail -- yet with the feel of wilderness -- close to the downtowns of Franklin and Northfield. This five -mile trail connects Tilton, Northfield and Franklin along the Winnipesaukee River and passes the historic Sulphite upside-down covered bridge. Walkers on the trail can view mill ruins and remaining portions of dams that tell the history of the five mills that operated on this river in the mid-19th century. Access points: Central Street in Franklin (under the railroad trestle); Cross Mill Road in Northfield; Old Surrette Battery property off from Park Street in Northfield (across the street from the library); 142 East Main Street off Route 3 in Tilton; Route 140 at Railroad right-of-way just past McDonalds. Email: innirivertrail@gmail.com. Trail brochure and map.

Byway, Not the Highway, By the Lakes

So, what’s so great about traveling by car? To take in great sweeps of Lakes region scenery, get in your vehicle and tap into the Lakes region scenic driving tours. Several self-guided driving and walking tours are described by the people who know the area best -- the Lakes region tourism association. Scenic drives take you along Lake Winnipesaukee and around the general region, presenting grand views, lakeside villages and fun places to eat and shop. [ photo: NH Dept.of Resources and Economic Development ]

Antiques From the Potato Barn

Yes, the 7,500-square-foot Potato Barn Antiques at 960 Lancaster Road in Lancaster was, indeed, a barn for potato farming back in the day. Now it houses antique glassware, tools, quilts and textiles, books, furniture, jewelry, prints and pictures, and vintage lamps and shades. An adjunct of the shop, Ladies Slipper Vintage, sells clothing and accessories. Voted Best Rural Antiques Shop in 2009 by New Hampshire Magazine, the shop has a wide collection of friends and fans. Owners Mark and Kellyann are happy to search out special requests. Phone: 603-636-2611

great bay national wildlife refuge newington nh

Meet Our Fabulous Wetlands

Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge at 4 Arboretum Drive in Newingtonis a beautiful estuary and woodlands protected by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The refuge is open every day to the public for hiking, bird watching, photography, and other outdoor activities. Visitors will find two trails, parking lot, restroom, and an interpretive kiosk. Interpretive programs are regularly offered at the refuge. Cross country skiing and snowshoeing on these same trails are popular activities during the winter. Learn more here: Brochure.

Lay Your Hands on NH’s Military History

New Hampshire’s military history dates to the 1600s; one in every ten citizens has served in our nation’s military. The concept led to the creation of the Veterans Heritage Learning Center on the grounds of the NH State Veterans Cemetery at 110 Daniel Webster Hwy. in Boscawen. The center will house exhibits of NH heroes, a multi-media Foot Locker theater with hands-on exhibits and military items from various wars and services, a Journey of the NH Soldier time line, and an interactive Hallowed Grounds touch table. Through the 20 Points of History constructed in 2000, and updated in 2015, along with the Memorial Walkway, visitors gain knowledge of New Hampshire veterans who have served our country. Open weekdays, concurrently with the cemetery.

A Haven for Weavers and Knitters

This place is a gold mine for weaves and knitters. Harrisville Designs on Main Street in Harrisville is a family-owned and -operated business founded in 1971 to preserve and re-establish the economic vitality of the historic 18th century textile village of Harrisville. Woolen yarn has been spun in the water-powered, mill town of Harrisville since 1794. This village in the Monadnock Highlands is the only industrial community of the early 19th century that still survives in America in its original form. 603-827-3996.

Four Centuries of Daily Life

Strawbery Banke Museum on Hancock Street in Portsmouth is a community composed of restored and furnished houses, exhibits, historic landscapes and gardens, and costumed role players. Together, these elements bring to life the daily activities of New England people from European settlement in the 17th century to the mid-20th century. In addition to ongoing exhibits, lots of special events take place during warm weather. Phone: 603-433-1100.

Artists of Needle and Loom, Take Note

Dorr Mill Store at 22 Hale Street in Guild, is a national center for wool and has had manufactured an extensive line of 100 percent wool for the time-honored crafts of traditional rug hooking, braiding and quilting. Dorr produces white and natural wools for those who wish to dye their own colors, thousands of yards of woolen textures and solids, and a full line of accessories and the latest patterns from noted designers. Fiber artists find Dorr’s wide selection of fabric designs, textures, wools, and blends irresistible. Open year-round. 800-846-3677.

Currier Fills an Afternoon With Interesting and Varied Art

The Currier Museum of Art at 150 Ash Street in Manchester is an art museum and dynamic member of the community, hosting classes, events, and ways to welcome people into fine art. The museum has a permanent collection of European and American artists, decorative arts, photographs and sculpture by Wyeth, Monet, Picasso, and Georgia O’Keefe. The building itself was unique, interesting architecture and easy to navigate. There’s a café for refreshment for browsers. From April through December, the museum offers tours of the nearby Zimmerman House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Many changing exhibits run throughout the year. 603-669-6144.

Drive and Nibble; Drive and Sip

There’s no reason to be craving fine chocolate, cheese, or wine on a visit to the Granite State. The state’s tourism and farming people have creating a marvelously helpful and also beautiful brochure -- available as a pdf -- of New Hampshire’s Wine, Cheese, and Chocolate Trails . A simple and useful map heading the brochure is followed up by detailed listings of wineries, vineyards, cheese makers and chocolatiers. Drive and taste, drive and nibble, year-round. Fall brings bright foliage but all the seasons have great visuals from the car.

Beautiful Lakes; Beautiful Shopping

The Lakes Region of New Hampshire is a place of great natural beauty year-round. For people who want to or need to shop , the interior sights are grand, also. Visitors find excellent (and sales-tax-free) shopping at places like Tanger Outlets in Tilton, with 50 designer outlet stores, and, at the other end of the spectrum, antique shops in almost every town. A vast quilting store is Keepsake Quilting in Center Harbor, with its adjacent knitting supply store, Patternworks. Mill Falls Marketplace in Meredith, right at hand, has 14 shops (including a candy store, clothing stores, and a bookstore) in a historic mill. The Kellerhaus in Weirs Beach, is one of the few candy makers still making ribbon candy and candy canes onsite. Drop in to taste the homemade ice cream and make-your-own sundae.

Hanover Region Is Full of Interesting Things to See and Do

Hanover is home to Dartmouth College and it has a fun business district of good, casual dining and cool shopping for books, clothing, and art. If you love fine furnishings, Simon Pearce in Hanover designs elegant glassware, handcrafted by artisans. The old and respected League of New Hampshire Craftsmen has a retail gallery in Hanover. Saint Gaudens National Historical Site in Cornish will school you in the work of one of America’s greatest sculptors. Theater is live at the 800-seat, historic Lebanon Opera House in Lebanon. Regional artists display work at Gilded Edge, a gallery in Lebanon. The Enfield Shaker Museum in Enfield welcomes you to explore a society of people living a unique and low-tech way of life for hundreds of years.

History, Horticulture, and Hiking in One

The Fells at the John Hay National Wildlife Refuge was the summer retreat for Secretary of State John M. Hay, archaeologist Clarence Hay, and nature writer John Hay. The 164-acre estate at 456 Route 103A in Newbury includes a main house that is open to the public from Memorial Day to Columbus Day and hiking trails along Lake Sunapee that are open year-round. The big draw for visitors is the magnificent gardens: a 100-foot perennial border, a formal rose terrace, a Japanese water lily pool, and a walled secret garden. Phone: 603-763-4789.

Chocolates in Monadnock

Vacation is time for indulgence, and New Hampshire has a chocolate and martini road trip that can guide you through some fabulous flavors of both of these intoxicants. In the Mondanock region, a good place to start is the town of Walpole, home to L.A. Burdick Chocolate Shop and Café at 47 Main Street in Walpole. The cafe offers an extensive variety of pastries and drinks in a serene environment. It's also the location of Burdick’s chocolate and pastry production facility (603-756-2882). Also in Walpole, stop at Bellows House Bakery for one of its famous Whoopie Pies and other prize-winning baked goods (800-358-6302).

Small Engineering Gems

This region of New Hampshire is wealthy with covered bridges. We have a tender spot for the puckishly named Blow Me Down Bridge in Cornish. The most famous of the region’s bridges is the Cornish-Windsor Bridge, the longest wooden covered bridge in the United States. Shutterbugs: try the interesting viewing challenges on both the New Hampshire and Vermont ends of the bridge.

History Along a River Trail

New Hampshire Heritage Trail is a 230-mile walking trail across New Hampshire from Massachusetts to Canada. Plymouth’s portion of the Heritage Trail, a 5.6-mile loop with 16 points of interest, begins at the Railroad Depot, constructed in 1909 for the Boston and Maine Railroad. Other highlights are a cottage where Robert Frost lived while teaching at Plymouth Normal School and Silver Cultural Arts Center, once a stop on the underground railroad. Park at the Plymouth Regional Senior Center on Green Street. The trail begins north of the Senior Center, past the District Courthouse. Follow the brown Heritage Trail directional signs. 603- 536-1001.

Hannah’s Here to Help With Creative Shopping

Hannah Grimes Marketplace on Main Street in Keene is a education center and incubator for New Hampshire products, crafts, and artwork. For visitors, the Marketplace is a great place to browse for local foods, including maple syrup, children’s books, and luxuries from fancy shampoos to original art. Think about your gift shopping for the next several months, and go explore what Hannah has to offer. 603-352-6862.

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Monadnock

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White Mountains