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Sightseeing - NH Statewide

Sightseeing is a big undertaking in New Hampshire, where attractions and explorations for families or adults range from cruises to mysterious islands off the coast of Portsmouth to gondola skyrides at the state’s ski areas to tours of caves and deep forests to the north and west of the state. If rainy weather intrudes on your outdoor fun, there are fun and even slightly wacky museums and rainy-day activities like indoor playgrounds and arcades and all kinds of adult and children’s museums.

Conway Scenic Railroad - Photo Credit NH Dept. of Travel & Tourism Dev. and Craig Harrison

Granite State Rail Bikes

15 Veterans Square Laconia, NH, 03246 Phone: 904-870-4273

Spectacular views of Lake Region from your four-seat, custom-made rail bike

From early May through late October, Granite State Rail Bikes provides unique views of New Hampshire’s spectacular Lakes Region — along railroad tracks that date back to 1848. From your four-seat rail bike, you’ll pedal along tracks that begin at the 1892 Laconia, NH Railroad Station. The 5-mile round trip goes through Belmont Woods; past the site of the former Laconia Car Company, which built rail cars from 1844 to 1928; over a trestle bridge crossing Winnipesaukee River and Durkee Brook; and along the shore of Lake Winnisquam, the state’s fourth largest lake. Enjoy breathtaking views and fresh air, with a rest step halfway through as your experienced guides spin the bikes around for the trip back home. The terrain is mainly flat, and you are able to go at your own pace.

Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad

154 Main Street Meredith, NH, 03253 Phone: 603-279-5253

Scenic railroad asks passengers to relax, sit back and marvel at the lakeshore scenery

Sit back and enjoy the scenery: That’s what the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad asks passengers to do when they book old-fashioned round-trip train excursions along the western shore of New Hampshire’s largest lake. Take the two-hour lake shore trip from the Meredith, NH station or a one-hour version from the satellite ticket booth on the historic boardwalk at Weirs Beach, NH. Enjoy panoramic vistas of the lake on one side of the train, with views of beautiful vacation homes from the other side. And mark your calendar for the Fall Foliage Specials: four-hour trips up and over the Ashland Summit, across the Ashland High Trestle, through a deer farm and a Christmas tree farm to a buffet lunch in Plymouth, NH, stopping on the way back at the restored railroad station in Ashland, NH.

Scenic RailRiders

188 Sewalls Falls Road Concord, NH, 03301 Phone: 603-931-1700

Take in the sights along the Merrimack River from the comfort of a two- or four-seat Rail-Bike

The scenery is lovely along the Merrimack River, and if you’re looking for a different way to take it all in, Scenic Railriders has the perfect solution: Ride the rails in a custom-built Rail-Bike. From the comfort of your two- or four-seat “bike,” you’ll travel along a beautiful stretch of abandoned railroad tracks from Concord to Boscawen, NH and back. The 6.2-mile trip, taken at a leisurely pedaling pace, meanders through woods, past farmland and over bridges. It’s a great way to take in the sights and get in some fresh air – and a little exercise! Guides at the front and back of the “bikes” will provide some history of the area, and there are two rest stops when the guides turn the caravan around. All ages are welcome.

Granite State Scenic Railway

64 Railroad Street Lincoln, NH, 03251 Phone: 603-745-2135

Picturesque vistas and, in the winter, Santa Claus are part of scenic railroad’s round-trip excursions

Beautiful all year long, the New Hampshire countryside is shown in all its colorful glory when you board the vintage cars on the Granite State Scenic Railway and embark on a fun, old-fashioned 80-minute round trip ride from Lincoln to Woodstock, NH and back again. The tracks, originally built in the 19th century by the Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad, take you along a natural woodsy setting along the banks of the Pemigewasset River. Along the way, you’ll see swimmers, kayakers and fishermen enjoying the river in the spring and summer and spectacular autumn colors through fall foliage season, when there’s also a special train to the New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival. When the snow falls, it’s time for the popular Santa Express trains where kids can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Aerial View - Mount Washington Auto Road - Gorham, NH

Mt. Washington Auto Road

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

See the grandeur of the mountains when you drive, hike or take a tour up this auto road

There’s regular sightseeing, and then there is sightseeing from the summit of the highest mountain peak in the Northeast. When you drive, hike or take a tour up the Mt. Washington Auto Road, you can expect to see vistas that will take your breath away as you look out over Great Gulf Wilderness and the Presidential Mountain Range. Visitors can take their own car (and earn the “This Car Climbed Mt. Washington” bumper sticker) or, on certain days, their ATV; join a two-hour guided tour; or hike. There are a number of scenic pull-offs along the way to take pictures. You can also reserve a spot in a sunrise or sunset tour. In the winter, the SnowCoach takes you to the tree line with awe-inspiring vistas.

Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train

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

Scenic views, sensational dining on board the vintage rail cars of this dinner train

The scenic vistas you’ll see through the windows of the Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train are perfectly complemented by the five-course gourmet meal you are served while traveling. The train, one of the nation’s premier dinner trains, features lovingly restored 1950s vintage rail cars, with elaborate woodworking, stained glass and brass throughout. Your two-hour trip takes you through the picturesque Pemigewasset River Valley, through the woods, over three trestle bridges and through the Jack-O-Lantern Golf Course and a Christmas tree farm before heading back to the North Woodstock station. In addition to the gorgeous views, you’ll enjoy a culinary delight, from creative appetizers to seasonally inspired entrees and luscious desserts. The train, which runs May to October, also offers a full bar.

Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee

Great North Woods

Lakes

Merrimack Valley

Monadnock

Seacoast