Just north of Boston and straddling the state border with Vermont, New Hampshire is an absolute gem to visit while in the United States. Don’t be fooled by its size—it might not be the biggest state, but there are heaps of the best places in New Hampshire to visit across this stunning East Coast gem.
What makes New Hampshire notable (for me, at least) is that it’s the perfect state to visit on a road trip. You’ll get a little taste of the state’s cities and delve deeper into the more rural areas and parks that make New Hampshire so special.
So, to help you along your way, I’m sharing our top places in New Hampshire that you can’t miss when you visit. Oh, and as always, message us if you need any other tips on your route or trip. We love New Hampshire!
1.) Mount Washington Cog Railway
The Mount Washington Cog Railway is about a 90-minute drive north of Concord. It’s incredible to experience, and not just for the historic stopping point at the Mount Washington Observatory. The train journey climbs steeply up the mountainside. This is one of those experiences that’s just as much about the journey as it is about the destination.
Best of all, there’s a friendly conductor onboard who seems to know everything and anything about New Hampshire.
Now, I would say that it’s best to book your tickets on the railway’s website before taking the train. Spaces are limited, and the carriages can easily fill up at peak times.
Once you arrive, you’ll board the incredible train and experience this historic journey up to Mount Washington. The visit will take around 3 hours, so it’s an excellent activity for a half-day trip while exploring the broader region in New Hampshire.
2.) Franconia Notch State Park
Not too far from the Mount Washington Cog Railway, Franconia Notch State Park is one of the best places in New Hampshire to visit if you love the great outdoors. What makes this state park so special is that it’s totally untouched—the landscape hasn’t changed here for thousands of years.
Once here, join the ‘falling waters trail’ (Google Maps link to trailhead) that will stop off at some iconic spots like Cloudland Falls along the way. If you’re looking for a longer trek, join the Basin Cascade Trail (Google Maps link to trailhead) that follows part of the Pemigewasset River. It’s beautiful.
Oh, and don’t forget to stop off at Artist’s Bluff Lookout. It offers fantastic views over Echo Lake and is totally stunning on a warmer summer’s day.
Also, if you’ve got time (or plan to spend a few days here in Franconia Notch State Park, then make your way towards the Flume Gorge and Franconia Notch. The former can be accessed via the trail from the Flume Gorge Visitor Centre.
We loved the region, and it’s easily one of the best places in New Hampshire to visit at any time of year—even in winter! You can even stop off at Cannon Mountain Ski Resort if you visit in the chillier winter months.
Read more: Best places in Maine to visit
3.) Portsmouth
Hugging the state border with Maine, Portsmouth is a coastal town that’s actually stunning to visit. It’s quaint, very ‘East Coast’ (if that makes sense), and has heaps of charm.
Once here, visit the Seacoast Repertory Theatre for an evening show. It’s only a small venue, but it is so charming. We absolutely love the space. So, check what’s playing when you’re visiting Portsmouth.
Oh, and grab a bite to eat at The Oar House. It’s right on the harbour front, and their crispy polenta and fresh East Coast oysters are amazing. Naturally, we popped loads of hot sauce and horseradish on them. Yum!
Finally, make sure to stop by the Strawbery Banke Museum. In the 1600s, the first European settlers gave Portsmouth the name Strawberry Banke.
Today, you can head inside the Strawbery Banke Museum at 454 Court Street. It covers up to 10 acres of land and features houses from 400 years of the 400-year-old port neighbourhood. Some properties have been furnished and restored to display how life was in various eras, and it’s so interesting to wander around. We loved it here.
Read more: Best places in Maine to visit
4.) Monadnock
East of Keene, Mt. Monadnock is the world’s most climbed mountain, and with good reason! The views are incredible, and there are heaps of trails to the top of Mt. Monadnock. Best of all, the hike isn’t quite as hard as you might think. It’s certainly not for those with limited mobility, but if you are relatively adept at hiking, you’ll find the trails quite manageable here.
Now, some parts of the trails require a bit of scrambling up rocky outlays. This can be tough on your ankles, so make sure to wear good hiking shoes.
We loved the White Dot Trail, which starts at the Monadnock State Park Visitor Centre (this is the Google Maps link to the trailhead).
5.) Peterborough
A relatively small town in New Hampshire, Peterborough is well worth stopping by for a few hours whilst driving through the wider region. Also, it’s one of the best places in New Hampshire for breakfast – well, in my opinion.
You see, you have Peterborough Diner, which is not only totally delicious but also so quaint. The diner is within a 1950s cart, and it feels like you’ve gone back in time. Make sure to try the buttermilk pancakes or crunchy French toast. Both are so good!
Afterwards, head to Toadstool Bookshops, a quaint little shop filled with all manner of books. If you’re something of a bookworm, you’ll love it here.
6.) Hampton Beach State Park
Around a 10-mile car ride from Portsmouth, Hampton Beach State Park is a must-visit. It’s one of my favourite places in New Hampshire to visit if you want a day at the seaside.
The beach at Hampton is absolutely huge, sandy, and wonderful. Although it can get busy, there is enough room for everyone along the stretches of sand here.
The shallow waters make the waves relatively small in New Hampshire. However, be aware and listen to local advice and lifeguard information on when (and when not) to enter the water. Riptides and all manner of currents can occur on beaches on the East Coast.
Whilst at the beach, head into the streets nearby and grab lunch at The Goat. Their chicken and waffles are out-of-this-world!
7.) North Conway
Not too far from the Maine state border, North Conway is an area of New Hampshire that is well worth a stop while driving across the state. Not only that, but there are a fair few hotels in North Conway, making it a great ‘anchor’ for day trips around this state area.
After arriving, check out the North Conway Scenic Railway, which you can ride. Now, I would say it’s best to check what days the train runs. Typically, you see many weekend trip options, but there are some weekday options at certain times. Oh, and book your tickets in advance on the train’s website. It’s so worth it and unique.
Stop off at Story Land if you’re visiting New Hampshire with the broader family. It’s open in the warmer summer months and is a perfect place for all the family to have fun. We loved the bamboo chutes (log flume) and Moo Lagoon, a waterpark for younger children. You’ll have heaps of fun!
Read more: Best places in Maine to visit
8.) Concord
Another great little town to visit in New Hampshire is Concord. Just like Peterborough, it can act as an anchor to explore the wider region and is the perfect stopping point for a good hotel (Hotel Concord is our favourite) and some chill time (if you’re fed up with driving).
As you explore the wider area, make sure to hop on the Scenic RailRiders at nearby Penacook. Here, you can peddle your way along historic train tracks over about 2 hours, taking in about 6 miles of tracks. It’s actually incredible and one of the most unique things you can do on the East Coast, in my opinion.
Again, like most things, book in advance as there are limited spaces for the daily rides.
9.) North Conway and Mt. Washington Valley Ski Resorts
If you’re visiting New Hampshire in the colder winter months, make the most of the excellent pistes and ski runs dotted around the state.
If that sounds like fun to you, hop on over to Cannon Mountain Ski Resort. It’s one of the largest ski resort areas in New Hampshire and has runs for all abilities. Not only that, but it’s also considered to be one of the very first ski resorts in the US, and it still remains a top ski destination in the whole of the United States.
New Hampshire is a perfect state for ski lovers and novices, or anyone who wants to join the fun on the slopes. Just make sure to wrap up warm.
10.) Manchester
North of Boston, in Massachusetts, Manchester is an effortless city to visit as you venture north through New Hampshire. Plus, it’s one of the best places in New Hampshire to visit if you want more of a city break.
Once here, make sure to stop off at the Currier Museum of Art and Zimmerman House. It has a whopping 11,000 pieces and works covering different aspects of art from modern day, to centuries gone by. Visits will take around 60 minutes and a perfect stopping point for a morning explore.
Also, don’t forget to pop into Cotton Restaurant for lunch. Their seared scallops are so good.
11.) Crawford Notch State Park
Crawford Notch State Park is another epic spot to explore the great outdoors in New Hampshire. It’s colossal and filled with heaps of trails, scenic driveways, and spots like that Willey House. It’s easily one of the best places in New Hampshire for a much bigger road trip (from, say, Boston to Montreal, which is great, by the way).
Now, there are far too many trails and walks to detail right here, but one of our favourites is the Webster Cliff trail and the Appalachian Trail, which will take you past points like Ethan Pond and Zeeland Notch. By the way, it’s colossal, so don’t expect to complete it. Please take it in bite-sized chunks and set a time you want to hike.
Read more: Best places in the northeast of the USA to visit
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