Top 10 Things To Do in New Hampshire

Continuing our series of blog posts celebrating everything Northern New England has to offer.


top things to do in new hampshireOur technical consulting company may be based in Maine, but we serve all of Northern New England. At this point, you may be thinking, “Wait a second. What actually constitutes Northern New England? Isn’t it just Maine?” Well, while Maine is part of Northern New England, it doesn’t make up the region alone. New Hampshire has a place here as well!  

This series of blog post celebrates everything Northern New England, and today we’re going to give New Hampshire a little love. Two weeks ago, we wrote a blog post about the “Top 10 Things to Do in Maine.” Today, it’s New Hampshire’s turn. This blog post, “Top 10 Things to Do in New Hampshire,” will show you just how much New Hampshire has to offer.


Top 10 Things to Do in New Hampshire

1. Check Out The Kancamagus Highway

 What 34 mile stretch of wooded road has more than a million people visit each year? The Kancamagus Highway! Created in 1959, this road runs East-West through the White Mountain National Forest. A popular destination for fall foliage viewing, this American Scenic Byway has something for everyone. If you’re into outdoor exploration, there are easily accessible hiking trails and swimming holes. If you’d rather just go for a quiet, winding drive, you’re also in the right spot.


2. Canobie Lake Park

Thrill seeker? Check out Canobie Lake Park! An amusement park located in Salem, NH, it has roots as an early 1900s pleasure resort for those traveling on trolley lines. Today, Canobie has been transformed into a full-fledged amusement park. They have over 85 rides as well as games and live entertainment. Indulge your inner kid!


3. Visit  Mt. Washington

At 6,288 ft tall, Mt. Washington is the highest peak in the Northeast. There are three ways you can summit this part of the Presidential Range of the White Mountains. If you’re feeling limber, you can hike the mountain. If that seems daunting, don’t worry! You can either drive your car or take the Mount Washington Cog Railway to the summit! From the peak, you’ll have spectacular views that you don’t want to miss!


4. Take a tour of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery

Love beer? Interested in seeing how it’s made? If so, take a complimentary tour of the Anheuser-Bush Brewery in Merrimack! You’ll learn how they brew and package Budweiser and even get to meet their famous Clydesdales! At the end of the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to taste some of their products. For the beer enthusiast, this makes for a great day trip!

 

5. Lost River Gorge

Boardwalks, caves, ecology trails. The Lost River Gorge has it all! As with many other New Hampshire sites, this place allows for different levels of activity. You can follow the meandering gorge on the ¾ mile boardwalk and explore caves that are lit by lanterns. If you’re feeling brave, you can squeeze into some of the tighter caves or climb up Dilly Cliff. One of the best things about Lost River Gorge? The boardwalk makes nature easily accessible to young families.


6. Mt. Washington Hotel

Want to take a luxurious weekend away? Consider the Mt. Washington Hotel. Located in Bretton Woods, the hotel has been a hotspot for the wealthy and famous (Read: presidents, poets, celebrities) since it opened in 1902. Though the hotel has seen many changes in the past 110 years, it still serves as a luxury retreat. Their fine dining, resort activities (fishing, hiking, horseback riding), spa, and Mt. Washington golf course make this “National Register of Historic Places” landmark the perfect place to get away from it all.


7. Zip lining at Bretton Woods

Learn about the history of the White Mountain area? Sure, why not? Learning about these things while zip lining? Ah, yes please! Take a 3.5 hour zip line canopy tour of the Bretton Woods area. The 9 zip lines that make the route are linked by suspension bridges and hiking trails. You’ll get spectacular views, as well as a memory you won’t forget.


8. Hampton Beach

15 miles south of Portsmouth, you’ll find the busiest beach in New Hampshire. Part of this popularity may come from its water quality; Hampton Beach was named 1 of 4 “Superstar Beaches” in 2011 for having flawless water quality results. Although known primarily for its beach, Hampton offers more than that. Along the main street, you’ll find a boardwalk with shops and local businesses as well as the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom. The Ballroom serves as the venue where many national musical acts play during the summer months.


9. Eat at The Friendly Toast

Breakfast. They say that it’s the most important meal of the day. And, if it’s really that important, you should only be eating the best-of-the-best, no? If you eat at “The Friendly Toast” you’ll be doing just that. Esquire Magazine, Good Morning America, and Man vs. Food have all visited this place and deemed it the “best breakfast in America.” While there are two locations, one being in Cambridge, MA, the other is right in Portsmouth, NH. Best Breakfast in America? You need to check that out. Your taste buds are begging you.


10. Ski at Attitash

Attitash. Unique name, huh? To the Abenaki Native Americans, it means blueberry. For skiing enthusiasts, it means fun. With 69 trails between 2 different mountains, this location has become a must ski for East Coast skiers. In fact, SKI Magazine has ranked Attitash as one of the East’s top 10 ski resorts. They’re known for their outstanding customer service, so we’re sure you won’t be disappointed.

 

So what do you think? Are these ten of the top things to do in New Hampshire? Are there others that are higher on your list? Let us know in the comments section below, or join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

 

 

Thanks to InAweofGod’sCreation for the use of their photograph.