New Hampshire hold a special amount of attraction in an outdoor environment. Because of it’s geographical location, there are plenty of mountains, rivers, caves and hills to discover. Skiing is very popular here during the winter, while leaf peeping and hiking draw in a large amount of tourism during the colorful months of autumn.

    Cannon Mountain and Franconia Notch are two of the most popular mountain areas in NH. Franconia Notch is most well known for the rock ledge "Old Man In The Mountain", the symbol most associated with New Hampshire. Along with that, there is also a flume gorge, which is a natural gorge 800ft long at the foot of Mt. Liberty. There is also a beach on a beautiful lake, an aerial tram, and biking and rollerbladeing paths throughout the mountain. 

    Attitash Bear Peak is a mountain, but more so a resort. There is a large hotel, a water park, in-ground pools, opportunities to horseback ride, bike, or take a chair-lift to the top of the mountain for a breathtaking view. The opportunities for family vacations in New Hampshire are amazing. 

    Loon Mountain offers much of the same family attractions as Cannon and Attitash; Skiing during the cold, snowy New Hampshire winters, and beautiful hiking trails, Gondola skyrides, and a water park during the summer. The park, called The Whale’s Tale, is one of the premier water parks in NH. It includes activities for all ages; a wave pool and speed slides for older children and adults, and an activity pool, and family tube slides for smaller children and families. The Wales Tale is one of the many water parks in New Hampshire. 

    One of the most famous mines in the world is located in Grafton, NH. Ruggles Mine is on top of Isinglass Mountain, and is one of the most beautiful mines looking down over Mt. Kearsage, and Ragged Mountain. You can see for miles from the top. Inside, there are man made canyons, full of feldspar and quartz. Over 150 different kinds of minerals can be found in this mine, and you can collect them! 

    The Polar Caves in Plymouth are glacier formed caves, passages, and tunnels that you can walk through and explore. There is also a petting zoo, with dear and ducks, and many wooded paths and covered bridges to discover and enjoy. 

    Lost River, in Kinsman Notch, North Woodstock, is a beautiful example of what weather and water can do to create beautiful places in nature. Follow lost river on a boardwalk, in and out of ground, through large boulders that look like they don’t belong. The path leads you through caves and caverns. There is also a Nature Garden, and Ecology trail, and a historical display. Something for everyone. 

    If you love the outdoors, but the mountains aren’t your thing, there is always the seacoast. New Hampshire has eighteen miles of beautiful shoreline, studded with shops, places to stay, and exciting things to do. Portsmouth is one of the best known seacoast areas in the state. Aside from the beaches, there are great ship harbors, large shopping areas, and many places to eat and enjoy the beauty of NH. Hampton beach, south of Portsmouth has a large ballroom, hosting many bands a year, a children’s playground, and also hosts many festivals annually. In the middle of June, there is a week day long celebration called Hampton "Happy Daze" where there are sales on merchandise, discounts on food and lodging, and special entertainment. The price-free Children’s Festival in Mid-August gives an opportunity for children to enjoy the beach, and five days of children oriented activities. Early September brings the Seafood Festival. 

    The Granite State also offers many different cruise opportunities. On the ocean, there is the Isles of Shoals Steamship Company, which offers a cruse leaving from Portsmouth that explores some of New England’s largest estuaries, and hundreds of years of history in manufacturing ecology, and industry. Out of Rye Harbor, NH, there is Granite State Whale Watch. They operate the only U.S. Coast Guard Certified vessel at Rye Harbor whose exclusive activity is Whale Watching, Education, and Research. If you’re not interested so much in the ocean, there is a cruise in Lake Winnipesaukee, on the M/S Mount Washington. There is at least one cruise every day, with different occasions for each. There are dance parties on Wednesday nights, Lobster festivals, and 70’s dances. The average price per ticket is $37. 

    This state holds a wealth of entertainment for families and young children that don’t want to take vacations, but instead, day trips. There is a plethora of things to do here for small children and adults alike. Santa’s Village in Jefferson, NH, which has been open for nearly fifty years. It is a great place with games, magic shows, rides, a train, and fun decorations, that make it feel like winter all year around. The tall snow men statues are sure to cool you down on a warm summer day. 

    For the excitement of animals, old cars, fun games, and spooky train rides, there is Clark’s Trading Post, Lincoln. A parade of specially trained bears put on a delightful show, and the history and construction of the White Mountain Central RR is all around. 

    Story Land, Glen, is aimed at an even younger crowd, but still manages to entice young and old alike. Story Land is a park made up entirely of fairy tails. There are over sixteen rides, and shows and games all day. This park lets children become interactive with their favorite stories, by sitting in The Old Lady’s Shoe, milking Jack’s cow, or sitting on Humpty Dumpty’s wall. 

    For a more educational day trip, there is The Children’s Museum of Portsmouth. Here, children and adults can play with interactive experiments, learn about other cultures, and even command a space shuttle or a submarine. There is an art gallery for exploring and creating, exploration with magnets, computers, and puppets. 

    There are also many different kind of attractions for adults. New England Dragway is opened from April to October, featuring different kinds of races all year; Funny Cars, 50’s automobiles, hot rod reunions, and jet racing. It is located in Epping NH. Another attraction all is Canobie Lake Park, in Salem, NH. It was first opened in 1902, and since then, has been dubbed "One of the most beautiful amusement parks in the United States". Canobie Lake Park features a ferry, a miniature train, many different types of animals, four roller coasters, and a water rides. There are also many dance shows, bands, and other entertainment available, free, inside the park. There are restaurants, snack stands, and games for all ages. There is even a section of rides just for younger visitors. 

    Historically, NH is rich. Many famous people have been born here, many others have lived here, and many special events have occurred here. The birthplace of Daniel Webster, a past president of the United States, along with a historical museum of his life can be visited in Franklin, NH. Also, the world known poet, Robert Frost’s farm can be visited in Derry, NH, along with acres and acres of wood trails. The exploration of these places is one of the most interesting and fulfilling parts of visiting this state. 

    The Museum of New Hampshire History, located in Concord, holds so much information about this state. Starting with sitting in a Native American wigwam and listening to an Indian story teller, this Museum takes you slowly back through time, visiting the famous Concord Stagecoach, looking at the insides of a Victorian parlor, and ending up with a wealth of discovered knowledge about New Hampshire. 

    The Wright Museum, in Wolfeboro, NH, showcases America at war from the years 1939-1945, World War Two. Though this museum does not center on NH history, it holds many different and exciting pieces of memorabilia from the time period, including tanks, cars, furniture, and old war stamps and bonds. There are also many recreated scenes with authentic uniforms and equipment. The staff are all knowledgeable people, able to answer questions. 

    Heritage New Hampshire, in Glen, is an interactive "Time Travel Museum". Families are lead through 350 years of the history of NH, where they can explore the geography, people, culture, and government. The atmosphere of this museum makes you feel as if you are actually moving throughout time with the historical figures, and actually experiencing the events. This not only makes learning easier, but fun.

    Portsmouth is not only one of the most popular tourist attractions in NH, it is also one of the most historically rich areas. Visiting Portsmouth means visiting a wonder area to learn things, and be exposed to the wonders of early New Hampshire. The Portsmouth Harbour Trail leads walkers thorough the major historical district in the town. Starting in Market Square, it goes through downtown, along the waterfront, and the residential South End. In the center of the trail is a museum called Strawberry Banke. This museum is not like many others; it is an entire neighborhood of old homes that you can walk around and discover, a barrel maker’s shop, a person shoeing horses, and everyone there is dressed in period costume. There are beautiful gardens and old style shops. Everyone there knows their local history, and is more than willing to answer questions, or lead tours through the homes. 


    For a little bit of history, and a little bit of fun, NH has many trains and railways to offer. The Cog Railway, on top of Mount Washington, is the World’s first mountain climbing cog railway. The Cog Railway’s train is the only one remaining in the world still powered one hundred percent by steam. There is also a train at Clark’s Trading Post; a woodburning locomotive carries you along the Pemigewasset River, and through a scenic 1904 covered bridge. The Conway Scenic Railroad features two trips; on the Valley Train, you’ll enjoy an hour long scenic trip through the Mt. Washington countryside, or a nearly two hour long trip, with a more laid back pace, and more to see and do.

    New Hampshire has much to offer to the tourist, and his family. With overall scenic beauty, exciting parks, and adventurous mountains, it is the perfect place to vacation, in any season.