Where to Go In New Hampshire

New Hampshire is a small, New England state that might go a bit under the radar when you’re making travel plans. It’s bordered by Massachusetts to the South, and Vermont the west, and while it is pretty tiny based on land area, it has a lot to offer visitors.

New Hampshire offers a lot to travelers regarding outdoor activities and natural beauty in particular. It’s a great state to go to if you want to rent an RV from Outdoorsy, and take your time meandering around. You can cover a lot of the state relatively quickly, but you certainly won’t be bored, especially if you love the outdoors.

The following are some places you can plan on driving to if you’re going to be taking a New Hampshire RV trip, or you have the chance to pass through the state.

Strawbery Banke

Strawbery Banke is a historic settlement dating back to 1623, now known as Portsmouth. Visiting here you’ll find the Strawbery Banke Museum, which is a living history museum. There are a tavern from 1770, historically accurate gardens, and if you visit in December, there are candlelight tours.

Kancamagus Highway

When you’re traveling by RV, you’ll certainly want to go where the road takes you on Kancamagus Highway, running from Lincoln to Conway. This road, also called just the Kanc, is a stretch of highway running along Route 112. It totals less than 35 miles, and it’s particularly beautiful during the fall when the foliage is at its peak.

As you’re driving along the Kanc, you’ll likely notice it’s not crowded with gas stations, stores, hotels or restaurants. Instead, there are just plenty of campgrounds, places to swim, and you get stunning views of the White Mountains.

Isles of Shoals

A lot of people forget New Hampshire has some rocky coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. Isles of Shoals is an example of the rugged beauty of the New Hampshire coastal areas. Isles of Shoals is made up of nine isles, and they’re off the coasts of New Hampshire as well as Maine.

No one lives at the Shoals year-round, but there are some summer houses, and also the Oceanic Hotel.

Visitors can travel to the Shoals by excursion boat, and they can learn more about the history along the way. There are whale watching outings, and harbor tours to see the lighthouses.

The Lakes Region

The Lakes Region is located in the middle area of New Hampshire, and it surrounds Lake Winnipesaukee, Winnisquam Lake, Squam Lake, and Newfound Lake. The Lakes Region is in Belknap County, as well as portions of other counties including Carroll and Strafford Counties.

The area is especially popular in the summer months, and it’s home to the well-known yearly Motorcycle Week event.

Franconia Notch State Park

Franconia Notch State Park is in the White Mountains of northern New Hampshire. The park runs eight miles, and points of interest include Flume Gorge, Echo Lake, and Profile Lake. The northern part of Franconia Notch State Park is in Franconia, and the southern part is in Lincoln.

The park is also where visitors will find Cannon Mountain, which is a state-owned ski resort, and one of the most challenging ski hills in New England. It features a year-round aerial tram, so visitors can enjoy the scenery in summer or winter. At the base of the tramway is the New England Ski Museum.

Hanover

Hanover is a small town in the Upper Valley, which is set along the Connecticut River. Hanover is home to Dartmouth College, and it’s also where you’ll find the Hood Museum and the Vins Nature Center. Also in Hanover is the Montshire Museum of Science, and it’s close to skiing and hiking.

Mount Washington State Park

Mount Washington State Park is just over 60 acres, and it features the highest peak in the northeast. All around the soaring peak is the White Mountain National Forest. If you’re visiting on a clear day, you’ll be able to see to Vermont, New York, Quebec and the Atlantic Ocean. The summit is nearly 6,300 feet.

There are backcountry trails like Cascade Brook, Lonesome Lake, and Nineteen Mile Brooke. However the area is subject to pretty extreme weather, so check ahead before planning to go to Mount Washington.

Finally, another good scenic drive is the New Hampshire 153. It’s a very New England-style, curving, two-lane road that takes you 36 miles. This drive begins in Sabornville and continues to Conway, which is considered the “gateway” of the White Mountains.

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