New Hampshire Travel Guide

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Planning a Trip to New Hampshire

New Hampshire is one of my favorite states to visit during any season! The White Mountains are amazing for swimming & hiking in the summer, foliage in the fall and skiing/snowboarding in the winter. I have spent so much time in New Hampshire exploring the White Montains, the coast and the lakes region around Lake Winnipesaukee and I love them all!

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Disclaimer: This article contains some links where I earn commission through booking. There is no extra cost to you, and I only recommend things I’ve used and love or places I’ve stayed and enjoyed!

Best Towns to Visit in New Hampshire

North Conway

North Conway is one of my favorite places in the world. A small town nestled in the White Mountains, my family visits every year. Summers are great for rivers, lakes and hiking. Fall features some of New England’s premier foliage, winter turns North Conway into one of my favorite ski towns. This is my favorite New England trip in any season! Nearby picturesque towns like Jackson are also worth a visit!

North Conway Travel Guide

Portsmouth

One of my favorite New England coastal towns – classic brick buildings, boutique shops, tons of restaurants, bars & breweries. This is the perfect New England coastal town for a weekend getaway.

Portsmouth Travel Guide

Lake Winnipesaukee

I love the lakes region fo NH. Winnipesaukee is a massive lake in Southern NH, this area is so nice in the summer and an absolute postcard in the fall. Staying on the lake is a highlight, as is exploring by boat, but driving around this area is also beautiful.

Best Skiing in New Hampshire

New Hampshire has some of the best skiing on the east coast. There are tons of mountains to choose from, but some of my favorites are:

Attitash Mountain

Attitash is about 15 minutes north of North Conway and is one of my favorite moutains in New England. Lots of terrain, amazing White Mountain views. I highly recommend exploring both peaks. Skiing through the trails at the bottom of Bear Peak with the massive on mountain houses is one of my favorite things!

Bartlett, NH

https://www.attitash.com

Wildcat Mountain

Attitash’s sister moutnain Wildcat feels more remote and offers more challenging terrain. I love heading here when I want a more challenging day on the slopes.

Gorham, NH

https://www.skiwildcat.com/

Gunstock Mountain

I love Gunstock for so many reasons; the Winnipesaukee views, the close proximity to MA (making it an easy day trip) the picturesque mountain top panorama bar, the cozy lodge and so much more!

Gilford, NH

https://www.gunstock.com/

Waterville Valley

Waterville is massive and one of my favorite New England spots. The whole valley is a vibe, if you’re heading somewhere for multiple days on the slopes this is the perfect spot, and there’s tons of accommodations in this area.

Waterville, NH

https://www.waterville.com/

Bretton Woods

Mt Washington views say it all! This is one of the fanciest, but also nicest ski resorts in NH, and it’s next to one of the best hotels in New England, the OMNI Mt Washington Resort. If you’re looking to splurge for your ski getaway this is the spot.

https://www.brettonwoods.com/

Best Foliage New Hampshire

New Hampshire is home to some of New England’s premier foliage, it often gets overlooked by non-New Englanders for Vermont, but I may actually prefer NH (i mean they’re both stunning) the White Mountain region is just an absolute dream this time of year.

These areas are some of my favorites!

  • North Conway, NH – the town itself and the area around it is the absolute best.
  • Kancamagus highway – the infamous route through the White Moutains drive from North Conway –> Lincoln and make all the stops you won’t regret it!
  • Jackson – don’t skip this tiny town when you’re in North Conway, fall is an absolute dream here from the covered bridge to the local pumpkin peple displays, it’s such a fall vibe
  • Lake Winnipesaukee is the perfect area to roadtrip through for lake vibes + fall views. A fall boat day with foliage views is top tier
lower falls north conway fall
Canobie Lake Park NH
Canobie Lake Park

Best Amusement Parks in New Hampshire

New Hampshire punches well above its weight on amusement parks, and they are some of my favourite places in the state — I have been going to all four since I was a kid, and now go back with my sister’s three. They split neatly in two: a pair up in the White Mountains near North Conway, and a pair down by the Massachusetts border that are easy day trips from Boston.

Story Land, Glen

Small, fairy-tale themed and built for under-8s — a princess castle, swan boats, teacups and a pumpkin coach, plus the Polar Coaster and Dr. Geyser’s raft ride for the braver ones. It is ten minutes north of North Conway village and open from late May into late October. Tickets are much cheaper booked online in advance, and their Final 3 programme gets you in free for the last three hours of the day before your visit.

Santa’s Village, Jefferson

My family’s favourite, and the one with the widest age range — roughly 2 to 11. It is Christmas themed year round: visit Santa, feed real reindeer, go to Elf University, ride the elevated sleigh over the park. It is a fair drive up into the North Country from North Conway, so make a day of it. Best of all, it opens on weekends in November and December, when the whole place is covered in lights.

Canobie Lake Park, Salem

The biggest of the four and, I would argue, the most picturesque amusement park in New England — it sits right on Canobie Lake and the whole park benefits. Old-timey in the best way, with the Yankee Cannonball wooden coaster, bumper cars, an antique carousel and a genuinely excellent kiddie section, plus the Castaway Island water park. Fireworks over the lake on summer weekend nights, and Screeemfest through October. Tickets are online only and must be bought in advance.

Water Country, Portsmouth

New England’s largest water park, on the coast near Portsmouth. It has not changed hugely since the early 2000s and some of it could use an update, but it is still a very good and fairly affordable day out if your kids like slides — and the wave pool is the biggest in the region. Short season, early June to early September, and parking is charged on top of admission.

I have written all four up in detail — season dates, hours, ticket prices, which ages each one suits and what the food is like — in my guide to the best amusement parks in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire – Top Blog Posts