Mama Mystic's "All the Things" New Hampshire Tourist Guide
New Hampshire, dubbed "Vacationland," is a gem for moms, families, friends, groups, organizations, and individuals seeking beaches, forests, national parks, museums, outdoor sports, hiking, surfing, fishing, hunting, driving, entertainment, dining, arts, and culture. This guide provides a detailed exploration of seasonal activities, attractions, ticket rates, children's activities, holiday events, park activities, sporting events, conferences, major concert events, airport and transit information, lodging, traffic patterns, alternate transportation, food scene, renowned personalities, major cities, interstates, backroads, and outdoor pursuits.
Why Visit New Hampshire?
New Hampshire offers a blend of rugged natural beauty, historic charm, and modern amenities, making it ideal for diverse traveler groups. Its 18-mile Atlantic coastline, dense forests, and the White Mountains provide outdoor adventures, while cities like Portsmouth and Manchester offer cultural and dining experiences. Family-friendly attractions like zoos and riverboat rides, combined with seasonal events, ensure year-round appeal. However, summer crowds, winter weather, and event ticket availability may require strategic planning.
Beaches
New Hampshire's coastline, though short, features several beaches perfect for relaxation and water sports.
Hampton Beach: The largest and most popular, known for its lively boardwalk with amusement rides, shops, and dining. Ideal for families, it also supports surfing and fishing. Parking: $5–$10/day.
Rye Beach: Offers a quieter, serene environment with soft sand and calm waters, suitable for swimming and sunbathing. Free access.
Jenness State Beach: Located in Rye, it's great for surfers with medium-sized waves and families with tidal pools for kids. Admission: $4/adult, $2/child (6–11), from TripAdvisor.
Surfing is limited but possible at Jenness and Hampton, with conditions best in fall. Fishing is popular, with licenses starting at $16/year from NH Fish and Game.
Forests and National Parks
New Hampshire's forests and parks offer extensive outdoor opportunities.
White Mountain National Forest: Spanning over 750,000 acres, it includes hiking trails, camping, and scenic drives like the Kancamagus Highway. Free entry, managed by USFS.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail: A 161-mile section runs through New Hampshire, offering challenging hikes with breathtaking views. Free access, detailed at NPS.
Franconia Notch State Park: Features the Flume Gorge and Echo Lake, with hiking, swimming, and scenic views. Admission: $30/vehicle (7-day pass), from NH State Parks.
Museums
New Hampshire's museums cater to art, history, and science lovers.
Currier Museum of Art (Manchester): Features American and European art, including works by Andy Warhol and Picasso. Admission: $15/adult, free for kids under 18, from Currier Museum.
New Hampshire Historical Society (Concord): Showcases state history through exhibits. Admission: $10/adult, $5/child (6–17), from NH Historical Society.
Strawbery Banke Museum (Portsmouth): An outdoor history museum with restored homes from the 17th to 20th centuries. Admission: $25/adult, $15/child (6–17), from Strawbery Banke.
Children's museums like the Children's Museum of New Hampshire (Dover) offer interactive exhibits, with admission at $15/adult, from Children's Museum NH.
Outdoor Sports
New Hampshire is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.
Hiking: Trails range from easy to expert, including Mount Major (moderate, 2.5 miles) and Franconia Ridge Loop (strenuous, 9 miles). Details at AllTrails.
Fishing: Lakes like Winnipesaukee and Squam are stocked with trout and bass. Licenses start at $16/year, available at NH Fish and Game.
Hunting: Seasons include deer (October–November), turkey (March–May), and moose (September–October). Licenses vary ($25–$100), from NH Fish and Game.
Driving and Scenic Routes
New Hampshire's roads offer scenic drives through diverse landscapes.
Kancamagus Highway (NH Route 112): A 34.5-mile stretch through White Mountain National Forest, famous for fall foliage. Free access, from Visit NH.
Coastal Byway (NH Route 1A): Runs along the Atlantic coast, passing through historic towns like Portsmouth and Rye. Free access.
Mount Washington Auto Road: Drive to the summit for panoramic views. Fee: $35/vehicle, from Mount Washington Auto Road.
Entertainment and Dining
New Hampshire's food scene is diverse, with both new and established eateries.
The Foundry Restaurant (Manchester): Farm-to-table with seasonal menus. Price: Moderate, from The Foundry.
Giuseppe's Pizzeria & Ristorante (Meredith): Authentic Italian, known for pizza and pasta. Price: Moderate, from OpenTable.
Entertainment: Theaters like Capitol Center for the Arts (Concord) and Colonial Theatre (Keene) host live performances, with tickets from $35–$100, from Capitol Center and Colonial Theatre.
Local specialties include lobster rolls, clam chowder, and maple syrup, with new eateries like Cheese Louise (grilled cheese) and established spots like Polly’s Pancake Parlor (breakfast).
Arts and Culture
New Hampshire's arts scene thrives in communities large and small.
Portsmouth: Features galleries like the Prescott Park Arts Festival and theaters like the Music Hall, with events year-round, from Go Portsmouth NH.
Concord: Hosts events at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage, with performances and festivals, from Visit NH.
Events: Look for the New Hampshire Highland Games (June) or Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra concerts, with tickets from Eventbrite.
Seasonal Activities
New Hampshire's seasons offer unique experiences.
Spring: Maple sugaring tours (March–April, free–$10) and flower festivals, from Visit NH.
Summer: Beach days, lake activities, and outdoor concerts like the Hampton Beach Seashell Stage (free, June–August), from Hampton Beach.
Fall: Scenic drives for foliage viewing, especially along the Kancamagus Highway, and fall festivals like the Fryeburg Fair (October, $12–$15), from Visit NH.
Winter: Skiing at Loon Mountain ($40–$80/day) or snowshoeing in state parks, from Loon Mountain.
Children's Activities
Families will find plenty of kid-friendly options.
Zoo: New Hampshire Wildlife Center (Weare) offers animal encounters and educational programs. Admission: $10/adult, $5/child, from NH Wildlife Center.
Riverboat Rides: Cruise Lake Winnipesaukee on the M/S Mount Washington ($40/adult, $20/child) or the Piscataqua River, from M/S Mount Washington.
Other Activities: Children's Museum of New Hampshire (Dover, $15/adult) and Story Land (Glen, $45/adult), from Children's Museum NH and Story Land.
Holiday Activities
New Hampshire celebrates holidays with festive events.
Christmas at Strawbery Banke (Portsmouth): Historic holiday celebration with decorations and activities. Dates: December, admission $25/adult, from Strawbery Banke.
Winter Lights at the Mount Washington Hotel (Bretton Woods): Dazzling light display. Dates: November–January, free entry, from Mount Washington Hotel.
Fourth of July Fireworks: Enjoy fireworks at Hampton Beach or other locations. Date: July 4th, free, from Visit NH.
Local, State, and National Park Activities
Parks offer a range of outdoor adventures.
Franconia Notch State Park: Hiking, swimming, and scenic views. Admission: $30/vehicle (7-day pass), from NH State Parks.
Mount Washington State Park: Summit views via cog railway ($75/adult, $45/child) or hiking. Admission: $35/vehicle (Auto Road), from Mount Washington Cog Railway.
White Mountain National Forest: Hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. Free entry, from USFS.
Sporting Events and Conferences
For up-to-date information, check local listings or Visit NH. Major events include:
Lakes Region Triathlon (June): A popular triathlon event, tickets from $50–$100, from Eventbrite.
New Hampshire Highland Games (June): Features athletic competitions and cultural activities, free entry, from NH Highland Games.
Major Concert Events (June 2025–March 2026)
Concert schedules are subject to change; check Ticketmaster or local venues for updates. Popular venues include:
Bank of New Hampshire Stage (Concord): Hosts acts like Noah Kahan (June 28, 2025, $60–$150).
Colonial Theatre (Keene): Features performances like The Lumineers (July 19, 2025, $50–$120).
Airport and Transit Information
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT): Primary airport, 5 miles from downtown Manchester, served by American, Southwest, and others, from Fly Manchester.
Transit: Buses like Concord Coach Lines connect to Boston ($15–$40), from Concord Coach. Local transit includes Manchester Transit Authority.
Lodging
New Hampshire offers luxury and business-class accommodations.
Wentworth by the Sea (New Castle): Historic luxury hotel with ocean views. Rates: $300–$500/night, from Wentworth by the Sea.
Bedford Village Inn (Bedford): Boutique hotel with elegant rooms and fine dining. Rates: $200–$400/night, from Bedford Village Inn.
The Inn at Manchester (Manchester): Business-friendly with modern amenities. Rates: $150–$250/night, from The Inn at Manchester.
Traffic Patterns
Peak Hours: 7–9 AM and 4–6 PM on weekdays, especially in Manchester and Portsmouth, from New England 511.
Tips: Use New England 511 for real-time updates and consider alternate routes during busy times.
Alternate Transportation
Bikes: Rent from shops like Cycles Etc (Manchester) or Nashua, from Cycles Etc. Rates: $2–$5/ride.
Trolleys: Seasonal trolley tours available, like Portsmouth Trolley Tour ($25/adult), from Go Portsmouth NH.
Food Scene
New Hampshire's dining options range from casual to upscale, with local specialties like lobster rolls and maple syrup.
New Eateries: Cheese Louise (grilled cheese, multiple locations, $10–$20), from Cheese Louise.
Established Eateries: Polly’s Pancake Parlor (Sugar Hill, breakfast, $10–$15), from Polly’s Pancake Parlor.
Local Specialties: Try lobster rolls, clam chowder, and maple syrup dishes, from Roadfood.
Renowned Personalities
New Hampshire has been home to many notable figures.
Alan Shepard: Astronaut, first American in space, born in Derry, from NH Almanac.
Robert Frost: Renowned poet, lived in Franconia, from NH Almanac.
Adam Sandler: Comedian and actor, raised in Manchester, from New England Explorer.
Major Cities and Attractions
Manchester: Largest city, known for the Currier Museum of Art, dining, and cultural events, from Visit NH.
Portsmouth: Historic seaport with cobblestone streets, galleries, and waterfront views, from Go Portsmouth NH.
Concord: State capital, offering museums like the New Hampshire Historical Society and outdoor activities, from Visit NH.
Major Interstates and Backroads
Interstates: I-93 (north-south), I-95 (coastal), I-89 (central), from NH DOT.
Backroads: Kancamagus Highway (NH Route 112) for mountain views; Coastal Byway (NH Route 1A) for oceanfront drives, from Visit NH.
Lake, Hiking, and Outdoor Activities
Lakes: Lake Winnipesaukee (largest, boating, fishing), Squam Lake (scenic), White Lake (swimming), from Visit NH.
Hiking: Mount Major Trail (moderate, 2.5 miles), Franconia Ridge Loop (strenuous, 9 miles), from AllTrails.
Other Activities: Kayaking, canoeing, and fishing are popular, with rentals at state parks, from NH State Parks.
Potential Barriers and Strategies
Barrier: Limited beach access and surfing opportunities due to the short coastline.
Strategy: Plan day trips to nearby Massachusetts or Maine for additional beach options; focus on lakes for water activities like kayaking.
Evaluation: Monitor visitor feedback on TripAdvisor for crowd levels and adjust plans based on accessibility and enjoyment.
Barrier: Traffic congestion during peak hours, especially in urban areas like Manchester.
Strategy: Use public transit like Concord Coach Lines or bike rentals; schedule activities outside rush hours (7–9 AM, 4–6 PM).
Evaluation: Track travel times using New England 511 for real-time updates and adjust routes to avoid delays, gathering feedback on travel efficiency.
Barrier: Limited ticket availability for concerts and festivals, given the need for updates from local sources.
Strategy: Book early through Ticketmaster or set alerts on Eventbrite; check Visit NH for event calendars.
Evaluation: Confirm ticket purchases and assess satisfaction via reviews on TripAdvisor, monitoring feedback to ensure event enjoyment and plan future visits.
Key Citations