Traveling Around New Hampshire

Mt. Washington Cog Railway is the easiest way to get to the top of Mount Washington which is the highest elevation in the northern Appalachians. This was the first cog railway of its kind in the world back in 1869. At the top you’ll find the Sherman Adams Visitors Center with a small museum, a cafeteria, and the Mount Washington Observatory. This research station studies extreme weather conditions. From the Pinkham Notch side of the mountain you can drive up the six-and-a-quarter-mile-long Mount Washington Auto Road or ride a van operated from Great Glen Trails. Those who want to climb have a choice of several trails.

The Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway was the first aerial tramway in North America. It carried the first passengers to the summit high above Franconia Notch in 1938. From the top on a clear day you can see New Hampshire’s Presidential Range and the mountains in Vermont, New York, and Canada. Take the Rim Trail to the observation tower from where you can get fantastic views all around and straight down into the floor of the notch. A notch is a pass that was carved through the mountain range by retreating glaciers and Franconia is one of the biggest notches in the White Mountains.

In Franconia Notch State Park you’ll find Flume Gorge which is an 800-foot-long crack in the rock at the base of Mount Liberty. Its walls rise 70 to 80 feet above the brook flowing through it. You can follow along on a boardwalk just feet above the water. Once the big sheet of ice forming the notch melted, torrents of water ran down the valley and carved out a 20-foot smooth-bottom depression in the solid granite of the mountain.

Signs will lead you to The Basin where the Pemigewasset River still flows continuing the process that began 10,000 years ago. In the park there are many hiking trails, a campground and Echo Lake State Park with a lovely sandy beach and boat rentals.

Mount Monadnock is the world’s most climbed mountain since you can climb it in one day. There are various trails for different abilities. This mountain stand alone providing climber with impressive views all around. You can see the beauty of nature and villages across the entire southwest corner of New Hampshire.

This is referred to as the Monadnock region and also the “Currier & Ives Corner” for the sight of idyllic villages with white church spires and covered bridges. Among the charming villages here are Fitzwilliam, Jaffrey Center, Hancock, and Harrisville.

North Conway was one of the first ski resorts in America and remains today a major ski destination. This is a six mountain resort in the Mt. Washington Valley. Visitors have a wide choice of cross-country (Nordic) skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, dog-sledding, sleigh rides, and ice skating. While others can pursue downhill skiing. Most of the resorts are four-season and also offer golf, tennis, swimming and other activities.

In the summertime Cranmore Mountain has an Aerial Adventure Park and Mountain Coaster.

On the other side of Mt. Washington you’ll find Bretton Woods also with a zipline and all season activities.

Hampton Beach is a popular resort town. It provides plenty of entertainment. The Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom was built in 1899 and is a live music and comedy venue on the boardwalk stretching along the white-sand beach. The Hampton Beach State Park Seashell Stage offers concerts, movies on the beach, and fireworks. You can also find fun parks and deep sea fishing trips. Take in the Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Competition in the summertime.

Lake Winnipesaukee is the main focus point of the Lakes Region. In the summer you can find water parks, beaches, fast-food and family activities. Plenty of water sports are available with sailboats, kayaks and motor boats.

You can take a ride on the historic cruise boat M/S Mount Washington.

The Loon Center and Markus Wildlife Sanctuary in Moultonborough protects the breeding waters of loons and gives visitors a chance to learn about them.

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center focuses on nature and wildlife and Sqaum Lake was the setting for the movie “On Golden Pond”.

Kancamagus Highway is the winding two-lane NH Route 112 that climbs over the spine of the White Mountains through the Kancamagus Pass. There are many lovely scenic pull-outs offering spectacular views. At the Conway end you’ll find a covered bridge and two fantastic scenic spots on the Swift River.

Both Rocky Gorge and Lower Falls are popular for swimming and picnics.

A half-mile trails will take you to Sabbaday Falls where a mountain stream flows through a gorge with 40-foot walls. There are wooden railings that make it safe to look down at the waterfall and potholes.

The highway ends in Lincoln, where Loon Mountain is a year-round sports center. The gondola takes skiers up the mountain in the winter and in the summer visitors for fantastic views from the summit.

Take the Covered Bridge Tour when in the olden days of horses and buggies these bridges were called kissing bridges and today provide a romantic nostalgia. They can be found all over New Hampshire and many close together in the town of Swanzey in the southwest corner of the state.

Cresson Bridge frames a red barn and maple tree.

Carleton Bridge is one of the oldest in the state.

Taking a left on Main Street in Swanzey will take you to Thompson Bridge.

Ashuelot Covered Bridge is the longest.

A wonderful surprise is the Woodman Institute Complex. The 1818 Woodman House has collections of minerals, birds, shells, mammals, Native American artifacts, and Civil War items among them Abraham Lincoln’s saddle.

The William Damm Garrison home is the last surviving fortified colonial garrison house. It is furnished with period artifacts. If you like you can picnic on the lawns and enjoy the gardens.

Story Land is a great place for the family with a fairy tale setting. There are many things to please children like Cinderella’s coach, a ride in a wooden shoe or on a pirate ship and so much more. There are attractions for all ages.

Clark’s Trading Post has been bringing fun for the whole family for a long time. They offer trained bear shows and several daily shows with acrobats performing tricks. Families can ride a steam train through the woods, play in the splash park, and visit the fun houses and museum collections along the Victorian Main Street. Up the road on a hot day Whale’s Tale Water Park is the best place to cool off.