"You do not know New Hampshire unless you are familiar with its back roads which wind through valleys of smaller streams or climb the steep pitch of a hill here or there. They cut through pastures where great rocks crop out from between juniper and sweet fern. Miles of stone wall interlace the surrounding countryside and an occasional weather-beaten sugar house stands half hidden among the maples."
Ella Shannon Bowles, Let Me Show You New Hampshire, 1938
On the map, New Hampshire may seem like a small state, but its diverse regions offer a variety of destinations for the visitor - from historic river valleys to the soaring peaks of the highest mountains in the Northeast. Between stone wall-lined roads flow quintessential New England villages, culturally rich cities, miles of scenic forests and parks, inviting lakes, flowing rural landscapes and friendly Yankees renowned for their customer service and hospitality. The landscape offers a wealth of outdoor recreation opportunities during any season:
Winter brings an abundance of snow-related activities, and skis and snowboards aren't the only way to travel down the mountains. There's a whole new generation of snow equipment to discover, from snow bikes and snow scooters to ski boards and the snow fox. Then there's ice skating, sledding, snowmobiling and tubing. For a more relaxed pace, there are a horse-drawn sleigh rides or seeking inspiration in the glow of a warm hearth.
The spring brings wildflowers and greenery to the Granite State. During the warm days to still-cold nights, sap flows through the maple trees to be harvested and boiled into the sweetness of maple syrup. Visitors love to join in the festivities around the "sugar shack," sampling freshly made syrup rolled up in pure powder snow. The spring runoff makes for exciting whitewater kayaking, as anglers cast their lines in the rivers, lakes and ponds, and mountain bikers sail down old logging roads. And, spring brings dozens of birds to New Hampshire's skies as they return from a winter migration.
The pleasantly warm summers are a delight to spend swimming or sailing in fresh water lakes, zooming down a water slide, or singing around a campfire under star-studded skies. This is the time for wildlife viewing, to go moose spotting and to listen to the haunting call of the loons on a golden pond. Hikers take to the rugged trails of the White Mountain National Forest, while cyclists and drivers can leisurely bask in the panoramic vistas of well-mapped scenic byways, historic covered bridges and cascading waterfalls. It is also a great time to sample the daily catch at a waterfront eatery.
Fall visitors, or "leaf peepers" as the locals affectionately call them, come to photograph and walk among the brilliantly colored leaves turning from green into vibrant yellows, reds and oranges. This is the time to sip a cup of mulled cider squeezed from locally picked apples, to wish the whales a safe journey as they head south, or sample home-baked beans and smoked ham at a harvest festival. Foliage time is also antique season when many treasures change hands. Visitors are sure to take home more than they brought as New Hampshire offers a variety of outlet malls and specialty stores. And, best of all, the shopping is tax-free!
New Hampshire is a place to savor life's simple pleasures. In New Hampshire, people still remember what others have forgotten. There may be more places to stay and things to do, but our visitors still forge lifelong friendships, reconnect with authenticity and discover a passion for the great outdoors and an appreciation of venerable Yankee skills.
New Hampshire's proximity and ease of access mean that visitors can get here sooner, spend less of their precious time on going back and forth, and make the most of their limited time off. New Hampshire also, by virtue of its features and culture, lets visitors reconnect, rejuvenate, relax. Travel to New Hampshire is a way to compensate for the rush of everyday life - a way to make up for lost time.
