"New Hampshire! Wimps need not apply!" New Hampshire by Karnubawax

New Hampshire Travel Guide: 1,483 reviews and 4,329 photos

I recently made New Hampshire the centerpiece of my first major trip to New England. The main draw (for me this time) was the NASCAR race in Loudon, but I ended up staying 6 days near the Franconia Notch region, making jaunts into the surrounding area.

I found searching the VT tips on New Hampshire to be challenging. Unless you are in a big town like Concord, locals often refer to places by their proximity to freeway exits rather than what town they happen to be in. This is particularly true around Franconia Notch. A town like Thornton can be approached from several exits on 2 different highways, so it makes sense to say that a hotel is off of exit 28. Logical, sure... but hard to research on a system geared towards listing cities and their attractions.

Most VTers have already figured this out and list most of their tips just under the heading of the state of New Hampshire - rather than putting tips in each little town. Smart! I'm going to do the same.

The Old Man has left the premesis...

You've probably heard that folks in New Hamphire are a sterner breed of New Englander. This is the'Granite State' after all! It really is true. New Hampshire is much more conservative than its' neighbors. In contrast to the green rolling hills of Vermont, everything here is a little greyer, a little rockier, a bit rougher around the edges. Vermont looks downright "manicured" compared to craggy New Hampshire.

But the people are very nice, and are always fun to chat with. Your B&B hosts are always happy to give you tips on where to go, and you may find yourself in a heated game of gin rummy with the local laundromat propritetess and her 10-year old granddaughter! Folks in New Hampshire don't have to gussy up their attractions - the land more than speaks for itself... even with the patriarch gone!

skiing - New Hampshire style

This was my first major trip in a while, and I learned alot about myself, my abilities, and the importance of not planning too much.

If I have to give just one tip about New Hampshire - and New England in general - to hopefully make your trip there more fun, it is this... driving distances are much farther and take much longer than they would appear! Unless you want to spend A LOT of time driving, try to plan your daytrips to make use of the Turnpikes, and don't try to do too much in a day.

In addition, you should try to start your day as early as possible. And by as early as possible, I mean AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE! Often times little things will pop up along the road beckoning you, and, IF you've started early enough, you'll be able to make a pleasant diversion and still see all you wanted to see.

Last visit to New Hampshire: Sep 2004
Intro Updated Nov 3, 2004
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Reviews (9)

yes, I had the 'vivid' filter on - New Hampshire

Fall Colors Things to Do (4)

Catching the Fall Colors can be a bit tricky... I was in New England from Sep. 13 - Sep. 25, and , try as I might, I was... more travel advice

Lost River Gorge Things to Do (4)

Lost River Gorge is a fun diversion for the whole family. Indeed, kids will have much more fun here than at the more... more travel advice

Franconia Notch from Cannon Mt. - New Hampshire

Cannon Mt. Aerial Tramway Things to Do (4)

The Cannon Mt. Tram is a quick, easy way to get a gorgeous view of Franconia Notch. Getting there is easy, it's right on... more travel advice

Strawberry Banke - Portsmouth Things to Do (4)

The Strawberry Banke Museum is located along the waterfront near downtown Portsmouth. The area is essentially an old... more travel advice

Comments (5)

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paulbuscemi Dec 22, 2009 at 9:34 AM

I agree. Pancakes at Polly's keep getting smaller,price keeps getting bigger. Won't be back again following our 2009 trip. Look forward to trying Benton's Sugar Shack- I hear from a colleague the food is great, big portions and very reasonable prices.
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Sininen May 3, 2006 at 10:14 AM

Hello David! Grat page on New Hampshire. It looks really beautiful. Happy birthdya from Finland!
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Villageidiot Apr 2, 2005 at 11:39 AM

Distances also seem longer because NH is mostly forested, and the roads twist. Going along an unfamiliar road always seems twice as long. In New England, it seems 3 times as long.
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kooka3 Feb 27, 2005 at 2:52 PM

EXCELLENT tips! Some of the best on NH I've seen so far! The transportation trip made me laugh as I remembered all those hellish east-west trips! That tip was spot-on! I have to get to one of those gorges someday.
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b1bob Nov 14, 2004 at 7:41 PM

Nice job!