101+ Things to Do in New Hampshire

So you’re planning on having a wedding in New Hampshire and looking for things to do maybe before or after the event with family and... Read More

phoca_thumb_l_z125So you’re planning on having a wedding in New Hampshire and looking for things to do maybe before or after the event with family and friends. You’re in luck! New Hampshire is such a diverse state that the possibilities are endless. It doesn’t matter what time of year or where you are located there are many things you can do together. You may already know about some of the great places and events that Lisa lists below or maybe you don’t; either way they just may give you the perfect idea for an event for out of town attendees. Let us know if we have missed any, I am sure we may have, an list them in the comments section. Enjoy the list!

 

Lisa Martineau
Exclusive to NewHampshire.com

There’s no place like home. Whether you have lived in New Hampshire your whole life, or recently relocated to the Granite State, we have put together a “class” on the 101 things that make living in New Hampshire special.

The majority of the activities on the list cost little or nothing to accomplish, but some have admission fees as any worthy tourist attraction would. They also cover all seasons of the year, so the entire list cannot be completed in one month. Consider it a “Life List” or “Bucket List” — add your own ideas and get started!  Updated: March 28, 2014

Hike Mount Monadnock
This mountain, located in Jaffrey, is considered one of the most climbed mountain peaks in the world. Join the 125,000+ people per year that climb this mountain, and take in the panoramic site of all six New England states on a clear day.

See the Lupines in Full Bloom
In the White Mountains, through towns like Sugar Hill and Lisbon, and even through Franconia Notch, you’ll notice these purple beauties blanketing open spaces at the right time of year (usually mid-late June).

Chuck a Puck at a Manchester Monarchs Game 
Puck Chucking goes on during one of the intermissions. You can buy a puck and chuck it on the ice for a chance to win some prizes. More importantly, enjoy a game. The Manchester Monarchs have become a sporting phenomenon in the Granite State.

Drive “Moose Alley”
Moose Alley is located along Route 3 in Pittsburg and extends to the Canadian border. You’ll find hordes of tourists taking pictures of the congregating moose. Try to hit the road at dusk or dawn, the best times to see these leggy creatures. And be sure to drive safely. You’ll see plenty of signs warning about the hundreds of collisions in the area.

Visit the Site of the Old Man
At the base of Cannon Mountain, you’ll find a museum devoted to this icon of the Granite State. Stop off Route 93 and pay your respects to the “Great Stone Face,” a rock profile that fell from its perch 1,200 feet above Profile Lake in 2003.

Hit the Antiques Trail
New Hampshire’s Antique’s Alley, located along Route 4 in Northwood is New England’s oldest antique shopping district. It includes the towns of Lee, Epsom and Chichester. Along the trail, you’ll find unique one-of-a-kind collectibles, beautiful historic furniture and memorabilia. Another cornucopia of collectibles can be found along Route 101A in Milford and Amherst. Co-op shops are popular along this route.

Visit a Sugar Shack
Stop by any of New Hampshire’s sugar shacks in March to see how maple syrup is made. One of the largest is the Sugar Shack in Barrington, but you’ll find many off the beaten path too. Most owners are happy to walk you through the process.

Attend a County Fair
New Hampshire is home to some of the oldest agricultural fairs in the country. The fair season usually begins with Stratham Fair in July and ends with the Deerfield Fair and Sandwich Fair in early October.

Shake Hands with Potential Presidents
Shake hands with as many Presidential Candidates as possible. They’ll be here for the “First in the Nation” Primary every four years stumping for votes. Look for them in places like Chez Vachon on Amory Street in Manchester and many other hot-spots around the state.

Go to the Races
Even if you are not a NASCAR fan, see a race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Get caught up in the sights and sounds of what is known as the “Magic Mile”.

In the Blink of a Fry
Head to Hampton Beach for summer fireworks, while enjoying fried dough from Blink’s on the strip.

Experience Bike Week
Every June, hundreds of thousands of bikers infiltrate the Granite State. Even if you don’t participate, it’s worth a trip to Laconia during the 10-day event to see all the chrome.

Walk through a Covered Bridge
Take a covered bridge tour of the state. Be sure to get out and walk through some of the bridges to admire the craftsmanship of the bridge builders from long ago.

Swim in a Lake
If you didn’t already do this as a child, we suggest you experience it as an adult. New Hampshire has some of the cleanest lakes in the northeast. Two to try: Newfound Lake and Squam Lake. The lakes are “owned” by the residents of the state, so why not swim in “your” swimming pool?

Be a Leaf Peeper
Just because you might live in New England, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the glorious colors that peak in September and October. Go for a ride and take in the beauty of fall in New Hampshire.

Do the Penguin Plunge
Put on your bathing suit in February and take a chilly plunge into the Atlantic Ocean. Every year the group gets larger at Hampton Beach. It’s for a good cause: the Special Olympics of NH.

Ride the Rails
Climb to the clouds on the Mount Washington Cog Railway in Bretton Woods. The Cog is the world’s first mountain-climbing cog railroad, an engineering marvel at the time, built in 1869. If climbing at an average grade of 25% is too steep for you, take a trip on the Conway Scenic Railroad, an equally exciting ride.

Lunch on Table Rock
Ever get the feeling that you’re on top of the world? You will, if you hike your way to the

amazing flat topped Table Rock, which hangs 2,510′ over a deep gorge. You can get there via Dixville Notch State Park.

Fly Fish at Profile Lake
Not everyone is a fly fisherman, but certainly everyone should try it once in their life. Get an expert to guide you. One of the best spots to give it a shot: Profile Lake in Franconia Notch. Bring your waders.

Cross the Kancamagus
This scenic byway, which etches its way through the White Mountains, is almost a rite of passage for anyone who travels through New Hampshire, especially during Fall foliage season.

Picture the Northern Lights
If you have never had a chance to see the Northern Lights color the darkness, keep your eye to the sky and your camera ready. They usually pop up between 11pm and 3am and are best seen on a clear, dark night. Look low on the horizon for the most spectacular displays. Seeing the Aurora Borealis is something you will never forget, but capture it on film because it may only happen once in your life.

Hit the Outlets
There are three outlet shopping districts in New Hampshire; Tilton, Merrimack and North Conway. Pay a visit and get some great bargains on fabulous brand names! Tax-free, by the way.

Kayak Pawtuckaway State Park
You can rent a canoe or kayak either at the park, or at nearby Mountain Road Trading Post. The lake offers small islands to navigate and a low level of boat traffic, making it a great place for beginning kayakers.

Ride to the Isles
Take a trip to the historic Isles of Shoals via the M.V. Thomas Laighton, which departs from Portsmouth Harbor. The isles are steeped in legend and lore. Enjoy the narrated tours and the site of the lighthouses guiding ships safely to shore on your return trip.

Go Fruit Picking
During June, you can pick strawberries at local farms across the state. July and August yield crops of raspberries and blueberries. In September and October, you can pick some of the best apples in the country right here at home!

Place a Bid
Attend an auction (we don’t mean on Ebay) in New Hampshire. An in-person auction, paddle-in-hand, is always a great experience. Just don’t get so caught up in the bidding that you pay too much for something you really didn’t need in the first place. You can get great bargains, find unique collectibles, and sometimes even a treasure or two.

Go Horseback Riding
If you have never ridden a horse, take an afternoon and enjoy the sounds of hooves galloping gently along a trail. Guided trail rides are offered at several locations throughout the state, with various vistas serving as a panoramic backdrop for your ride.

Relive History
Attend a Revolutionary War Re-enactment at the old Fort at No. 4 in Charlestown. The fort is an authentically reconstructed settlement and living museum. Pick a weekend when you can watch the soldiers in action.

Dock Dine
Better yet; head out on a dinner boat cruise. You can catch one on Lake Winnipesaukee or Lake Sunapee. If you don’t have your sea legs, there are plenty of dining locations on dry land, beside beautiful bodies of water.

Listen for the Loon
Listen for the call of the Loon. The further north you go, the better chance you’ll have to hear their unique voices echoing across lakes like Ossipee, but you’ll find them throughout the state if you listen on a quiet summer evening near the water.

Dance at the Casino
Head to the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom and take in a show. While you’re there, be sure to shake your booty on the wooden dance floor, once one of the largest in the region. You’ll be swaying in the same room that once held such greats as Duke Ellington, Led Zeppelin and Janis Joplin.

Trace the Circles and Squares
Check out some of the best town squares in the northeast. In some cases, the “squares” come in the shape of a circle or oval, such as the Milford Oval. Enjoy the quaint character of these town centers.

Salute the General
Stop in at the General Store in New Boston for a sandwich or a newspaper. Or sit on the front porch and chat with the locals. Many towns have similar stores, set up the old-fashioned way.

Read the Poetry of Frost or Hall
Part of New Hampshire’s history lies in its literary contributions. Read the work of Robert Frost, or take in a lecture by New Hampshire’s former poet-laureate, Donald Hall.

Take in a Red Sox Game at Billy’s
The local and intimate atmosphere at Billy’s Sports Bar and Grill in Manchester is ideal to cheer on the Red Sox, especially during the playoffs. Try their award-winning Texas-style chili while you are there.

Admire the Classics
On almost any weekend during the spring, summer (especially) or fall, you’ll find classic cars on display somewhere. Whether it’s a full festival, or a small gathering of a car club, take a moment to reminisce about days gone by.

Take the Gondola
Take a Gondola Ride at Loon Mountain; you’ll be in awe of the surrounding views. Similarly, the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway offers view of 4 states and Canada. Simply unforgettable.

Go Tubing
If you have a little sense of adventure, you might want to try tubing along the Saco River. The river offers some rapids and longer stretches of meandering water. Fun for the whole family. You can rent tubes at Northern Extremes in North Conway.

Attend a Town Meeting
New Hampshire has a long history of small town values. Be a part of that by taking in a town meeting during the spring. Go one further and speak your mind if there is a local issue tugging at your heartstrings.

Dance at a Powwow
Learn about the Native Americans who lived in New England by attending a powwow. Be respectful, and learn the rules before you step in to the ring to dance. One of the largest events is at Dartmouth College in the spring, but the Mt. Kearsage Indian Museum in Warner has a summer gathering every year too.

Hang Out at the Launch
Find a boat launch and just hang out. Spend a sunny day admiring the boats slip in and out of the water. And be sure to lend a hand if someone needs your assistance. It’s the New Hampshire way!

Gobble up the Corn
New Hampshire’s farm stands offer some of the best sweet corn in the world. Are we biased? Maybe. Pick up some corn (at a farm stand) in July and August and see for yourself.

See the Clydesdales
Anheuser Busch’s Clydesdales have long been a symbol of the beer plant. Get to their Merrimack facility, and see them in person. On some weekends, you can have your photo taken with these beautiful horses. While you are there, take a free tour of the plant.

Visit a One-Room Schoolhouse
Stop at one of two functioning one-room schoolhouses in the state, the Alexandria Village School in Bristol and the East Village school in Croydon, which has been in continuous operation since 1780!

Watch for Eagles
Eagles have been nesting along the banks of the Merrimack River for years now. Also be on the lookout for a pair of Peregrine Falcons that have been nesting on top of the Brady-Sullivan property on Elm Street in Manchester. Or, stop at the Massabesic Audubon Center in Auburn and watch the Ospreys nesting beside the lake.

Stare at the Sky
The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center is the state’s only planetarium. From there, you can gaze into space from the observatory, which offers clear views of the southern sky.

Attend a Concert
New Hampshire has become one of the hottest places to see a concert in New England. From outdoor venues like Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion at Meadowbrook in Gilford, to the award-winning Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, you no longer have to go far to see your favorite artists. Indulge!

Make Your Own Sundae
When you are in the Lakes Region, stop at Kellerhaus’ Ice Cream Buffet in Weirs Beach, where you can create your very own sundae.

Cut Down Your Own Christmas Tree
Bring an axe to your favorite Christmas Tree Farm and chop down your very own tree. One to try: Rocks Christmas Tree Farm in Bethlehem.

Find Hatchland Dairy’s Glass Bottled Milk
Hatchland Dairy in North Haverhill still bottles their milk the old-fashioned way, in glass bottles. Taste the difference.

Stand Beside a Waterfall
Feel the splash of a waterfall; you may have to take a short hike to get to it, but when you get there, enjoy the smell of the trees and the rush of the water. The largest in the state: Arethusa Falls in Bretton Woods.

See the Bears
Go to Clark’s Trading Post in North Woodstock and watch trainer Murray Clark put on a show with his fabulous black bears.

Chow Down on Nadeau’s Subs
Bob Nadeau’s in Manchester has the best chopped steak and cheese subs in the state. For generations, people have flocked to their shop on Mast Road. If you have never tried a Nadeau’s sub, you must! There are now several other shops open in the Manchester area.

Hit the Drive-In
Take in a flick at an old-fashioned drive-in theater. You’ll only find a few left: Milford Twin Drive-in, located in Milford, Weirs Drive-in at Weirs Beach in Laconia, and Northfield Drive-In on the border of Hinsdale, New Hampshire and Northfield, Massachusetts. There is also one in Lancaster – Northern Nights Drive-In.

Bask in Prescott Park’s Beauty
Spend a weekend afternoon enjoying the beauty of Prescott Park in Portsmouth. Set against the backdrop of the Piscataquog River, the design of the park comes alive in the summertime with over 500 varieties of flowers blooming throughout the season. It’s breathtaking. Better yet, take in a live music series in the summer set against the backdrop of the beautifully designed beds.

Go sledding
Sled wherever you find a slope or hill (just don’t do it on private property). Years ago Derryfield Park in Manchester offered a superb setting. Today, places that you can slip-slide in the winter include Loon Mountain, King Pine in East Madison, Tenney Mountain in Plymouth, and Ragged Mountain in Danbury. There may be a fee to sled at these locations but you can also rent tubes at some of them, making your bumpy ride smooth and sweet!

Catch a Motocross Race
They fly around the dirt track at Winchester Speedpark in Winchester and Canaan Fair Speedway in Canaan every weekend during the season. Get in on the action!

See the Capitol
Head to Concord for a peek at the oldest state capitol building in the U.S. The gold-dome against a blue sky is always photo worthy, but the capitol also offers walking tours to the public.

Get Caught Up in a High School Football Rivalry
New Hampshire’s schools are always in competition with one another. The legendary rivalry between Manchester’s High School football teams is an example, and the game to watch is the one played every year at Thanksgiving known as the Turkey Bowl.

Do the Zoo
New Hampshire’s only zoo, Charmingfare Farm in Candia invites visitors to catch a glimpse of a wolverine, ponder pigs, and a real-live Fisher. Immerse yourself in the wonders of the wild.

Ride a Rollercoaster
Canobie Lake Park in Salem has been in operation for over 100 years. It’s New Hampshire’s only permanent amusement park. With its blend of old time and modern rides, it offers something for the whole family.

Stand Beneath the Great Stone Arch in Tilton
Made of Concord granite, the Arch, which is technically located in Northfield, stands 55-feet high and forty feet wide. Now that’s a photo opportunity!

Get Stuffed at Hampton Beach’s Seafood Festival
Every September, the weekend after Labor Day, Ocean Boulevard is closed to vehicular traffic and open to seafood lovers. Need we say more?

Appreciate the Mills
There are too many mills to mention here, but take a walk through these amazing structures (many of them have been restored), and you’ll find wood floors, lots of brick and the smell of history. For example, The Belknap Mill, the official Meetinghouse in New Hampshire, is the oldest unaltered brick mill in the U.S. It’s located in Laconia. From Portsmouth to Keene, each town has a mill history that stand as a testament to the Industrial Revolution in America. For a complete history, visit the Millyard Museum in Manchester, right in the heart of the Mill district.

Dance the Night Away
Go Line Dancing at Circle 9 Ranch in Epsom, where dance lessons are also offered during the week. The tradition of Contra Dances at Nelson Town Hall continues on Monday nights. Get the blood flowing and participate!

Ride the Slide
The Alpine Slide, located at Attitash in Bartlett is the only one of its kind in the state. Ride the Yankee Chair Lift to the top; then fly down the mountain on their mile long track. It’s an experience you’ll never forget. You control the speed of the small sled you sit on. Enjoy the spectacular views on your way down. You’ll want to do it again, so buy a one-day ticket.

Go Pond Skimming
In the spring, pools of water form at the bottom of ski trails. Many resorts now offer a weekend of pond skimming, where skiers try to make it across the pond without falling in. It’s a humbling experience.

Catch a Show at the Oldest Summer Theatre
Visit the Barnstormer’s Theatre in Tamworth to see a show. They are the only theatre in the country producing a show a week with a resident company in the old summer stock tradition. If you are planning a visit to the Monadnock Region, be sure to see the Peterborough Players, one of the oldest summer stock companies in the country. You’ll feel right at home in their charming but fully renovated and air-conditioned 18th-Century barn.

Hike the Flume Gorge
This is essential. If you have never been to the Flume in Lincoln, we suggest you take advantage of this unique opportunity to see the most amazing geological formations created by glacial erosion. Surrounded by spectacular scenery, waterfalls, and walls of granite that rise 70 to 90 feet, the Flume is the state’s most incredible natural wonder. Walking trails will guide you, but some spots are slippery so be sure to wear proper footwear.

Explore the Omni Mount Washington Hotel
We don’t expect you to stay, though that would be a bonus, but do explore the hotel’s amazing architecture, grand ballrooms, wraparound porches, and luxurious surroundings even if from a distance. The setting is breathtaking!

Pick up the Old Farmer’s Almanac
Keep a copy of the Old Farmer’s Almanac in your home. It’s been published in Dublin since 1792. The Almanac is handy to have around. It predicts the weather, offers gardening tips, and even shares recipes. And if you are wondering why there is a hole punched out in the upper left hand corner, the Farmer’s Almanac was intended to hang on a nail in the outhouse. The publishers, Yankee Publishing, continue that tradition today as a tribute to the history of the publication.

Sit in the Gallery at a District Courthouse
See how the law works; the public is welcome to sit in the gallery for district court hearings. The hearings are sometimes dramatic, sometimes mundane; but it will give you an idea of how the court system works.

Take a Snowmobile to Pittsburg
During the winter, Pittsburg is probably the snowmobile capital of the state, attracting thousands of trail riders from around the region. Trails will take you all the way to Canada if you want to go. Don’t have a snowmobile? You can rent one. Be sure to ride safe and follow posted signs.

Pick Up Something Handmade at the Fair
The Annual Craftsmen’s Fair takes place on Mount Sunapee in Newbury every year. The oldest fair of its kind, it attracts the most talented artisans in the state. Find something unique and cherish it.

Attend the Highland Games
The New Hampshire Highland Games take place in September every year at Loon Mountain in Lincoln. You’ll watch the “Gathering of the Clans” during opening ceremonies. You’ll spend a weekend enjoying fiddles, piping and drumming, sheepdog trials, and the Highland Dance competition. And you’ll appreciate the Heavy Athletics Competitions, where some of the World’s top heavyweight athletes compete.

Make Your Own Beer
Incredibrew in Nashua has been helping customers make their own beer since 1995. Select a recipe, mix the ingredients, bottle it, and make your own labels. Voila! You now have your very own signature beer.

Climb a Fire tower
Hike (or drive) to the top of Pack Monadnock at Miller State Park in Peterborough and you’ll find one. On a clear day you can see several states and the City of Boston in the distance from the top. Pawtuckaway State Park in Nottingham also has a fire tower, but there are few of these observatories left. The views from the top are magnificent.

Camp in the White Mountains
There are campgrounds scattered throughout the White Mountain National Forest. So pitch a tent and enjoy the quiet of the deep woods, even for a night.

Sit in a Bob house, do some Winter Fishing
This is not something we recommend for amateurs, but maybe you know someone with the skills or the bob house. Drill a hole in the (thick) ice and throw a line in the water. See what you can catch when it’s 20 degrees outside! You might even enjoy the solitude.

Purchase Produce at a Farmers’ Market
The Farmers’ Markets are traditionally held from May through October. You’ll find the freshest produce, cut flowers, and other assorted farm fresh goods at the markets. Many towns are now offering indoor Farmers’ Markets so you may want to check those out too, but we like to wallow in the warm outdoors when we can. Who needs an excuse, really?

Catch Crabs in Hampton
Head to the Hampton Jetty and you are bound to find children dangling chicken “chum” on a line to catch crabs. They usually throw them back but it’s fun to see these little mysterious creatures take the bait every time. Best time to try: Low-tide.

Find the Indian Head
Head to the Indian Head Resort in Lincoln and look for the rock profile of an Indian. The rock formation is located on Mount Pemigewasset and can be reached by an 1.8 mile hike if you want to get up close and personal.

Watch them Climb the Ladder
The Amoskeag Fishways in Manchester allows visitors to watch migratory river herring, American shad, and sea lamprey climb the 54 steps of their fish ladder, which was built in 1989. The ladder helps facilitate the migration of these populations of fish in an effort to restore their numbers. During fish season (May and June) the Fishways is open 7 days a week.

Drive the Mount Washington Auto Road
If you don’t have a sticker on your car that says “This Car Climbed Mt. Washington,” you must take a trip to the top. With crazy weather, winding roads, and spectacular vistas, you’ll have to keep your eye on the road, but it’s more than worth the views when you reach the summit. So, what are you waiting for?
Stay Overnight at an AMC Hut
Talk about hospitality! Part of the Appalachian Trail system, the AMC Hut system offers hospitality in unlikely places. Many of the huts are above the treeline and some are beside lakes or waterfalls. But all of them offer a good night’s rest, snacks and meals, and stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

Explore the Trails
Attention snow bunnies. Find your favorite ski trail. They all over the state. It’s up to you to try them out and, depending on your level of ski-ability, settle on your favorites, so you can return again and again. Discover why New Hampshire has some of the best skiing in New England.

See a Sub
Step inside a real Navy Submarine, the U.S.S. Albacore, which was commissioned in 1953. It currently sits at Albacore Park, open to the public for tours. While there, imagine 55 people living and working in the sub. Talk about tight quarters!

Buy a Duck and Float It
Participate in a Rubber Ducky Regatta. There are several each year throughout the state. Check out our calendar for a list of upcoming events.

Try Snowshoeing 
Strap on some snowshoes and hit the trails. It’s great exercise, and they may take you to places you wouldn’t normally go. A place that offers groomed trails: the Mt. Washington Valley Ski Touring and Snowshoe Center in Intervale.

Taste the Ice Cream at the Puritan
The Puritan, located in Manchester, is a local haunt and has been selling cones for years. On a summer night you’ll see folks gathered in the parking lot slurping down the icy confections. In the old days, folks would cruise Elm Street, the only dead-end at both ends in the country, and hit the hotspot for a treat with their sweetie. Some still do!

Watch the Vessels Stop Traffic
Along the Piscataqua River in Portsmouth, the Sara Long drawbridge that crosses the waterway often stops traffic in Maine and New Hampshire to allow ships, tugboats and other vessels to pass through. It’s quite a sight, and it makes sitting in traffic a little more tolerable.

Visit the Birthplace of New Hampshire’s Only President
Franklin Pierce, our country’s 14th President, was born in Hillsborough. The Pierce Homestead is located there and is open to visitors seasonally. The Pierce Manse, located in Concord, where Pierce lived from 1842-1848 is also open to the public.

See the Stones in Salem
America’s Stonehenge is the oldest man-made construction in the United States. A group of strategically placed rocks create an astronomical calendar like no other. Visit this mysterious place and determine for yourself what the people who built the structures had in mind over 4,000 years ago.

Take a Dip in Diana’s Bath
Go swimming in a natural swimming hole.” Diana’s Bath is located in North Conway on Lucy Brook. The natural pool offers crystal clear (and cold) water that is great for all ages. But it’s hard to beat the beauty of Sculptured Rocks in Groton. This is one of the the most well-known natural swimming spots in the state, as well as a beautiful geologic formation.

Tour an Old Graveyard
New Hampshire has some of the oldest graveyards in the country. Pay a visit to one of the oldies, and read the tombstones. There are some interesting stories carved onto stone. Honor the dead by leaving flowers or clearing these long-forgotten graves. Two to visit: The North Cemetery in Portsmouth and the Chester Village Cemetery in Chester.

Explore the Caves
Polar Caves in Plymouth was formed 50,000 years ago when glacial movement created an incredible series of caves and tunnels. Put on your walking shoes and explore this unusual park.

Have Breakfast at the Airfield Cafe
Dine alongside the runway at Hampton Airfield in North Hampton. This small restaurant has aeronautical memorabilia covering the walls and hanging from the ceilings. They serve breakfast all day. Feeling adventurous? Inquire about flight lessons or take a sightseeing flight from the airport.

Pay homage to the Troops
Visit the Cathedral of the Pines in Rindge and leave a stone as a tribute to those who have lost their lives for our freedom. Every U.S. President since Harry Truman has left a stone, and there are stones from every state in the nation.

Choose Your Lobster Pound
There’s a friendly rivalry that has been going on for decades in Seabrook. Figure out if you are a fan (that is, if you don’t know already) of the lobster rolls at either Markey’s Lobster Pound or Brown’s Lobster Pound. Do a taste test? It’s easy; they are located across the street from one another on Route 286.

Yurt Flirt
Stay in a Yurt at Milan Hill State Park in Milan. What’s a “Yurt” you say? It’s a circular tent-like dwelling erected on poles and covered with furs or a similar fabric. The yurts at Milan Hill State Park feature comfortable sleeping quarters with fantastically scenic views near the Thirteen Mile Woods.

Zip-it-dee Hoo-rah!
There are several zip lines across the state. You’ll find them at places like Liquid Planet Water Park, Loon Mountain, Bretton Woods, Alpine Adventures, Wildcat and many other locations. The cost varies but the zip lines do too. You can ride solo, ride high and long, or double up. Feel what it’s like to fly through the trees!

Enter the Ice Castle
Loon Mountain now has the only ice castle on the east coast. Built by Utah-based artist Brent Christensen using a latticework of icicles and a vast sprinkler system, Christensen has created a massive ice fortress for visitors to explore, with walls reaching 25 feet high. At night, multi-colored lights transform the castle into a frozen, glowing Narnia. A definite winter to-do!

Fairy Tale Dining
Dine at the enchanting cottage that inspired the illustrations by Elizabeth Orton Jones for the children’s fairy tale, “Little Red Riding Hood” (published by Little Golden Books, 1948). Untouched by time, the 1786 little red cottage known as Pickity Place in Mason has been seemingly untouched by time, and is a Mecca for gardeners, a hotspot for foodies, and a perfect spot for anyone looking for a little peace, inspiration and relaxation.

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