As the ninth state admitted to the Union, New Hampshire has a long and rich history. The Granite State has many attractions that warrant the attention of travelers, much of which can be traced back to colonial times. For fun things to add to your New Hampshire bucket list, keep reading below!
10. Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway
(image via Flickr)
When you head to Cannon Mountain to ride the slopes, you will be able to see the first aerial tramway in the United States. While much of the original 1938 tramway had to be replaced in 1980, the pathway remains the same. Plus, the new tram is larger than the previous one, holding 80 people at once.
9. Currier Museum of Art
(image via Instagram)
Since it was opened in 1929, the Currier Museum of Art has hosted one of the most envied collections of art in the region. The museum is home to many paintings, sculptures, and photography coming from artists such as Pablo Picasso, Georgia O’Keefe, and Claude Monet.
8. Deciduous Brewing Company
(image via Instagram)
For a beer adventure beyond Portsmouth, venture to Deciduous Brewing Company in Newmarket. Their acclaimed sour program and IPAs have earned them national recognition. Yet, what truly sets them apart is the exceptional people like Co-Founder and Brewer Frank Zagami, making Deciduous a gem for both beer and hospitality in New Hampshire.
7. Canobie Lake Park
(image via Instagram)
If you’re looking for family fun, consider Canobie Lake Park in Salem, situated just 31 miles north of Boston. Established in 1902 as a trolley park and currently operated by local families, it’s a cherished destination drawing visitors from all over New England and the Mid-Atlantic.
6. Ice Castles
(image via Getty Images)
If your kids love Frozen, they will lose their minds if you take them to Ice Castles. Each year in Lincoln, a team of builders constructs a giant ice structure, each one more spectacular than the last. You won’t believe your eyes as you walk through a building completely made out of ice.
5. Skiing at Loon Mountain
(image via Instagram)
While Loon Mountain has events planned for the entire year, it is during winter when they see their largest boom in tourism. The New Hampshire mountain resort is quickly becoming one of the top winter destinations in New England for skiing, snow tubing, ice skating, and even winter zip-line rides.
4. Market Square
The draws of Portsmouth’s historic downtown culminate in Market Square. For over 250 years, this has been both an economic and cultural epicenter for the region. Today, visitors can marvel at the history held in the square, such as North Church, which can be seen from anywhere in the city.
3. Mt. Washington Auto Road
(image via Flickr)
When you get passed by a New Hampshire car with a bumper sticker that reads, “This car climbed Mt. Washington,” it’s referring to this road. The Mount Washington Auto Road stretches to a height of 6,145 feet, making the ascent difficult for many vehicles to accomplish. For cars that do finish the journey, breathtakingly expansive views await as a reward.
2. Santa’s Village
(image via Facebook)
It doesn’t have to be December to celebrate Christmas. Santa’s Village is a Christmas-themed amusement park that offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy winter fun, even in the middle of July. The park has rides, theatrical productions, and staff dressed in holiday costumes.
1. America’s Stonehenge
(image via Flickr)
America’s Stonehenge consists of rock structures scattered throughout Salem, New Hampshire. While it doesn’t resemble Stonehenge, they share the same mysterious origins. No one is quite sure where these structures came from. Either way, they are found in a gorgeous forest that offers many great hiking trails.