Scenic Places to Visit in New Hampshire from the Mountains to the Coast

It may be one of the smallest states in the country, but there are so many incredible places to visit in New Hampshire even I, who grew up here, am still discovering them!

Check out our most recent “Places to Love” Season 7 episode, “New Hampshire Seacoast & More”

Where to Go in New Hampshire

The Seacoast

If you look at a map of New Hampshire, you’ll notice it kind of looks like a right triangle. Right where the bottom 90 degree angle would be is where the Seacoast region is. This tiny area stretches 13 miles along the Atlantic Ocean and is the state’s only coastline. It also happens to be the region where I’m from!

Portsmouth

Where else can I start but my own hometown? I’m not alone, though, Portsmouth is easily one of the most popular places to visit in New Hampshire. I promise you, it’s as beautiful in real life as it looks in photos.

EAT: There are a ton of amazing places to eat in Portsmouth. The dining scene has really come a long way, and since it opened in 2000, one of my favorites has to be Jumpin’ Jays Fish Cafe. It’s even been named a James Beard Award finalist. For breakfast, there’s nowhere quite like Cup of Joe Café and Bar. Not only is the food good and the coffee hot, it’s owned by Portsmouth’s own assistant mayor. In the summer, grab a cone at Annabelle’s Natural Ice cream, one of the best in the whole country. Get the pure maple walnut to really keep it local.

SIGHTSEE: The best thing to do is to wander around Portsmouth’s historic district and take in all the colonial architecture. Strawbery Banke is an awesome outdoor history museum that details over 350 years of history. For something lighthearted, check out the Museum of Dumb Guy Stuff, which is a quirky homage to boyhood. I’d also check out tours with the Black Heritage Trail New Hampshire for everything related to Black history in the state.

ENJOY: Spend an evening at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club. Grab dinner or even just a cocktail and be prepared for some world class live music. Another gem? The Seacoast Repertory Theatre (or just the Seacoast Rep). They have great shows all through the year, and I would know – this is where I spent my childhood!

STAY: If you want to be central, stay in the historic district. However, if you don’t mind being a little out of town, head to Wentworth by the Sea in the tiny nearby town of New Castle. This is where my family lived, and I always grew up admiring its beauty. It’s one of the few grand hotels to survive the Gilded Age!

Dover

Fun fact about Dover – it’s the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in New Hampshire and the seventh in the country. Downtown is situated along the Cocheco River, and the town has made a name for itself for its dining scene. Wherever you go, don’t skip Hong Asian Noodle Bar. It may be new, but it’s already made a splash with its authentic noodles and broth. If you’re with kids, the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is a ton of fun, and if you’re here for First Friday, you won’t want to miss the Dover Art Walk.

North Hampton

Another gem in the Seacoast region is North Hampton. It’s been around since the 1600s and is actually mostly inland, though there is a stretch right on the coast. Enjoy North Hampton Beach before checking out Fuller Gardens, one of the last working estate gardens in the US Northeast. Unwind at Throwback Brewery, which also includes a restaurant. Their whole ethos is making everything farm fresh from their beer to their food.

Merrimack Valley

Southwest of New Hampshire’s Seacoast, Merrimack Valley is also partially in Massachusetts. Its name comes from the Merrimack River, which runs roughly through its center. While part of its culture comes from its role in America’s Industrial Revolution, it’s also developed an artistic reputation since a number of artists through the centuries have called this place home. Think everyone from Anne Bradstreet in the 1600s to Leonard Bernstein, Robert Frost, Jack Kerouac, and more.

Manchester

As you might guess, Manchester comes from the United Kingdom city of the same name. This isn’t a coincidence either. When merchant Samuel Blodget opened up a canal and lock system here, he chose the name because he wanted this town to lead the Industrial Revolution in America the way Manchester did in England. Today it’s the state’s most populous city and much of its former mills have been turned into everything from restaurants to classrooms.

EAT: Head to The Foundry for New Hampshire’s largest farm-to-table restaurant. Restoration Cafe is a great breakfast and lunch space if you want something clean and easy while still being delicious. And Cafe Momo has an awesome menu of Nepalese fusion cuisine.

SIGHTSEE: If you only visit one place in Manchester, make sure it’s the Millyard Museum. It’s dedicated to Manchester’s industrial history and how denim manufacturing directly influenced the city. Another gem is Cat Alley (aka Dean Court) which is home to a number of beautiful murals all dedicated to, you guessed it, cats! The Currier Museum of Art always has interesting exhibitions and is home to two Frank Lloyd Wright creations – the Zimmerman House and the Kalil House.

ENJOY: Catch a show at The Palace Theatres. It’s truly incredible how grand this theater is while still keeping its local, community roots!

GET OUTSIDE: Arms Park is a small park right on the Merrimack River in the city. Get your food to go and come here to enjoy being outside and don’t miss the colorful stairs. A little further out, Crystal Lake Park is great for swimming when the weather warms up.

STAY: Asher Street Inn. This boutique bed and breakfast is located in a historic Victorian home right by everything you’ll want to see in Manchester. 

The Robert Frost Farm

Located in the town of Derry, this little two-story clapboard farm is where Robert Frost lived for eleven years of his life from 1900-1911. He wrote his first two books as well as a number of poems while here and the farm had influence on his poetry even after they left. The farm is now a part of Frost’s legacy and is open from May to October. Not only can you tour the house, you can meander around the half-mile long nature/poetry trail on the property. Look for the different signs to see Frost’s poems. 

Monadnock

All the way in southwestern New Hampshire is the Monadnock region. It gets its name from the 3,165-foot high mountain that makes up most of the landscape and is the perfect area for some peace, quiet, and the great outdoors.

Mt. Monadnock

Mt. Monadnock defines this region and can be seen from all 34 towns. If you get to the peak, you’ll also be able to see all six New England states. Use the White Dot or White Cross trails for a shorter hike near the summit or if you want something longer, follow the Pumpelly Trail for 4.5 miles.

Keene

Keene is one of the great small towns to base yourself in if you want to explore Mt. Monadnock. In between your outdoor adventures, stay at the historic Burrell House, grab a drink at Elm City Brewing, and shop around for cool souvenirs at Hannah Grimes Marketplace. You can also time your visit for any one of the big events Keene throws like Pride Week or Radically Rural.

Peterborough

Another great small town to stay? Peterborough. It’s such a classic New England spot that it actually inspired the play “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder. Stay in the very adorable Little River Bed and Breakfast, grab a bite at Post and Beam Brewing, and time your visit to coincide with the local farmer’s market on Elm Street. For some history, pop over to The Monadnock Center for History and Culture and don’t miss out on Miller State Park, the oldest of its kind in New Hampshire.

Lakes

North of the Seacoast and Merrimack Valley is the Lakes region. As the name suggests, it’s home to a whopping 273 bodies of water. It’s especially beautiful in the summer months when you can come for anything from a romantic getaway to an outdoors adventure.

Lake Winnipesaukee

Try and say Lake Winnipesaukee ten times fast! This is the state’s largest lake and is about as New Hampshire as it gets. With clear water and a wooded shoreline, make sure you find a way to enjoy this lake whether that’s swimming, kayaking, or boating. My vote is to book a tour aboard the M/S Mount Washington. Book a dinner cruise or Sunday brunch to really make it special!

Squam Lake Natural Science Center

When you come to the Lakes region, don’t skip out on Squam Lake Natural Science Center. It’s dedicated to everything related to New Hampshire’s natural world and includes lake cruises, live animal exhibits, the Blue Heron School, and so much more. It’s even sensory inclusive certified. I especially loved the loon cruise as I’d never seen one before!

Laconia

Situated between Lake Winnipesaukee and Lake Winnisquam, I always recommend people stay in Laconia if they want to explore the Lakes region. Be sure to grab a bite at the Local Eatery, a restaurant that crafts its whole menu on what’s available from local farms. You also don’t want to miss Funspot for the world’s largest arcade! Yes, you read that correctly – the world. Choose from over 600 coin-operated games and do not skip the “Landmarks of New Hampshire” mini golf course.

The only time I’d avoid is Bike Week in June unless, of course, you love motorcycles. It’s one of America’s largest rallies, so things will get very busy and hectic.

White Mountains

Right above the Lakes and Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee is the White Mountains region. As you might guess, its name comes from the White Mountains which make up most of the area. If the Lakes region is perfect for those that want to get out on the water, this is where you’ll want to go to be high above the ground.

White Mountain National Forest

Covering over 750,000 acres with a small bit of that in crossing over into Maine, White Mountain National Forest is just absolutely breathtaking. Over 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail is located in this area and it’s home to a number of 4,000ft high peaks. For newer hikers, check out the relatively short Artists Bluffs Trail, Sabbaday Falls Trail, Diana’s Baths Trail, or the Arethusa Falls Trail. If you’re up for a challenge, the Franconia Ridge trail is 9-miles round trip and you’ll be rewarded with truly incredible views.

The Mount Washington Cog Railway

Fun fact – Mount Washington Cog Railway is the very first of its kind in the whole world and one of the very few still in operation. It’s by far my preferred way to summit Mt. Washington, which otherwise would take at least a 10-hour hike or a long drive to reach. After all, why drive when you can relax and enjoy a narrated ride to the top? You’ll have an hour to enjoy the summit, so you won’t feel remotely rushed either. Be sure to take in the 360 views from the Adams Visitor Center and pose with the Mt. Washington summit sign!

Afterwards head over to Omni Mount Washington Resort for some afternoon tea.

Littleton

When it comes to the White Mountains, Littleton is largely considered the perfect gateway town. Right at the mountains’ northern edge, stay in the historic Thayers Inn, check out the guitars at Northern Lights Music, grab a beer at Schilling Beer Co, and indulge in your sweet tooth at Chutter’s, the world’s largest candy counter!

The Kancamagus Scenic Byway

Stretching between Conway and Lincoln, The Kancamagus Scenic Byway (or just “the Kanc”) is one of my favorite scenic drives in America. It’s especially magnificent come fall when everything is bursts of red, orange, and yellow! The whole stretch is a little over 34 miles and will cut through White Mountains National Forest. Just be prepared to want to stop a lot!

Phew! That’s just a start to all my favorite places to visit in New Hampshire. Any I’m missing? Let me know below!

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