A – Attend a fair or festival
New Hampshire is home to a variety of fairs and festivals perfect for any and all crowds. The Deerfield fair, in Deerfield, N.H., is among one of the most popular of the N.H. state fairs with contests, amusement rides, live animals, and street vendors throughout the day. The Deerfield fair typically takes place at the end of September each year. Another highly anticipated N.H. event is the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival running each year during the month of September. This festival has an array of tasty seafood specialties, live entertainment, eating competitions, firework displays and much more.
B – Beaches
New Hampshire beaches are the ideal spot for summer fun. Hampton Beach and Seabrook Beach are just 1 hour from Manchester with a variety of restaurants and shops as well as sandy shores, and marine life. Take a walk on the jetty and you might spy some ships sailing in, or step down into the rocky crevices and fish for crabs. Just 25 minutes North of Hampton and Seabrook is Rye Beach, in Rye, N.H. Visit in the early evening and catch a glimpse of a beautiful N.H. sunset on the Ocean’s horizon.
Check out our blog “Hampton Beach Boardwalk” for ideas on where to go and what to see during your visit.
C – Cut down your own Holiday tree
Miracle Acres Farm located in Milford, N.H. allows guests to choose and cut their own Holiday tree! They also offer home-made maple syrup, hot cocoa, warm apple cider and wagon rides.
D – Drive-In Movies
Looking for a movie-viewing experience that’s a little different than your ordinary AMC? Well, both the Milford and Weirs Beach Drive-in Theatres offer nightly showings of the latest releases during the warm months. Pull up, roll the windows down and grab some popcorn because this classic old-time activity is a great way to spend a summer night.
E – Eat at an Oyster Bar
Row 34 Oyster Bar is an upscale oyster bar located in Portsmouth, N.H. Dining at Row 34 is a win-win; an upscale atmosphere with affordable prices. A $1 oyster bar? Yes please!
F – Fisher cats game
Located right in the heart of Manchester, Northeast Delta Dental Stadium is the home of the NH Fisher Cats baseball team. Catch a game and you’ll see why this stadium has housed over 110,825 enthusiastic Fisher Cats fans!
G – Granite Town Rail Trail
The Granite Town Rail Trail, running from Milford, N.H. through Brookline, N.H., is a great way to spend some time outdoors while also taking in New Hampshire’s scenic views.
H – High School Football
You can experience the legendary rivalries between Manchester’s high school football teams first hand by watching the Turkey Bowl held at Gill Stadium in Manchester every Thanksgiving!
I – Ice Castles
With a location in Lincoln, N.H., these magnificent structures are made entirely out of ice-giving visitors the opportunity to explore each castle and experience a real life Winter Wonderland!
J – Jackson, New Hampshire
The beautiful town of Jackson, N.H. is the perfect spot for all seasons. In the winter this little town is bustling with skiers, snow shoeing, ice skaters, and sleigh rides. Nestlenook Farm offers skating, snow shoeing and horse drawn sleigh rides, while nearby Ski Mountains like Wildcat and Black Mountain have a variety of downhill ski trails for all levels. Cross Country skiers can head over to Jackson XC to glide through the wooded trails of the stunning Jackson wilderness.
In the summer months families can visit Storyland-where nursery rhymes and tales are brought to life. While Mom visits the Jackson Art Studio and Gallery, Dad can head over to the Wentworth Golf Club and hit the driving range. Also, many of the winter Ski Mountains turn into hiking trails for the summer and fall.
Hungry? Head over to the Wildcat Inn and Tavern, Shovel Handle Pub, or Eagle Mountain House for a bite to eat after a long day of adventuring!
K – Kellerhau’s Ice Cream Buffet
In the mood for a tasty treat? Head to Kellerhau’s in the Weirs Beach area in Laconia, N.H. Indulge in their scrumptious sweets like crispy chocolate turtles, or customize your ice cream cone at their ice cream sundae bar.
L – Lighthouses
Located right on Portsmouth Harbor, the Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse has long been a beloved destination for locals and tourists alike. Tours of the lighthouse are offered as well as presentations on the history of the lighthouse. You can even climb the 44 stairs to the watch-room and the 7-rung ladder to the highest point, the lantern room. With incredible views and a long history of guiding incoming ships, the Portsmouth Lighthouse offers stories of New England’s past as well as scenery that will take your breath away.
M – Mountain Viewing in Northern NH
Visit the north country in New Hampshire and see the majestic White Mountains. Viewing is excellent from the majestic Kancamagus Highway which takes you to elevations of approximately 3,000 feet. This roadway is well worth the drive.
N – Nadeau’s Subs
In business since 1969, Nadeau’s Subs has long been a Manchester favorite for fresh homemade sandwiches.
O – Ossipee
Ossipee, N.H., just 11 miles from Lake Winnipesaukee, offers an array of seasonal activities for individuals and families. Heath Pond Bog Natural Area and Ossipee Lake Natural Area have an abundance of rare plants and endangered species on site for viewing. Guests can also enjoy bird watching, hiking, boating, swimming in the lake, and even star gazing. In the winter Ossipee offers ice skating, dog sledding (and regular sledding), skiing, snow shoeing and snow mobile trails. Visit the Ossipee Historical Society to take a walking tour of Ossipee’s historical sites, some dating all the way back to the 1700”s.
P – Pick your own (pumpkins, strawberries, apples, etc.)
Rural New Hampshire is home to numerous farms and fields; many with their own homegrown fruit ripe for picking. Currier Orchards in Merrimack, N.H. has apples and pumpkins to pick. Lull and Brookdale farms have pick your own apples, blueberries, strawberries, pumpkins, and more. In the fall, McLeod Brother’s Orchards in Milford, N.H. has apple picking.
Q – Quaint Inns
With its impressive seacoast and rolling mountain ranges, New Hampshire is the best of both worlds when it comes to finding a cozy vacation spot. The New Hampshire Bed and Breakfast Association has made it super easy to find just the place you are looking for. By logging onto the New Hampshire Bed and Breakfast Association website you can select the region you are looking for and view an extensive list of bed and breakfasts, each with descriptions, contact information, and availability. This means you can find the perfect summer cottage, or grandiose mountain hotel all with one click!
R – Roller coasters
Canobie Lake Park (Salem, N.H.) is the ideal spot for family fun or a day with friends! This New Hampshire amusement park has a wide assortment of roller coasters and rides for all ages, an extreme water park, live shows, and more. There’s also plenty of food stands throughout the park serving everything from juicy cheeseburgers at Be Bop Diner to tasty New England sea food at Minuteman Fried Clams. And for dessert? Stop by Lumberjack Ice Cream or the Candy Shop for a sweet treat!
S – Skydive (indoors)
Propelling out of a plane can be a little (or a lot!) daunting. SkyVenture in Nashua, N.H. is an indoor sky dive facility that creates an original sky diving experience without visitors even stepping outdoors! SkyVenture also offers rock climbing and indoor surfing for thrill seekers who love adventure.
T – Tour historic Portsmouth
The city of Portsmouth, N.H. offers a variety of both self-guided and expert lead tours through decades of its historical buildings, trails, and even some haunted pubs!
U – U.S.S. Albacore
Climb aboard the U.S.S Albacore submarine and experience the life of a Navy Seal in Portsmouth NH!
V – Visit the Palace Theatre
The Palace Theatre, located right in Manchester, N.H., is a great place for anyone looking to see a theatrical performance. There are comedy shows, concerts, vacation camps, and more.
W – Waterfalls
New Hampshire has the perfect mix of mountain peaks, sandy beaches and Yes-even waterfalls! Arethusa Falls in Crawford Notch State Park in Bretton Woods, N.H. and Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch State Park are home
X-plore the Polar Caves
Originally formed 50,000 years ago, the Polar Caves were once glaciers atop New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Once the ice melted, the caves became a winding sequence of twists and turns, caves and pathways-perfect for adventures! The caves are located in Rumney, N.H. off of Route 25 and are open from May to October. They are family-friendly and offer spaces for picnics, educational programs, Rock Gardens, a climbing wall, and even an enclosure where kids can feed the animals.
Y – Yankee Dollar Saving
New Hampshire residents are known for being practical, thrifty and frugal. One way to show your Yankee thriftiness is to visit one of the many Dollar Stores around the state. We love the one at 581 Second Street near Red Oak’s Village on Second Street Apartments.
Z – Zoos
Charmingfare Farm in Candia, N.H. is New Hampshire’s own wildlife park. You can see everything from horses to llamas, camels and bears-oh my!
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