New Hampshire: Peaks, Gorges and Cultural Sites

New Hampshire offers a variety of ways to explore, from a three-hour train ride to clearly marked trail distances and historic collections.

Mountain Views and Rides on Mount Washington

At 6,288 feet, Mount Washington is the highest mountain in the Northeast; Mount Washington State Park is located on a 58.8-acre summit area. On clear days, views from the summit stretch up to 130 miles across Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Maine and Québec, and out to the Atlantic Ocean. The Sherman Adams Building houses the visitor center, a cafeteria, restrooms, gift shops, the Mount Washington Observatory and its museum. The summit can be reached by the Cog Railway, the Auto Road or one of the many hiking trails.

The Mount Washington Cog Railway offers a three-hour round trip, including a one-hour stop at the summit. In winter, from late October to early May, it runs to Waumbek Station at an elevation of 4,000 feet. There, you’ll find elevated viewing platforms, heated huts, a fire pit and complimentary hot drinks. Winter dates may vary; check them before making plans.

The Mount Washington Auto Road is a 7.6-mile drive through four distinct ecological zones, gaining more than 4,000 feet in elevation. It opened in 1861 and is considered America’s oldest man-made tourist attraction. For another scenic drive, visit Cathedral Ledge State Park, where a one-mile Auto Road leads to the top of the 700-foot Cathedral Ledge.

Mountain Pass, Gorges and Waterfalls

Franconia Notch is an eight-mile mountain pass between the Kinsman and Franconia mountain ranges. The Franconia Notch Parkway runs through the pass, from Flume Gorge in the south to Echo Lake in the north. A separate trail crosses the entire Franconia Notch and provides access to park facilities and natural features. Swimming, fishing and boating are available at Echo Lake, and kayaks and pedal boats can be rented. These rentals are seasonal.

The 800-foot-long Flume Gorge lies at the foot of Mount Liberty. The two-mile Flume Trail is a loop that begins at the ticket booths in front of the Flume Building. At the top of the gorge is Avalanche Falls, a 45-foot (13.6-meter) waterfall. Children and families can enjoy a scavenger hunt along the walk through the gorge.

The trail distances to two other waterfalls offer another point of comparison: Ripley Falls is a 100-foot cascade reached by a half-mile walk. Arethusa Falls is nearly 200 feet high and the tallest waterfall in New Hampshire; the trail to the falls is 1.4 miles long. The access road branches off Route 302 about half a mile south of Dry River Campground.

Lakes and Drives Across the State

The Lakes Region Tour loops around Lake Winnipesaukee and offers opportunities to stop for hikes, historic museums, strolls through town centers and a ride on the MS Mount Washington. On the western side of the lake, the tour offers views of Lake Winnipesaukee and the Ossipee Mountain Range. Outdoor activities such as boating, fishing and hiking are also available as part of the Lakes Region Tour.

Roads cross every region of New Hampshire, passing through the White Mountains, following major New England rivers and leading to scenic and cultural destinations. More than 1,000 miles of roads in New Hampshire are designated as fall foliage drives and cultural byways.

Art, History and Architecture

Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park was once the home of sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens and an unofficial center of the Cornish art colony. The Willey House Historic Site has a museum about the natural disaster in which the Willey family and two hired men disappeared, while their house remained undamaged.

Canterbury Shaker Village is a National Historic Landmark and museum offering tours, programs, exhibits, research resources and publications. The grounds cover nearly 700 acres of forests, nature trails, gardens and ponds. The buildings include 25 original and four reconstructed Shaker buildings.

The Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth’s Puddle Dock neighborhood tells more than 350 years of history. Visitors can tour historic homes, including grand mansions, working-class family homes, a colonial tavern and a 1940s shop. Most of these buildings stand on their original sites.

Maple Syrup and Seasonal Traditions

At sugarhouses throughout New Hampshire, visitors can watch maple syrup being made and sample the products; maple syrup and maple candies are available year-round. New Hampshire Maple Weekend takes place every March. More than 90 sugarhouses open their doors to visitors, and specific dates vary.

Discover more destinations: Rockingham, Cheshire, Carroll, Grafton, Strafford, Coos, Belknap, Merrimack County, Sullivan County, Hillsborough County, New Castle.

For the broader travel overview: USA.