New Hampshire Travel
New Hampshire is famous for many things: gorgeous beaches, breathtaking rivers, high-class winter sports and delightful maple syrup and apples. The state is also known for its formative role in U.S. history. It was New Hampshire that first declared independence from England, and a New Hampshire resident who became the country’s first acting vice president. This Web guide helps you plan a trip to New Hampshire to experience this pioneering atmosphere firsthand, and find some peace and relaxation along the way.
Expand All Guide SectionsTravel in New Hampshire
Whether you want to search out beautiful covered bridges, enjoy a part of colonial America or fancy an evening at the coast, New Hampshire has all of these attractions and still more packed into just a few square miles. See what adventures await you in New Hampshire using the online resources recommended below.
Dulcinea's Insight
- For tourism purposes, New Hampshire is divided into travel regions: Great North Woods, White Mountains, Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee, Lakes Region, Monadnock, Merrimack Valley and Seacoast. Searching by region may make it easier for you to find the information you need.
- Because New Hampshire is so close to Canada, you may want to have a passport handy in case you decide to cross the border. The U.S. Department of State has information about applying for a passport if you need one.
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For New Hampshire facts and history …
The New Hampshire Almanac
tells the history of New Hampshire and how the state was founded.
50states.com
provides additional facts about New Hampshire, including the official state symbols, the state flag, the state’s largest cities and much more. Browse the long list of information to find a tidbit that interests you.
For an overview of New Hampshire tourism …
New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development
offers an extensive review of the attractions and travel options available in New Hampshire. Make sure to see the “Best Time To Visit” page to learn what attractions are in their prime at certain times of the year. At the “Maps And Brochures” page, driving directions and free visitors guides are available to help prospective tourists.
The New York Times
travel guide to New Hampshire highlights the excitement and color of New Hampshire with beautiful photographs and helpful articles about planning a trip and where to visit in the state.
NewHampshire.com
is a site with entertainment, cultural and recreational information about New Hampshire. Check here for concert, theater or movie tickets, and for ideas about enjoying the outdoors in New Hampshire.
For New Hampshire cities and towns …
The City of Concord, New Hampshire
Web site details the cultural and recreation opportunities available in New Hampshire’s capital city. Place your cursor over the “Visitors” option at the left of the screen to search for hiking trails, restaurants, lodging and other tourist attractions.
NHCities.com
provides listings of restaurants, hotels and events taking place in several New Hampshire cities.
For outdoor recreation …
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
explains how to obtain a hunting permit or fishing license in New Hampshire.
SkiNH
provides all the information you’ll need for enjoying New Hampshire’s official state sport: skiing. Find lift ticket deals, resorts in New Hampshire, and maps and driving directions. There’s plenty of information here about other recreational activities like biking, golf and family fun events, too.
For state parks …
The New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation
contains multiple resources for finding and spending time in a state park or learning about important historic sites. Obtain information about park fees, or make reservations at a particular location. The site is searchable by activity or recreation, and region.
For road trips …
Road Trip USA
features a section on driving through New Hampshire. View a detailed map of notable locations across the state, then consult the list of communities and stops in the left sidebar for insider tips on what you’ll see when you arrive.
For historic trails …
The National Park Service
discusses the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and the Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site in New Hampshire.
For covered bridges …
Visit New England
lists the locations of various covered bridges in New Hampshire and other New England states. Interested in the historical value of what you’re seeing? The site offers up a few great facts about each bridge.
Who knew?
The New Hampshire Maple Producers’ Association
discusses the maple syrup industry in New Hampshire. Learn about “sap season” and how syrup is produced, or search for sugarhouses in the state.
Where to Stay in New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a cozy little state with abundant lodging opportunities. Find the right place to suit your needs and interests using the Web sites recommended in this section.
Dulcinea's Insight
- To see what other travelers think of accommodations in New Hampshire, check a Web site like TravelPost.com for user-submitted hotel reviews.
- If you’re a history buff, a stay in a historic hotel may be enjoyable. Type “New Hampshire” and “historic hotel” into your favorite search engine to find a great place to stay. One such search yielded an interesting site about Wentworth by the Sea in New Castle, New Hampshire.
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For hotels and other accommodations …
New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development
has an extensive directory of lodging opportunities in New Hampshire. Search for bed and breakfasts, cabins, condos, hotels and more using the search tool.
NHLiving.com
lists some of the lodging options available in New Hampshire. Check for vacation rentals, hotels and inns. The real gem here is the section on pet-friendly lodging.
For camping …
Recreation.gov
is a one-stop shop for booking campground reservations, cabin rentals, RV sites and other lodging opportunities. Use the dropdown menus at the left of the screen to make reservations. You’ll need to sign up for a free membership first.
The New Hampshire Campground Owners Association
contains a list of private and public campgrounds in the state that are members of this organization. Don’t miss the “Why Camp in New Hampshire?” page for more inspiration about what to see on your trip.
Kampgrounds of America (KOA)
provides a map of New Hampshire showing the KOA facilities around the state.
Getting Around in New Hampshire
Sure, New Hampshire doesn’t look very big on the map, but you’ll still need to plan your travel arrangements carefully. The Web sites listed below offer some practical advice about traveling around New Hampshire (think weather and road reports), as well as more touristy advice, such as finding the best scenic train rides.
Dulcinea's Insight
- If you’re traveling New Hampshire by car, you can plan your trip more efficiently with travel time estimates and mileage calculations from Rand McNally.
- If you’re traveling by air, visit the findingDulcinea Travel Web Guide to search for affordable flights to New Hampshire.
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For general travel advice …
New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development
provides airport, bus, train and driving information for the state. Learn which highways and interstates pass by each transportation facility to plan your travel arrangements.
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation
offers traveler’s alerts and weather information to help tourists plan their trips around New Hampshire. The Travel Planning section includes information about alternate transit, rest area locations, maps and more. Don’t miss the Bicycle/Pedestrian Information Center for help moving around New Hampshire under your own power.
The National Weather Service
provides weather watches, advisories and warnings for New Hampshire. For local weather forecasts, use the “Local forecast” search box on the upper left of the main page.
For a rental car search …
Hotwire.com
has bargains on domestic car rentals from major companies like Avis, Budget and Hertz. Specify the date, time of pickup and location, and they’ll find the best deal. Warning: you’ll learn which of the three companies you’re renting from only after you accept the price.
CarRentals.com
compares car rental rates from more than 10 major companies, including Budget, Alamo and Thrifty. The search engine is quick and easy to use.
For New Hampshire airports …
Visit New England
features a list of airports around New Hampshire, complete with addresses and contact information for each facility and distances from that airport to other locations.
For buses …
Greyhound
buses service several cities in New Hampshire. Get schedules, routes and fare information for your bus trip.
For RV rental …
Kampgrounds of America (KOA)
recommends “KOA Preferred” RV rental centers in New Hampshire, and also provides contact information for national rental services like Cruise America and El Monte RV.
For trains …
TrainsNH.com
details the scenic train rides available in New Hampshire. Click on an icon on the homepage to find a route that interests you.
© 2012 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
