New Hampshire travel is only about four hours distance from top to bottom and less if you go from the east coast line to the western border with Vermont. However, it could easily take two weeks to see even half of all the marvelous attractions for the family. Fall is the most beautiful time to go, but any season will have unique attractions and activities for all the members of the family.
Kids Attractions in New Hampshire
In the northern east side of New Hampshire is a small town called Glen. There a family will find an enchanting adventure park called Story Land. The park has rides, games, restaurants, gift shops and even some animals for entertaining the youngest children. Cinderella has a coach and castle and the little ones can take a picture with Humpty Dumpty on the wall. The park is clean, very well landscaped and has new attractions added on an ongoing basis.
Six Gun City is also in the north, in Jefferson. This park is a replica of the old west and includes cowboys, horses, gun slingers and lots of fun for the elementary school age kids. The nice part about these attractions is the close proximity to hotels, campgrounds and some of the most scenic areas of New Hampshire's White Mountain range
Fall Foliage, Fairs and Fun in New Hampshire
Most every weekend in the late summer and fall will be celebrated by a country fair in some town in New Hampshire. The North Haverill Fair in the White Mountains near Vermont is a five day event that runs in late August and is followed by the Lancaster Fair on Labor Day and many others throughout the months of September and October.
The beauty of the fairs, including all the exhibits and attractions is accented by the incredible mountain foliage that begins before September ends. Games, rides, demolition derbies, animal and tractor pulls and some of the best looking livestock available are all part of the fun of a real country fair. Add to that some big name music talent and delicious food, and a great time will be guaranteed for all.
Peace and Quiet Hiking in New Hampshire
Being close to nature and the animals is a big part of the charm of New Hampshire. Deer, moose, black bear, fox and dozens of small animals are only a few trees away from the mountain hiker or even a casual walker in the woods of this lovely place. The White Mountains are the biggest draw but the top corner of New Hampshire is real moose country and the Monadnock region in the south is just as pretty a fall landscape as any in New England.
The whole family will enjoy the natural attractions of New Hampshire including places like the Flume Gorge, the Basin, Lost River and the Polar Caves. These contain waterfalls and rock formations of various types. The wildlife in these areas of northern New Hampshire is equally beautiful and plentiful.
New Hampshire Beaches
For those beach lovers, New Hampshire boasts Hampton Beach, one of the longest and most lively areas in the state. Hampton has gorgeous white sands, fun night clubs and all kinds of festivals in the fall, including Sand Castle Contests, Sun Fish Races and the Seafood Festival. Whale watching or deep sea fishing from Hampton or Rye will be worth the time. Keep sunscreen and a hat handy for this kind of adventure.
Portsmouth is also on the coastal section of the state and boasts many a historical building, fun night life and some of the best restaurants anywhere on the east coast. Nearby are the Durham and Dover areas, college towns that house many of the students attending the highly regarded educational institution, the University of New Hampshire.
New Hampshire is filled with quaint small towns and villages and fun, friendly folks to meet. Fall in the state is a big tourist draw, so reservations are needed. The weather is changeable in fall. Sometimes a light jacket is needed and once in a while, a coat and gloves. Fall evenings are most often very cool and crisp. Enjoy the autumn in New Hampshire as it is fleeting. Winter comes early with snow in the north most often by October's conclusion.
If you enjoyed this article, read Enjoying Fall in New England.
Therese Haberman - With a MS degree and 25 years in HR mgmt, in 2005, Ms.Therese began a writing career specializing in children and HR.
Join the Conversation