Home Destinations USA New Hampshire Planning Your Trip

Planning Your Trip

Budgeting Your Time

Some people come to New Hampshire to hike or ski the mountains, fish and sail the lakes, or cycle along the back roads. Others prefer to drive through scenic towns, visiting museums and shops. Although New Hampshire is a small state, roads curve around lakes and mountains, making distances longer than they appear. You can get a taste of the coast, lake, and mountain areas in three to five days; eight days gives you time to make a more comprehensive loop.

When To Go

Summer and fall are the best times to visit most New Hampshire. Winter is a great time to visit the White Mountains, but most other tourist sites in the state, including the Portsmouth museums and the Lake attractions, are closed. In summer, people flock to seaside beaches, mountain trails, and lake boat ramps. In the cities, festivals showcase music, theater, and crafts. Fall brings leaf-peepers, especially to the White Mountains and along the Kancamagus Highway (Route 112). Skiers take to the slopes in winter, when Christmas lights and carnivals brighten the long, dark nights. Spring's unpredictable weather—along with April's mud and late May's black flies—tends to deter visitors. Still, the season has its joys, not the least of which is the appearance of the state flower, the purple lilac, from mid-May to early June.

Getting There & Around

New Hampshire is an easy drive north from Boston, and serves as a good base for exploring northern New England. Its major destinations are easily located off major highways, so getting around by car is a great way to go in the state.

Though Boston's Logan Airport is nearby, it's easy to reach the state by air directly as well. Manchester Airport is the state's largest airport and has nonstop service to more than 20 cities.