Introduction
Home to rugged mountains, glittering lakes and vast valleys and forests, New Hampshire really is a nature lover’s dream. While most people come to explore its diverse landscapes, scenery and nature, the Granite State also has lively cities and cozy towns with fall being a particularly fantastic time of year to visit due to all the colorful foliage on show.
Located in the northeast of the country in New England, it is bordered by Massachusetts, Vermont and Maine. In addition, the state also shares a small boundary with Canada and has a short stretch of Atlantic Ocean coastline. While the jagged White Mountains range dominate and define its northern realms, the south is much flatter with pristine forests and sparkling rivers and lakes coating much of the state’s territory.
Due to its scenic splendor, most tourism revolves around its fabulous natural features with hiking, skiing and camping all being popular outdoor activities. Most visitors head to White Mountain National Forest for its wonderful woods, peaks and viewpoints with Mount Washington and Mount Monadnock state parks also attracting lots of hikers and mountain bikers.
Aside from hiking along the Appalachian Trail or kayaking about the large Lake Winnipesaukee in the Lakes Region, New Hampshire also has charming towns and cities to explore. Its capital Concord, for instance, has a delightful historic district to amble around that is home to elegant old houses and its gleaming Capitol Building.
The revitalized mill town of Manchester, its largest city, is also worth a visit for its flourishing arts, culture and nightlife scenes as is Portsmouth, a historic port set not far from sublime beaches, islands and stunning coastal scenery.