Sure, outsiders might think of New Hampshire as the backdrop for countless presidential campaign stops every four years. But those who stick around long past the departure of the last presidential hopeful know that there鈥檚 a lot more to the Granite State than the diners and town halls you see on TV.
Small but mighty, the state offers a surprisingly varied mix of landscapes: , , and more.
Best of all, it doesn鈥檛 take long to get from each of those regions to another. But trust us, you won鈥檛 want to rush too much 鈥� the best New Hampshire day trips are those that leave room for spontaneous detours.
Whether you鈥檙e new to the area or a longtime Granite Stater looking to explore a bit more, read on for ideas on how to make the most of your visit to three regions in particular: the Lakes Region, the Monadnock Region and the Seacoast.
Where do you like to go when you have a free day in the Granite State? Do you have a favorite hidden gem, or another spot you love to show off to visitors? Let us know at [email protected] 鈥� and we could add your ideas to this post.
The Lakes Region
The region is just south of the White Mountains and is home 鈥� as the name implies 鈥� to many lakes and water bodies.
The biggest of these is Lake Winnipesaukee. Newfound, Winnisquam, Ossipee and Squam lakes round out a notable handful. Squam Lake was featured in 鈥淥n Golden Pond,鈥� the 1981 film starring Henry Fond, Jane Fonda, and Katherine Hepburn. (Fun fact: Part of that Academy Award-winning movie was shot on Little Squam Lake in Holderness.)
The Lakes Region covers a wide swath of the state 鈥� some towns in the Lakes Region are along the border with Maine, and others are not far from Vermont. But most parts are within a two-hour drive of Boston.
Visitors are drawn here for beaches and boating, fishing, hiking, shopping, and live entertainment.
If you鈥檙e a music lover 鈥�
Catch a show at The . This concert venue in Gilford has a busy summer and fall schedule for concerts. James Taylor and Third Eye Blind have already stopped by, while the season鈥檚 remaining lineup includes Daryl Hall and Elvis Costello on July 22, and Willie Nelson & Family, with Bob Dylan and John Mellancamp, for the Outlaw Music Festival, on Sept. 20.
If you鈥檙e a nature lover鈥�
Cool off at one of the region鈥檚 many . A couple of great ones include Wellington State Park (boat launch available), White Lake State Park (camping available), or Wentworth State Park. off Route 11 in Gilford has a 600-foot sandy beach on Lake Winnipesaukee. It鈥檚 a good place for family swimming and picnicking. On busy weekends, consider reserving a beach pass.
Take a hike. Mount Major off Route 11 in Alton offers a spectacular view of the Big Lake. It鈥檚 a moderate hike, with several trails going to the summit. However, there is a underway 鈥� leaders encourage people to consider visiting on weekdays, or the off-season.
Go easy, go east. Try a light hike at , or visit the Governor Wentworth Historic Site in Wolfeboro, which is celebrated as 鈥淭he Oldest Summer Resort in America.鈥� The town鈥檚 also home to the and the .
If you鈥檙e a beer lover鈥�
Head to Franklin. One of the gateways to the Lakes Region, this city is home to the Daniel Webster Birthplace. (The historic site provides 鈥渁 glimpse of 1700s farm life in the infant years of the United States.鈥�) It鈥檚 also where you鈥檒l find , a craft brewery founded in 2018 by Jason and Shelly Harrington and Damon and Megan Lewis, who joined forces to celebrate good beer and food. Vulgar Brewing is on Central Street in Franklin (4 miles away from Daniel Webster鈥檚 site). Franklin is also home to the Mill City Park, a whitewater paddling park on the Winnipesaukee River.
And Kettlehead Brewing has locations in Franklin and Tilton 鈥� which is on the way toward I-93 and the Tanger Outlets just east of I-93 on Route 3/11. Fun fact: Franklin is known as The Three Rivers City. It鈥檚 where the Winni converges with the Pemigewasset to form the headwaters of the Merrimack River.
If you find yourself a little farther north, stop by Twin Barns Brewing in Meredith.
The Monadnock Region
The Monadnock Region is known for its picturesque mountain landscape and popular hiking trails, but the quintessential New England towns in this part of the state boast much more than that. Come for the iconic views, stay for the arts and culture offerings and unique festivals that take place year-round.
The city of Keene, home to Keene State College, is the focal point of this region, with a vibrant downtown and mix of restaurants and shopping options 鈥� though you鈥檒l likely make plenty of discoveries exploring some of the smaller towns like Peterborough, Jaffrey and Hancock.
If you鈥檙e a creative鈥�
Stop by the in Keene. Not far from the center of town, this space hosts two concert stages, a cafe, an open art studio and more. Plus, each spring they host a multi-day music festival aptly named The Thing in the Spring.
Grab a ticket to the . Just a few blocks away on Keene鈥檚 Main Street, the 100-year-old venue welcomes a full slate of live music and dance performances in addition to special film events highlighting new and classic films.
If you鈥檙e hungry for another show, try . In the neighboring town of Jaffrey, this cultural hub bills itself as 鈥淣ew England鈥檚 showplace for live entertainment and movies,鈥� featuring everything from summer blockbusters to open mic nights.
If you鈥檙e a curiosity seeker鈥�
Go on a scavenger hunt for . A visit to Keene鈥檚 downtown brings the opportunity to take a Magical History Walking Tour of 16 outdoor murals that depict images of the city鈥檚 history. Maps of the walking tour are available at City Hall or , and the Historical Society of Cheshire County offers regular .
Build new connections with . The isn鈥檛 until September, but hosts a book club, happy hours, outdoor events and lectures throughout the summer. Make a new friend before the festival on Sept. 15!
Plan a trip to the . The annual event 鈥渟howcases and celebrates the rich cultural diversity鈥� of Keene through performances and hands-on activities. It鈥檚 also an opportunity to sample a rich array of international cuisines from across the Monadnock region.
If you鈥檙e the family trip planner鈥�
Get closer to nature at the . Located on a 鈥�34,500-acre SuperSanctuary of conserved lands,鈥� the organization offers guided hikes, naturalist-led workshops and interactive lectures, many with a focus on children and families.
You鈥檙e probably familiar with the Boston Red Sox, but what about the ? The collegiate summer team plays at Alumni Field in Keene through July 鈥� check out with the SwampBats and Keene Pride on July 25.
If you鈥檙e still waiting for your Hogwarts letter to come in the mail, check out . Downtown is decorated in Hogwarts house colors, local businesses create special themed items, and special games and activities take place throughout the week.
The Seacoast
Depending on who鈥檚 counting, New Hampshire鈥檚 coastline is either (as the crow flies), , or somewhere in between. This region is also home to our 鈥�,鈥� the tidal estuary known as .
If you鈥檙e a family trip planner鈥�
Spend a day . Hampton Beach (known for its ) and Jenness Beach (a favorite among surfers) are popular, but they can get pretty crowded. Luckily, there are plenty of other lesser-known to explore.
Hop on a boat to . Part of the , the island regularly plays host to conferences in its historic hotel and has developed a of return visitors. But it鈥檚 also open for more casual of all ages, boasting scenic walking trails and more.
Explore . Nestled along the edge of the Atlantic, this state park boasts gorgeous ocean views, trails, lighthouses, picnic areas and . It鈥檚 also home to the , where you can get to know the creatures that call our coastline home.
Take a tour with the . This Seacoast-based organization elevates often-overlooked stories of Black history , with a focus on connecting those histories to issues we鈥檙e still grappling with in the present. They also offer guided , many of which are based in Portsmouth or other towns in the Seacoast region.
Pay homage to the . The creators of the beloved comics, Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, lived in Dover while working on early versions of the franchise. Today, you can find 鈥� a commemorative sewer cover 鈥� outside of their former home at 28 Union St. (While you鈥檙e in Dover, there鈥檚 lots of other cool spots to explore, including the .)
If you鈥檙e a foodie鈥�
Grab a cup of freshly roasted coffee at . This Rye cafe and roastery pays tribute to the coffee culture its owner remembers being introduced to at a young age in Colombia. As Max Pruna told NHPR in 2023, he had his first cup 鈥� with lots of milk and sugar 鈥� at age 6. 鈥淚t tasted like heaven,鈥� Pruna said. 鈥滻 guess at that age, whatever your mom is doing with love tastes like the greatest of all.鈥�
Restock your pantry like a pro at . This isn鈥檛 your average specialty food store. It was by Evan Mallet, who runs the bistro and wine bar, right upstairs. (Stock + Spice is now another longtime Black Trumpet employee, Paula Sullivan.) If you鈥檙e looking to add some adventure to your kitchen routine but not sure where to start, the store鈥檚 is a great place for inspiration.
Sample some local . A booming oyster industry is taking shape in the Great Bay. If you want to do more than shuck a few shellfish for an appetizer, consider a more immersive experience. in Little Bay offers , which include an up-close look at harvesting and the chance to collect your own samples. Just pay attention to the disclaimer: 鈥淵ou will get muddy, you will get salty and you will have a great time.鈥�
Throw back a pint or two at . This small but mighty staple of New Hampshire鈥檚 has racked up for its commitment to sustainability, its business practices and, of course, really good beer. But don鈥檛 sleep on its , which features a rotating selection of farm-to-table delights, some of them fresh from their own fields in North Hampton.
Step out of your comfort zone at . Since this intimate Dover restaurant opened in 2012, Chef has pushed the boundaries of 鈥溾�� to new territory 鈥� incorporating , and other hyperlocal ingredients into his dishes. Be sure to plan (and save your pennies) in advance: The restaurant only seats six diners at a time; the rotating multi-course tasting menu runs $175 per person. If you鈥檙e looking for a slightly pared down experience, you can also grab drinks and small bites in their newly opened sister lounge, .
Want more? .
Did we miss something? Let us know at [email protected].
