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New Hampshire, United States

New Hampshire

Spend two days looping the White Mountains: Franconia Notch one day, the Kancamagus and Mount Washington the next. This guide pulls together 1 sight, 5 activities and 2 places to eat from our curated routes.

Plan New Hampshire with friendsBrowse 9 places
New Hampshire, United States
Places
9

1 See · 5 Do · 2 Eat · 1 Drink

Curated routes
1

New England Fall Foliage

Best season
Sep – Oct

from our route notes

Warmest month
July

27°C / 81°F avg high

Coolest month
January

-1°C / 30°F avg high

Wettest month
October

about 124 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in New Hampshire

9 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in New Hampshire in White Mountain National Forest.

  • Sabbaday Falls in New HampshirePhoto: Zohar Stup · Google
    See

    Sabbaday Falls

    Easy 0.7-mile walk to a tiered waterfall in a narrow flume off the Kancamagus.

    Tip Recreation pass required for parking along the Kanc.

    • White Mountain National Forest
    • Free
    • 45 min
    • Midday

Do

Hands-on ways to spend time in New Hampshire across Franconia Notch, Lincoln and White Mountain National Forest. 2 of them are free.

  • Flume Gorge in New HampshirePhoto: MyCatIsAChonk · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Do

    Flume Gorge

    Two-mile loop on boardwalks through a granite gorge with waterfalls and covered bridges.

    Tip Buy timed tickets online in fall; go at opening to beat crowds.

    • Franconia Notch
    • $$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Opening time
  • Loon Mountain Scenic Gondola in New HampshirePhoto: R H · Google
    Do

    Loon Mountain Scenic Gondola

    12-minute gondola up Loon Peak with an observation tower over 24 of NH's 4,000-footers.

    Tip Runs late May to mid-October; check loonmtn.com/hours.

    • Lincoln
    • $$$
    • 2 hr
    • Late morning
  • Artist's Bluff in New HampshirePhoto: Atul Nautiyal · Google
    Do

    Artist's Bluff

    Short, steep hike to a ledge over Echo Lake and the notch, a classic foliage photo spot.

    Tip 1.5-mile loop; the lot fills fast, arrive early.

    • Franconia Notch
    • Free
    • 75 min
    • Sunrise
  • Kancamagus Highway in New HampshirePhoto: Jon Campbell · Google
    Do

    Kancamagus Highway

    34.5-mile scenic road between Lincoln and Conway with no services and wide overlooks.

    Tip Fill up gas before starting; pull off at Pemigewasset and Sugar Hill overlooks.

    • White Mountain National Forest
    • Free
    • 2.5 hr
    • Late Sep–mid Oct
  • Mount Washington Cog Railway in New HampshirePhoto: King of Hearts · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Do

    Mount Washington Cog Railway

    Coal and biodiesel trains climbing the steep west face of the Northeast's highest peak since 1869.

    Tip Book ahead and bring layers; summit weather changes fast.

    • Bretton Woods
    • $$$$
    • 3 hr
    • Clear day

Eat

2 places to eat across Sugar Hill and North Conway, picked for groups who care about the food.

  • Polly's Pancake Parlor in New HampshirePhoto: Polly's Pancake Parlor · Google
    Eat

    Polly's Pancake Parlor

    Family-run since 1938, serving pancakes from house-ground flours with mountain views.

    Tip Seasonal hours; open roughly May through October.

    • Sugar Hill
    • $$
    • 60 min
    • Breakfast
  • Moat Mountain Smokehouse & Brewing Co. in New HampshirePhoto: Moat Mountain Brewing Company · Google
    Eat

    Moat Mountain Smokehouse & Brewing Co.

    Barbecue and house beers in North Conway at the east end of the Kancamagus.

    Tip Good post-hike stop; no reservations for small groups.

    • North Conway
    • $$
    • 75 min
    • Dinner

Drink

1 bar or café in North Woodstock for coffee, a round or a nightcap.

  • Woodstock Inn Brewery in New HampshirePhoto: Woodstock Inn Brewery · Google
    Drink

    Woodstock Inn Brewery

    Brewpub with an outdoor patio in North Woodstock, a natural end to a notch day.

    Tip Order Pigs Ear Brown Ale; the patio is busy on weekends.

    • North Woodstock
    • $$
    • 75 min
    • Evening

How to fit New Hampshire into a trip

New Hampshire is stop 2 of 3 on our New England Fall Foliage route. Follow it as-is or lift New Hampshire into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

New Hampshire month by month

Average daily highs run from -1°C / 30°F in January to 27°C / 81°F in July. October is the wettest month, with about 124 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. New Hampshire weather and the best time to visit →

Near New Hampshire

8 other destinations from our guides within about 200 km (124 mi), measured in a straight line.

New Hampshire questions, answered

How many days do you need in New Hampshire?

Our route notes suggest 2 days in New Hampshire. On our New England Fall Foliage route it is stop 2 of 3 in a 7-day trip. The listed visit times for our 9 places add up to roughly 15 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is New Hampshire best known for?

Spend two days looping the White Mountains: Franconia Notch one day, the Kancamagus and Mount Washington the next. Standouts on our list: Sabbaday Falls (Easy 0.7-mile walk to a tiered waterfall in a narrow flume off the Kancamagus); Flume Gorge (Two-mile loop on boardwalks through a granite gorge with waterfalls and covered bridges); Loon Mountain Scenic Gondola (12-minute gondola up Loon Peak with an observation tower over 24 of NH's 4,000-footers).

When is the best time to visit New Hampshire?

Our New England Fall Foliage route is best Sep – Oct. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (27°C / 81°F), the coolest in January (-1°C / 30°F) and the most rain in October (about 124 mm).

What are the best things to do in New Hampshire?

Start with Flume Gorge, Loon Mountain Scenic Gondola, Artist's Bluff, Kancamagus Highway and Sabbaday Falls. Our guide lists 9 places in all, from 1 sight, 5 activities, 2 places to eat and 1 bar or café.

Where should a group eat in New Hampshire?

Our picks: Polly's Pancake Parlor (Sugar Hill); Moat Mountain Smokehouse & Brewing Co. (North Conway). Seasonal hours; open roughly May through October (Polly's Pancake Parlor).

What is near New Hampshire?

The closest destinations in our guides are Portsmouth (about 67 km / 42 mi), Woodstock (about 90 km / 56 mi) and Boston (about 102 km / 63 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan New Hampshire with your crew

Open the New England Fall Foliage route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 9 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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