As one of the original colonies when the United States was founded, New Hampshire is rich with history and with natural beauty. New Hampshire is home to endless nature excursions and stunning views. With the ever-so-scenic White Mountains and the multitude of granite formations and quarries that warranted the nickname, “The Granite State.” Whether you are a permanent resident or a one-time visitor, New Hampshire is a place where there is something for everyone all year round.
History
New Hampshire was historically a major hub for paper making, textile manufacturing, and shoemaking. Nowadays, New Hampshire is a major hub for outdoor adventures and vacations. Home to some of the highest ski mountains on the East Coast, New Hampshire draws in all those who enjoy winter activities especially.
Beholder of the most well-known state motto, “Live Free or Die,” New Hampshire encourages all residents and visitors to live freely the way they wish. The motto was adopted from a speech written by General John Stark, New Hampshire’s most famous soldier, during the Revolutionary War, in which he stated, “Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils.” The motto conveys assertive independence that can be seen as a trait found throughout the history of America’s political philosophy. Thus, living life to the fullest is the mantra which New Hampshire residents and visitors should live to.
Lincoln, New Hampshire, United States
Things to do
New Hampshire is filled with a variety of activities to participate in every season. Everyone can live freely doing their favorite outdoor activities at some point during the year. The spring and fall welcome hikers, bikers, and walkers to venture the many trails and paths formed for people to witness the beauty within New Hampshire. The White Mountain National Forest actually links New Hampshire and Maine along with parts of the Appalachian Trail. If you have ever wanted to stand in two places at once, a hike along these parts would achieve that dream. In the spring, an extra special activity is to go maple sugaring. This is where you can taste fresh maple and eat the best pancakes with syrup you have ever had!
As the weather warms up and cools down, swimming in the many lakes and ponds might not be the first choice. But kayaking and canoeing are still very much encouraged. All through the summer, water sports, sunbathing, and swimming is excellent pastimes. After a day in the sun, you can spend a few hours at the drive-in theater at Weirs Beach. Weirs Beach is also home to an annual motorcycle rally, Motorcycle Week. This event attracts all sorts of motorist enthusiasts along with the New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
The wintertime is possibly the most beautiful (depending on your opinion of snow, of course). It rivals the fall foliage as the leaves change each autumn. New Hampshire tends to get a great amount of snow due to how far north it is and it makes for spectacular skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and tubing. For a romantic night, taking a horse-drawn sleigh ride on one of the farms is heartwarming.
Places to See
Living freely in New Hampshire is easy with so much to do and see. For the adventurous souls, you can drive your own car up the winding road of Mount Washington. This is the highest peak in the Northeast, to the top of the 6,288-foot mountain. If mountains are not your preference, the various museums and historical sites throughout the state are likely to peak some interest. One of the most charming towns is North Conway. This is where you can find an old-fashioned general store and museum dedicated to trains. Nearby are also shopping outlets, in fact, all purchases made in New Hampshire are tax-free! So no matter what your type of travel and vacation is, New Hampshire truly has a little bit of everything and is simply stunning all year round.
