The
best thing about growing up in Massachusetts was the many vacations we
enjoyed in New
Hampshire. The trips to Silver Lake in beautiful
Hollis, N.H., were
just a half hour away, but seemingly far away from everything.
To
this day, it wouldn't be a New England vacation for kids without
swimming
in cozy, clean Silver Lake,
playing ball in the pine tree-cooled fields, making sand castles, and
eating hot dogs and hamburgers until blue in the face. Set in the
quintessential New England colonial, church-steepled town of Hollis,
Silver Lake is a quiet place to be close to family, make lots of new
friends and years later happily relive those memories in the photo
scrapbook and videotapes.
People
do not go to New Hampshire, however, to seek out just Silver Lake.
Silver Lake is just a prime example of vacationing families finding
their own special destination and the many things to do in the "Granite
State."
New
Hampshire is ultimately craggy and rugged, full of rocky terrain
leading up to majestic mountains and stunning vistas. Mount Washington
is New England's highest point at over 6,000 ft, but the "high points"
just don't end there -- the state peaks frequently with great tourist
destinations for children and adults, alike.
Theme
destinations like Storyland, Santa's Village, Clark's Trading Post (a
trading post with a live bear display out front) and Water Country
(huge water slides) rev up the fun quotient for children, while revving
up the adult side is July's Motorcycle weekend and, in the winter, some
of the best skiing in the northeast. For those who like a quiet time,
New Hampshire has plenty to offer from the tranquil artist's village of
Peterborough in the southwest region to the relaxing, more mature
environs of beautiful Wolfeboro in the Lakes Region. Wolfeboro is
America's oldest resort community. It is well known for good reason,
too: take a stroll down any of the east side streets and you'll end up
with one of the prettiest views in New Hampshire -- a cool, calm lake
surrounded by mountains. Nice walkways and a gazebo add to the charm,
as well as extremely friendly residents who have a respect for their
town and the people who visit their charmed community. Once at the
lake, it's hard to believe one is just a major league baseball
rightfielder's throw from Main Street. The feeling of going from a busy
-- but not too noisy -- Main Street to a place of great solitude by the
water in just seconds provides a great option to those torn between
shopping and relaxing within the same continent.
There
are many Wolfeboros in New Hampshire, especially in the Lakes Region --
pretty, pastoral, friendly and open to visitors staying in their towns.
A
little further north of the Lakes Region are White Mountains. This area
is made for family fun, especially in the Lincoln-North Woodstock area.
Great scenery, Mount Washington, motels with indoor swimming pools,
family style restaurants that are easy on the wallet, great skiing in
the winter, and lakes with crystal clear water perfect for summer
swimming are just a few of the things that have families coming back
year after year.
For
the less mature, there is Hampton Beach, a premier New Hampshire
vacation destination on the limited New Hampshire seashore. Hampton
Beach has tattoos, surfer dudes, future Jerry Springer guests, sloping
foreheads, women who don't know the word "modesty" and... a beach,
mounds of fried dough and pizza that isn't -- For better or worse,
everyone has a Hampton Beach story. Full of show offs and people who
just can't seem to get that office job, Hampton Beach is a prime New
England summer vacation spot and offers one of New England's prettiest
beaches if you block out the honky tonk. -- it's a great stretch of
beach perfect to stroll and swim. Like Howard Stern, those who like
Hampton Beach stay a day or two. Those who don't stay a week.
New
Hampshire is not famous for its cities, but Manchester is worth a look.
Not too long ago, Manchester was a run down city casting its head down
on the Merrimack River, with urban blight and a Gotham City feel. The
vacant mill buildings overlooking the River eventually filled up with
businesses, stores, restaurants and other attractions, creating a
vibrant entrance to the inner city, which has followed suit. The
downtown is alive with a new entertainment center, lots of new retail
and dining choices, and growing neighborhood pride with many homes
being lovingly restored to their original splendor. The great
Manchester International Airport is all shiny and new and has helped
bring further appeal to this proud city.
Lakes,
mountains, fresh air and other rural delights ultimately put New
Hampshire on the map as a great New England vacation destination. It is
the place where childhood memories are made, no matter what age.
We
encourage you to "travel New Hampshire" through our library--at
Visiting New England.com, native New Englanders bring you the best in
New England vacation trip planning planning and travel information with
detailed essays, reviews, tips and resources. We hope you enjoy
browsing our New Hampshire travel library and hope to see you travel
New England soon. Please feel free to e-mail
us with any questions, or sign our guestbook.
NEW
HAMPSHIRE FEATURE TRAVEL ARTICLES, VACATION TIPS AND RESOURCES
New
Hampshire Destinations - Great Towns and Cities
 New Hampshire's best
travel destinations
Hidden,
less traveled New Hampshire destinations Hampton Beach, NH, offers the ultimate honky tonk summer beach scene.
Londonderry, NH
, travel for families
Lincoln, NH,
vacation
destination summary.
Meredith, N.H., has instant
lakeside appeal in a small-town setting.
Wolfeboro, N.H., is a trip
back in time, beautifully situated on the eastern shores of Lake
Winnepesaukee.
Portsmouth, N.H., has great
seaside charm.
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New Hampshire Attractions
(includes shopping)
Read
our New England tourist attractions page for the best things to do in
New Hampshire. Personal
Sacrifice, Honoring the Fallen
on Memorial Day in Londonderry.
Fresh apple cider from
Mack's Farm, Londonderry, N.H...in April!
The
world's longest candy counter in Littleton, NH
Visiting Echo Lake Beach,
Franconia Notch State Park, NH
Popular
Walks in the New Hampshire Lakes Region.
Discover
New Hampshire's most spectacular waterfalls.
Shaker Village's incredible
history.
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New Hampshire Dining
The Red Arrow
Diner, Milford
Markey's Lobster Pool,
Seabrook
Parker's Maple Barn is more
than just a "sugar house" -- it's a New England dining legend.
The Tilt'n Diner serves up four
star food in a classic 1950s diner setting.
Run,
run as fast you you can...to the gingerbread-themed Yum Yum Shop, a classic
old-fahsioned bakery in Wolfeboro, N.H.
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New Hampshire Hotels
Find hundreds of New
Hampshire Hotels at discount rates -- book
online through VisitingNewEngland.com.
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New Hampshire
Calendar
Check the New England calendar of
events section for key New Hampshire events and news.
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New Hampshire Trip Planning
Support
Have
a question about visiting New Hampshire? Ask the experts for
all your New Hampshire trip planning needs!
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New Hampshire Travel
Archives/Past Press Releases:
The Lakes Region of New Hampshire
lives for summer
New Hampshire foliage is a
sight to behold.
New Hampshire ski areas spend to
improve.
New Hampshire's best ski areas.
Turn
Over a New Leaf in New Hampshire
This Fall, en route to your New England fall foliage vacation.
New
Hampshire polishes up its crop of
antique apples.
Mt. Washington Valley
Offers a myriad of Family Attractions in 2004
Best New Hampshire
communities
Kids' Programs at NH Ski Resorts
Learn to Ski/Snowboard at NH Ski
Resorts
Deals at NH Ski Areas
Womens' Programs at NH Ski Resorts
Homemade fresh, natural New
England-made --VITAMINS?? How one busy travel
pubisher incorporates whole food supplements from Megafood, of Derry,
N.H., into his diet for better health.
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