Put yourself in the middle of New England's natural beauty and historic heritage with a New Hampshire vacation. Known as the Granite State, its mountains, lakes and seashore offer sporting activities and quiet hidden places of solitude. New Hampshire's distinct seasons draw the adventurous, romantics and shutterbugs. Take your time to explore the state's back roads and taste its local flavors. Just remember to bring a sweater -- 70 degrees Fahrenheit is the average temperature during New Hampshire's warmest summer month of July.
If skiing is your thing, New Hampshire's Bretton Woods and Mount Sunapee are probably familiar names. Known nationally for their award-winning slopes and trails, both resorts offer action-packed winter challenges and comfortable lodging for singles, couples or the entire family. Lesser known but equally snowy alpine and cross-country ski areas welcome vacationers at more than two dozen locations across the state. For snowmobilers, New Hampshire's 6,830 miles of trails provide ample space to roar through the snow-covered countryside. Purchase your snowmobile registration at one of the 200 agencies in the state, or online from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.
Fishing, boating and lounging on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukie are time-honored traditions for a summertime vacation in New Hampshire's Lakes region. Rent a vacation home or cottage where the whole family can hang out, barbecue and sleep on a screened-in porch listening to the water lap against the property's own small boat dock. If that sounds like too much work for vacation time, check into one of the area's resort hotels or a quaint bed and breakfast. The Inns & Spa at Mill Falls, in the lakeside town of Meredith, offers four distinctly different lodging options, from an inn in the village to hotel-style accommodations with views of the lake. Seven restaurants ensure you'll get a break from cooking and the Cascade Spa puts the finishing touch on full relaxation.
Enjoy the legendary colors of a New England autumn with a vacation driving through New Hampshire's back roads and mountains. Starting in mid-September, the gold, bronze, yellow and blazing orange leaves are a photographer's mecca and vacationers' dream. Plan your excursion for peak foliage color by checking the state's Department of Travel and Tourism website for updates on which region is reaching its peak. Many hotels offer specially priced foliage watcher's weekend packages. The Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa in the heart of the White Mountains is a luxurious base-camp to launch your foliage spotting tour and relax in a AAA Four-Diamond rated historic hotel.
Invigorating sea breezes, fresh seafood and fascinating history are in store for vacationers to Portsmouth, New Hampshire's largest town on the Atlantic coast. Get your bearings with a stroll along Portsmouth's Harbour Trail, stopping at the 10-acre Strawberry Banke Museum for a peek into colonial American life. Settle into one of the town's comfortable hotels, inns or a bed and breakfast within walking distance of downtown activities. Your time may be filled with visiting the boutiques, eclectic shops and galleries, but whatever you do, save time for dining out. Recognized for its growing culinary status, Portsmouth restaurants range from gourmet to casual. Check out the Wellington Room at Water's Edge, an award-winning, quintessential seacoast restaurant with waterfront views.
