Things to do / Travel Guide
A prominent feature in the New Hampshire and Vermont region are the mountain passes - called “notches” in New Hampshire's White Mountains and “gaps” in Vermont's Green Mountains. Many of the popular tourist destinations are in or near the notches and gaps.
New Hampshire - Great North Woods
The northernmost area of New Hampshire is termed the Great North Woods. It is in this area where travelers can visit the politically-significant Dixville Notch (where in presidential elections the polls open at midnight and close a minute later), do some moose watching, and stay at the luxurious Balsams Grand Resort Hotel. Visitors wanting to see Mt. Washington from this far north area needn't do more than climb up the 3,074-foot Mt. Pisgah, where the views are spectacular.
New Hampshire - White Mountains Area
The White Mountains area (consisting of the Presidential and Franconia mountain ranges) covers most of the northern portion of New Hampshire. Mt. Washington, the highest point in the northeastern United States, is part of the Presidential Range. It is 6,288 feet above sea level and home to some of the worst weather in the world. Notably, you can ride to the top of the mountain on the Mt. Washington Cog Railway in Bretton Woods in an old-fashioned railway car. Other peaks of note in the area, such as Loon Mountain and Cannon Mountain are well-known as excellent areas to ski in the winter months. The main city in this area of New Hampshire is Berlin. Other sites in the White Mountains area are the Franconia Notch, Bear Notch, Crawford Notch, Pinkham Notch, Kinsman Notch, and Mt. Chocorua.
New Hampshire - Lakes Area
About 200 lakes, large and small, cover the New Hampshire Lakes area, located in the east-central portion of the state. The largest lake, featuring more than 250 islands over 280 miles of shoreline, is Lake Winnipesaukee. The area around this lake is a hiker's and boater's paradise. The name Winnipesaukee means “beautiful water in a high place” or the “smile of the Great Spirit” in the Pennacook language, and is based on an old Native American legend. Just north of Lake Winnipesaukee and just south of the White Mountains Area, travelers will find Sandwich Notch.
New Hampshire - Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee
In the western part of New Hampshire, the quaint and charming town of Hanover sits along the banks of the Connecticut River. The state's commercial center, the town is also home to Dartmouth College, one of the nation's prestigious Ivy League schools, founded in 1769.
New Hampshire - Monadnock Area
This area of New Hampshire is among the best places to visit for pristine woodlands, and to better get in touch with nature. The Monadnock area's rolling hills, pastoral charm, and rural nature makes it an excellent place to get away from it all. Monadnock Mountain is also known as a good and picturesque place for skiing.
New Hampshire - Merrimack Valley
Located in the south-central area of the state known as the Merrimack Valley, Concord, the capital of New Hampshire, is the hub for railway and road systems linking all corners of the state. The gilded dome of the State House dominates the city's skyline, while the Museum of New Hampshire History is also located nearby. This area of New Hampshire also contains the historically and architecturally significant Canterbury Shaker Village. Other notable cities in this area are Manchester and Milford.
New Hampshire - Seacoast Area
Portsmouth is a harbor town that can be found in New Hampshire's Seacoast area, along the state's Atlantic Ocean coastline in the southeast. It serves as New Hampshire's only seaport, and was also the state's capital city until 1808. An urban gentrification program initiated in the 1950s ensured that much of the local history and colonial character of the city has been preserved.
Northern Vermont
In the western part of northern Vermont sits the state's largest city, Burlington, a popular tourist destination and a college town. In fact, students and employees of the University of Vermont, one of the oldest universities in the country, account for more than half the city's population.
Just west of Burlington is a body of water sometimes called the “sixth Great Lake,” Lake Champlain. The lake is about 120 miles long by 12 miles wide and features ferries constantly traveling back and forth from New York to Vermont. At the northern tip of the lake is Isle La Motte (or Grand Isle) which houses St. Anne's Shrine as well as one of the oldest log cabins in the United States.
The excellent ski resort area of Stowe, as well as Waterbury (home of the Ben and Jerry's factory), is located in just about the center of northern Vermont, along with Smuggler's Notch.
A pristine area in the eastern part of northern Vermont featuring lakes, forests, and beautiful countryside, Vermont's Northeast Kingdom is home to some or the region's most quaint villages, such as Peacham, Greensboro, and Craftsbury Common, which all look very much like most of the U.S. looked a century ago. The area is best known for its activity during the colorful fall foliage season, when many of the towns host tours, crafts shows, and church breakfasts.
Central Vermont
The Green Mountain National Forest is a 350,000-acre preserve that covers major portions of central Vermont and features many well-maintained areas with picnic facilities and campgrounds. More than 500 miles of hiking paths have been cleared, and there is also some excellent boating and fishing, mountain biking, and on-road biking available. The Green Mountain National Forest is also home to many of New England's remaining covered bridges.
Located just about dead center in Vermont, Montpelier is the smallest state capital in the United States, with a population of less than 10,000. The city's streets and landscaping are quite charming and can easily be toured and enjoyed on foot. In stark contrast to the diminutive size of the city itself, the beautiful and imposing Vermont State House stands out proudly. Other notable cities in this area of Vermont include Rutland, Barre, and Middlebury.
Southern Vermont
The Green Mountains take up about half the real estate in southern Vermont. They are heavily forested and the mountains have eroded over time into ranges that are more rounded than rugged. The towns in the area are spread out along the foothills of the Green Mountains.
The Norman Rockwell Exhibition in Arlington and the classy and invigorating spa at the Equinox are among the attractions that draw tourists to southern Vermont. The area's natural attractions include the ski resorts of Bromley Mountain and Stratton as well as the gorgeous fall foliage that characterizes the region. The charming bed and breakfast establishments (B&Bs) stretching from Brattleboro in the east to Bennington in the west are excellent places to stay when visiting this area.
Places to Visit in Burlington, Stowe, Rutland and the New Hampshire and Vermont mountains
Places-to-Visit
Canterbury Shaker Village
Lake Winnipesaukee Cruises
Vermont's Northeast Kingdom
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