The New England state of New Hampshire is
located in the north-eastern region of America and part of its
east coast lies next to the Atlantic Ocean, while the Canadian
province of Quebec sits to the north. The state has a rich
history as it became the first sovereign nation in the USA in
1776 after it gained independence from Great Britain. It’s also
one of the original 13 states which founded America.
New Hampshire is the fifth-smallest state in the
country when it comes to size and 10th smallest in population
with about 1.5 million people. It became the ninth state to join
the Union back in 1788. The state capital is Concord, while
Manchester is its biggest city. Other popular cities include
Portsmouth, Berlin, Claremont, Laconia, Franklin, Keene, and
Lebanon. The terrain is made up of picturesque mountains,
forests, rivers, and lakes which mean New Hampshire offers some
amazing scenery.
It’s also a great place to enjoy outdoor
activities all year round, such as biking, swimming, fishing,
snowmobiling, skiing, mountaineering, and hiking. Some people
like to visit and relax while watching the leaves
change color in the autumn while others take advantage of
lakeside cottages and the wonderful Atlantic seacoast and its
majestic beaches, especially in the Hampton Beach area.
In addition, the White Mountain National Forest
hooks up with sections of the Appalachian Trail which features
Mount Washington and its fantastic views and ski resorts. The
Lakes Region, including Lake Winnipesaukee, is ideal for
fishing, boating, and lake tours. If you’re more into the arts
and cultural things, there’s a thriving arts community in
Manchester along with a few educational institutions to explore,
while Concord is home to the state’s historical society,
library, and museum.
Other cultural activities include the Hopkinton
State Fair, the Peterborough Players, the New Hampshire Highland
Games, the Hampton Beach Annual Children's Festival, the Great
Waters Music Festival, the Hampton Beach Fireworks Display, the
Hampton Beach Annual Volleyball Tournament, and the Hampton
Beach Annual Seafood Festival.
New Hampshire enjoys warm, humid summers and
cold, wet winters. Some areas can get a lot of snow, so make
sure you dress according to the time of year you visit and the
area you’re going to be in.
Driving around the state is a great way to soak
in the scenery and the interstate and highway system is first
rate. If you’re planning on flying in, there are four airports
with commercial passenger service. However, the main one is the
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. You can also reach New
Hampshire by rail to Concord, Manchester, and Nashua and there
is a good bus service in the state. There are also a few tourist
railways to take and get a good look at the scenery.
There aren’t any major league sports teams in
the state, but you can enjoy motor sports down at the New
Hampshire Motor Speedway and in Weirs Beach in June the popular
Motorcycle Week rally is held. There are minor-league franchises
for baseball, basketball, soccer, and ice hockey.
There are numerous places to stay in New
Hampshire for people on any type of travel budget, including bed
and breakfasts, country inns, and lodges. The restaurants are
plentiful and offer up some fine local seafood along with
international dishes.
Scenic New Hampshire offers so much for people of all ages
and it’s an ideal place to visit at any time of the year.
About New Hampshire