A Perfect NH Itinerary For Your Visit This Summer.
The must visit spots on your visit to New Hampshire.
*In our opinion
From its small coastline, to its gorgeous mountains, New Hampshire offers a variety of beautiful scenery. There are great spots to vacation, hike, eat, and explore. Here is what we would recommend for a long weekend getaway.
Day 1. Start in Portsmouth, NH, easily accessible from 95 and only an hour from Boston. This historic little city (yes NH has cities) has a lot of charm, history, and great places to eat and drink. We recommend that you check into the Sailmaker's House. They’re a small hotel that boasts an intimate experience with Portsmouth quaint downtown. This hotel recommends all kids be over the age of twelve and offers free parking which is a hot commodity in downtown Portsmouth.
Once checked in, walk over to Strawbery Banke. Strawbery Banke is New Hampshire's only Smithsonian Affiliate Museum. The museum itself offers a few historical homes all decorated from distinct time periods from pre-colonial to the 1940s. Strawbery Banke Museum is only open in the summer, however if you are planning to visit in the winter, they offer outdoor ice skating called Puddle Dock Pond. If you are planning to visit around Halloween or Christmas also check their calendar for special events such as Ghosts on the Banke or the Candlelight Stroll.
After enjoying some history, walk around downtown Portsmouth for some shopping. Some of our favorite spots include:
Off Piste- A unique shop with something for everyone, funny cards, books, games, socks, and some New Hampshire specific souvenirs. They deem themselves “the coolest gift shop to exist in the history of forever” and we could not agree more!
Evie- An upscale boutique clothing store with a unique selection of rotating stock that is always fun to shop at!
Nahcotta- A adorable art and stationary store that has a variety of options such as pens, prints, original paintings, and some pretty cute jewelry!
Cotillion Bureau- A curated up-cycled vintage clothing and accessory store that has some of the most unique pieces I have ever seen. My daughter has bought a variety of different items there from a 1940s jacket, to vintage silk scarves, they have something for everyone. One aspect that we would love to highlight is that they sometimes offer plus size options in the form of high quality vintage inspired outfits.
For lunch, there are so many amazing spots. You truly can not go wrong. We recommend:
The River House- Located on the Piscataqua, The River House has beautiful views and delicious food. We recommend the clam chowder.
Popovers- Located in the heart of downtown, Popovers has good coffee, tasty salads and their popovers with maple butter are a must try. Whether you want a quick coffee to go, or to sit down for a few minutes, Popovers has options for both.
Moe’s- Moe’s is a New Hampshire institution. Moe’s offers Italian sandwiches, it's a classic Portsmouth staple. We recommend an original Moe’s with oil and don’t forget those salt and vinegar chips.
Salud- Salud offers a lighter affair, including Acai bowls, smoothies, and as the name may suggest, salads. This is your spot for a healthy bite to eat.
For evening activities summer is the time to visit Portsmouth. Prescott Park Art Festival offers a play throughout the summer. That is their main stage production playing most Thursday- Sunday throughout the summer. Then they also offer concerts and weekly movies in the park. The stage is set on the Piscataqua River and truly has magical vibes. Get there early, set a blanket down and walk around the beautiful flowers. Prescott Park Arts Festival is free to attend but they do ask for donations.
Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club, the Music Hall and the Press Room are other venues that offer great shows. Check out their websites for schedules and to purchase tickets. Although all these venues have a different vibe, they all offer high quality entertainment.
Looking for dinner? Or maybe a cocktail before you head out to listen to some amazing live music? Check out one of our go-to spots that is within walking distance from the hotel:
The Wilder- A gastropub, with moody vibes, The Wilder has a collective menu with something for everyone. We recommend the espresso martini.
Jumpin’ Jay’s- A local seafood spot that boasts fresh fish that is delivered daily. We recommend the catch of the day, where you can pick your fish, sauce and sides.
Old Ferry Landing- A rustic seacoast treasure that is right on the water. It is a popular spot to grab a drink and enjoy watching the tugboats. For drinks we recommend trying a Jimmy Juice. For dinner this is your spot for fried seafood.
Barrio- Tacos, tequila, and whiskey! Need I say more?
Toscana- An upscale Italian chop house and bar. Their food and drinks are amazing. This is a great spot for a special occasion, we recommend their burrata starter.
There are many other amazing spots around town that we could not fit them all here!
Day 2. The next morning, grab a coffee and a pastry (or my personal favorite, the eggs cilbir) at Elephantine Bakery. In the summer the line can get long but it is well worth the wait. Not only is their food amazing, but the atmosphere, owners, and the staff are also wonderful! If you are visiting in the summer we also recommend checking to see if there is any availability for their Aperitivo dinner, it has been the highlight of my summer each time I have been. They run this event on select nights later in the summer.
After you have your coffee it's time to hit the road. Start heading up north to explore the beautiful White Mountains. Have your hiking gear ready. There are so many trails for ANY ability. Pack a lunch or stop along the way and grab a sandwich for your outdoor adventure. The Common Man Roadside is a great spot to grab a bite on the go. The most convenient locations are in Hooksett (on 93 N) or if you miss that in Plymouth, NH.
The first spot I recommend stopping at is the Flume Gorge. The current cost is: $18 in advance or $21 at the ticket window per adult. This hike is about 2 miles round trip. You will be treated to an absolutely beautiful waterfall. Although it is pricey for a hike, it is worth the visit here. The trail is well maintained and it has a boardwalk that provides you a close up view of the flume.
After your hike at the Flume Gorge, keep on driving up through Franconia Notch (also known as the Notch), and check out the Basin. This family friendly hike has a paved section which is (according to their website) is handicap accessible. The Basin itself is the star of the show and is towards the beginning of the hike, so if the full 2.5 mile hike is not for you you can cut it short.
Want to rest your legs but still see some amazing views? We recommend stopping by Cannon Mountain’s Aerial Tramway (off exit 34B). The tramway is an amazing option to get an aerial view of the White Mountains, Maine, Vermont, and if you are lucky, sometimes even Canada! Tickets need to be purchased in advance and prices vary depending on if it is peak season or not. Check out their website for pricing and availability.
Or are you ready for another hike? We recommend stopping by Cannon Mountain’s Artist Bluff (exit 34C). Artist Bluff is a great hike for most people. The trail is 1.4 miles and can get very busy on beautiful days and extremely busy in the fall. Accessible from Cannons parking lot, there is some slight elevation gain, but it is still an easy hike. The trail provides amazing views of the Notch, lake, and Cannon Mountain.
After your mountain adventures check into the Mountain View Grand Hotel. Personally, this is one of my all time favorite hotels. They offer many seasonal activities. They have a game room, movie theater, indoor and outdoor pool, and a spa. In an ideal world it would be nice to spend two nights here. The first day check in a little later, enjoy dinner and drinks at the hotel restaurant and bar, then unwind in their pool.
We love to stay here anytime! They even make winter wicked fun!
Day 3: The next day, be sure to get up early and head to Sugar Hill to get breakfast. No trip to NH would be complete without a stop at Polly’s Pancake Parlor. This historic pancake parlor is amazing. They used to only be open in the summer but after a large renovation years ago, they are now open year round. They are a very busy place, so if you’re hitting them at peak breakfast hours make sure to call ahead. Before you leave Polly's grab yourself some of their special pancake mix from their gift shop for when you’re home.
Ready for another hike? After you have filled up with delicious pancakes head on over to Crawford Notch to hike Mt Willard. This 3.1 mile round trip hike is absolutely stunning. It is an out and back hike and offers amazing views with no rock scrambles or climbing experience needed. You can hear about our experience hiking Mt Willard on our podcast Link here.
After your hike, head into Littleton, NH. This is one of the cutest towns in New Hampshire. They have some great spots to eat, shop, and explore. A couple of my favorites include
Little Town Brews -A great beer store with the opportunity to make your own 6 pack with beers from around New England. They also offer a variety of non-alcoholic beers. And if you’re lucky you can meet their dogs who are so well behaved and so cute!
Chutters- A candy story which boasts the world's longest candy counter. Legit it is long! They have every type of candy we can imagine and then some.
Shaun Terhun Fine Art Photography Gallery- This one of a kind store is a must visit. His photography is absolutely stunning.
Looking for a good meal or a good beer or both? For dinner we recommend Schilling Beer Co for some of the best pizza and beer New England has to offer in a beautiful setting!
Day 4 After breakfast at the hotel and (being sad to leave the Mountain View Grand) head to the base of Mount Washington to ride the Cog Railway. You should pre purchase your tickets. They can be purchased onsite if availability allows.
This historic train has been taking people to the peak of the tallest mountain in the Northeast since 1869. It has a unique cog and rack system built specifically for the steep grades of Mt Washington. We learned on our adventure the technology that allows the train to ascent these steep peaks is similar to the chain on a bicycle. Once at the peak you will have plenty of time to enjoy the breathtaking views of the White Mountains including on a good day being able to see into Vermont, Maine, New York and even Canada! Make sure to pack some layers as Mt. Washington is famous for weather shifts and is known as the “world’s worst weather”.
After you have soaked up the amazing views it will be time to head to North Conway. An idyllic town for you to visit. You can get here a couple of ways, the most direct would be to drive 302 east, which is pretty scenic and will take you about 45 minutes. But if you have more time and want to visit one of the more iconic roads in NH drive back down through the Notch on 93 South and take exit 32 in Lincoln. The start of the Kancamagus Highway (Rt 112), also called “The Kanc” is at the end of Main Street. This trip will take you double the time but the views will be worth it.
When you arrive in North Conway, check into your hotel. We have always liked the North Conway Grand located in the heart of the outlet shopping area. There are a variety of hotels to fit all budgets here.
Spend time shopping around the main street area. Check out the famous Zeb's General Store. You can find something for everyone here. They have such a nostalgic vibe to them you will have so much fun poking around picking your perfect NH souvenir.
Check out one of our other favorite shops The Penguin or any of the other small business establishments here.
For a mid day coffee pick me up we like Frontside Coffee Roasters.
For lunch we like: Delaney’s Hole in the wall, Wicked Fresh Craft Burger or Breetos.
For dinner The only spot I would recommend is Tuckerman Brewing Co. They are my personal favorite beer and the food, which is pizza, is top notch.
Ending your trip to our beautiful state might be sad there is so much to do and see and explore. Everything in the article listed above we have tried or experienced and loved. I tried to write & plan this like I was taking the trip. To have you drive in a way that made sense and hit the highlights. It got me thinking what would other people from NH recommend. I took to TikTok to see what I missed. Even though I grew up in NH and went to college here, as well as live here, I am not a NH expert nor do I pretend to be. There are so many wonderful spots in our state left for me to explore. My TikTok followers left me over 300 comments about where they would recommend you visit if you have never been to NH before. Listed below are some of the more popular TikTokers recommendations:
* Places we have been to that didn’t fit into the itinerary above but we love.
Family Spots:
*Castle in the Clouds Moultonborough
*Storyland, Glen
*Santa’s Village, Jefferson
Clarks Trading Post, Lincoln
Fun Spot, Laconia
Polar Caves, Rumney
*Squam Lake Science Center, Holderness
Restaurants
Pickity Place, Mason
*Woodstock Brewery, North Woodstock
Vino, Exeter
*Cure, Portsmouth
*Petey’s, Rye
Tuckaway Tavern, Raymond
Rye Lobster Pound, Rye
Flying Goose Pub, New London
Walter’ Basin, Holderness
*Mad River Coffee, Campton
*Kaffee Vonsolln, Portsmouth
*A Place Above the Notch, Bethlehem
Maryann’s, Derry & other locations
Tilton Diner, Tilton
*Biederman’s, Plymouth
*BRGR-BAR, Portsmouth
Outdoor adventures
Tubing on of our beautiful rivers
*Hike Mt Major, Alton
*Hike Mt Monadnock, Jaffery
*Glen Ellis Falls, Gorham
*Diana’s Bath, Bartlett
*Gunstock Mountain , Gilford
Hike West Rattlesnake, Sandwich
*Hike Welch & Dickey, Thorton
Lost River Gorge, Woodstock
Hike to Lonesome Lake, Franconia Notch
Historic Sites and Other Cool Things to Check Out
The Woodman Museum, Dover
Ben’s Sugar Shack, Temple
Parker's Maple Barn Mason
Alpine Adventures, Lincoln
Granite Oak Farm, Harrisville
Tupelo Music Hall, Derry
Hotels
RiverWalk Resort at Loon Mountain, Lincoln
Patio Cabins, Twin Mountain
Wentworth by the Sea, New Castle
Church Landing, Meredith
Omni Mt Washington, Bretton Woods
The Wentworth, Jackson
Best Family Hikes
Taking a family trip to New England and want to get out and hike? Check out the best hikes for each age group for your family.
Want to get the entire family into hiking? Not sure where to begin or who to trust with your hike plans? Look no further—we've got you covered!
White Mountains NH
Mt. Agamenticus in York, Maine
Perfect for all ages! If you have preschoolers or beginners, this is the best little mountain to start with. There are multiple trails, some longer and some shorter. The Ring Trail, when followed clockwise from the parking lot, features a seasonal story maintained by the Friends of Mt. A. The Ring Trail circles the mountain without reaching the summit, but several trails branching off lead to the top.
I personally love the Ring Trail not only for the story but also for the views and the old ski lift from when Mt. A had skiing. The trail is just under 2 miles, and the mountain's total elevation is 692 feet. The views from the top are beautiful—you can see the ocean and, on a clear day, well into the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Dogs on a leash are welcome, so bring the entire family! Plus, if you hit this one early in the day, you can finish with a bagel and iced chai from the Bagel Basket.
Mt A
Mt. Major in Alton, NH
We love this mountain and have so many fond memories of hiking it as a family with friends. Located not far from Gunstock, it was a perfect step up from Mt. A and still close to home, or at least our home.
There are a few trails here. The Boulder Loop Trail (marked with blue blazes) offers a more direct route to the summit. Alternatively, you can take the Mount Major Trail, which involves a good amount of rock climbing, or opt for the Brook Trail, which is a little longer but less steep. The overall elevation here is about 1,800 feet, and depending on the trail, your round-trip mileage will be approximately 3.1 miles with an elevation gain of over 1,100 feet.
This mountain is perfect for the entire family, including dogs on leashes! Elementary-age kids are the sweet spot here—it’s a great confidence-building hike.
Mt. Kearsarge in Warner, NH
The trailhead is located in Winslow State Park. This mountain is a bit more challenging than Mt. Major. The round-trip hike is about 3 miles but involves a steeper ascent.
We hiked the Winslow Trail up and the Barlow Trail down. The elevation gain is about 1,100 feet, and the mountain's overall elevation is just over 3,000 feet. The 360-degree views of the White Mountains and into Vermont are incredible.
The ascent is steep but just challenging enough for kids and dogs (on leash). At the summit, there is a fire tower (usually closed to the public) and a picnic table area. Keep in mind that there is a fee to enter the park. Perfect for older elementary kids and older.
Mt. Willard in Crawford Notch, NH
The Mount Willard Trail starts at Saco Lake by the old train station. This trail is about 3.1 miles round-trip with approximately 900 feet of elevation gain.
There are a few water crossings and some rocky terrain, but the trail is well-marked. The summit, at about 2,900 feet above sea level, offers a stunning, jaw-dropping view of the Crawford Notch area, including the beautiful Willey Mountain Range. If you time your hike right, you can even catch a glimpse of the scenic railroad train passing through the notch.
Fall can be very busy, but the views are stunning year-round. We prefer to avoid peak season to enjoy the trail without the crowds. We love this hike for a step up from Mt A elementary age kids and older. There are no rock climbing or scrambling. We appreciate the lack of any technical aspects of this hike. Perfect for beginners or experts alike!
Basin Cascade Trail in Lincoln, NH
This trail is accessible from the Franconia Notch Bike Path and is perfect for even the littlest hikers. You can push an off-road stroller for much of the trail after the pavement ends.
The trail follows a series of waterfalls and smoothed rocks, creating a beautiful and unique hike. There are deep pools where people wade and cool off. You can hike as far as you like, but the full out-and-back trail is about 2.6 miles. The trail increases in steepness as you go, with the lower sections being the busiest. Because that is where the view is.
There is a fee for parking, and it is strictly enforced due to the trail's popularity.
Diana’s Baths in Bartlett, NH
A must-do activity if you're visiting the North Conway area! This easy hike is part of the U.S. National Forest System, so there is a self-pay kiosk for parking, and the lot can get busy on popular weekends.
This hike is perfect for little ones and grandparents alike. It’s a short walk to the viewpoint area. While there are some rocks to climb if you want to get closer to the water, climbing is not necessary to enjoy the view.
If you like this list or want more suggestions check out our podcast for more details about all of these hikes and other outdoor adventures Around New England.
Thanks Mike & G.
How We Plan Our Hikes
How to plan a successful day hiking in New England
If you're planning a trip to New England and want to explore the beautiful outdoors we call home, we're here to help! We don't do anything too fancy when planning our hikes, but a little preparation goes a long way toward having a safe and successful day. Plus, at our age, it's all about staying safe and finding the best food afterward!
Mt Pemigewasset
Step 1: Decide the Day's Plan
First things first—how much time do we have? Are there any commitments that mean we need to be home by a certain time? If not, we're free to follow where the trails (and the weather) lead us—with the promise of delicious food at the end.
I keep a running list of hikes: some challenging, some moderate, and some easy. My go-to sources for finding new trails have always been books. One of my favorites is Foghorn Outdoors: New England Hiking - The Complete Guide to More Than 380 Hikes by Michael Lanza. This book is over 20 years old, so I double-check things like road closures, but the detailed descriptions and honest ratings make it a gem. Each hike is rated on a scale of 1-10 for views and difficulty—because let's be honest, isn't that why we hike?
Another book I recently picked up is New Hampshire's 52 With a View: A Hiker's Guide. by Ken MacGray It focuses solely on New Hampshire mountains under 4,000 feet. Some trails are still challenging, but all offer incredible views without the grueling climb—a definite win-win.
Mt Osceola
Step 2: Plan the Post-Hike Meal
Food is a key part of our hiking adventures. We always research dining options before we leave because cell service at the trailhead can be spotty. Where we go depends on what time we finish the hike. If we wrap up early, we're on the hunt for a cozy local coffee shop. If it's closer to lunch or dinner, we love finding a local restaurant for a well-earned meal and a refreshing drink.
Bonus Step: Use the AllTrails App
In addition to books, we rely on the AllTrails app for planning. I love checking recent trail reviews and photos to know what to expect. It's a lifesaver when it comes to gear decisions—because nothing ruins a hike faster than being unprepared. Huge thanks to all the hikers who share their trail updates!
Tuckerman Ravine trail
The Night Before: Prep is Everything
A little prep the night before makes for a smoother morning. We pack our gear, lay out our clothes, and make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in advance. That way, in the morning, Mike can toast my bagel (he's the morning person, not me) while I get ready. There's something so peaceful about hitting the trail early, so this routine helps us get out the door without a hitch.
If the weather looks iffy, we throw rain gear in the car—better to have it and not need it than the other way around. We also wear comfy shoes to the trailhead and pack our hiking boots to change into when we arrive. In the summer, we even keep an extra set of clothes in the car just in case we get too sweaty and want to freshen up before heading to eat.
Middle & North Sugarloaf
Want more tips and stories? Tune in to our podcast, Around New England, where we share all the details about our hikes and adventures. Let us know what you'd like to hear next—and happy hiking!
Mt Chocorua