New Hampshire is full of natural beauty. While it’s great to get out and explore on foot, sometimes the best way to see the beautiful New Hampshire wilderness is by taking a scenic drive. In a car, you can cover more miles, and see more of the Granite State. Here are seven beautiful scenic drives in New Hampshire that you’ll love.

1. The Kancamagus Highway
Kancamagus Highway, NH-112, Lincoln, NH 03251, USA
Glass_House/flickr
The most well-known scenic drive in New Hampshire is famous for a reason. You'll wind through the White Mountain National Forest, and have access to rivers, waterfalls, and beautiful vistas. The scenic Route 112 stretches 34 miles, and you can start your drive in Lincoln (with easy access to interstate 93), or in Conway. Plan plenty of time to stop and enjoy the views at each of the Highway's turnout parking lots.

Learn more about taking a drive on the Kancamagus Highway.

2. The Seacoast
Portsmouth, NH 03801, USA
Kevin Oliver/flickr
A drive along the seacoast will bring you through rich history in Portsmouth, along the rocky coast to a modern boardwalk in Hampton Beach. Begin your drive on Route 1B in Portsmouth, joining with Route 1A, which will bring you through Rye, North Hampton, and Hampton Beach. Be sure to get out to enjoy the view and great seafood along the way! When you're finished, hop on Interstate 95 for easy access to the rest of the state. The Seacoast's natural beauty is often completely overlooked.

Read more about the Seacoast in New Hampshire.

3. The Lake Sunapee Loop
Little Lake Sunapee Road, Little Lake Sunapee Rd, New London, NH, USA
Dailyjoe/flickr
The western portion of the state is often forgotten when it comes to drives, but the rural charm and beautiful towns make it perfect for a scenic drive. Start in Greenfield, heading North on 31, which will still bring you through picturesque towns and the Franklin Pierce Homestead. Join Route 10 near Goshen and turn onto Route 114 in Springfield. In Henniker, take Route 202 East, to Route 13, to Route 136, which will bring you back to Greenfield, where you started. This beautiful loop is a great drive, particularly in the fall, when the leaves are exploding with color.

Read more about the Lake Sunapee Loop.

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4. The Northern Wilds
Berlin, NH, USA
Carol Vinzent/flickr
Once you've been through the White Mountains, push yourself even further North, for more spectacular views and glimpses of wildlife. From Route 16 in Berlin, head north to Errol. Turn on Route 26 through Dixville Notch, which has spectacular views of mountains, lakes, and an enchanted looking resort. Follow this winding road to Colebrook, where Route 3 south will bring you past more beauty. In Groveton, take Route 110 east back to Berlin. This often-ignored corner of the Granite State is quiet, peaceful, and scenic.

Read about our favorite hike in the Wilds.
5. The Connecticut River Byway
Claremont, NH, USA
Ken Lund/flickr
The Connecticut River provides the western border of New Hampshire, and a drive along it provides gorgeous views of rural New Hampshire. Begin in Charlestown heading north of Route 12A, through Claremont. Be sure to stop at the Windsor-Cornish covered bridge (the longest in the country) and Saint-Gauden's National Historical Site in Cornish. Stop to enjoy a delicious, homestyle lunch in Lebanon or Hanover, and continue north or end your scenic drive by hopping on Interstates 89 or 91.

Learn more about the Connecticut River Byway.
6. The Mount Washington Auto Road
Mount Washington Auto Road, Mt Washington Auto Rd, New Hampshire, USA
Danielle Schreier / Getty Images
The Mount Washington Auto Road is a scenic drive like no other. Begin this 7.6-mile drive from the mountain base in Gorham. Getting to the summit will take you about 30 minutes, and you can expect to spend 30-40 minutes coming down. Of course, you'll want to spend plenty of time at the top, enjoying the view from the roof of New Hampshire. Be warned, this drive is not for the faint of heart! You'll want to be comfortable driving on narrow, winding roads and not be bothered by drop-offs on the side.

Do you dare take a drive on the Mount Washington Auto Road?

7. The Lake Loop
Meredith, NH, USA
Ken-Ichi Ueda/flickr
New Hampshire is famous for its lakes, so of course there is a scenic drive that will take you around some of the most beautiful around. Begin in Meredith on Route 25. Follow that north through Center Harbor and Moultonborough, two other towns on Lake Winnipesaukee. Join Route 109 South in Wolfeboro. When that joins with Route 153, you can choose to go north toward Conway, or south to continue your drive around the lake. When you get there, you can even spend some time touring the lake by renting a boat!

Learn more about why the Lake Loop belongs on your NH bucket list.

Where are your favorite places for scenic drives in New Hampshire? Feel free to tell us below! And don’t forget to check out our Road Trip Essentials Packing List!

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More to Explore

best scenic drives in New Hampshire

Kim Magaraci | August 13, 2021

What destinations make for family-friendly New Hampshire road trips?

Some family-friendly destinations in NH include:

  • The Children's Museum of New Hampshire
  • Granite Gorge
  • Sabbaday Falls
  • The Seacoast

 

The Seacoast is the perfect spot for a family-friendly road trip. You'll have plenty of towns to see, places to stop, and lots of restaurants to choose from that will suit even the pickiest person in the car. Older kids will appreciate the views along the Kanc, and New Hampshire's most famous byway provides a gentle introduction to the White Mountains, which are known for rugged trails and wild weather.

What are the most scenic places in New Hampshire that you can see without hiking?

Some easy-to-access natural wonders in NH include:

  • Lake Winnipesaukee
  • Jackson Falls
  • Sabbaday Falls

 

There are a lot of beautiful places to see in New Hampshire without lots of hiking! Our biggest lakes, particularly Lake Winnipesaukee, are easy to access from many points along their shoreline. If you're looking for an easy-to-find waterfall, both Sabbaday Falls and Jackson Falls are worth a visit. Sabbaday Falls is wheelchair-accessible, and Jackson Falls is just a short walk from the parking lot.

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