Posted in New Hampshire July 10, 2021 by

The 11 Very Best Day Trips You Can Possibly Take In New Hampshire

In today’s busy day and age, it’s all too easy to get caught up in the daily grind and forget to experience all the best of what’s around us. Luckily enough, New Hampshire has plenty of great attractions that make perfect short adventures. If you ever find yourself wondering “where can I find the coolest day trips near me in New Hampshire?”, take a peek at our list below and explore all that your state has to offer! You’ll make memories that last a lifetime.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: onlyinyourstate.com/nominate
1. New Hampshire's Mountain Coaster
Facebook/Attitash Ski Resort
See one of New Hampshire's biggest ski slopes in a whole new way on this alpine slide. You'll travel nearly 3,000 feet at up to 25 miles per hour - but you control the speed, and it's not too scary for kids.

You can read more about it right here.
2. Franconia Notch State Park
Flickr/Vince O'Sullivan
Franconia Notch State Park truly has everything - from mountains, to a river, to a lake, to gorgeous waterfalls. There are plenty of easy trails and a remarkable number of sights to see.

See what there is to discover!
3. Gilmanton Winery and Vineyards
Facebook/Gilmanton Winery and Vineyard
This picture perfect winery in Gilmanton is the perfect place to spend a day strolling through the vineyard and sampling some delicious wines.

This place is paradise!
4. Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site
Flickr/putneypics
This incredible Cornish spot features beautiful sculptures and gardens. Don't forget to bring your camera when you explore.

Take a peek at how pretty it is and you'll fall in ove.
5. Mount Washington Observatory
Flickr/ppdiaporama
Whether you drive, hike, or take the railway up Mount Washington, the Observatory is worth a visit. A tour of the weather station will leave you in awe of the power of nature, and of course the views can't be beat.

Plus, you can even stay the night if you plan ahead!
6. Charmingfare Farm
TripAdvisor/Charmingfare Farm
Much more than a farm, this remarkable place is more like a zoo. In addition to farm animals like cows and horses, you can get up close and personal with wolves and bears!

See what this cool place has to offer and plan your trip.
7. Loon Mountain Gondola Ride
TripAdvisor/Loon Mountain
Another ski slope that offers up plenty of surprises in the summer, Loon Mountain has a fantastic gondola ride that will give you incredible views and also give you a chance to explore hidden caves.

What a breathtaking view!
8. Sculpture Rocks Natural Area
Facebook/New Hampshire State Parks
This stunning gorge in Groton is the result of thousands of years of running water sculpting stone, and it's absolutely worth a visit.

You'll be speechless when you see this New Hampshire natural wonder.
9. Mount Washington Cog Railway
Flickr/Dennis Jarvis
People come from far and wide to ride the Cog Railway - if you haven't done it yet, you need to add it to your New Hampshire bucket list. It truly is a unique and magical experience.

It's such a fun ride to the top.
10. Benson Park
Facebook/Bensons.WAF
This Hudson town park used to house a small zoo and amusement park. Now it's a much quieter place, but you can still see some of the old structures and animal enclosures. Keep an eye out for the live music performances they host.

History and nature - a dream pair.
11. Jackson
Flickr/James Walsh
A list of day trips wouldn't be complete without some suggested towns to spend the day in. Of course, there are plenty to choose from in New Hampshire, but Jackson is a great place to start.

You'll never want to leave!

In New Hampshire, any of our seasons can be the perfect time to make some new memories – so gather your family and pencil some day trips in on your calendar.

Address: Little Attitash Mountain, Bartlett, NH 03812, USA
Address: Franconia Notch, Lincoln, NH 03580, USA
Address: Gilmanton Winery and Restaurant, 528 Meadow Pond Rd, Gilmanton, NH 03237, USA
Address: Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park, 139 St Gaudens Rd, Cornish, NH 03745, USA
Address: Mount Washington, Mt Washington, Sargent's Purchase, NH 03846, USA
Address: Charmingfare Farm, 774 High St, Candia, NH 03034, USA
Address: Loon Mountain Gondala Rides, Brook Way, Lincoln, NH 03251, USA
Address: Sculptured Rocks, Groton, NH 03266, USA
Address: Benson Park, 19 Kimball Hill Rd, Hudson, NH 03051, USA
Address: Jackson, NH, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

Day Trips Near Me In New Hamshire

July 15, 2021
Kim Magaraci

What are some must-visit places in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire is a gem of a state, and luckily, we don’t take it for granite. With towering mountains, gorgeous lakes, remarkable hikes, and the best skiing on the East Coast, there are so many great places for a day trip in New Hampshire. Along with the places listed above, be sure to add a couple of other natural wonders and charming towns to your Granite State bucket list. The Flume Gorge is a beautiful spot in the summer, sure, but it transforms in the winter, and it’s truly worth visiting. Wildcat Mountain is known as a great place to ski with views of Mount Washington, and in the summer, it offers scenic hiking, too.

Which season is the best for taking scenic day trips in New Hampshire?
Fall and winter are the best seasons for scenic day trips in New Hampshire. If you love snow, you’ll love exploring in the winter! Most people, though, prefer to travel around New England in the fall. The autumn colors appear like a fireworks show on the mountainside, and there’s nothing prettier than a view from a gondola, summit, or train bridge when the colors start to pop. Plan a beautiful byway drive that ends with a lakeside picnic, or take an easy (well, easy for the White Mountains) hike to the top of Mount Willard for some bucket-list-worthy trips.

Address: Little Attitash Mountain, Bartlett, NH 03812, USA
Address: Franconia Notch, Lincoln, NH 03580, USA
Address: Gilmanton Winery and Restaurant, 528 Meadow Pond Rd, Gilmanton, NH 03237, USA
Address: Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park, 139 St Gaudens Rd, Cornish, NH 03745, USA
Address: Mount Washington, Mt Washington, Sargent's Purchase, NH 03846, USA
Address: Charmingfare Farm, 774 High St, Candia, NH 03034, USA
Address: Loon Mountain Gondala Rides, Brook Way, Lincoln, NH 03251, USA
Address: Sculptured Rocks, Groton, NH 03266, USA
Address: Benson Park, 19 Kimball Hill Rd, Hudson, NH 03051, USA
Address: Jackson, NH, USA