Summer is in full swing, your kids are crawling up the walls, and you’re itching to break out of your normal routine. Escape the ordinary with a day trip! New Hampshire has something for everyone, whether you’re looking to get out into the great outdoors or stay where it’s air-conditioned. If you are looking for things to do in New Hampshire in the summer, here are some of our favorite picks for the best day trips in New Hampshire. Which ones will you do first?

1. Soar above the clouds on New Hampshire's longest scenic gondola ride
Loon Mountain, Lincoln, NH 03251, USA
Gondola Skyrides/TripAdvisor
Fly up to the peak of Loon Mountain, where you can explore glacial caves. The views on your way up and down are truly unforgettable.

One of our favorite summer activities in New Hampshire is taking the Loon Mountain gondola to see the scenic landscape below:
2. Visit an Ice Age wonder
Franconia Notch, Lincoln, NH 03580, USA
Pete Rivera/Flickr
This incredible natural wonder in New Hampshire in Franconia Notch is a spectacle that dates back 25,000 years, and you need to see its beauty up close to really appreciate it. Check out AllTrails for all of the best hiking trails in Franconia Notch State Park.
3. Get up close and personal with animals of all kinds
Charmingfare Farm, 774 High St, Candia, NH 03034, USA
Charmingfare Farm/TripAdvisor
Charmingfare Farm in Candia has animals ranging from the tame (horses, cows) to the exotic (wolves, iguanas). Take a good look, and then enjoy one of their trail rides or horse-drawn wagon rides.
4. Clamber through an ancient gorge
Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves, 1712 Lost River Rd, North Woodstock, NH 03262, USA
Alana L./TripAdvisor
Lost River Gorge in North Woodstock was formed by melting glaciers, and today you can explore this geological wonder yourself by clambering through the caves.
5. Spend the day on a lazy river
Saco River, United States
Saco River Canoe Rental Company/Facebook
Gather up your friends and spend a day floating down the Saco, cooler in tow. What could be more relaxing than tubing the river in New Hampshire? Not a whole lot.
6. Challenge yourself to the world's longest mini-golf hole
Chuckster's, 9 Bailey Rd, Chichester, NH 03258, USA
Chuckster's
At Chucksters in Chichester, it's really a feat if you manage a hole-in-one. Once you've mastered your golf game, move on to their other fun and challenging activities.
7. Satiate your sweet tooth at the world's longest candy counter
Chutters, 43 Main St, Littleton, NH 03561, USA
Mary-Sue W./TripAdvisor
Chutters in Littleton is worth the drive. With a 112-foot-long candy counter, this is a day trip in its own right - and there are plenty of other shops and attractions in the area to make it worth your while. This is one of those unique things to do in New Hampshire that you won't be able to pass up.

If you are looking for one of the sweetest places to visit in New Hampshire in summer take a look at the worlds longest candy counter at Chutters in Littleton:

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8. Run from a wolf man and watch bears take tea
Clark's Bears, 110 Daniel Webster Hwy, Lincoln, NH 03251, USA
Clark's Bears/Facebook
At Clark's Bears in Lincoln, you'll find plenty to entertain your family - from a classic locomotive ride with a creepy twist to bumper boats and a climbing wall. And don't forget the trained bears!
9. Explore a secret garden
Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park, 139 St Gaudens Rd, Cornish, NH 03745, USA
Putneypics/Flickr
The Saint-Gaudens National Historical Site in Cornish was home to a famous sculptor, and now it's open to the public. You won't want to miss the chance to explore the stunning buildings and grounds.
10. Swim under a waterfall
Emerald Pool, State Rte 113, Chatham, NH 03813, USA
Sean Munson/Flickr
Emerald Pool in Chatham is a natural swimming hole in New Hampshire off the Baldface Trail that offers stunning surroundings and crystal clear water - you'll never want to leave. For all the latest info about the trails in New Hampshire check out AllTrails+.
11. Take a trip to a cheese farm
Brookford Farm, 250 W Rd, Canterbury, NH 03224, USA
Brookford Farm/Facebook
Brookford Farm in Canterbury produces delicious cheese from the milk of their own cows, and you won't want to pass up their samples - or the chance to meet their friendly cows.
12. Journey by boat to an incredible island
Isles of Shoals, United States
Pauline Rosenberg/Flickr
If you haven't visited the Isles of Shoals yet, now's the time. Head to Portsmouth to board a ferry to Star Island for gorgeous views of lighthouses and the ocean (and maybe even some seals).
13. Wander through a wildlife refuge
Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge, 289 Airport Rd, Whitefield, NH 03598, USA
Mark Nenadov/Flickr
Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge, most easily accessed from Jefferson, has incredible mountain views, as well as wetlands and forests. It's a great place to explore if you're interested in birds or rare plants.
14. Take an epic ride on a mountain roller coaster
Attitash Woods Road, Attitash Woods Rd, Bartlett, NH 03812, USA
Attitash Ski Resort/Facebook
See Attitash in a whole new way as you zip down the mountain on a mountain roller coaster ride in New Hampshire! Don't worry - you can control the speed.
15. See the Lakes Region by train
Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad, 154 Main St, Meredith, NH 03253, USA
Nick Loehr/Flickr
The Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad will give you a whole new way of seeing the Lakes region.

Take a peek at the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad as it passes through several crossings in Meredith, NH in this video from Mountain Division Railfan:

Do any of these ideas for summer day trips pique your interest? What are your favorite things to do in New Hampshire in the summer? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!

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Best Day Trips in New Hampshire

Tori Jane | July 18, 2022

What are some wonderfully unique things to do around New Hampshire?

Some unique things to do around New Hampshire include:

 

New Hampshire is a beautiful – if not small – state. There are lots of fun, unique things to do around New Hampshire, and we think you’ll fall in love with this little slice of heaven as soon as you arrive (unless you already live here, in which case, lucky you!). Some of our favorite things to do in New Hampshire that you can’t do just about anywhere else include things like climbing Mount Monadnock, which is the world’s “most-climbed” mountain. Alternatively, spend some time exploring some of the most beautiful small towns in New Hampshire, or visit any of the breathtaking state parks in New Hampshire if you’re an outdoorsy person.

Where can I go on amazing day trips near me?

Some amazing day trips near you in New Hampshire include:

  • American Classic Arcade Museum
  • Libby Museum
  • Children’s Museum of New Hampshire

 

In a word: anywhere. New Hampshire might be tiny but it’s huge in terms of fun things to do and experience. In fact, we have lots of ideas when it comes to fun day trips in New Hampshire; kill an entire day at one of our amazing museums, like the American Classic Arcade Museum, which is truly as much fun as it sounds like it ought to be. There’s also the old (and we mean literally old) Libby Museum, which was founded in 1912 (making it New Hampshire’s oldest museum), and the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire cannot be missed no matter how old you are!

What are some of the best getaway spots near me?  

Some of the best getaway spots near you in New Hampshire include:

 

What better ideas are there than to find some amazing getaways in New Hampshire? The good news is that no matter where you’re located within the state, you’re sure to find something – okay, almost everything – nearby. Some of our favorite destinations for getaways in New Hampshire include our relaxing spas and resorts, like the Riverwalk Resort at Loon Mountain. Need something a little more “nature”? No problem – one of our favorite ideas when it comes to getting away from it all in our little state is visiting any of the stunning state parks in New Hampshire, many of which offer camping and cabins for the ultimate escape.  

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