The 8 Things Outsiders Always Get Wrong About New Hampshire

New Hampshire might be the best state in New England. We know that and if the constant stream of visitors throughout the year is any indication, most of the country knows it too. But while we get lots of attention, not everyone from other places has us figured out. In fact, there are some widely held misconceptions about New Hampshire that we think need correction. Starting with these!

1. Because we're so rural, nobody has an education.

Actually, New Hampshire is home to some of the best education in the country, including an ivy league school. And, with more job opportunities, the state has attracted folks from all over the country to relocate for work. And let's not forget that high school student here tied for the highest SAT and ACT test scores in the country.

2. There's no culture and everything is rural.

Nope! Head to places like Portsmouth and Manchester for your dose of New Hampshire culture. We've got museums, live music, and plenty of bars and restaurants to keep you entertained. While there are certainly places to get lost in rural New Hampshire, we offer plenty to those looking for something more.

3. Everyone here knows how to ski and loves it.

While there are plenty of places to hit the slopes, not all of us revel in careening down a mountain on slipper fiberglass. Good thing there are actually other ways to enjoy the winter here! From tubing to sledding, there are places all over the state offering a way to enjoy the snow without standing on skis.

4. Fashion? What fashion? All we care about is flannel!

While New Hampshirites know how to keep warm during the winter, we don't always rely on flannel to do it. You'll find plenty of other things in our closet besides our flannel. Which, by the way, we DO love.

5. It's all skiing, all the time in these parts.

Folks who think New Hampshire is full of beach bums are forgetting about the coastline. Small, but mighty, Hampton Beach is a go-to destination for summer fun seekers.

6. We don't have any "real" sports teams to call our own so we don't care about sports.

First, being in New England means we love the Bruins, Celtics and Patriots. Honestly, it makes Super Bowl season pretty easy to love. But, we also love the many local sports teams. Try going to a Fisher Cats game this in the summer or a Manchester Monarchs game in the winter.

7. There's no reason to go outside in the winter.

People believe that New England winters are absolutely brutal. We're not trying to argue that. But we WILL argue that it's worth being here to explore them. With so much natural beauty, exploring the winter outdoors is a must when in the Granite State.

8. Taxes? We don't know what taxes are!

Sure, it's true that people flock to New Hampshire to avoid paying taxes on things like beverages and clothes. But, we DO have property taxes. Let's not forget those pesky property taxes.

Now that we've cleared up a few things about New Hampshire, you might as well start getting used to the people who live here. Start by learning these 11 weird things people from the Granite State do.