2024 New Hampshire Travel Guide | Best Restaurants, Hotels, & Things to Do

2024 Best of New Hampshire: The Classics

NEW HAMPSHIRE CLASSIC DINING

AMERICAN
Pickity Place, Mason

A real 18th-century house, Pickity Place is reminiscent of the grandmother’s house in “Little Red Riding Hood”: somehow enchanted, sprinkled with magic dust, and with an ancient ash tree out front that adds just the right touch of fairy-tale foreboding. Illustrator Elizabeth Orton Jones, a longtime Mason resident, used the house as a model for her artwork in the 1948 Golden Book retelling of the story. Today it is a hot spot for gardeners, foodies, and anyone looking for inspiration and relaxation. There’s a gift shop, a gourmet restaurant, Old English gardens with brick paths perfect for exploring, and an herb shop in a rustic barn. Not to worry, though, the Big Bad Wolf is occupied elsewhere. pickityplace.com

SEAFOOD
Petey’s Summertime Seafood & Bar, Rye

Founded in 1990 by Petey Aikens Jr., this seaside staple has operated at its current Ocean Boulevard location for nearly a quarter century, serving steamed, broiled, and fried seafood in a casual setting. Nothing fancy here—you’ll be eating that cup of clam chowder in a paper bowl with a plastic spoon. (We recommend sitting at the bar.) Don’t be fooled by the “Summertime” in the name, as Petey’s is open year-round. It also ships fresh lobsters, steamers, mussels, and lobster meat “anywhere you want.” peteys.com

NEW HAMPSHIRE CLASSIC LODGING

MOUNTAIN VIEWS
Omni Mount Washington Resort, Bretton Woods

While this historic hotel touts all the luxury you would expect from a world-class resort, its most prized attribute is its location. The simple pleasure of sitting on the hotel’s back porch and gazing at the Presidential Range—after a brisk hike at Arethusa Falls, say—trumps all the other amenities. In the summer, those include gondola rides, golf, horseback riding, mountain biking, and ziplining. omnihotels.com/hotels/bretton-woods-mount-washington

RESORT
The NASWA Resort, Laconia

The Makris family has been hosting visitors on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee since 1935. Steeped in bright, rustic charm, their resort invites you to unplug from your busy life for a relaxing summer stay. Rooms, suites, and cottages offer private balconies, lake views, and wake-up service. Some are even pet-friendly. Amenities with local flair include a dock space for you to BYO boat, a private beach, kayaks and paddleboards, a bistro, and the “world-famous” NazBar & Grill, so a refreshing cold beer or tasty boat drink is never out of reach. Experience a piece of history and know that no matter if it’s your first visit or your 10th, you’ll always be treated like family. naswa.com

NEW HAMPSHIRE CLASSIC ACTIVITIES

BIKE TRAIL
Piscataquog Trail and Goffstown Rail Trail, Manchester and Goffstown

Take this 15-mile round-trip ride from Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester for an urban bike trek that crosses the Merrimack River on the east side and heads west toward Goffstown. You’ll pedal through tree-lined neighborhoods along the Piscataquog River and spy boaters gathering along the shores of Glen Lake. The trail ends at Goffstown, where restaurants like the Village Trestle will welcome you to refill your water bottle and stay for lunch (and a cold beverage) before your return trip. nhrtc.org

FAMILY ATTRACTION
Polar Caves, Rumney

Formed during the last Ice Age, the Polar Caves take you on a thrilling adventure into the distant past. There are nine granite caves to explore, each formed by boulders that were deposited by glaciers hundreds of thousands of years ago. The negative space left between boulders formed exciting passageways that are ready for you and your family to explore. Follow designated walkways through the illuminated caves, and don’t miss the animal park (even though there are no polar bears). polarcaves.com

HIKE
Mount Osceola, Grafton County

Named for an early-19th-century Seminole leader, this 4,340-foot peak near Waterville Valley offers a 6.2-mile round-trip trek with moderate difficulty for hikers of all ages and abilities. The popular trail is easy to access from I-93 at Tripoli Road in the south or from the Greeley Pond Trail northeast of the mountain. We recommend a post-hike celebratory beverage and bite at Gypsy Café in Lincoln. visitwatervillevalley.com/hikes/mount-osceola

MUSIC VENUE
Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, Hampton Beach

When Elvis Costello played the Casino Ballroom last summer, he made note of the iconic artists who have performed there over the past century, some of whose images adorn the walls, including Duke Ellington, Led Zeppelin, and U2. The venue along the Hampton Beach boardwalk books marquee musical acts like Joe Bonamassa and Bonnie Raitt and top-shelf comedians like Pete Davidson (all appearing this summer). casinoballroom.com

RAIL ADVENTURE
Hobo & Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroads, Lincoln, Meredith, and Weirs Beach

During the 1880s, wealthy sightseers from Worcester, Lowell, and beyond took the Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad to reach the White Mountains and their grand hotels in elegant fashion. The tradition continues with scenic rides along Lake Winnipesaukee and the Pemigewasset River. The Hobo & Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroads system offers excursions from stations in Meredith, Weirs Beach, and Lincoln. Experience a taste of old New Hampshire aboard restored vintage cars and revel in the splendor of the changing seasons. Or, skip the trains and ride the rails yourself on a rail bike adventure tour. hoborr.com

2024 Best of New Hampshire: New & Buzzy

NEW HAMPSHIRE NEW & BUZZY DINING

AFRICAN
Maddy’s Food Hub, Concord

Warm aromas of jerk chicken intermingle with those of jollof rice (a flavor bomb of rice, tomatoes, chilies, and spices) in this authentic African restaurant, where Patty Sabol conjures East and West African cuisines. Savory combos of fried plantains and tender curried goat drift by. Whitefish draped with onions and peppers vies with African barbecue spareribs. The spices in the beans with snapper crackle with flavor. But that orange patty of jollof rice is like transport to other worlds. maddyfoodhub.com

BAKERY
Flag Leaf Bakery, Antrim

If the line snaking down the sidewalk isn’t hint enough, the relieved looks on those leaving with their aromatic bags is full testament to the power of masterful baking. Cheesy pull-aparts break into fragrant, buttery cloves; swirls of cruffins are dusted in sugar and plumped with Earl Grey pastry cream. Hearty whole-grain hearth loaves, including sourdough with cracked pepper and Parmesan, jostle alongside croissants, bialys, and jalapeño popper Danishes. Prepare to gain a pound on entry. Open Friday/Saturday. flagleafbakery.com

BISTRO
Muse Bistro, Keene

Sometimes you just need to sink onto a midcentury-modernish sofa strategically located on the sidewalk outside a stylish boîte serving tasty tapas. When that happens, you’ll be sorely tempted to order an icy sangria and pair it with crunchy fried goat-cheese croquetas, or a dish of citrus-garlic marinated olives, while watching the life of a college town stroll by. There are full-blown meals, too, served outside or in, like the Benten’s Bowl (a medley of seared ahi, radish, and cold soba noodles) and the barbacoa slow-roasted beef taco with lime crema. musekeene.com

ICE CREAM
Super Secret Ice Cream, Bethlehem

It’s no secret we New Englanders love our ice cream, but we also love the unpredictable. This farm-to-cone discovery blends local cream with ingredients that read like poetry for the taste buds: cranberry gingersnap, coffee cardamom, Meyer lemonade pistachio, “swirly strawberry jam jam.” The “tiny batch made from scratch” ethos guarantees satisfaction. The ice cream flight of six cuts down on decision-making. A 2024 James Beard Awards semifinalist nod is the cherry on top. supersecreticecream.com

LOCAVORE SPOT
Rambling House Food & Gathering, Nashua

From the outside, this family-owned enterprise looks like a tiny Irish pub. Inside, time and space expand, with views of the Nashua River and its mill buildings. Nesting-doll style, there’s more to unpack. Four levels feature a craft brewery, a tasting loft, a cocktail bar, dining rooms, outdoor decks, and hearty dining options, like a starter of local mussels cooked in hard cider…a rugged shepherd’s pie oozing lamb and veggies from the family’s own Claddagh Hill Farm…a vegan stuffed acorn squash that’s a picnic in a gourd. All with brews that live up to the promise of that tiny pub storefront. ramblingtale.com

SPEAKEASY
CrowBar Hardware Store, Claremont

Remember the good old days of speakeasies? Of course you don’t, but the allure of past forbidden things reaches out irresistibly from behind boarded-up windows. “We will not confirm or deny that this location serves craft cocktails with an amazing menu,” states the CrowBar’s Facebook page. This “not” hardware store is an open secret—a switch and a bell gain you entrance to the glamorous retreat plucked from the Prohibition era. The vibe is Roaring Twenties; the crafted cocktails are anything but dated. Duck in for a citrusy French Blonde; stay for some local charcuterie. Facebook

NEW HAMPSHIRE NEW & BUZZY LODGING

BOUTIQUE HOTEL
The Artisan Hotel at Tuscan Village, Salem

Walking paths, firepits, a luxury outdoor pool, and a rooftop bar are all on offer at this sleek, 165-room boutique hotel, where guests can also duck into the on-site Tuscan Kitchen restaurant or the Caffé Artisan espresso bar. The surrounding Tuscan Village offers pedestrian-centric shopping, a lively beer garden, and La Scuola Culinaria, a cooking school where Mary Ann Esposito filmed the 30th season of Ciao Italia. Dabble in pasta-making, craft a cocktail, take your kids to pizza class. Seabiscuit ran here in 1935, when the 170-acre property was Rockingham Park, the legendary racecourse. A winner. theartisanhotelattuscanvillage.com

INDEPENDENT HOTEL
The Davenport Inn, Portsmouth

If the Davenport offered time-traveling tours of Portsmouth—the state’s first capital—it would whisk us back to its 1758 origins and the heyday of seafaring antics. Built by wealthy merchants, the handsome building at various times housed a silversmith and a boarding house, and it was the governor’s headquarters during the War of 1812. It wears its antiquity well, with a newly renovated layer of modern luxury. It is also happily berthed at the heart of this captivating city, not far from the Piscataqua River and all that history. thedavenportinn.com

GLAMPING SPOT
Alpine Garden Village and Winery, Bartlett

White Mountains, check. Hobbit houses, cabins, and treehouses, check. Handcrafted? Of course. Romantic? Off the charts. An on-site winery and a heated pool? Yes, please. This is glamping but at its tip-top best, redolent with charm. Owls hoot. Hiking and biking trails abound. The Conway Scenic Railroad chugs by. You’re in a cradle of scenery, where beauty comes to be born. alpinegardenglamping.com

NEW HAMPSHIRE NEW & BUZZY ACTIVITIES

FAMILY ATTRACTION
Living Shores Aquarium, Glen

Who wouldn’t want to touch a stingray, explore tidepools, and marvel at otters? Next door to Story Land—that perennial favorite—this indoor year-round aquarium brings nature and its sea wonders to interactive life, with an emphasis on family fun and education. Opened in 2019, it is the state’s first aquarium, constantly morphing as new exhibits are added. livingshores.com

MAPLE EXPERIENCE
The Maple Station Market, Temple

If there is such a thing as a maple whisperer, it’s Ben Fisk. A fifth-generation sugarmaker, Fisk was 5 when he became obsessed with making syrup, winning Best in State when he was 15. His newly opened Maple Station—a 16,000-square-foot wooden-beamed emporium—offers shelves laden with Fisk’s own syrup, and treats made with his syrup including cotton candy, popcorn, and barbecue sauce. Other maple offerings run the gamut from Sudsy Cow Maple Cream soap to Vintage Maine Maple potato chips and Sap! maple seltzer. Don’t miss the fresh maple doughnuts—perfect halos dusted in sugar, still warm, the stuff of maple dreams. bensmaplesyrup.com

2024 Spotlight: Summer Weekend in the New Hampshire Lakes Region