Best Attractions in New Hampshire | 2014 Editors’ Choice Awards

Looking for fun in the Granite State? You won’t have to look far! Read our picks for the best attractions in New Hampshire for 2014. BEST NEW BOOKSTORE: BOOK & BAR, Portsmouth Owners John Petrovato, Jon Strymish, and David Lovelace realize that books and beer or wine are even better together. Pick from high-quality used books while sampling from their menu of beers, wines, gourmet sandwiches, and pastries. 40 Pleasant St. 603-427-9197; bookandbar.com BEST HOME & GARDEN SHOP: BOWERBIRD & FRIENDS, Peterborough It’s hard to categorize this gem of a store, but shoppers will love its collection of industrial home décor (antiques, china, and reclaimed tables) and greenhouse of plants and garden accessories. 16 Depot Square. 603-924-2550; bowerbirdandfriends.com BEST LEGO LAND: LEGO MILLYARD PROJECT, Manchester You don’t have to love Legos to enjoy this mini-reproduction of the Amoskeag Millyard circa 1900. With 3 million pieces, it’s the largest permanent mini Lego installation in the world. SEE Science Center. 200 Bedford St. 603-669-0040; see-sciencecenter.org/visitors/millyard-project.aspx BEST HISTORY PARK: NORTHERN FOREST HERITAGE PARK, Berlin See what life was really like for lumberjacks during the late 1800s through the 1900s at this full-sized logging-camp replica. Take a self-guided tour of the cookhouse, bunkhouse, boss’s shack, blacksmith shop, hovel, and filer’s shack. Then dig a little deeper into the state’s papermaking history by perusing artifacts and information at the Brown Company House Museum. 961 Main St. 603-752-7202; northernforestheritage.org BEST TOY STORE: WHIRLYGIGS, Exeter Kids love the suspended track and train circling the store, plus hundreds of classic and whimsical toys. Parents love the customer service, seasonal evening hours, and free gift wrapping. Look for store favorites, such as crochet and rug-hooking kits from New Hampshire–based Harrisville Designs, or tea sets, dump trucks, and airplanes all made from recycled milk jugs from USA-based Green Toys. 107 Water St. 603-772-4923; whirlygigstoyshop.com