7 Things Not to Be Missed on a New Hampshire Road Trip

A short drive from South Central Ontario, this New England state has some incredible attractions and activities to explore this season

Posted: August 14, 2018 11:10 AM ET

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Dubbed “the Switzerland of America,” this scenic state is famed for its jagged mountains, forest-fringed lakes, unparalleled walking trails and fiery colours that ripple across its autumn leaves. It may be a small state, but New Hampshire ticks all the boxes from quaint colonial towns to outdoor adventure, and there are lots of diverse activities within close proximity of each other. Here are seven of the best reasons to take a New Hampshire road trip this fall.

Scenic drives through the White Mountains

From heritage sites to jaw-dropping scenery, there’s lots to see on a New Hampshire road trip. Highways criss-cross the White Mountains, passing rivers, quaint villages and family-friendly roadside attractions. Plus, more than 1,600 kilometres in the state are designated as fall foliage drives and cultural byways. So come autumn, you can watch the leaves turn brilliant red, orange and yellow as you cruise through.

For a truly stunning drive, try the Kancamagus Highway, a national scenic byway that winds through White Mountain National Forest and has some of the best fall foliage in the state. Or check out these driving tour guides for other road trip ideas in New Hampshire.

Tax-free shopping—everywhere

No, it’s not a typo. Whether you’re shopping for antiques or a new wardrobe, New Hampshire has no tax on purchases. There are plenty of outlet stores for bargain hunters, as well as unique boutiques selling one-of-a-kind finds.

An incredible food scene

New Hampshire is a gastronomic playground, offering a smorgasbord of farm-to-fork eateries, alehouses and wineries to savour. Start your culinary quest with New Hampshire’s Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Tour—a sumptuous journey through local vineyards, artisan chocolatiers and dairy farms—followed by a tasty trip along the Ice Cream Trail. Afterwards, let the New Hampshire Brewery Map point you to award-winning breweries, microbreweries and brew pubs, where you’ll sip on everything from ales and lagers to porters, stouts and malts.

Hiking trails for all levels

Blessed with lush wilderness and mountainous terrain, New Hampshire is a hiker’s haven. From a salt marsh to granite cliff faces, there are thousands of kilometres of track to roam—including over 1,900 kilometres in White Mountain National Forest—and the most popular backcountry stretch of the Appalachian Trail. Plus, the recreational rail trails and footpaths in New Hampshire's state parks offer sublime scenery, ever-evolving terrain and opportunities to spot rare wildlife. For a real challenge, come back to New Hampshire as a peak-bagger and try to summit all 48 peaks on the Appalachian Mountain Club’s 4,000-footer (1,200-metre) list.

Plenty of quaint covered bridges

One can’t-miss attraction is the 54 (!) covered bridges across New Hampshire. As the first type of historical structure protected by state law, each treasured bridge holds a unique story and has deep roots in New Hampshire’s past. This handy guidebook lists all the bridges alphabetically and will help you fully appreciate the history of these rustic relics.

Waterfalls you can drive or hike to

Did you know that New Hampshire has more than 100 waterfalls for your viewing pleasure? Some, such as Silver Cascade and Flume Cascade, are visible from the highway, but to see the Sabbaday Falls, you’ve got to hike in. For an easy half-day trek, walk to Arethusa Falls in Crawford Notch State Park; it drops 42 metres and is considered the tallest waterfall in the state.

Thrilling ATV trails where you can zoom through the scenery

Adrenaline lovers can get their fix on the 12,000 kilometres of ATV and snowmobile runs that cut through the state’s thick forests. Navigate the 1,600 kilometres of trails in the Great North Woods near the Canadian border, and you’ll see why part of the state’s motto is “live free.” Or head to events like the Jericho ATV Festival in Jericho Mountain State Park for some good dirty fun in mud pits and obstacle courses.

Feeling inspired to visit New Hampshire?

To start planning your New Hampshire road trip, check out visitnh.gov.