From the 6,288-foot summit of Mount Washington, on a clear day the view stretches up to 130 miles: to Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Maine and Québec, as well as the Atlantic Ocean. Mount Washington State Park is located on a 58.8-acre summit area on the highest mountain in the Northeast. The view alone shows how vast the distances are that can be surveyed from a single viewpoint.
High-altitude trails and a winter ride
Visitors can reach Mount Washington State Park on the Cog Railway, via the Auto Road or by taking one of the many hiking trails to the summit. The Cog Railway offers a three-hour round trip, with a one-hour stay at the top. The Mount Washington Auto Road is 7.6 miles long, crosses four ecological zones and climbs more than 4,000 feet. It opened in 1861 and is considered America’s oldest man-made tourist attraction.
The season also changes the destination of the train ride: From late October to early May, the Cog Railway runs in winter to Waumbek Station at an elevation of 4,000 feet; dates may vary. There are elevated observation platforms, heated huts, a fire pit and complimentary hot refreshments. If you plan to ride during this period, it’s worth checking the specific dates in advance.
The Sherman Adams Building is located at the summit. It houses the Sherman Adams Visitor Center, a cafeteria, restrooms and gift shops, as well as the Mount Washington Observatory and its museum. The views across the region and these facilities are among the many different aspects of a visit to the summit.
Gorges, waterfalls and trails
In Franconia Notch, the Parkway runs through an eight-mile mountain pass between the Kinsman and Franconia ranges, from Flume Gorge in the south to Echo Lake in the north. A separate trail, apart from the Parkway, traverses the entire Notch and provides access to park facilities and natural features. At Echo Lake, visitors can swim, fish and go boating; kayaks and paddleboats are available to rent seasonally.
Flume Gorge is an 800-foot-long natural gorge at the foot of Mount Liberty. The Flume Trail is a two-mile loop that begins at the ticket booths in front of the Flume Building. At the upper end of the gorge is Avalanche Falls, a waterfall 45 feet, or 13.6 meters, high. Children and families can take a scavenger hunt with them as they walk through the gorge.
The waterfalls, too, come in different sizes. Arethusa Falls are nearly 200 feet high and the tallest waterfalls in New Hampshire. The trail there is 1.4 miles long; its access road branches off Route 302 about half a mile south of Dry River Campground. A half-mile footpath leads to Ripley Falls, where the water descends in a 100-foot cascade. At Cathedral Ledge State Park, a one-mile Auto Road leads to the top of the 700-foot Cathedral Ledge.
History in buildings and landscapes
Canterbury Shaker Village brings together architectural and landscape history: Its nearly 700-acre grounds, with forests, nature trails, gardens and ponds, include 25 original and four reconstructed Shaker buildings. This National Historic Landmark is also a museum offering tours, programs, exhibitions, research resources and publications. The number of buildings and their different statuses make it clear that the site comprises both preserved and reconstructed structures.
At the Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth’s Puddle Dock neighborhood, more than 350 years of history are brought to life. Visitors can explore historic houses, including prominent mansions, homes of working families, a colonial tavern and a 1940s-era shop. Most of these buildings stand on their original sites. The museum at Willey House Historic Site tells a different story from the past: it is devoted to a natural disaster in which the Willey family and two hired men disappeared, while their house remained undamaged.
Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park offers a glimpse into another chapter of art history. The estate was once the home of sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens and an unofficial hub of the Cornish Art Colony. Together with the historic sites in Portsmouth and Canterbury, it shows the many ways New Hampshire’s history can be experienced in museums, buildings and landscapes.
By the lake and among the maples
The Lakes Region Tour circles Lake Winnipesaukee and offers opportunities to stop for hikes, visit historical museums, stroll through town centers and take a ride on the MS Mount Washington. Boating, fishing and hiking are also possible as part of the tour. On the western side of the lake, the tour offers views of Lake Winnipesaukee and the Ossipee Mountain Range.
Maple syrup is another part of the state’s offerings: At sugarhouses throughout New Hampshire, visitors can watch it being made and sample products. Maple syrup and maple candy are available year-round. Every March, more than 90 sugarhouses open their doors for New Hampshire Maple Weekend; the exact event dates vary. Check the dates if you’d like to plan your visit around it.
Discover more destinations: New Castle, Rockingham, Cheshire, Carroll, Grafton, Strafford, Coos, Belknap, Merrimack County, Sullivan County, Hillsborough County.
For the broader travel overview: Usa.
