Four seasons in New Hampshire, USA: what to do when

New Hampshire is always a good idea. First, there’s the state’s natural bounty: snow-capped mountains, burning fall foliage and sparkling Atlantic waters draw travellers year-round. You’ll find 93 state parks, replete with waterfalls, windswept beaches and quaint covered bridges, while the White Mountain range includes the Northeast’s highest peak, Mount Washington, with its famously unpredictable weather system.

The state brims with history, too. It was the first colony to establish its own constitutional government, and thus officially declare independence from the United Kingdom, and stories of America’s Founding Fathers are everywhere. Living history exhibits at sites such as Portsmouth’s Strawbery Banke Museum bring America’s chequered colonial past to life. 

From winter adventures in January to whale watching in July, these are our favourite things to do throughout the year. 

As the mercury rises and wildflowers begin to bloom, New Hampshire comes to life. March is known as Maple Month: the time of year when sap starts flowing through the trees and sugar shacks in towns such as Wilmot and Freedom offer both tours and tastings. One of our favourites is Wilmot’s 6 Saplings Sugarhouse, which sells moreish mini doughnuts.

Sunny April days are perfect for hiking the White Mountain range, spotting waking wildlife and exploring caves, boulders and epic gorges that date back millions of years. Unique rock formations like the gaping Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch State Park give New Hampshire the nickname, ‘The Granite State’ – from May through to October, visitors can take to the dramatic boardwalk that hugs the ravine. 

New Hampshire’s springtime attracts birders too, as myriad species flock home for summer. The most popular destination is northern Coos County, although the entire coastline is active with birdlife, from green heron to osprey.  

Before the summer crowds arrive, head to popular sites such as Strawbery Banke Museum and Warner House, which both capture New England’s layered colonial history in Portsmouth. The former meticulously preserves a set of historic buildings, from Federal homes to 18th-century taverns, while exhibits explore the culture of the region’s Indigenous Abenaki people. The latter interprets an 18th-century home that belonged to one of the area’s most powerful families. 

New Hampshire shines in summer. Forest-stitched state parks beg to be explored; picturesque waterfalls refresh weary hikers; and Atlantic-lapped beaches call. 

Summer is the time to hike the famous Mount Washington, the Northeast’s highest peak. This mountain, also called by its Indigenous name, Agiocochook, is known for both its epic views and its erratic weather and, conditions permitting, the Mount Washington Auto Road is open seasonally from mid-May through to early November. 

During this time, hikers can take advantage of a one-way shuttle service, ascending to or descending from the summit. There are various commonly used trails up the mountain, including the popular Tuckerman Ravine Trail, leaving from the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center. (Note that this and all Mount Washington summit trails are steep, strenuous and subject to changeable weather). 

You could also plump for a 2-hour guided driving tour or a trip on the Mount Washington Cog Railway. At the summit, you can take a tour of Mount Washington Observatory’s working weather station. 

There are plenty of ways to get out on the water, too. Hop in a kayak or canoe and paddle down the Saco River, which snakes its way through the northeastern part of the state, or take a SUP yoga class on the sparkling Lake Winnipesaukee. Hampton Beach State Park protects a sandy slice of the coast, ideal for a day spent splashing in the mighty Atlantic Ocean.

Come autumn, New Hampshire explodes in a dazzling display of golds, reds, oranges and yellows. The fall foliage is unparalleled in spots such as Franconia Notch State Park, where travellers flock to watch the colours change. The Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway will take courageous guests through the fiery canopy while, closer to the ground, all-terrain vehicles and mountain bike rides are other fun ways to explore. Lake Francis State Park (around a 2-hour drive north) is an off-the-beaten-path option for leaf-peepers too. 

To experience a fun and inclusive celebration of Scottish culture, time your trip for the New Hampshire Highland Games and Festival (20-22 September 2024). The event is one of the largest of its kind in North America, with fiddle and piping competitions, Highland dancing and sheep dog trials.

Autumn brings in plenty more fun fall festivals besides. The season is embraced with everything from Brewfest in Portsmouth to the Milford Pumpkin Festival, to Apple Harvest Day in Dover to a Chili Cook-off in Claremont.

Fun festivals help ease the chill of the New Hampshire winter. Ice Fest (February) puts the sport of ice-climbing in the spotlight, where climbers of all abilities can have a go at ascending the state’s dazzling frozen waterfalls. Concord Winterfest is a less adrenaline-fueled celebration of wintertime, with food trucks, skating and ice-carving competitions. 

Winter activities abound too. Outdoor enthusiasts rejoice for the season in the White Mountain range, where popular pastimes include skiing, winter mountaineering, snowmobiling, fat biking, skiing, snowshoeing and dog-sledding. Plenty of outfitters offer winter tours: try SledVentures (out of Lincoln), who run guided snowmobiling adventures. 

If you’d prefer to fill your winter with city pursuits, head to Concord, New Hampshire’s capital. The New Hampshire Historical Society is a must-visit, with exhibits covering topics from Indigenous heritage to the impact of women’s art – or there’s the Concord Museum, which focuses on the history of the city. A short drive south, Manchester’s Currier Museum of Art is also worth a visit.

Further information 

You’ll find more ideas for things to do in New Hampshire at visitnh.gov.