Mount Washington Observaton Tower, New Hampshire (Famartin, Wikimedia 4.0)
Let’s learn more about some fascinating places worth seeing in New Hampshire.
Mount Washington (White Mountains): The tallest peak in the Northeastern U.S., Mount Washington is famous for its extreme weather and breathtaking views. Visitors can hike, drive, or take the historic Mount Washington Cog Railway to the summit.
Lake Winnipesaukee (Lakes Region): The largest lake in New Hampshire, Lake Winnipesaukee is known for its crystal-clear waters and scenic surroundings. It’s a popular spot for boating, fishing, and summer vacations, attracting visitors for its beauty and recreational activities.
Franconia Notch State Park (White Mountains): Located in the White Mountains, this park is home to iconic natural attractions like the Flume Gorge and the Basin. It’s a popular destination for hiking, skiing, and enjoying the stunning mountain scenery.
Portsmouth Historic District (Portsmouth): Portsmouth is known for its rich colonial history, and the Historic District showcases beautifully preserved 17th- and 18th-century buildings. The area also features museums, galleries, and restaurants, making it a vibrant cultural hub.
The Flume Gorge (Franconia Notch): A natural granite gorge extending 800 feet at the base of Mount Liberty, the Flume Gorge is a must-see for its dramatic waterfalls, covered bridges, and scenic walking paths.
The Kancamagus Highway (White Mountains): This scenic byway is famous for its stunning views, particularly in the fall when the foliage turns vibrant shades of red and gold. The highway runs through the White Mountains and offers plenty of hiking and picnic spots.
Hampton Beach (Seacoast): Known for its long, sandy shoreline, Hampton Beach is one of the state’s most popular beach destinations. It’s famous for summer concerts, fireworks, and family-friendly attractions along the boardwalk.
Castle in the Clouds (Moultonborough): A beautiful mountaintop mansion offering panoramic views of Lake Winnipesaukee and the Ossipee Mountains. The historic estate and its gardens attract visitors interested in both nature and history.
Strawbery Banke Museum (Portsmouth): An outdoor living history museum, Strawbery Banke showcases life in a coastal New England village over four centuries. It features restored historic homes, gardens, and demonstrations of colonial crafts and trades.
Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway (Franconia Notch): This aerial tramway offers visitors spectacular views of the White Mountains as they ascend to the summit of Cannon Mountain. It’s a popular destination for both skiers in winter and sightseers in summer.
Intriguing mysteries and weird facts
Mount Washington Cog Railway (King of Hearts, Wikimedia CCA 4.0)
Discover these little-known facts about New Hampshire.
New Hampshire has no general sales tax: Unlike most states, New Hampshire doesn’t charge a state sales tax, which means shopping is tax-free. This makes it a popular place for people to buy goods, especially from neighboring states.
It’s illegal to collect seaweed at night: A strange law in New Hampshire states that you can’t gather seaweed from the beach after dark. This law dates back to colonial times when seaweed was used as fertilizer, and people didn’t want it to be stolen.
Home to the first free public library: The town of Peterborough, New Hampshire, established the first tax-supported public library in the United States in 1833, paving the way for public libraries across the country.
New Hampshire has a UFO capital: The town of Lincoln, New Hampshire, is famous for the first widely reported case of alien abduction in the U.S., involving Betty and Barney Hill in 1961. It’s made the town a hotspot for UFO enthusiasts.
New Hampshire’s state motto: The state motto, Live Free or Die, comes from a Revolutionary War general, and it’s one of the most intense mottos of any U.S. state, reflecting New Hampshire’s independent spirit. Unlike many states, New Hampshire does not require motorcyclists to wear helmets, leading to its nickname as a Live Free or Die state for bikers who enjoy their freedom.
It’s home to America’s oldest man-made attraction: The Mount Washington Cog Railway, built in 1869, was the first mountain-climbing railway in the world. It still operates today, taking visitors up to the peak of Mount Washington.
The Highest Wind Speed Ever Recorded: On April 12, 1934, Mount Washington recorded a wind speed of 231 mph, the highest ever recorded on land.
There’s a giant, mysterious boulder called America’s Stonehenge: Located in Salem, New Hampshire, this ancient site features large rock formations that some believe were built by ancient civilizations, although its origins remain a mystery.
The First Ski Lift: Invented by a New Hampshire engineer, the first ski lift was installed at Peckett’s-on-Sugar-Hill in 1936.
New Hampshire has only one area code: Despite the state’s population, New Hampshire is one of the few states in the U.S. with just a single area code: 603. It’s a point of pride for locals.
Notable People
Here are 10 famous men and women from New Hampshire.
Famous Men
Apollo 14 crew members Edgar Mitchell, Alan Shepherd, Stuart Roosa (NASA, Wikimedia Commons)
Franklin Pierce (1804–1869): Born in Hillsborough, New Hampshire, Franklin Pierce served as the 14th President of the United States from 1853 to 1857. He remains the only president to hail from New Hampshire and was known for his attempts to keep the country united before the Civil War.
Daniel Webster (1782–1852): Born in Salisbury (now Franklin), New Hampshire, Daniel Webster was a leading American statesman and orator in the 19th century. He served as a U.S. senator and Secretary of State, playing a key role in shaping American legal and political frameworks.
Robert Frost (1874–1963): Though born in San Francisco, poet Robert Frost spent much of his life in New Hampshire, where he wrote many of his most famous poems. His rural New England settings and deep reflections on life and nature made him one of the most beloved poets in American literature.
Alan Shepard (1923–1998): Born in Derry, New Hampshire, Alan Shepard became the first American astronaut to travel into space in 1961. He later walked on the moon during the Apollo 14 mission and remains a national hero in space exploration.
John Irving (1942–): Born in Exeter, New Hampshire, John Irving is a critically acclaimed novelist known for works such as The World According to Garp and A Prayer for Owen Meany. His novels often explore complex characters and themes of identity and fate.
Famous Women
Sarah Josepha Hale (1788–1879): Born in Newport, New Hampshire, Sarah Josepha Hale was an influential writer and editor. She is best known for penning the nursery rhyme Mary Had a Little Lamb and for her advocacy, which helped make Thanksgiving a national holiday.
Christa McAuliffe (1948–1986): Born in Boston, Massachusetts, and later residing in Concord, New Hampshire, Christa McAuliffe was a teacher selected as the first civilian to fly in space. Tragically, she died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986, but her legacy as an educator and pioneer lives on.
Bette Davis (1908–1989): Though born in Lowell, Massachusetts, Bette Davis spent part of her early life in New Hampshire. She became one of Hollywood’s greatest actresses, known for her intense performances in films like All About Eve and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?.
Mary Baker Eddy (1821–1910): Born in Bow, New Hampshire, Mary Baker Eddy founded Christian Science, a religious movement that emphasizes spiritual healing. Her book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, is a central text in the faith and has been influential worldwide.
Eleanor Porter (1868–1920): Born in Littleton, New Hampshire, Eleanor Porter was the author of Pollyanna, a classic children’s novel about optimism. The book’s success made “Pollyanna” a symbol for someone with an extremely positive outlook on life.
Date of Ratification of the Articles of Confederation/ Admission to the Union
June 21, 1788 (9th)
State Capital and Government
New Hampshire State Capital Building in Concord (AlexiusHoratius, Wikimedia Commons)
The state of New Hampshire flag consists of the state seal centered on a blue background. Currently, it is the only U.S. state flag to feature a depiction of the Stars and Stripes.
The Great Seal depicts the frigate USS Raleigh. It is surrounded by a laurel wreath with nine stars. The Raleigh is one of the first 13 warships sponsored by the Continental Congress for a new American navy. It was built in 1776 at Portsmouth. A laurel wreath, symbolizing fame, honor and victory, surrounds the seal. New Hampshire was the ninth state to join the Union as reflected by the nine stars within the wreath. The water represents the harbor of Portsmouth. Granite, a strong igneous rock, representing both New Hampshire’s rugged landscape and the sturdy character of her people, appears within the yellow spit of land.
