The highest mountains in the Northeast, more than 1,300 lakes and ponds, plus an 18-mile seacoast steeped in Colonial history can all be found in New Hampshire.
Along with great hiking, boating, camping, white-water rafting, inn-to-inn biking and skiing, there are crafts fairs, music festivals, antiques shops and many family attractions.
From the spring lilac festivals to the harvest suppers of fall, there is something for everyone.
Most popular attractions: Old Man of the Mountain (natural), Franconia Notch State Park; Mt. Washington auto road (man-made), Gorham.
Other top sites: Heritage New Hampshire and Storyland, Glen; Lost River Reservation, North Woodstock; M/S Mt. Washington cruises from Weirs Beach; Strawbery Banke Museum, Portsmouth; Canterbury Shaker Village; Canobie Lake Park, Salem; Castle in the Clouds, Moultonborough; Christa McAuliffe Planetarium, Concord.
Top annual events: 16th annual Market Square Days Celebration, Portsmouth, June 11-12; 60th annual League of N.H. Craftsmen’s Fair, Newbury, Aug. 7-15; Riverfest ’93, Manchester, Sept. 10-12; 18th annual N.H. Highland Games, Loon Mountain, Lincoln, Sept. 17-19; Harvest Day at Canterbury Shaker Village, Oct. 2.
Hidden treasure (provided by Francis Grover Cleveland, son of President Grover Cleveland and founder and producer of Barnstormers Theatre): “Our little theater in Tamworth Village is a special treasure of New Hampshire. My wife and I founded the theater with Edward Goodnow in 1931 as a traveling theater. We toured locally, never more than 80 miles from our home base so we could always return home after a performance. At that time Ed was the director, I was an actor and manager and we were just a bunch of community players.
“In 1935 we bought an old store in Tamworth Village and remodeled it. We were dark during World War II; after the war we decided not to tour and we’ve been in our little theater here ever since. We play Tuesday through Saturday in July and August, doing plays that have been hits many years ago, small musicals and some new plays. We’ve also made our own musicals out of plays. Though I’m almost 90, I still act and serve as producer.
“We’re right in the middle of the village of Tamworth, which is near North Conway, a beautiful and much-photographed ski area. Visitors will find the area to be extremely scenic all year around.”
Information: 603-271-2666.
