New Hampshire

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Mountains, glaciers and wilderness have shaped the character of the "Granite State" as much as the Industrial Revolution, the European settlements of the 17th century and the state's extraordinary political clout.  New Hampshire, after all, is the venue of the first Primary Election of each presidential campaign.  And while its towns and villages may be described as delightfully 'New England-quaint', they are also well accustomed to hosting would-be world leaders.

Divided into seven regions (Merrimack Valley, Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee, White Mountains, Great North Woods, Monadnock, Seacoast, and Lakes), New Hampshire is diverse, to say the least.  With more than three-quarters of its landscape covered by forest, the state offers miles and miles of pristine scenery complete with snow-capped peaks, rolling farmlands, crystal-clear lakes (there are 273 in the Lakes Region alone), and 18 miles of glorious coastline.  Add to this New Hampshire’s tax-free shopping, quaint Colonial villages, bustling cityscapes, gracious hospitality, and around-the-calendar festivals and events, and you have a recipe for the ultimate group tour getaway. 

Bordered by Vermont to the west, Maine to the east, Massachusetts to the south, and the Canadian province of Québec to the north (many communities in the Great North Woods Region are French-speaking, thanks to this proximity), New Hampshire is easy to reach by motorcoach and easy to drive around.  Interstate Routes 89, 93 and 95 provide convenient multi-lane access to most points in the state and once there, distances between points of interest are short and roads are scenic. 

Just 70 miles from Boston, MA, and 150 miles from Burlington,VT, the state capital, Concord, is a popular jumping-off point for groups touring New Hampshire.  With less than 40,000 inhabitants, this attractive and busy business center still manages to retain its small-town charm.  Concord is home to the largest state legislature in the United States, and the fourth largest in the world, and boasts a myriad of attractions including museums, historic homes, art galleries, factory outlets and restaurants.

From Concord, your group can continue its tour of New Hampshire, either by heading north to the Lakes, White Mountains or Great North Woods Region; West to the Ivy League center of Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Region or the quintessentially New England Monadnock Region; or east to the winding coastline and 17th-century settlements of the Seacoast Region.

State Icons
State Nickname - The Granite State
State Capital - Concord
State Population - Approximately 1.25 million
State Area - 9,351 square miles
State Motto - “Live Free or Die”
State Tree - White Birch
State Flower - Purple Lilac
State Gemstone - Smoky Quartz
State Amphibian - Red-spotted Newt
State Insect - Ladybug
State Bird - Purple Finch
State Animal - White-Tail Deer

New Hampshire is a place best known for the natural beauty of its landscape and the rugged individualism of its citizens; and that makes for a delightful and unique visitors' experience.
First to sign the Declaration of Independence, the state is a New England tapestry of history threaded with stonewalls and town greens, country stores and wood-beam taverns. It is a place dedicated to preserving its natural and historic heritage, too, from the 800,000 acre White Mountains National Forest to its living museums such as Canterbury Shaker Village and Strawbery Banke. Whether traversing the forest and its leafy splendor via the Franconia Notch Parkway, or cruising Portsmouth Harbor and the Atlantic-bound Isles of Shoals, visitors to New Hampshire quickly appreciate that there's no other word than 'authentic' to describe all the varied delights there are to enjoy.

This combination of culture and character means visitors are immersed in the sights, sounds and tastes of New Hampshire everywhere they turn. For example, the expansive hospitality of the state's four grand hotels blends historic drama and luxury with a solid connection to their roots, from coastal lobsters on the menus to maple sugar scrubs in the spas. Hot new chefs in  Portsmouth, Manchester and places in between display New Hampshire's commitment to the authentic. Throughout New Hampshire, family farms have been a cornerstone of life for centuries.The state's "Farm to Restaurant" initiative puts the

harvest on plates in restaurants across the state while individual farmstands, inns and festivals bring out the tastiest creations.

While known for major events like the Keene Pumpkin Festival in October (it holds the Guinness Book of World Records honors for the most -- 28,592 --  lighted jack o'lanterns in one place at one time) and the oldest juried craft show in the country, the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen Craft Fair, held every August.

It is also a place where original cultural offerings are as abundant as the leaves. Robert Frost's poems come to life in Derry, Franconia and Coos Country where he wrote them. Thonrton Wilder's "Our Town" was based on Peterborough, his home as a resident of the famed MacDowell Colony. Nearby Dublin is the quintessential Yankee hometown, which is why it is the home for Yankee magazine. Even "On Golden Pond" was filmed on Squam Lake in New Hampshire. There's no dust accumulating on that artistic legacy, either -- art, music, plays and performances of all kind fill almost every rafter. College campus venues, including Dartmouth College's Hopkins Center amd Keene State's Redfern Arts Center, rival the restored Majestic Theater in Manchester and Portsmouth's Music Hall, a landmark

American Treasure, presenting films, concerts and readings.

From the first intrepid fishermen who arrived on New Hampshire's seacoast in 1623 to the visitor who just asked for directions from a Visitors Center Granite State Ambassador, those who come to New Hampshire discover something to love. And what could be more authentic an experience than that?