New Hampshire's 11 Most Amazing Sights And Attractions For First-Time Visitors

Those looking to experience New England's colonial history and natural beauty usually trek to states like Vermont, Massachusetts, and Maine. But, in small-but-mighty New Hampshire — one of the smallest states in the country — you'll find all of those elements and more, making for a hidden gem with a long list of things to do. These must-see sites include a renowned art museum with European and American masterpieces, a state park with an 800-foot natural gorge, and one of the most well-known breweries in the U.S., so as you can imagine, there's truly something for everyone here.

We've narrowed down the best destinations in New Hampshire for first-time visitors, so you can spend more time discovering the state's natural wonders and fascinating 17th-century history — and less time trying to plan it all. To create this guide, we drew from our own expertise, as well as countless online reviews from previous visitors. The result is a comprehensive list of all the top-rated attractions most likely to satisfy people of all ages and interests.

New England is home to many celebrated craft breweries, but it also hosts one of America's largest brewing companies. The Anheuser-Busch Brewery in Merrimack — one of a dozen facilities in the country where brands like Budweiser and Michelob Ultra are produced — gives beer lovers the opportunity to see their favorites come to life, all surrounded by a lush valley. The plant churns out 8 million 12-ounce beer servings per day, and guided walking tours are offered regularly. Ninety-minute tours cost $20 per adult, and all participants must be of legal drinking age.

Visitors get a glimpse of how the Anheuser-Busch facility in New Hampshire makes its signature beverages, from mixing water and rice or corn in stainless-steel tanks, to producing the liquid and bottling the final product. While you're there, look out for the life-sized Clydesdale horse replica at the entrance and the Anheuser-Busch logo mural in the packing area. Depending on when you visit, you may also get to enjoy one many beer-themed events. The brewery hosts an annual Christmas market with vendors, live entertainment, dancing, photo opportunities, and food trucks. It also runs regular "sip and shop" experiences, live music every Friday, and seasonal events throughout the year.

A visit to the Castle in the Clouds — otherwise known as the Lucknow Mansion — is a trip back to New Hampshire's past. The 1914 mansion, a National Historic Landmark on a 6,300-acre estate, is an immersive journey into century-old history. With preserved artifacts, original furnishings, vintage clothing, and antique appliances of all sorts, it's truly a fascinating place. The property is surrounded by 28 miles of forested hiking trails complete with waterfalls and gardens. 

The Arts and Crafts-style mansion was the home of shoe manufacturing magnate Tom Plant and his wife Olive. In addition to 16 impressive rooms, the mansion boasts a stable, six-car garage, two gatehouses, a greenhouse, a golf course, a tennis court, a man-made lake, and a boathouse. At the time it was built, the house was a rare mix of old and new influences, blending modern amenities like a household interphone system and diverse building materials such as concrete and terracotta. After Tom died in 1941, the home was seized by the bank. It was later enjoyed by another prosperous family before opening to the masses in 1959 under its new name: Castle In The Clouds.

The mansion offers one-hour guided tours for $35 per person. Regular admission is $23 per adult ages 18 to 64, $20 for senior citizens, and $15 per child ages 5 to 17. Visitors can also participate in the countless year-round workshops and events hosted at the mansion, and enjoy a meal at the on-site Carriage House Restaurant or Café in the Clouds.

New Hampshire's natural landscapes are as pretty as any painting. But, at the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, visitors can see over 15,000 European and American masterpieces by greats like Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse on canvas. Open since 1929, the museum is located in the elegant Italian palazzo-style former home of founder Moody Currier and his wife Hannah Slade. Some of the works you can expect to see here include "Woman Seated in a Chair" by Pablo Picasso and "The Bridge at Bougival" by Claude Monet. It's also the only art museum in the world to have two Frank Lloyd Wright homes in its collection — the Usonian-style Zimmerman House and Usonian Automatic-style Kalil House, both of which are open to visitors.

The Currier Museum of Art prides itself on making art accessible to people from all walks of life, including veterans, individuals with substance abuse issues, and those with disabilities. It holds events, family days, teen programs, art talks, and an artist-in-residence program throughout the year. Tickets are $20 per person ages 16 and older, $15 for visitors 65 and older, $15 per student, and $5 per child ages 13 to 17.

Located in White Mountain National Forest in Lincoln, Franconia Notch State Park is known for the 800-foot natural Flume Gorge, the state's top natural wonder. The majestic gorge is visible from the base of Mount Liberty along the 2-mile Flume Trail loop. The gorge's soaring granite walls date back nearly 200 million years, long before it was discovered in the early 1800s. Be prepared to work for your gorge view as the trail takes roughly 90 minutes to complete, and features boardwalks, uphill terrain, and stairs. General admission costs $18 for visitors ages 13 and older, and $16 for youth ages 6 to 12. Keep in mind that reservations must be made online in advance. 

There's plenty more to do at Franconia Notch State Park than hike to the gorge. Visitors can swim and fish at Echo Lake, or rent kayaks, canoes, and pedal boats. Bike rentals are also available, and a scenic cycling path runs along the mountain pass. Hit the slopes in the wintertime on Cannon Mountain, which is also where Olympic skier Bode Miller used to hone his skills. It's the only state-owned ski area in the state, as well as one of the largest in the region. In the summer, enjoy panoramic views on Cannon Mountain's aerial tramway, and spend the night at the park's on-site campground. 

On the 34.5-mile Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire, it's safe to say that the journey is just as beautiful as the destination. This National Scenic Byway runs through White Mountain National Forest, and it's picturesque all the way through — no gas stations, hotels, and restaurants to interrupt the views. From your window, you'll be treated to vistas of the Swift River, Lower Falls, Sabbaday Falls, and the Rocky Gorge, all of which are especially colorful during the fall. However, you can visit anytime, as the highway is open all year long. You might even see animals like hawks, moose, falcons, eagles, deer, bears, raccoons, and porcupines. It's the most-visited tourist attraction in New Hampshire, and also one of the 75 things every American should do in their lifetime. 

Nicknamed "The Kanc," the highway dates back to 1959 and is named after the Indigenous leader Kancamagus. He sought to help his community negotiate peacefully with the English settlers, but violence and turbulence pushed the leader to relocate his people north towards present-day Canada. If you want to extend your journey on the Kancamagus Highway, stay at one of the half-dozen campgrounds lining the road as it weaves from Conway to Lincoln. 

Every year, thousands of people from all over the world trek to the Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves in North Woodstock in the White Mountains, a natural wonder that can be explored from May through October. It's one of the area's most popular attractions, and for good reason. The 1-mile boardwalk takes visitors through a labyrinth of towering boulders, 11 ancient glacial caves, and gushing waterfalls, with glimpses of the Kinsman Notch and White Mountains along the way.

The gorge and caves date back roughly 300 million years, and emerged during the formation of the Appalachian Mountain Range. As a result of the Ice Age, melting glaciers and sheets of ice formed boulder-strewn caves and valleys throughout the area. As the story goes, the site was discovered in 1852 when two brothers, Royal and Lyman Jackman, were fishing along the river. Lyman fell 15 feet down into a hidden hole, landing in an underground cave with a river now known as Shadow Cave. They later found several other caves in the area and led tours of their discoveries in the following decades. The Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves have been a protected area since the 1900s. Tickets are required to visit, and admission costs $24 in advance online and $26 to $28 on-site. The gorge also hosts a variety of events during its opening season, including live animal presentations, mining workshops, and outdoor yoga.

Today, Market Square is the heart of downtown Portsmouth, a popular New Hampshire tourist town that's also one of the best beach towns in America. However, it wasn't always this way. Portsmouth fell upon hard times in the 1950s and 1960s due to economic decline, and the city finally took action in 1978 by reviving Market Square, among other initiatives. The square, which once served as a hub for military trainings and the New Hampshire colonial legislature, has since transformed into a vibrant district with wide brick sidewalks, flower beds, and a fountain, surrounded by historic buildings, shops, cafes, and restaurants. It's one of the busiest areas in the city and is also part of Portsmouth's historic district.

To commemorate Market Square's revitalization, the first Market Square Day was held in 1978 and continues to take place every year in June. The event features live music, a road race, and more than 150 vendors, many of which are local. The event draws roughly 50,000 attendees and showcases the very best of Portsmouth. The square also hosts various celebrations throughout the year, including Children's Day, Summer in the Street, a Christmas parade, a New Year's Eve event, cultural festivals, and more.

New Hampshire's Mount Washington is home to one of America's most dangerous hiking trails with record-breaking winds. Instead of braving the elements, visitors can summit the mountain in comfort on the Mount Washington Cog Railway. Built in 1869, it is the first mountain climbing cog railway ever created, thanks to retired businessman Sylvester Marsh, who experienced the treacherous conditions firsthand while climbing the mountain in 1857. This railway is the second-steepest in the world, taking visitors 6,288 feet to the top of the highest mountain in the Northeast. The sights from the summit are so incredible that even showman P.T. Barnum once called it the "second-greatest show on Earth."

The railway ventures roughly 3 miles in vintage steam and modern biodiesel locomotives, ascending through three climate zones before finally reaching the top. It's not for the faint of heart, as the gradient ranges from 25% to nearly 38%. Guided narration is provided on-board throughout the ride. The three-hour experience is most beautiful — although very chilly — during the fall, when changing leaves make for a one-of-a-kind sight. At the top during its opening season, which lasts from May through October, visitors can check out a visitor's center, museum, observatory, observation deck, gift shop, and snack bar. 

Portsmouth is a bustling city, but a green respite awaits in Prescott Park, a 10-acre expanse with colorful gardens on the banks of the Piscataqua River. It's a can't-miss historic attraction at America's oldest port. It dates back to 1954, when the property, once owned by local resident Josie F. Prescott, was bequeathed to the city in her will. A former industrial area, the park became even more beautiful 21 years later when 40 garden beds were planted in an effort to study which ornamental plants could thrive in the setting. These days, the flowers are still identified so that locals can plant the same seeds in their own gardens. Besides the ornamental flowers, the park is also home to butterflies and pollinators, and serves as a thriving ecosystem.

Visitors can explore the park by taking a free tour offered seasonally by horticultural interns, or by simply meandering the gardens that surround various monuments and historic buildings. The park hosts various events in the warmer months, including the summer-long Prescott Park Arts Festival with live entertainment, the Brewfest beer festival, outdoor movies, and Chowderfest. The arts festival has been a staple of the park since the 1960s, and it's free to attend for all, although donations are always welcome.

Located along the Kancamagus Highway in White Mountains National Forest, Sabbaday Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls to check out in the state. The thundering falls tumble 35 feet into the pools below. An easy half-mile hike takes you directly to both the top and bottom of the falls, but keep in mind that the terrain can be steep and uneven at times. Also along the way are various informational signs detailing the area's geology and history. The best time to witness the falls in their glory is from June through November. It's also the perfect pit stop for beautiful fall foliage views on your East Coast road trip.

According to legend, the falls got their name after local workmen building a road in the area abandoned the job due to cold weather. The workers left on a Sunday, otherwise known as Sabbath Day, thus the name "Sabbaday." Early settlers also used the Sabbath as a day of rest, which often involved leisurely trips to the falls. In 1880, local hotel owner Jim Shackford built a trail from his hotel to the falls, and the path remains in use as part of the White Mountain National Forest trail network.

With more than 40 historic buildings within a 10-acre site in the Portsmouth neighborhood of Puddle Dock, the Strawberry Banke Museum isn't your average museum. It's a piece of living history where visitors can discover what life was like in Portsmouth in the 1600s. The immersive history museum features historic homes, gardens, and workshops staffed by costumed interpreters, as well as interactive activities and live demonstrations. The museum's collection also includes artifacts from Indigenous civilizations dating back 12,000 years. 

There are several sites at the Strawberry Banke Museum that you can't afford to miss, including the Goodwin Mansion, the former home of New Hampshire governor Ichabod Goodwin. Another favorite is Pitt Tavern, an 18th-century tavern visited by John Hancock, the Marquis de Lafayette, and George Washington. The historic homes are open from April to October, although programs and activities are offered year-round, including a winter ice skating rink. Tickets are $24 per adult over the age of 17, and $12 per child ages 5 to 17.

New Hampshire encompasses just under 9,350 square miles, but don't get it twisted — this compact state is jam-packed with extraordinary natural wonders, lush forests, thundering waterfalls, amazing history, and more, making for a memorable and worthwhile getaway. So, we rounded up the best of New Hampshire's world-class sites, attractions, and destinations for your first trip to the state, so you won't go home with that nagging feeling that comes with missing out on something special. You'll never have to wonder how you passed up a trip on America's steepest railway, or a cruise down one of the prettiest drives in the country.

We began by gathering the New Hampshire destinations with the greatest number of outstanding reviews on Tripadvisor, so you can plan your visit knowing that previous travelers have deemed the experience worth it. We then referred to local tourism boards and reputable travel outlets to determine which attractions and landmarks are the most renowned, such as Sabbaday Falls, one of the most popular waterfalls in the state, and Lost River Gorge, visited by thousands worldwide each year. Finally, we narrowed down our selection to focus exclusively on the places that have the most to offer for visitors of all interests and ages. With this in mind, you can rest assured knowing that everyone in your group will enjoy their visit to New Hampshire.