The state's abundance of rivers, lakes, and streams provides opportunities for fishing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and other boating, while its mountains delight sightseeing tourists and challenge the strength and endurance of thousands of hikers and climbers annually. On the seacoast, the visitor can choose to tour Portsmouth's historic Strawbery Banke, lovingly restored several decades ago, swim and sunbathe on bustling Hampton Beach with its Carnival atmosphere, or take any number of cruises on the open sea.

New Hampshire's many summer camps, scattered throughout wild areas of the state, are home to thousands of kids a year; also dotting the landscape are small summer theatres, some of which import well-known professional actors to perform a variety of plays. A sizable population of skilled artists and artisans also make their home in New Hampshire, enjoying the solitude and the natural beauty of the largely rural state to provide themselves with a suitable environment in which to create.

In short, New Hampshire's varied geography and its wilderness areas help define the state, attracting visitors and residents who treasure its natural beauty, enjoy the recreational activities it offers, and appreciate its often quiet rural character. In an increasingly hectic world, the often slower pace of New Hampshire's countryside is much needed.

Winter in New Hampshire Means Adventure

Winter to you may mean wrapping up in a thick comforter and warming yourself in front of a cozy fireplace. But if you're more the adventurous type, you might want to consider a trip to New Hampshire. From downhill and cross-country skiing to snowmobiling to winter camping, those hardy enough to brave the cold have a wealth of adventures to choose from.

Downhill ski slopes can be found in every region of New Hampshire, but the most spectacular are in the rugged White Mountains that transect the middle of the state. Cannon Mountain in Franconia Notch, for instance, offers a range of skiing experiences for every level of expertise; close by is the New England Ski Museum. For snowmobile enthusiasts, networks of trails throughout the state are carefully maintained by local snowmobile clubs. For the most adventurous, the Appalachian Mountain Club offers winter camping and climbing trips in the White Mountains and other New Hampshire locations; some of the trips include valuable instruction for beginning winter campers. A wide variety of hotels, motels, inns, and Bed and Breakfasts house the thousands of visitors to New Hampshire each winter; and restaurants, from the most humble mom-and-pop eatery to gourmet establishments, meet their dining needs. Of course, if all you want to do is travel to a toasty warm New Hampshire ski lodge to curl up in front of a roaring fire, with a cup of hot chocolate and a quilt, you can do that too.

About the Author

Aldene Fredenburg is a freelance writer living in southwestern New Hampshire. She has written numerous articles for local and regional newspapers and for a number of Internet websites, including Tips and Topics. She expresses her opinions periodically on her blog.