A week in the mountains, an extended stay on the coast, or a few days in the city, New Hampshire vacations are full of possibilities. Even though the state is small in size, it's never short on interesting things to do. Whether travelers are looking for romantic New Hampshire getaways or something suited for the whole family, they'll have plenty of options.

Bordered by Maine, Quebec, Vermont, and Massachusetts, New Hampshire is strategically located in central New England. New England travelers can easily enjoy a New Hampshire weekend getaway without spending a lot of time driving. The capital city of Manchester is an hour's drive north of Boston on Interstate 93. Traveling up Interstate 95 from Portsmouth to Portland, Maine, or taking I-89 from Hanover to Montpelier, Vermont, also takes about 60 minutes. Each of these trips will give travelers a chance to sample New Hampshire vacations in its major cities. From here, it’s only a short distance to get to the ocean, mountains, or lakes, making it easy to extend a short getaway into a longer vacation.

Many of the grand resorts and bed-and-breakfast inns offer packages suited for relaxing escapes and packages just for two. With reservations at resorts, vacationers can enjoy New Hampshire getaways without a lot of travel time or hassle. Once they check in, guests can experience the best of dining, shopping, and recreational fun, all within steps of their rooms. With a little bit of time traveling, couples can get out and explore during a wide assortment of nightclubs, performing arts venues, theaters, and galleries. In addition, golfing holidays, strolling through quaint villages, exploring the landscapes that inspired the poet Robert Frost, ski trips, spa escapes, cooking classes, visits to museums and other attractions, tax-free shopping, and winery tours are all possibilities for New Hampshire vacations for the sophisticated set.

New Hampshire Map

The alternatives for a New Hampshire family vacation are just as varied. Multi-generational travelers will enjoy time at one of the science centers and museums that are located all around the state. The Seacoast Science Center, located in Odiorne Point State Park in Rye, offers an array of programs and experiences designed to connect visitors with nature. The dramatic setting, along the Atlantic Coast, is waiting just outside the doors of the center, complete with hiking trails and an extensive playground. Travelers also can make plans to visit children's museums during New Hampshire getaways, which are located in Dover, Concord, Meredith, and the Mount Washington Valley.

For a New Hampshire family vacation, time in the water will keep everyone smiling. Exciting lakes, water parks, oceanfront beaches, water taxi rides, waterfalls, and even hotel swimming pools are fun for people of all ages.

Theme parks are a staple of a New Hampshire family vacation, especially in the summer. In the White Mountains, Six Gun City and Fort Splash Waterpark have been providing fun for more than 50 years, with rides, slides, and camping, all with a frontier theme.

With all of the beautiful scenery, an abundance of natural wonders, and wide-open spaces, no New Hampshire getaway could be complete without some time outdoors. State parks, located in all regions, are the perfect entry point to natural New Hampshire. Along the coast, in the mountains, or by the lake, visitors will have the chance to watch for wildlife, admire mountain scenery, go fishing, pitch a tent, or even go skiing, all while ensuring the land is preserved for the enjoyment of future generations.