8 Ideal New Hampshire Destinations for a 3-Day Weekend in 2024
New Hampshire, the Granite State, encompasses an assortment of wonders for those looking to visit New England. From charming harbor towns and pristine lake towns to towns with impressive mountains and sweeping valleys, the state offers places with activities and exceptional views for every season. These eight destinations, from the picturesque coast of Portsmouth to the gorgeous mountains of Lincoln, are just some of many locations that showcase a variety of the very best the state has to offer.
Portsmouth
A picturesque coastal town, Portsmouth combines rich maritime history and modern charm among its cobblestone streets. Explore New Hampshire’s popular gem where boutique shopping, art galleries, and a culinary scene await every palate. Between its scenic beauty, maritime heritage and flourishing waterfront, Portsmouth welcomes visitors to its streets for a unique experience.
For those looking to enjoy the waterfront, Prescott Park is an ideal picnic spot with 10 acres of blooming gardens. The Strawberry Banke Museum provides a glimpse into the historic neighborhood, Puddle Dock, and its evolution into the colonial settlement of Strawberry Banke. The museum narrates stories of seasonal gatherings by the Abenaki, who visited Strawberry Banke for hunting, fishing and food preparation. In 1958, a group of citizens successfully preserved the 10 acres of what was Puddle Dock and Portsmouth’s South End. By 1965, the area became an outdoor living history museum with a handful of historic houses open for public viewing. Strawberry Banke stands as a community pillar, welcoming visitors for annual programs.
The Portsmouth Harbor Trail boasts a 400-year historical walking tour that explores the city’s culture, architecture, and scenic beauty. The tour includes 10 buildings on the National Register of Historic Buildings, 10 National Historic Landmarks, and 3 homes that are maintained by the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities. The Sailmaker’s House, an independent boutique inn, provides a perfect home base in the center of Portsmouth’s beautiful downtown, allowing visitors to explore all the city has to offer.
North Conway
Known for its stunning scenery and plethora of outdoor activities, North Conway is an oasis for those visiting the White Mountains. Situated near the beautiful winding Kancamangus Highway, North Conway offers year-round activities like skiing, snowboarding, and horseback riding.
Many ski resorts double as water parks in the summer months and offer bundles with other local attractions. Attitash Mountain Resort welcomes visitors during the winter months and is enhancing its summer amenities. Nearby, Santas Village delights little ones with the magic of the North Pole, while the Living Shores Aquarium offers a glimpse into the maritime world, and Diana’s Baths showcases the rushing beauty of its waterfalls.
Settlers Green Outlet Village is perfect for a day of shopping, dining, and exploring local art. Home to the Penguin Gallery, Zeb’s General Store and other boutiques, this shopping strip is dotted with a variety of culinary experiences to enjoy.
Meredith
Settled on Lake Winnipesaukee’s 288 miles of shoreline, Meredith was originally known as Palmer’s Town in honor of Samuel Palmer, who surveyed the land surrounding Lake Winnipesaukee. The Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad and Fall Foliage Trains offer train rides through the White Mountains and Lakes, there are a variety of excursions to choose from. The Winnipesaukee Playhouse hosts professional and community theater shows year-round, providing arts performances, programs, and education to the Lakes region community and its visitors for decades. Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery caters to wine connoisseurs with its unique wines made from two dozen non-conventional fruits. Their variety is unique to their locally grown crops, and can be enjoyed a variety of ways in their establishment with gourmet food, or taken home.
The Nutmeg Inn is a historic country inn a brief walk from downtown. Dating back to 1763 as the Eliphalet Rawlings Homestead, the seven-acre property offers simple comforts that complete a visitor's stay. In 2020, the Nutmeg Inn was entered into the New Hampshire Registry of Historic Places as the Eliphalet Rawlings Homestead.
Moultonborough
A vast landscape with mountains, lakes, streams, and hiking trails that weave around ponds, Moultonborough is a haven for nature lovers. The Moultonborough Inn is ready to host those looking to enjoy a peaceful getaway on the banks of Lake Winnipesaukee in a charming New England cottage-style space.
Home to the Castle in the Clouds, a mountaintop estate on 6,300 acres boasting a 1913 mansion with lake views, hiking, and a restaurant. The estate features a background of beauty, comprised of mountaintops, rolling plateaus, valleys, and streams, wooded drives and paths with vistas overlooking the lake. The Carriage House Restaurant provides daily lunch service whenever the mansion is open. The Castle hosts over 200 programs and events annually, serving as a multifaceted community pillar.
The Loon Center, located on the north side of Lake Winnipesaukee, is a 200-acre wildlife sanctuary featuring interpretation exhibits, presentations, and nature trails. Visitors can learn about loons and their habitat in New Hampshire and how to help preserve this threatened species. The Loon Preservation Committee, the first of its kind, has shown remarkable success, inspiring international organizations to preserve other species.
Angelic Farm is a hidden gem tucked between the White Mountain National Forest and Lake Winnipesaukee. Family-owned and operated, Angelic Farm is a “pick-your-own” blueberry farm open seasonally for family fun from mid-July to September each year. The farm also offers selections of fresh vegetables, corn, maple syrup and pumpkins when in season.
Franconia
On the western side of the White Mountains, Franconia is beloved predominately for its natural features. It is home to a section of Franconia Notch State Park, which includes Cannon Mountain, Echo Lake, the Flume Gorge, and the Basin. Franconia Notch was the site of the famous Old Man of the Mountain, which fell May 3, 2003, but remains an iconic image immortalized by Nathanial Hawthorne’s 1850 short story “The Great Stone Face.” The Franconia Inn welcomes guests with stunning views in one of their rooms overlooking their 65-acre forested mountain panorama.
Cannon Mountain features not only a ski area but also an aerial tramway that carries passengers by cable car to its 4,080-foot summit. North America's first aerial tramway offers views of mountains in four states and across the Canadian border. At the summit, visitors can enjoy walking paths, a 360-degree observation deck, and a cafe.
The Frost Place is a house museum dedicated to poet Robert Frost and serves as a poetry center. Every summer, it awards a fellowship to an emerging poet, offering an opportunity to reside at the house for several months. The grounds are open to visitors, as well as Robert Frost’s porch even when the museum is not open to the public.
Wolfeboro
Known as the oldest vacation town in the Granite State, Wolfeboro is located on the eastern shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, surrounded by forest and mountains. Hosting a Winter Carnival each year with horse-drawn sleigh rides, there’s fun year round for all ages. The Pickering House Inn accommodates guests in its luxury boutique hotel, which has been rated among Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards for New England, the United States, and the world.
Downtown Wolfeboro is lined with a medley of shops and culinary delights, and visitors can enjoy free concerts at Cate Park on the waterfront. There’s an assortment of outdoor activities exploring the beautiful scenery of the Ossipee mountain range. High Meadow Farms offers a trail experience on horseback for those looking for a different adventure. The Libby Museum of Natural History is dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of the area.
Laconia
Nestled between Lake Winnipesaukee and Winnisquam Lake, Laconia encompasses Lakeport and Weirs Beach within its borders. Every June, Laconia hosts the Laconia Motorcycle Week, where motorcycle enthusiasts from across America gather for a variety of events and competitions, highlighted by a State Police-escorted Memorial Ride around the lake. If Mother Nature cooperates, the Laconia World Championship Sled Dog Derby is a unique winter experience. The Granite State Scenic Railway’s Laconia Station offers a 5-mile rail bike tour along the shores of Lake Winnisquam on tracks dating from 1848. Additionally, during the Laconia Pumpkin Festival, the railway offers Pumpkin Express Trains as residents and visitors attempt to set the record for the largest amount of lit jack-o-lanterns in one place. The Lakeview Inn & Cottages are open seasonally to accommodate those looking to experience the excitement of Motorcycle Week.
Lincoln
On the western edge of the Kancamagus Highway, Lincoln is home to a section of Franconia Notch State Park and the New Hampshire Highland Games. Indian Head Resort is an excellent home base for those looking to explore the area in any season.
There’s family fun to be had at Clark’s Bears, featuring their famous Black Bear Show, the resident Wolfman, rides, and museums. The Granite State Scenic Railway’s Lincoln Station offers 80-minute round-trip train rides on vintage coaches along a historic rail system from the late 1800s. Operating from May through October and again from Thanksgiving through December, the railway offers Santa Express Trains where children can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus in a holiday experience to remember. Flume Gorge, a part of Franconia Notch State Park, is a breathtaking two-mile loop famous for its waterfalls and 1886 classic covered bridge.
New Hampshire’s breathtaking landscape encompasses picturesque destinations perfect for a three-day weekend getaway. Each destination has a unique experience that can only be enjoyed in the Granite State. From its scenic beauty, outdoor adventures and historic roots, New Hampshire’s charm and splendors ensure unforgettable visits for travelers, making New Hampshire a preferred destination every year.
