New Hampshire: The Best State?
I am starting to write this while sitting on the couch of a family’s rented lake house in central New Hampshire, looking out the window at the lake on what could be described as the perfect July afternoon. The lake is about 10 feet past the front door, with a small deck between. A boat ramp is to the right of the deck, along with a walkway alongside it. It’s in the high 80s but with low humidity and just a few whispering clouds. This place used to be home just shy of a year ago. Do I miss it? Of course. But forget living there. I want to talk about visiting New Hampshire and why it should be very high on your list of places to book next.
Here is my breakdown of these reasons, in no particular order.
Location
When I would travel across the US and tell people I live in New Hampshire, I would get, more often than not, “Is that near New York?” Relatively speaking, that is true, but it is not how I would describe it. Depending on where you live, Boston is the closest major city, with Montreal being closer to those living up near the border. New Hampshire does have its own regional airport, MHT (Manchester-Boston Regional), and there are usually great options. A flight into Boston is oftentimes the best option, with a short drive to the NH border or plenty of bus options to head up north. In New England, while parts of it are very remote, Boston serves as its hub, making traveling to the entire region very doable.
Depending on where you are heading in the state, here are your best options:
- Fly into MHT if available
- Fly into BOS, then
a. Rent a car and drive north
b. Boston Express Bus (leaves from BOS airport)
c. Concord Coach Bus (leaves from BOS airport) - Fly into
a. PWM (Portland, Maine)
b. BTV (Burlington, VT)
c. YUL (Montreal, QC), which is only a good option if you are flying internationally anyway and you find a great deal into YUL.
Remember, Google Flights is your best tool to explore your options.
Beauty
Yes, I know I lived there for years and have some bias, but remember, I have visited all 50 states and New Hampshire ranks very high. I am not going to rank each one here, but New Hampshire is beautiful in all four seasons. Autumn takes first place here, however, with the foliage in the White Mountains and Monadnock region. The Shaw Brothers summed it up well in their song New Hampshire Naturally saying fall was the best (have a listen here). Winter brings its own state of awe with snowcapped mountains. New Hampshire is ideal for:
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Skiing
- Biking
- Boating
Lakes Region
This article started off in this region. New Hampshire has the over 250 lakes, with Lake Winnipesaukee being the most popular. Towns like Laconia and Wolfeboro are home to beautiful hotels, inns, and B&Bs. This is an area where you’ll need to skip spending those Marriott points and hit Airbnb.
White Mountains
Do you like camping? This is your spot. You will find great options on sites like Hipcamp. North Conway is considered the capital of the area, with lots to do.
Fresh Air
As you take a hike in the mountains or even down the streets of Portsmouth, there is something about the air that feels different. USA Today ranked New Hampshire as number four in air quality in 2025, right behind its neighbor Maine. Alaska (#2) and Hawaii (#1) take the top spots.
Big City Feel, But Not
New Hampshire only has one city above 100,000 people, Manchester (117,453). Nashua comes in second at 92,949. After that, the capital of Concord is third but less than half of Nashua at 44,621, all according to World Population Review 2026. It doesn’t have big cities, but it offers a lot.
Nashua
My former hometown of Nashua has, by far, one of the best downtowns in the country. It’s known (self-declared, I believe) as the Great American Downtown. Shops, restaurants, bars, and breweries line Main Street as the Nashua River flows down the middle. If you ask me the best city in New Hampshire, I’ll confidently tell you Nashua is, by far, number two. Number one is up next.
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the best city in the state. It is a coastal city butting up on the Maine border. Downtown features cobblestone streets, small shops, and lots and lots of bars and restaurants. It is a fun fact that Portsmouth’s restaurants total 36,000 seats and the city has less than 25,000 residents. It’s picturesque, with great food, great people, and less than two hours from Boston and an hour from Manchester.
Manchester
Manchester has a lot to offer, with lots of things to do in and around Elm Street (the heart of downtown). You can catch the AA Toronto Blue Jays play as the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Manchester is also a bit north of Nashua and is closer to the Lakes Region and the mountains by a few minutes.
Concord
Concord is unique in a way that it is a small city, feels small, but then the massive New Hampshire State House appears right downtown. There is a lot to do as you walk down North and South Main Street. Concord being even further north, you are closer to all the mountains and lakes.
To sum it up
New Hampshire has so much to offer. You may be thinking, where are the problems? The state has no income tax, no sales tax (they do have a meals tax), and seat belts are even optional for adults! Well, it’s the cold. There is plenty to do during the long winters, but it gets really cold, and the cold seems to never end. While it isn’t Boston prices, it’s also not cheap. That said, the pros far outweigh the cons for a visit.
New Hampshire is beautiful in all four seasons, but autumn is the standout thanks to the fall foliage in the White Mountains and Monadnock region. Winter brings snowcapped mountains and skiing, while summer is ideal for the lakes and hiking.
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) is New Hampshire’s own regional airport. Many travelers also fly into Boston Logan (BOS) and drive north or take the Boston Express or Concord Coach bus. Depending on your destination, Portland (PWM), Burlington (BTV), or Montreal (YUL) can also work.
Portsmouth is a coastal city known for cobblestone streets, small shops, and a packed restaurant and bar scene. Nashua offers one of the best downtowns in the country along Main Street. Manchester and Concord round out the list with plenty to do and easy access to the mountains and lakes.
New Hampshire has no state income tax and no general sales tax. It does have a Meals and Rooms tax that applies to prepared food, lodging, and car rentals.
The state is ideal for hiking, fishing, hunting, skiing, biking, and boating. The Lakes Region centers on Lake Winnipesaukee, while the White Mountains around North Conway are a favorite for camping and outdoor adventure.
