New Hampshire is a small mountainous state in New England known for its historic towns, forests, and rugged White Mountains. Cities like Concord and Portsmouth may not be as famous nationally as Boston or New York, but they offer plenty of history and small-town charm. I’ve visited New Hampshire several times, especially to take advantage of its mountains and winter weather for training. For me, the White Mountains are one of the best places on the East Coast to experience real winter mountaineering conditions.
Explore Portsmouth
New Hampshire isn’t usually associated with the ocean, but the state does have a small stretch of Atlantic coastline. Along that coast is Portsmouth, one of New Hampshire’s most historic and popular destinations. Portsmouth developed as an important port and shipbuilding center, and much of its older architecture has survived into the modern city.
Today the historic districts are one of the main reasons to visit. Old homes, waterfront areas, restaurants, shops, and preserved streets give Portsmouth a very different atmosphere from the mountain towns farther inland.
Explore Concord
Concord is New Hampshire’s small capital city, located near the center of the state. With a population of only around 40,000 people, it feels much more like a large town than a major capital. Its history stretches back to the colonial period, and many of the main attractions are historic buildings, government landmarks, and older neighborhoods.
Because Concord is so compact, it’s easy to explore a little of everything in a short visit. You can walk through downtown, visit the State House, see some of the historic architecture, or head outside the city for nearby trails and outdoor recreation.
Explore the White Mountains
The White Mountains are the part of New Hampshire I’ve spent the most time exploring. They aren’t especially high by western U.S. standards, but their winter weather can be extremely severe. Mount Washington is particularly famous for its violent conditions and has long been associated with some of the strongest winds ever measured at a staffed weather station.
Those conditions make the White Mountains an excellent place for winter training. Depending on the season and route, you can find hiking, mountaineering, ice climbing, skiing, snowmobiling, and plenty of opportunities to practice traveling in severe cold and high winds. For people who want something less extreme, the region also has scenic drives, mountain resorts, and historic places like the Mount Washington Hotel.
For such a small state, New Hampshire offers a surprisingly good mix of history, coastline, forests, and mountain adventure. Portsmouth and Concord are easy places to explore for their architecture and history, while the White Mountains are where the state really stands out for me.
