Latest Blog Postings from Scenic New Hampshire.


10 Great Foliage Hikes (And Four Easy Walks)
The Welch-Dickey Trail in Waterville Valley is an easy hike with a pretty payoff. See info about this hike below. Soon leaf peepers will fill our roads as they flock to New Hampshire to witness the turning of the leaves, but we know a better way to experience this beautiful season than through window glass at 65 miles per hour. The cool, crisp air of autumn is ideal weather for hiking and the riot of color offered by the fall foliage is the perfect backdrop. Lace up your boots, get outside and find some of the best views in New England with one of our 10 hikes that promise big foliage payoffs. Plus, if hiking seems a little out of reach, we suggest five easy scenic walks anyone can enjoy. Before you set out for a hike, remember to do the following: • Pack extra provisions. Make sure you have plenty of water, food and protein bars for energy and stamina on a hike. • Make sure you have proper precautions in case of injury. Pack bandages and always wear proper footwear to prevent blisters. • Temperatures can change rapidly in high elevations so make sure to pack sensible clothing ...

Meet the Brewer- Shackett’s Brewing Company
With more than 70 craft breweries spread across the state (and new ones opening seemingly every week), it's no secret that New Hampshire is home to some great beer. To help you get to know some of the Granite State's favorite sudsy spots, we're continuing a series of “Meet the Brewer” profiles to introduce you to our top-notch New Hampshire breweries and the men and women behind them. For our latest profile, meet Ralph Shackett. Ralph is the founder and head brewer of Shackett's Brewing Company in Bristol. The Shackett's Brewing Co. that we know and love today is a far cry from its humble beginnings as a one-barrel weekend hobby business. Read on to learn all about Ralph's love of brewing and Bristol, and how Shackett's Brewing Company is a hidden gem of the Lakes Region. About the Brewer: New Hampshire Magazine: What is your title at the brewery? Ralph Shackett: Head Custodian, Brewer, Chef, Bartender, owner. NHM: How did you get into the brewing business? RS: I began home brewing in 1991 because I couldn't find the beer styles I wanted to drink. In 2014 I opened a one-barrel system as a hobby business. This was open summers ...

Hiking Tips To Protect Your Feet!
This week we’re looking up to and taking advice from our local experts at Stratham, New Hampshire’s Barefoot Medical Spa and From The Ground Up Podiatry to share some helpful tips as we embark on hiking adventures this season! Here in New England, and specifically in New Hampshire, we live in one of the most beautiful and amazing places to hike. It’s a great way to stay fit, have family time, and can be enjoyed by all ages and fitness levels! It can be done at least three seasons of the year (four if you’re hardcore!) and it’s a wonderful way to enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors. Keep your hike on course for maximum enjoyment and reduce risk for harm to your feet by following these helpful tips… CHOOSE THE SHOES!! The most important equipment for successful hiking is appropriate footwear. Hiking on uneven terrain and varying elevations requires shoes designed specifically for hitting the trail—your sneakers won’t be sufficient. Hiking boots should be made of sturdy material that can protect your feet from roots and rocks. They should be water resistant and have a good tread to prevent slipping and sliding. Weak ankles will appreciate the extra ...

“Dinner Time” to Premiere at Monadnock International Film Festival
You're invited. Come on in. It's a small dinner party, just the right size. It smells good in here. You can't place the aroma, but you're certain it's Italian. The host hands you a glass of Prosecco. Everyone is chatting. You know a few people, others are strangers. Candles are lit. A fire is crackling. You talk, you listen, you taste the focaccia. You wish you'd brought a nicer bottle of wine. Welcome to “Dinner Time.” Let's eat. Peterborough's Firelight Theatre Workshop will debut their sophomore film, “Dinner Time,” at The Park Theatre in Jaffrey, as part of the Monadnock International Film Festival (MONIFF) on October 1. The film, written and directed by Laura Carden, explores themes of reunion, friendship, longing, art-making, and good food. Driven by Firelight's spirit of collaboration, Carden guided the cast through a series of improvised dinner parties in order to build characters and develop a script. What emerged was a sensorial and engaging 40-minute film, featuring new and familiar Firelight actors: Chris Anderson, Nora Fiffer, Rosemary James, Jason Lambert, Aleia Ramsey, and Hejara Russo. Carden, an actor-director, as well as the chef and store manager of Harrisville General Store, united her theatrical and culinary sensibilities ...
23 Fun Things To Do in Littleton, New Hampshire
If you’re looking for a trip to a beautiful small town in New England, you will love Littleton, New Hampshire. This is just the kind of town that people picture when they dream of small-town America, and there are so many cool things to do in Littleton NH. We at New Hampshire Way love so many small towns in the Granite State. But honestly, Littleton might be our favorite town of all. It’s at least in the top three. We can’t get enough of this place, and we wish that more people spent more time here! Nestled in the northwest corner of the White Mountains, just a stone’s throw from Vermont, Littleton is a picture-perfect slice of Americana. Settled on the Ammonoosuc River and filled with small independent shops, the town is a great base for exploring the outdoors and the surrounding towns of Bethlehem, Franconia, and Sugar Hill. Littleton also makes a great alternative to North Conway, the most popular resort town in the White Mountains. North Conway is a lovely small town, but it’s extremely busy and expensive, only a small part is walkable, and there’s a ton of commercial development that travelers don’t expect. Littleton feels more ...

Meet the Brewer: Earth Eagle Brewings
With more than 70 craft breweries spread across the state (and new ones opening seemingly every week), it's no secret that New Hampshire is home to some great beer. To help you get to know some of the Granite State's favorite sudsy spots, we're continuing a series of “Meet the Brewer” profiles to introduce you to our top-notch New Hampshire breweries and the men and women behind them. For our latest profile, meet Alex McDonald. Alex is the founder and head brewer of Earth Eagle Brewings in Portsmouth and Somersworth. Earth Eagle has been a Seacoast staple for beer and hotdog lovers alike for the last decade, and in November they'll be celebrating their 11th anniversary. Read on to learn all about the 500 barrel-per-year capacity facility and how Earth Eagle Brewings is dedicated to shaking up their style. About the Brewer: New Hampshire Magazine: What is your title at the brewery? Alex McDonald: Owner/Head Brewer NHM: How did you get into the brewing business? AM: I began as a home brewer and caught the bug. NHM: Why did you choose to work in New Hampshire? What do you appreciate about the craft beer scene here? The Seacoast of NH ...
16 Best Things To Do in Jackson, NH
Jackson, New Hampshire is one of the gems of the White Mountains. We at New Hampshire Way are huge Jackson fans! If you’re looking for an adorable small mountain town for a getaway, they don’t come much more adorable than Jackson. And there are tons of cool things to do in Jackson, NH, too. Jackson has a population of around 1,000, and if you squint a bit, you can imagine how the town looked 100 or 200 years ago. It’s gorgeous year-round, but especially during the fall foliage season. There hasn’t been too much overdevelopment here, and it’s a peaceful alternative to busy North Conway, just 10 minutes down the road. Jackson is a true year-round destination. Like most of the White Mountains, summer and fall are busy times of year — but Jackson is also one of our favorite places to visit in the White Mountains in the winter thanks to the plethora of ski resorts, ice skating, sleigh rides, and the best cross-country skiing trails in New Hampshire. Another nice thing about Jackson is that it feels very adult-oriented. New Hampshire is a phenomenally family-friendly state, but sometimes it can be nice to have a more adult atmosphere ...
30 Unforgettable Things to Do in the White Mountains, NH
There are so many cool things to do in the White Mountains of New Hampshire! This part of the Granite State is one of the most beautiful places in New England and a true four-season destination. Whether you come for hiking in the summer, skiing in the winter, leaf-peeping in the fall, or maple sugaring in the spring, you’ll find plenty of adventures here. A lot of people think that the White Mountains is mainly about getting outside and, frankly, getting dirty. Hiking for days on end, camping, getting covered with mud and coming home in need of a shower. But it’s WAY more than that! Did you know there’s wine tasting here? And winter zip-lining? Great breweries and distilleries, an epic pancake house, outlet shopping that will knock your socks off? The White Mountains has it all — and that’s why so many New Englanders come here year after year. Now it’s time for us to share our favorite places with you. Here are the best things to do in the White Mountains, NH! This post was most recently updated in May 2023. Table of Contents ToggleWhite Mountains NH FAQHike to Artist’s BluffDrive the Kancamagus HighwayRide the Mount Washington ...

Subtle signs of Fall coming to New Hampshire
Matthew Galvin – SCA NH Corps – Discover the Power of Parks Interpretive Ranger Unfortunately, the best time of year has come and gone. It feels like Fall has been knocking on the door for a month. Yes, school is back in session, but I am referring to something else. There are natural clues or indicators that we can pay attention to that signal the changing of the season. Spring and Fall have some more obvious indicators as many plants begin to show vibrant colors, but I focus on some lesser known indicators. Noises Cricket found in Pawtuckaway State Park. Photo by author Come August, the background noise in the evenings becomes a familiar sound from Spring but it is not frogs. It’s crickets and katydids (another insect)! In agreement with popular belief, crickets carry the weight of these evening performances. Grasshoppers call too, but during the daytime. A katydid spotted on milkweed. Katydids look like grasshoppers but are active at night while grasshoppers are not. Katydids also have antennae as long as their bodies, while grasshoppers have shorter antennae. Photo by author It is true that temperature affects the speed at which these insects call. Take time to compare ...

The Best Events Happening in October
The Portsmouth Halloween Parade is back for another night of spooky fun on October 31. Photo by Kendal J. Bush Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, Locations vary, Throughout October Though pumpkins and foliage may get the lion's share of attention in New Hampshire this time of year, the fruits of fall aren't the only thing October is known for. Celebrate this month's status as Breast Cancer Awareness Month with the American Cancer Society's popular fundraising walks. This year's six New Hampshire walks will take place in cities from Concord to Exeter — check the website for the one nearest you. secure.acsevents.org Plainfield Pumpkin People, Plainfield, September 24 through October 31 Pumpkins are fun and present many opportunities to express your creativity, but what about making pumpkin people out of them? The town of Plainfield is celebrating their 11th anniversary of this unique event. Grab your camera and jump in the car to see what you can find. pumpkinpeople.org/ Apple Harvest Day, Dover, October 7 Pumpkins aren't the only produce that get a little love this month. Dover's fall festival focuses on the season's sweeter favorite, with a 400-strong crafter fair, live entertainment and plenty of eats, apple-themed and otherwise ...

Powder Keg Celebrates 11 Years of Local Beers
Exeter's annual Powder Keg Beer & Chili Festival is back for its 11th year, complete with cold beer, delicious food and great company. Also returning are children's activities including a kid's zone, and chili samples from several vendors. A little over a decade ago, the Town of Exeter Parks and Recreation and Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce caught the “craft beer wave,” and have been putting on this popular event since then, growing each year. “We are excited to return to one session this year with a V.I.P. option to get in one hour early,” stated Greg Bisson, Director of Exeter Parks & Recreation. “The event has sold out in the past, so buy your tickets now and don't miss out.” “The Powder Keg Beer Festival is a great opportunity to highlight and support our community. We look forward to welcoming new and returning attendees to this year's festival. When people come to Exeter for the festival, they stay and enjoy the shopping, restaurants, and all that we have to offer here.” remarked Jennifer Wheeler, President of the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Allie Burke Photography The festival will take place rain or shine on Saturday, Oct. 7 ...

Seasonal De-core: Ideas for Decorating with Apples
Apple Votives > Dress up a rustic cutting board with a flickering display of orchard-inspired tea lights. With a sharp knife, remove the stem and core of the apple, and outfit with a votive candle. Perfect for an evening centerpiece. Eve knew the allure of the apple, and she had nothing but desire to share it with Adam. New Hampshire's more than 60 working orchards feel the same way. With more than 120 apple varieties to choose from including centuries-old heirlooms, handpicking apples are at the pinnacle of favorite fall things to do in the Granite State. Gather your family and friends, and pack a picnic for an autumn outing at your local orchard. How ‘bout them apples … Squeezed into cider or sliced into pies, apples are an ever- present part of fall and all its activities. With a little design inspiration and a few tools, you can spread their autumn style all throughout the house. Ideas by the bushel … Whether decorating an entryway, tabletop, window or fireplace mantle, a fresh shiny apple will always fit the bill. Try stringing them with twine and hanging from cup hooks as a decorative garland. Or pierce with a wooden skewer ...