Have you always dreamed of hopping on a boat to deliver the mail to sweet island destinations?? As long as we’ve known that’s a “thing”, so have we! We’re pretty fortunate because Captain Jack of Kittery Point, Maine-based Seacoast Maritime Charters is welcoming guests to hop aboard his boat—Shining Star—to do just this! During these unique excursions, guests will enjoy a unique, informal visit to Star Island and the Isles Of Shoals while listing to stories and history from the knowledgeable crew, and delivering freight, food, island employees, and the mail to these New Hampshire and Maine island towns! Who knows—you might even find yourself being part of a palm tree or piano delivery to the islands, as Captain Jack has done before! You might even see seals, porpoises, and the occasional whale, as well as gannets, loons, and a variety of other birds. THE DETAILS: MORNING TRIPS: These 45-minute morning mail trips run from June 19 into September on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at 7:45am, and leave from the docks at Pepperrell Cove in Kittery Point, Maine. Guests have the option to enjoy a 45-minute walk and/or self-guided tour on Star Island while the vessel is unloaded and ...

Sarah Mundy leads a life devoted to the arts. By day, the 33-year-old Portsmouth resident works as art teacher at the town's public high school, leading teenagers through the fundamentals of painting, drawing, ceramics and sculpture, and by night (and school vacation), Mundy churns out an impressive collection of her own. Including handmade bowls and mugs, planters and vases, earrings and necklaces and more, Mundy's menagerie exudes a distinctly aquatic feel, distinguished by oceanic colors (aquas and seafoams give way to melting yellows and gritty navys) and earthy textures. One can almost feel the grains of sand caking the bottom of one of her soup crocks, or the salty film coating a tidal dispenser bottle. Her nautical sensibilities come from a life lived on New Hampshire's Seacoast; once a student at the same Portsmouth high school she now teaches at, Mundy went on to attend the University of New Hampshire for both her undergraduate degree, in studio arts, and her master's, in arts education, where she combined a proclivity for teaching with a determined dedication to her own oeuvre. That mélange — between working full-time as a teacher and moonlighting as a scrupulous, serious artist — isn't always an easy ...

Editor's Pick North Country Japanese Danielle and Joe were disappointed in the lack of options for Japanese cuisine in the valley, so they decided it was time to take matters into their own hands. They started Sushki in North Conway and hope to bring some fresh variety to the local food scene by asking, “What's better after a day on the slopes than a steaming hot bowl of ramen, or after a beautiful day leaf peeping than some delicious sushi?” If you agree with those sentiments, you'll probably want to buy one of Sushki's signature T-shirts that read, “If there is no sushi in Heaven, I'm not going.” That's the kind of devotion that makes (and seeks out) great sushi — even in the New Hampshire North Country. sushkinorthconway.com Readers' Poll Winners Burrito Dos Amigos Burritos Concord www.dosamigosburritos.com Burrito Multilocation Local California Burritos Nashua www.californiaburritosnh.com ★★★★★★★ Chinese Restaurant Lilac Blossom Nashua www.lilacblossomrestaurant.com ★★★★★★★ Indian Restaurant Shalimar India Portsmouth www.shalimarindia.com ★★★★★★★ Irish Pub The Peddler's Daughter Nashua www.thepeddlersdaughter.com ★★★★★★★ Italian Restaurant Villaggio Ristorante Manchester www.villaggionh.com Italian Restaurant Multilocation Fratello's Italian Grille Manchester and Laconia www.fratellos.com ★★★★★★★ Japanese Restaurant Masa Japanese Steak House Manchester www.masanh.com ★★★★★★★ Mediterranean Restaurant Amphora Derry www.amphoranh.com ★★★★★★★ ...

Editor's Picks Hot Dogs and Beer Candia Road Brewing Co. in Manchester keeps it crispy serving up craft beer at their brewery and taproom. Pairing a chicken bacon ranch crisper with a subtle banana wheat ale or a basket of nachos with a pint of sidewalk chalk may be great, but the best combination may be any of their hot dog varieties with an IPA or lager. Can't get any better than that. www.candiaroadbrewingco.com Bowling Alley Dive Bar Who doesn't love a good dive bar? Throw candlepin bowling into the mix and now we're talking. Rumors Sports Bar & Bowling in Newmarket delights in the sort of local grime that can't be bought — you've got to earn that kind of character. Cheap pitchers of beer, old-school candlepin bowling (seriously, the bowling alley is straight from the '80s, without any screens or digitization) and karaoke several nights a week, Rumors is a throwback to simpler times. Let your guard down and go have fun with the locals. www.instagram.com/rumorsnh Craft Brew Hidden Gem With over 100 craft breweries in New Hampshire, it's nearly impossible to single out the best — but Back Hill Beer Co. in Rochester truly feels like a ...

Editor's Picks Boutique Bakery Cakes, macarons, monster cookies and jumbo cupcakes? Don't mind if we do. Christy Skinner creates Mystic Sugar Bakery masterpieces at her North Conway shop where you can delight in enchanted forest décor while sampling a variety of fairy-tale-inspired treats. Unique cupcake flavors like Enchanted Forest, a chocolate-filled cake with tart sweet cherries, vanilla buttercream and dark chocolate ganache, and cookie flavors like campfire s'mores and peanut butter and jelly are Hansel and Gretel-like breadcrumbs leading you back for more. www.mysticsugarbakery.com Old Country Coffee Haus Kaffee Vonsolln, an Old World German-style café located on Daniel Street in Portsmouth since 2011, serves fresh roasted coffee from around the globe and is the sole coffee roaster left in downtown Portsmouth. The café's ambiance and décor transport patrons to a streetside coffee house in Berlin or Munich as they enjoy fine pastries like German strudels and Bienenstiches. The café also has outdoor dining and sliding glass windows that allow patrons to enjoy the fresh air during the warmer months. A woman-owned café purchased in 2016 by a mom-dad-and-daughter team, Vonsolln enjoys a great local and national following with people all over the country ordering their esteemed beans. www.kaffeevonsolln.com French Pastries ...

Editor's Picks Creative Chicken Tenders As you know, Manchester is the Chicken Tender Capital of the World, and the Puritan Backroom Restaurant is the literal inventor of the chicken tender. While their tenders are the original, to be revered above all else, they're not the only Manchester establishment serving up world-class tendies. Charlie's of Goffstown specializes in chicken tenders with a twist; incorporating Ritz Crackers, Cheetos and even Cap'n Crunch cereal into their breading, and using a smaller, more tender cut of chicken for their meat, Charlie's has become a Queen City-adjacent favorite for a reason. Their coconut-breaded tenders just might be their best. www.charliesgoffstown.com Lobster Dogs A professional cook and his son set out in 2019 to open a hot dog shack on Hampton Beach and conjured up an idea so radical that might forever change the way that lobster lovers consume their favorite white meat — the Lobster Dog! This quirky amalgam of iconic beach and baseball foods quickly gripped the imaginations of the Hampton Beach crowd and even won first place for Lobster Roll and took the first place “Anything But” award at last year's Seacoast Seafood Festival. Pat's World Famous is now an embedded feature of Hampton ...

You’ve probably felt the guilt when you stared in your pet’s sad eyes as you packed your bag for vacation, but did you know that the Western White Mountains of New Hampshire are pet-friendly? Numerous trails, waterways and relaxing public areas are waiting for your pup to romp around on! The greater Lincoln and Woodstock area is also home to a ton of great pet-friendly activities, lodging and dining options, so you don’t have to leave Fido at home on your next vacation. Just remember to book early as pet-friendly rooms get scooped up fast! Pet-Friendly Swimming Areas & Trails Please always keep your pet on a leash when using public or private hiking trails in the Western White Mountains. Lincoln Woods or East Side Trails Located off Route 112 just East of Lincoln, the Lincoln Woods Trailhead is your basecamp for numerous dog-friendly hikes and dips in the Pemigewasset River. There is a $5 day use fee to be paid at the trailhead (bring cash – cell phone service is limited here), but it is well worth it! Head to the Ranger cabin and swing a left over the suspension bridge to follow the Lincoln Woods trail for ~3 ...

Students create a sculpture from found objects in nature in a class taught by Susanna Hargreaves and Maggie Holm. The weather is more agreeable now to get outside. Parents and educators can find so many ways for children to learn from the variety of resources available in New Hampshire. The state is filled with so many amazing creatures, plants and spectacular views to inspire creativity, wonder and joy. All you need to do is open the door. Nature Can Teach Us Beth Penney is a science teacher at Amherst Middle School. When Beth isn't teaching, she can be found working on the slopes at Crotched Mountain as a ski patroller, gardening or hiking mountain trails. Beth likes how nature challenges us. “A person can't help but learn when they're outside,” Penney says. “There is always something new or something that's changed. We have to ask questions, solve problems and think creatively to figure out what we are seeing, hearing, smelling and touching. Nature helps us connect our learning and make sense of the world around us. It gives a sense of peace and tranquility. I always tell my students to play outside at the end of the day. The next ...

Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood of downtown Brunswick, Maine, The Federal is a boutique hotel where historic charm meets modern flair! We recently stayed at this lovely property and had a wonderful experience. Can’t wait to share it with you!! With a cozy artistic lobby, comfy guest rooms with modern comforts, and a friendly team, this locally-owned property is the perfect getaway for exploring Maine’s Mid-Coast! Originally constructed in 1810 as the residence of Daniel Stone, then transformed to The Daniel and Captain Daniel Stone Inn, this 19th century property was recently reimagined for a new era, and re-opened its doors as The Federal in March, 2022. This upscale year-round property features a two-level mezzanine lobby, 30 guest rooms spread across among two buildings, four premium suites, and meeting rooms for corporate and social private events. The Federal is located just a stone’s throw from the shops, restaurants, and things to do in downtown Brunswick, and is also home to 555north restaurant, founded by award-winning chefs who once owned and operated one of the most acclaimed restaurants in Portland, Maine! We enjoyed the fresh baked bread, beautiful wine selection, Simple Greens salad and Grilled Caesar salad to start… Then ...

https://d3oomqi9g2h12e.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/10115919/5-geological-attractions-v2.mp4 Geological Family Attractions The western White Mountains are home to some of the best natural geological features in New England. When the glaciers melted during the last Ice Age over 50,000 years ago, they carved out much of the White Mountains as we know it today. As the glaciers receded, they deposited granite boulders creating caves in many places across the Lincoln and Woodstock area. Today, you can discover the natural beauty that Mother Nature created during the last Ice Age at places like the Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves, and the Flume Gorge. Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves Located in the heart of Kinsman Notch in North Woodstock, the Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves is a popular natural geological attraction for all ages to enjoy. Formed over 300 million years ago during the last Ice Age, Lost River Gorge is filled with blocks of granite, boulder caves, and waterfalls. Open daily from May through October; there are tons of things to see and do at Lost River Gorge. While visiting the Gorge and caves during the day is pretty cool, discovering them by night is a whole new experience! During the summer months, you can ...

College bands shapeshift as swiftly as Gremlins devouring a midnight feast. It's only natural. Social groups change, people develop new passions, lose interest in old ones, transfer schools, lose themselves, find themselves anew; nearly every aspect of a 19-year-old's life exists in a constant state of flux. What's amazing, then, is how quickly some college bands not only develop a sound and an identity, but solidify that into a reputation, regular gigging and an avid fanbase. Just look at Bad Lab. The Seacoast-based hip-hop band — featuring Anthony LiPetri, on guitar; Nathan Marks, on bass; Jordan Grant, on drums; and Nick Paris, aka Baby Spoons, rapping — formed only last October, and already have a sound, style and ethos briskly losing oxygen in a stranglehold. That's probably because all four members, all under 23 years old and students at the University of New Hampshire, possess rare ambition and a cavernous musical knowledge. Marks and Grant both play in a hodgepodge of bands of varying genres; LiPetri, the youngest member, displays precocious control on the guitar; and Paris, as MC, wields a gravitational stage presence and deep reverence for the craft. A student of '90s New York hip-hop, the cheekily-named Baby ...

Every year, millions of people discover the beauty of the western White Mountains by foot. With incredible panoramic views, classic New England hiking trails, and beautiful native wildlife, the area has become a popular year-round destination. Home to the world-famous Franconia Ridge, Lonesome Lake, Old Man of the Mountain, Flume Gorge, and countless miles of recreational hiking and biking trails, there are many reasons why so many people flock to the Western White Mountains to recreate. The Appalachian Trail crosses through our quaint towns in numerous places, leading to a vibrant hiking community formed by both locals and visitors. Please note that trailhead parking can be challenging, and inexperience paired with unpredictable weather has led to many tragedies over the years. The most important part of planning a hike in the Western White Mountains, regardless of the season, is being prepared. Always have a back up plan, and always do your research ahead of your visit. Be Prepared The White Mountains Attraction Association, along with the White Mountain National Forest, has created a Winter Hiking in the White Mountains resource as well as a 10 Essentials Gear List that all hikers should be familiar with prior to hitting the trails, ...