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The state of New Hampshire offers travelers some of the most sublime natural beauty in New England — and even the entire US eastern seaboard. As one of the Thirteen Original Colonies of the American Revolution, New Hampshire's natural charms join its historical importance to offer some very good reasons to visit. Its all-weather destinations, from the White Mountains to vacationland hotspots like Lake Winnipesaukee and New Hampshire, may just find their way to travelers' must-visit lists for 2025.

Hanover

Hanover, population 12,200, sits in west-central New Hampshire along the Connecticut River, which divides the state from its neighbor, Vermont. The town, founded in 1765, blends colonial history with the ambiance of what may be America's quintessential college town. Dartmouth College, one of the country's premier places of higher learning and a member of the historical Ivy League of elite US schools, has called Hanover home since its establishment in 1769.

Outdoors fans will enjoy Nathan's Garden, a botanical site, while amateur art scholars may prefer the Hood Museum of Art, a popular draw in town with a focus on modern creations. The town's annual Four Corners Winter Carnival celebrates the beauty of New Hampshire in colder and often snowy conditions.

Wolfeboro

Wolfeboro, set along the banks of Lake Winnepesaukee, has 6,600 residents, though many more come through town during the region's famously pleasant summer season. Popular with visitors since the 19th century, the town offers access to the lake as well as the chance to cruise aboard the Mount Washington, a historic vessel that plies the local waters, and sometimes moors at the town's docks. For more on history, the Wright Museum offers lessons from Â鶹AV War II to history fans of all ages. For a break and a snack, make for the Yum Yum Shop, a bakery and ice cream parlor that has been in operation since 1948.

Exeter

Exeter, with 16,200 souls, stands as a mid-sized destination with outsized charm. The southeastern town, established way back in 1638, is home to the prestigious boarding school Philips Exeter Academy, founded in 1781, which grooms many a future American (and international) leader.

The town itself sits at the confluence of the Exeter and Little rivers and features more than a dozen green spaces and recreational parks. History fans can continue their pilgrimage to the American Independence Museum, which honors the US fight for freedom and New Hampshire's role in that historical struggle. Visitors can end their day with a well-earned beer at the Thirsty Moose Tap House, a popular watering hole and chain that is present in town.

Keene

The larger town of Keene, population 22,900, offers plenty of reasons to visit. Set in south-central New Hampshire, Keene stands as a double college town, hosting Antioch University New England as well as Keene State College.

Those who enjoy fresh air and green spaces will like the town's Wheelock Park, the Horatio County Nature Preserve, and the Greater Goose Pond Forest, among other outside attractions. The town hosts a pumpkin festival each fall; in winter, the Keene Ice and Snow Festival offers ice sculptures and other draws. Families traveling with children may find relaxation at the Cheshire Children's Museum in town.

Henniker

Henniker, with 6,200 residents, provides a quieter alternative to some of New Hampshire's more lively towns. The town, just west of Concord, offers the visitor a famous collection of bridges in various styles, from stone to the covered-wood variety.

Active types can use Henniker as a base for a ski holiday at the Pat's Peak area, while others might want to come to town simply for its abundant peace and stillness. For a taste of local fare, head to Daniel's Restaurant and Pub, where low-slung ceilings and exposed brick provide a cozy dining option.

Seabrook

As its name suggests, Seabrook, population 8,400, sits on New Hampshire's short but vibrant Atlantic coast. The southeast town helps form its state's border with Massachusetts, and its ocean setting helps attract water-minded visitors each year. For nature lovers, the Blackwater River estuary is home to various regional species of birds and other wildlife.

Seabrook is, perhaps surprisingly, the center of a small but enthusiastic surfing community along New England's southerly coast. For a night out, the Overboard Pub & Grill has seafood and American classics to satisfy any hungry visitor, not to mention live music.

Portsmouth

Portsmouth, a larger town with 22,700 inhabitants, joins history with the present. The town's city planners even offer a "History Buff's Itinerary," which includes sites important to the signing of the Portsmouth Peace Treaty, the agreement that ended the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905.

Other history fans might like a visit to the Richard Jackson House, New Hampshire's oldest wood-frame construction, which has stood for over 350 years. For a break from the past and a little fresh air, too, head to either Pierce Island or Four Tree Island for a picnic or a reprieve from all that has taken place in this seaside town.

Rye

Like Seabrook and Portsmouth, the seaside town of Rye, population 5,600, lies along a short stretch of Atlantic seacoast. Just 5 miles from Portsmouth, it sits close to the state line of the neighboring state of Maine. Nature enthusiasts passing through Rye tend to go straight to Odiorne Point State Park, a state park, for its ocean views and beachfront activity options. Jenness Beach, in the southern corner of town, draws visitors year-round for its sweeping maritime views. Fun fact: at eight miles, Rye's coastline is the longest of any town in New Hampshire.

The area of Rye Harbor welcomes boaters and other water enthusiasts. Meanwhile, the Seacoast Science Center offers families a hands-on marine museum for students and fans of ocean life, no matter what the age of each visitor.

For True Relaxation, Go To New Hampshire's Small Towns

As these towns suggest, New Hampshire's small size as a state delivers a concentrated amount of attractions for travelers of all kinds. History buffs will enjoy Wolfeboro, Exeter, and Portsmouth, while nature lovers will find their bliss while skiing in Henniker or strolling the gardens of Hanover. Surfers and other fans of the open ocean can see the Atlantic for themselves in the state's quaint town of Seabrook. Whatever a visitor's tastes and preferences, they are sure to find it, and a little relaxation as well, during one or several visits to the state of New Hampshire.