Here in New Hampshire, we spend a good chunk of the year navigating icy, hazardous roads – and that makes it all the sweeter to roll down the windows and take a nice long drive on a warm day. The best scenic drives in New Hampshire will all take you through some of the best natural beauty The Granite State has to offer. Yes, they’ll fill up with leaf-peepers come fall, but no matter when you take them they’ll remind you how magnificent this small but mighty state truly is. Fill up the gas tank and let’s hit the road!
- Kancamagus Highway
Flickr/Jim Pennucci You can’t talk about roads with a view in New Hampshire without mentioning the Kanc. Officially known as NH Route 112, this 56-mile highway will take you right through the heart of the White Mountain National Forest. Part of it is a national scenic byway, and all of it is worth a drive.
- New Hampshire Route 1A
Flickr/Gail Frederick NH Route 1A takes you right along 18 miles of seacoast, from the southern border at Seabrook up to Rye and over to Portsmouth. On a hot summer day, drive this road with your windows down and enjoy the refreshing sea breeze.
- Franconia Notch Parkway
Flickr/Doug Kerr North of Woodstock, I-93 turns into the Franconia Notch Parkway, which will take you right through the heart of Franconia Notch State Park park and past glorious mountain ranges.
- New Hampshire Route 302
Flickr/David Pirmann East of Bethlehem and US Route 3, this highway passes right through Crawford Notch State Park. As you can imagine, it’s spectacular in the fall.
- Moose Alley
Flickr/Doug Kerr Head up U.S. Route 3 north of Pittsburg and you’ll be on Moose Alley, a stretch of highway up to the Canadian border where you’re very likely to encounter the animals. Make sure to stay aware on this road!
- New Hampshire Route 11
Flickr/Doug Kerr This 108-mile highway has a section east of I93 that’s especially beautiful - it runs right along Lake Winnipesaukee.
- New Hampshire Route 123
Flickr/Doug Kerr This small highway runs north-south, but it’s nothing like I-93. It’s a peaceful, tree-lined road that passes through plenty of open fields and more developed areas.
- New Hampshire Route 10
Flickr/Doug Kerr This gorgeous small highway will take you right along the banks of the Connecticut River and past the campus of Dartmouth College.
Gas up and roll down your windows, it’s time for a drive! Have you ever embarked on any of the best scenic drives in New Hampshire? Are there any you would add to this list? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Flickr/Jim Pennucci
You can’t talk about roads with a view in New Hampshire without mentioning the Kanc. Officially known as NH Route 112, this 56-mile highway will take you right through the heart of the White Mountain National Forest. Part of it is a national scenic byway, and all of it is worth a drive.
Flickr/Gail Frederick
NH Route 1A takes you right along 18 miles of seacoast, from the southern border at Seabrook up to Rye and over to Portsmouth. On a hot summer day, drive this road with your windows down and enjoy the refreshing sea breeze.
Flickr/Doug Kerr
North of Woodstock, I-93 turns into the Franconia Notch Parkway, which will take you right through the heart of Franconia Notch State Park park and past glorious mountain ranges.
Flickr/David Pirmann
East of Bethlehem and US Route 3, this highway passes right through Crawford Notch State Park. As you can imagine, it’s spectacular in the fall.
Head up U.S. Route 3 north of Pittsburg and you’ll be on Moose Alley, a stretch of highway up to the Canadian border where you’re very likely to encounter the animals. Make sure to stay aware on this road!
This 108-mile highway has a section east of I93 that’s especially beautiful - it runs right along Lake Winnipesaukee.
This small highway runs north-south, but it’s nothing like I-93. It’s a peaceful, tree-lined road that passes through plenty of open fields and more developed areas.
This gorgeous small highway will take you right along the banks of the Connecticut River and past the campus of Dartmouth College.
Can’t get enough of local majesty? Explore these additional New Hampshire road trips for your next dose of staycation inspiration.
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Address: NH-112, Woodstock, NH, USAAddress: MA-1A, Seabrook, NH, USAAddress: Franconia Notch, Lincoln, NH 03580, USAAddress: U.S. 302, US-302, Conway, NH, USAAddress: Moose Ln, Carroll, NH 03598, USAAddress: NH-11, Alton, NH, USAAddress: NH-123, Peterborough, NH, USAAddress: NH-10, Lebanon, NH, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Scenic Drives In New Hampshire March 29, 2020 Nikki Rhoades What are the best roadside attractions in New Hampshire? At a mere 9,349 square miles, New Hampshire is among the tiniest states in the entire nation. In fact, it is the fifth smallest! Nonetheless, we attract many tourists in search of the most magnificent landscape in New England. They’re often surprised to encounter some of the quirkiest roadside attractions in New Hampshire. Visitors may encounter our rocket ship, roadside submarine, and even a catapult. You’ll find an equally impressive of colonial history, but it’s the unexpected that makes our state so memorable. Are there any other scenic backroads to drive along in New Hampshire? Though our state is petite, you’ll encounter many scenic backroads in New Hampshire that are worth driving. You’ll encounter all sorts of scenic drives as you approach our loveliest waterfalls, and some of our quaint tiny towns have their own landscapes worth admiring. If you’re not quite sure where to adventure, don’t be afraid to ask a local! We would be happy to point you in the right direction. Are there other similar things to do in New Hampshire when you have a free afternoon? One of the best things to do in New Hampshire is to treat yourself to a road trip to our most historic sites. As you likely know, our state was one of the original 13 colonies, and it was the first to establish its own government in 1776. Our state has produced famous figures like Franklin Pierce, famous Whig Daniel Webster, and even infamous serial killer H. H. Holmes. Visiting historical sites in our state is always a treat… and a trip through time!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Scenic Drives In New Hampshire
March 29, 2020
Nikki Rhoades
What are the best roadside attractions in New Hampshire? At a mere 9,349 square miles, New Hampshire is among the tiniest states in the entire nation. In fact, it is the fifth smallest! Nonetheless, we attract many tourists in search of the most magnificent landscape in New England. They’re often surprised to encounter some of the quirkiest roadside attractions in New Hampshire. Visitors may encounter our rocket ship, roadside submarine, and even a catapult. You’ll find an equally impressive of colonial history, but it’s the unexpected that makes our state so memorable. Are there any other scenic backroads to drive along in New Hampshire? Though our state is petite, you’ll encounter many scenic backroads in New Hampshire that are worth driving. You’ll encounter all sorts of scenic drives as you approach our loveliest waterfalls, and some of our quaint tiny towns have their own landscapes worth admiring. If you’re not quite sure where to adventure, don’t be afraid to ask a local! We would be happy to point you in the right direction. Are there other similar things to do in New Hampshire when you have a free afternoon? One of the best things to do in New Hampshire is to treat yourself to a road trip to our most historic sites. As you likely know, our state was one of the original 13 colonies, and it was the first to establish its own government in 1776. Our state has produced famous figures like Franklin Pierce, famous Whig Daniel Webster, and even infamous serial killer H. H. Holmes. Visiting historical sites in our state is always a treat… and a trip through time!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
At a mere 9,349 square miles, New Hampshire is among the tiniest states in the entire nation. In fact, it is the fifth smallest! Nonetheless, we attract many tourists in search of the most magnificent landscape in New England. They’re often surprised to encounter some of the quirkiest roadside attractions in New Hampshire. Visitors may encounter our rocket ship, roadside submarine, and even a catapult. You’ll find an equally impressive of colonial history, but it’s the unexpected that makes our state so memorable.
Are there any other scenic backroads to drive along in New Hampshire?
Though our state is petite, you’ll encounter many scenic backroads in New Hampshire that are worth driving. You’ll encounter all sorts of scenic drives as you approach our loveliest waterfalls, and some of our quaint tiny towns have their own landscapes worth admiring. If you’re not quite sure where to adventure, don’t be afraid to ask a local! We would be happy to point you in the right direction.
Are there other similar things to do in New Hampshire when you have a free afternoon?
One of the best things to do in New Hampshire is to treat yourself to a road trip to our most historic sites. As you likely know, our state was one of the original 13 colonies, and it was the first to establish its own government in 1776. Our state has produced famous figures like Franklin Pierce, famous Whig Daniel Webster, and even infamous serial killer H. H. Holmes. Visiting historical sites in our state is always a treat… and a trip through time!
