We all know what it’s like. You’re sitting at home, you’ve got two days off ahead of you and… absolutely no idea how to properly fill them. Or, maybe you’re lucky and have retired to the great state of New Hampshire and find that every single day is one you get to fill with fun things to do. Whatever it is what allows you some free time, be sure you’re spending it wisely. We’ve gathered up some great options for you to consider. Try them out and then pass them on!
- Skip the snow and enjoy the indoor beach at this water park in North Conway.
Kahuna Laguna Indoor Water Park / Google A 20-person hot tub? A beach that makes you feel as if you’ve gone to the actual beach? A way to keep the kids occupied all day? Yep, it’s real and it’s right here in the Granite State. Kahuna Laguna Indoor Water Park is so much fun, we can’t contain ourselves. So, head here to learn more about it.
- There’s a whole lot of history in New Hampshire and we love the Canterbury Shaker Village in Canterbury.
Canterbury Shaker Village / Facebook The only Shaker village in New Hampshire, Canterbury has been a museum since 1992. The visit is well worth it considering they’ve got some of the best intact examples of Shaker life in America. Today, you can see the many buildings that are still here and imagine what life might have been like when things were hustling and bustling. You can read more about it here.
- Enjoy the Sunapee Loop.
marypetersen / Flickr You might think the best driving route in the state is the Kanc, but consider doing something different with this fun drive. It’s a biggie at 140-miles, but it will take you through the Dartmouth/Lake Sunapee Region for views of some of the most beautiful places in New Hampshire.
- Visit the world’s largest arcade, located in Laconia.
FUNSPOT / Facebook With more than 600 games this place is a great adventure if you need something to occupy you all day long. It’s even better on a day when the weather is bad. But, head there in the summer and enjoy all the outdoor attractions as well. You can learn exactly why we love this place here.
- Load up on candy at Chutters.
Bethany D / TripAdvisor There are worse ways to spend the day then hyped up on sugar and this famous New Hampshire candy store might just be the best place to get that way! They’ve got the longest candy counter in the world, which means you might want to schedule a few hours here. You can find them in both Littleton and Lincoln. Learn more about it here.
- Go out of your way to see something totally unusual in the form of the Rocket in Warren
dougtone / Flickr Drive through this small New Hampshire town’s downtown area and you’ll find this Cold War-era rocket sitting beside the road. No one’s completely sure how it came to be here, but it’s a great thing to visit nonetheless!
- Take in history at the U.S.S. Albacore, Portsmouth
stacylynn / Flickr Head to the city of Portsmouth to see this submarine… out of the water. It’s sitting in a ditch, but you can take a look around just before heading to the museum. It’s just weird enough to be worth a look!
- Take an adventure to Thompson Falls, Gorham
Jessica Bouchard / alltrails.com This beauty located in the White Mountains is reachable via a 1.1-mile trail. The out and back route leads through lots of beautiful forest and it’s great for all skill levels.
- Appreciate New Hampshire’s history at Uncle Sam’s Home in Mason
jjandames / Flickr This might be the time of year that we’re questioning Uncle Sam’s intentions, but nonetheless, it could be interesting to visit his house. Yep! He was a real guy and his name was Samuel Wilson. Today you can visit his home in Mason.
- See the remarkable Upside Down Covered Bridge in Franklin Falls
iip-photo-archive / Flickr This bridge was once used for the rails of the Maine Boston and Maine Railroad and gets its name from the sulfur it once carried to the paper and pulp mills. This bridge is known as a deck covered bridge, and it’s the only one remaining in the United States. There’s a lot more to learn about this bridge, which you can do by clicking here.
- Explore Lakes of the Clouds, Sargent’s Purchase
ashokbo / Flickr Located between Mount Washington and Mount Monroe, this network of lakes is worth the 5,000 foot trip above sea level it will take to visit! It’s beautiful, fun but will definitely tucker you out! Click here to learn more!
- Shop at Keepsake Quilting in Center Harbor.
Rhonda B / TripAdvisor If you’re a quilter or just love a good crafts project, this store will certainly keep you busy. They’ve been around since 1986 and, at this point, they’re a name across the nation. Stop in simply to browse or take home the supplies for your next big project. They’re located at 12 Main St., Center Harbor / 603-253-4026.
And, once you’re done with these we recommend hopping in the car and taking these 10 incredible road trips. They aren’t long and you can do most of them in a day.
Kahuna Laguna Indoor Water Park / Google
A 20-person hot tub? A beach that makes you feel as if you’ve gone to the actual beach? A way to keep the kids occupied all day? Yep, it’s real and it’s right here in the Granite State. Kahuna Laguna Indoor Water Park is so much fun, we can’t contain ourselves. So, head here to learn more about it.
Canterbury Shaker Village / Facebook
The only Shaker village in New Hampshire, Canterbury has been a museum since 1992. The visit is well worth it considering they’ve got some of the best intact examples of Shaker life in America. Today, you can see the many buildings that are still here and imagine what life might have been like when things were hustling and bustling. You can read more about it here.
marypetersen / Flickr
You might think the best driving route in the state is the Kanc, but consider doing something different with this fun drive. It’s a biggie at 140-miles, but it will take you through the Dartmouth/Lake Sunapee Region for views of some of the most beautiful places in New Hampshire.
FUNSPOT / Facebook
With more than 600 games this place is a great adventure if you need something to occupy you all day long. It’s even better on a day when the weather is bad. But, head there in the summer and enjoy all the outdoor attractions as well. You can learn exactly why we love this place here.
Bethany D / TripAdvisor
There are worse ways to spend the day then hyped up on sugar and this famous New Hampshire candy store might just be the best place to get that way! They’ve got the longest candy counter in the world, which means you might want to schedule a few hours here. You can find them in both Littleton and Lincoln. Learn more about it here.
dougtone / Flickr
Drive through this small New Hampshire town’s downtown area and you’ll find this Cold War-era rocket sitting beside the road. No one’s completely sure how it came to be here, but it’s a great thing to visit nonetheless!
stacylynn / Flickr
Head to the city of Portsmouth to see this submarine… out of the water. It’s sitting in a ditch, but you can take a look around just before heading to the museum. It’s just weird enough to be worth a look!
Jessica Bouchard / alltrails.com
This beauty located in the White Mountains is reachable via a 1.1-mile trail. The out and back route leads through lots of beautiful forest and it’s great for all skill levels.
jjandames / Flickr
This might be the time of year that we’re questioning Uncle Sam’s intentions, but nonetheless, it could be interesting to visit his house. Yep! He was a real guy and his name was Samuel Wilson. Today you can visit his home in Mason.
iip-photo-archive / Flickr
This bridge was once used for the rails of the Maine Boston and Maine Railroad and gets its name from the sulfur it once carried to the paper and pulp mills. This bridge is known as a deck covered bridge, and it’s the only one remaining in the United States. There’s a lot more to learn about this bridge, which you can do by clicking here.
ashokbo / Flickr
Located between Mount Washington and Mount Monroe, this network of lakes is worth the 5,000 foot trip above sea level it will take to visit! It’s beautiful, fun but will definitely tucker you out! Click here to learn more!
Rhonda B / TripAdvisor
If you’re a quilter or just love a good crafts project, this store will certainly keep you busy. They’ve been around since 1986 and, at this point, they’re a name across the nation. Stop in simply to browse or take home the supplies for your next big project. They’re located at 12 Main St., Center Harbor / 603-253-4026.
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