Best Things to Do in New Hampshire Each Season

When I think of New Hampshire, my mind automatically switches into winter mode.

I imagine sipping on warm, spiced drinks in homely cafes.

I picture breweries packed with revelers who just finished a long day on the slopes.

I see ice castles, towns lit with Christmas lights, and cozy cabins designed for disappearing into winter wonderlands.

But New Hampshire isn’t only a haven for fans of snow and skiing. Though small, this New England state packs a punch when it comes to things to do—no matter the season.

Right now, for example, New Hampshire is in the midst of its maple sugaring season. It’s a perfect time to sample maple treats and learn about harvesting practices.

And it’s just one of dozens of unique and seasonal activities that are available in New Hampshire. Ready to see what living free is all about? Here’s what to do in New Hampshire each season.

(As always, consult the Visit New Hampshire site if you’re interested in learning more about what to do in the state. They offer a comprehensive list of things to do and companies to do them with.)

5 things to do in winter in New Hampshire—aside from skiing and snowboarding

Mount Carrigain in the White Mountains of New Hampshire – Getty

Dog sledding

I had the great pleasure of manning a dog sled once upon a time in Northern Sweden, and it was one of the coolest, most unexpected experiences in my life.

If you’re in the mood to see what the fuss is all about, you can mush with the best at Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel. The company lets you hop on a tour or take an instructional course to learn how to drive your own sleigh. The choice is yours!

Sleigh rides

If barking dogs isn’t your thing, then try out one of New Hampshire’s horse-driven sleigh rides. Just keep in mind that these experiences are only available when there’s plenty of slow—not even the Budweiser Clydesdales could manage the sleigh otherwise.

Here’s where you can enjoy a horse-driven sleigh ride in winter: Charmingfare Farm (Candia), Stonewall Farm (Keene), Silver Ranch Stables (Jaffrey), Coppal House Farm (Lee), and more.

Ice castles

Ice castles are hand-crafted sculptures created anew each winter. There are multiple ice castle destinations around the US—but the original, and the largest and most ornate, is in New Hampshire.

Snowmobiling

Forget the dogs and horses. If you’re interested in driving your (mechanical) sleigh through the winter wilderness, you can explore thousands of miles of trails.

I’m not just talking about general hiking trails but routes that run over 7,000 miles that were made specifically made for snowmobiling. There are 11 locations around the state where you can join the fun.

2 things to do in spring in New Hampshire

Sunrise peaking over mountain with field of lupines – Getty

Maple sugaring

March is the time to maple. Not only can you dive into the New Hampshire Maple Weekend’s list of activities around the state, but you can also visit almost all 90 maple sugarhouses.

While you might not be able to take your mapling skills home with you, you can also take cooking classes that showcase how to make homemade treats from New Hampshire’s sweetest export.

Breweries

You can visit New Hampshire’s breweries in any season—but they tend to come alive when the weather turns warm. Outdoor beer gardens and patios open up, making space for larger crowds and live performances.

With over 90 independent breweries dotting the state, you’ll have more choices about where to drink homemade brews than you’ll know what to do with.

3 things to do in summer in New Hampshire—aside from hiking

Mountain View Grand Resort in Whitefield, New Hampshire – Getty

Get out on the water

New Hampshire has a small stretch of coastline, along with thousands of miles of lazy rivers and sprawling lakes. Along with cruises that take you onto lakes and even the Atlantic, you can get out on the water by canoeing and kayaking.

I’d probably go for the white water rafting adventures. At the moment, three companies in New Hampshire will take you into the rapids: Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center, North Woods Rafting, and Northern Waters Outfitters.

ATVing

Were you surprised to hear that New Hampshire has over 7,000 miles of snowmobiling trails? Get ready—the state also has 1,000 miles of interconnected ATVing (and UTVing) trails known as the ‘Ride the Wilds’ system.

On top of that, there are 75 miles of ATVing trails in Jericho Mountain State Park. Just make sure to wear a helmet.

Camping

There’s a camping adventure in New Hampshire for every comfort level. If you’re not usually a fan of the great outdoors, head to a glamping site.

Those cruising around in an RV can find a great hookup in multiple parks. Or if all you need is your trusty tent, you’ve got even more options. From summer camp-style campgrounds to more upscale resorts, you can camp to your heart’s content all summer long.

3 things to do in autumn in New Hampshire

Follow the changing foliage

Want an unbeaten view of vibrant fall foliage? You can track the turning of leaves with the New Hampshire Peak Foliage Map, which is updated weekly as soon as the first leaves drop in autumn. Using the fall foliage tracker, you can carefully plan out your trips to make sure they coincide with the most stunning displays.

Take a train ride

One of the best ways to enjoy those fall foliage displays is by taking a scenic train ride. In New Hampshire, you can choose from six different enchanting routes that cut through some of the state’s most stunning natural corridors. (In winter, there are also Santa Express-themed trains, so keep these rides on your radar even when the trees are bare!)

Harvest fruits and veggies

New England is one of the best places in the United States to harvest your own fruits and vegetables when the weather turns cold. From apple orchards and cider-pressing programs to pumpkin carving and hayrides, there are 31 options for you to get your hands dirty with a little autumn harvest.

The 7 Best Neck Pillows in the Travel Industry

If you follow my travel tips and product recommendations here on Travel Awaits, you know I have a few controversial travel opinions—ones that I swear by.

Here’s the weirdest of them all: I always bring a plushie pillow with me when I travel.

While I’m not usually one to fall asleep on planes, a plushie is my key to getting a good night’s rest when I finally land. It’s also one of the most viable solutions I’ve encountered to help me catch a few Zs on a flight.

Don’t worry—I’m not recommending you buy a plushie as a travel sleep solution. (Unless you want to. You’d be in very good company.) Instead, I’m counting down some of the most lauded and popular neck pillows.

As with almost every travel topic imaginable, the humble neck pillow has undergone a revolution over the last few years. Or, more appropriately, several revolutions.

If you’re ready to learn more about the types of science-backed solutions that travelers are buying, keep reading. I’ve uncovered the best neck pillows on the market.

7 best neck pillows on the market

Turtl

Turtl is a wrap-around neck pillow that has a rigid but comfortable support system—one that’s been backed by science and verified as ergonomic. It will hold your head in place without causing neck or back strain. It’s also lightweight, compact, and easy to carry with you.

The downside? There’s a reason it’s called turtl.

Snugl

The Snugl is a larger and uniquely shaped neck pillow that can be adjusted into a variety of positions. As a bonus, some of those positions are designed for you to be able to wear over-ear headphones—which is a pretty thoughtful feature, in my opinion.

Plus, the Snugl will conform to your shape thanks to its unique composition. Unfortunately, it’s not the most compact option out there.

Sarisun Wrap Around

The Sarisun neck pillow isn’t actually a pillow—it’s a soft-sided apparatus that wraps around the back of your airplane seat to hold you in place. I’ve read rave reviews on the Sarisun, along with subpar reviews.

The big hangup? Some Sarisun users said it started to get uncomfortable after an hour of use. But it’s one of the most trendy new airplane sleep solutions, so I’ll let you decide for yourself.

BCozzy

BCozzy combines the wrap-around ideology of the Sarisun with the soft-sided adjustability of the Snugl. The result is a narrow, comfortable pillow that’s designed to wrap around your neck more than the average pillow, firmly supporting your neck, chin, and back.

It’s also machine washable, which I don’t see from too many neck pillows.

Huzi Infinity Pillow

Huzi Infinity Pillow is almost identical to BCozzy, except that it’s larger, looser, and designed to be more like a scarf. (It’s also machine-washable!)

The scarf element is important, as Huzi can be used as a neck pillow that wraps around your shoulders, or stuffed against the window like a traditional pillow. You can eve wrap it around your ears for a little noise cancelling action.

JPillow

Awarded the British Invention of the Year, the JPillow takes the neck pillow in a new direction. It almost looks like a three-armed octopus (I should be able to come up with something better, but I’m at a loss), which partly wraps around the neck while also offering support to the side of your head.

There’s also a scarf that wraps from one end to the other to keep your head in place.

Cabeau Evolution

Cabeau Evolution lets you pull out all the stops, as it wraps around your neck and the back of your seat to keep your noggin secure. It’s also made of memory foam, giving you total comfort as you settle in for a long flight.

As a final coup, Cabeau Evolution is designed with materials that let your neck breath, making it great for passengers who tend to overheating.

5 Tips for Dealing with Overcrowded Tourist Zones

Travelers are often on the hunt for the latest ‘undiscovered’ destination.

As popular destinations become overrun with tourists, more and more travelers are seeking to skip out on the hustle and bustle. (Hence, the popularity of the detour destination.)

But it’s a vicious cycle.

As travelers unearth more of these ‘undiscovered’ destinations, they cease to be novel or new. The search continues; more destinations are ‘discovered’, then packed with resorts, hotels, and brunch spots.

Tulum paints a striking portrait of this type of swift development. Ten years ago, it was a shiny new gem in the Riviera Mayan crown, but is slowly transforming into a Cancun-style resort town. Oaxaca, meanwhile, has become the latest frontier in Mexican tourism for Americans.

The unending search for the next ‘hidden’ spot also has ethical implications, but I’m not going to dig into those here. I’m an optimist who believes that the onus of managing tourism lies with local tourism authorities who decide what is and isn’t allowed, along with the investment groups that fund tourist infrastructure.

Instead of pointing you to a lesser-known destination today, I’m offering up tried-and-true ideas on how to deal with overcrowded tourist zones.

After all, the planet has finite frontiers, especially when it comes to travel. New trends will always come and go—but people will keep packing into Le Louvre, Times Square, Koh Samui, and similarly popular destinations.

In these cases, you might want to know how to enjoy your time in a bustling, sweaty, and hectic overcrowded tourist zone.

5 tips to enjoy your time in a overcrowded tourist zone

Tip #1: Noise control

As someone who is easily overwhelmed in crowds and as someone who lives in the smack center of Barcelona (am I masochist?), I regularly use headphones and earbuds to cut myself off from the unending lanes of slow-moving tourists.

Though listening to a podcast, the sounds of nature, or my favorite new songs doesn’t make the tourists disappear, it calms me by cutting off the bulk of their noise.

If you’re going to be heading into the heart of a bustling tourist zone, use headphones to keep your cool. Just be careful that your belongings are secure—you could be a target for pickpockets with your headphones on.

Tip #2: Go in the early morning or late at night

Most tourists come out to play from 11 am to 6 pm. If you’re heading to major museums or landmarks, try to get there first thing in the morning or as close to closing time as possible. That will ensure lines and crowds are kept to a minimum.

Tip #3: Bad weather is your best friend

Speaking of opportunities, bad weather is yet another time that you might get a destination all to yourself. If you notice rain showers are likely at a certain time of the day, it might be prime time to get in and out—just make sure you bring your umbrella and poncho.

Tip #4: Pre-purchase everything you can

Don’t ever show up to a popular site and expect to get in. In Italy, you need to pre-purchase tickets for just about every major museum and landmark.

I recommend treating any ultra-popular destination in a similar fashion. Get your tickets as soon as you know when you’ll be there. (And pray for bad weather.)

Tip #5: Don’t stay in the hotspot

This might go without saying, but you’ll halve the number of headaches you face if you stay outside a main tourist drag. You might even want to stay way far away from the tourist center.

For example, I recommend travelers heading for Barcelona stay in the nearby seaside town of Sitges. Whenever I need a retreat from the city, I book an Airbnb from Mariam (a superhost in Sitges who I’ve had great experiences with) and kick my feet up for a week or so.

You’ll be in the city’s overcrowded tourist zones after a short 30-minute train ride—and then back on the beach before you know it.

9 Must-See Adobe Structures in New Mexico

Adobe is one of the US’s most recognizable structures—and a defining characteristic of the Southwest.

Adobe comes from humble, earthen mudbricks, which are one of the earliest building materials used by humans. Despite their ancient status, they’re still used to create structures in the US.

Not only is adobe ideal for regulating extreme temperatures, but it’s also resistant to fire. As an added bonus, adobe is affordable and picturesque.

Though you can find the remnants of ancient adobe structures across the Southwest, you’ll also find modern projects. For now, let’s focus on New Mexico, the US’s most adobe-laden state.

There, you’ll find stately, gorgeous adobe structures that span centuries, from active monasteries to mom-and-pop restaurants to abandoned forts.

While you might be familiar with Sante Fe’s well-known Palace of the Governors and San Miguel Chapel, they’re far from the only adobe buildings worth visiting.

Ready to take another look at the coolest adobe structures in New Mexico?

These are the nine oldest, youngest, coolest, and most unexpected finds.

9 must-see adobe structures in New Mexico

Taos Pueblo, Taos

Pueblo de Taos, New Mexico, USA. Photo by M.Torres (Getty)

When talking about adobe structures, it’s hard to pass up Taos Pueblo. It’s one of the oldest continually inhabited places in the United States, which I could immediately feel when I visited back in 2019.

That’s because Taos Pueblos isn’t a single adobe structure—it’s a living village. It’s also the largest multi-story Pueblo structure in existence and one that’s fit with modern amenities like plumbing and electricity.

San Francisco de Asis Mission Church, Taos

Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico, USA – October 2, 2020: San Francisco de Asis Mission Church, an historic eighteenth-century church with rustic adobe architecture (Getty)

This active church dates back to the early 1800s, making it one of the earliest buildings in Taos that’s still standing. The exterior is striking, but the interior was my favorite part of my visit. It looked like something out of a picture book from the past. Just keep in mind that this is an active church, so be mindful about visiting.

El Santuario de Chimayo, Chimayo

Historic El Santuario de Chimayo in Chimayo, New Mexico (Getty)

This pilgrimage site stands out from other famous adobe structures in New Mexico thanks to the surrounding greenery. For Catholics, it’s a shrine where upwards of 300,000 believers spend a day or two during Holy Week, sometimes to access the shrine’s holy dirt. However, the sanctuary is also open to visitors.

Mission of San Esteban del Rey, Acoma

A National Trust Historic Site, San Esteban Del Rey Mission was built in the 17th century from adobe, straw, mud and ponderosa pine using slave labor. (Getty)

This active church is located on the Acoma Pueblo Reservation and is overseen by the Diocese of Gallup. Unlike other churches and shrines, it has a commanding and angular structure. In fact, the Mission of San Esteban del Rey also served as the site of multiple revolts against Spanish missionaries since it was first constructed in 1629.

Christ in the Desert Monastery, Abiquiu

ABIQUIU, NM JANUARY 8: Exterior of Monastery of Christ in the Desert on January 8, 2022 in Abiquiu, New Mexico. (Photo by Ramsay de Give/for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Though it might look like another centuries-old adobe structure, the Christ in the Desert Monastery, part of the Benedictine order, was actually built in the 1960s—with solar power, too. Today, around 30 monks call this structure home. You might even remember it from a short-lived TLC documentary show called The Monastery, which aired in 2006. Unfortunately, you can’t visit the monastery.

Fort Union National Monument, Las Vegas NM

Fort Union National Monument, NM. (Photo by: Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

You won’t find any grand adobe structures here—just the remnants of a once-vast system of three forts that were built in the 1850s. Along with exploring the adobe walls that are still standing, you can follow the ruts left in the desert from the old Santa Fe Trail.

Gutierrez-Hubbell House, Albuquerque

Originally built in the 1820s before being expanded in the 1850s, this grand home has flown multiple flags throughout its history—including Spanish, Mexican, and American flags. Today, it’s managed by the National Park Service, which makes it easy to visit. You can explore the single-story home’s bedrooms, kitchen, business rooms, and even the attached post office.

Buckhorn Saloon and Opera House, Pinos Altos

Can’t be bothered with a foray into the past? At the Buckhorn Saloon and Opera House, you can dabble at your leisure. The structure dates back to the 1860s, which you’ll immediately notice thanks to its preserved adobe and old-fashioned décor. But don’t worry—instead of history lessons, you can expect live music, a fully stacked bar, and great eats.

The Compound, Santa Fe

If the Buckhorn Saloon is a little too casual, then head to The Compound. This high-end dining spot has a AAA Four Diamond rating thanks to its imaginative modern dishes—and its regular chef guest appearances. The Compound is also housed inside a modern adobe structure that incorporates a clean and organic design, and was once used by famous Santa Fean designer Alexander Girard.

3 Ways You Can Use Reddit to Plan Travel

Back in 2009, Apple coined the phrase ‘there’s an app for that’ when introducing the world to its app store.

Fifteen years later, I like to use the phrase ‘there’s a Reddit thread for that’.

Home to thousands upon thousands of subreddits and spin-off forums, Reddit is a haven for users to share their personal and professional opinions.

From tips on how to rewire electrical units to understanding how to crossbreed orchids to asking for advice about your first semester of college, just about every topic known to man is Reddit fodder.

Travel, too.

For many millennials like me, Reddit is one of the first places we go to see what people think about a destination, landmark, restaurant, museum, and more. As a no-holds-barred forum, Redditors don’t pull their punches, meaning you get to read unfiltered takes on travel topics of all stripes.

You’ll find conflicting opinions, passionate recommendations, nightmare experiences, and plenty more.

The big question is this—how can you use Reddit to put together a great trip?

If AI programs are a little out of your comfort zone and the usual tricks just aren’t cutting it, turn to Reddit to help you plan your next vacation. Here’s how.

New to Reddit? Here’s your intro

Reddit is a community forum that is divided into topics and subtopics, which are called subreddits. To participate, you must sign up and register your account. (Or if you just want to read, that’s allowed, as well.)

Subreddits come in all shapes and sizes, as I outlined above. Each subreddit has its own unique community guidelines and rules, along with moderators. In other words, though it’s a free-to-join public forum, it’s regulated. None of the riff-raff.

Subreddits have a ‘r/’ before them; in this article, I’m going to talk about content on the r/travel subreddit—which is just the Reddit forum that focuses on travel.

Currently, it has 13 million members from around the world. Community guidelines for the r/travel subreddit have banned AI tools, meaning you won’t get any general advice from Chat GPT and other programs.

Remember: the r/travel subreddit is only the start. You’ll find forums that cover just about every travel-related topic, from shoestring-budget travel to deep dives on layovers to finding great shoes for walking-heavy trips.

Now onto the good stuff.

3 ways to use Reddit to plan travel

**Get specific on subreddits—very specific**

If you’ve been reading closely, you might have already identified what makes Reddit such a great travel tool: users get hyper-specific about their experiences, insights, and recommendations.

Because of this, you also need to be hyper-specific about how you seek out advice.

Here’s a great example of what you might find: an in-depth breakdown of a man’s experience driving through Oman with his wife and child on a 12-day trip. You can see photos of the places he visited, along with a long discussion about his experience and detailed itinerary in the forum.

To find specific travel-related topics, head to r/travel and then search in the search bar at the top of the page. You’ll see the ‘r/travel’ tag there, which lets you search within that subreddit specifically.

Save money with tips, insights, and suggestions

The r/shoestring subreddit should be your best friend if you’re a hyper-budget traveler.

It’s great in a few ways. First, you can search for specific destinations in the top bar—and you’ll learn a few handy tricks about how to save on long-term vacations, trips to more luxurious destinations, and even flights.

You can even join other travelers. Because Reddit is a free forum, it’s used by members around the world. Sometimes, members post their trips with the hopes of learning about recommendations—and even picking up fellow travelers.

Learn about new types of travel before going whole-hog

Maybe you’ve been hearing about solo travel trips, women-only travel, or group travel. Regardless of what stripe of travel you’re looking to learn about, Reddit is where you’ll find honest opinions.

Even as a travel writer, I gravitate toward personal stories about solo travel on Reddit, as they help me gauge what the experience will be like in specific cities, regions, and within certain cultural contexts.

This is incredibly helpful for any Americans who might be feeling nervous about leaving their familiar routine at home.

Before you pay for that solo trip to sign up for that group tour, look for a subreddit that touches on previous experience. As always, stick to reviews that are similar to yours in terms of age, demographic, gender, and interests. They’ll be the most relevant.

How to Hike Manhattan from Tip to Tip—’Broad City’ Style

You’ve probably heard of the HBO show Girls, a series about four twenty-something women trying to establish themselves as professionals in New York City.

It wasn’t anything like my experience in the Big Apple. I was more of a Broad City type, which is a Comedy Central series about two twenty-something women trying to survive life in the city.

Though not quite as famous as HBO’s Girls, Broad City showcased a more honest (and messy) version of life in New York City.

One of its most famous legacies is ‘the tippity top to the tippity bottom’ hike, a route that the characters in Broad City took from Manhattan’s uptown all the way to the end of Battery Park in Lower Manhattan.

Years later, it’s become a popular route for travelers heading to the city, as well as locals who want to explore a new side of their hometown.

If you’ve never seen the series, don’t worry—there’s no need to start now. So long as you’re in good shape and have a few extra dollars to spare on snacks and drinks, you’ll enjoy this urban hike across Manhattan.

[If you want to explore famous spots from Broad City along the route, check out this map. Or if you’re curious about what the hike is like in general, check out this awesome reel from @shaylaquinn.]

The route: how to hike across Manhattan

This is an informal hike from a comedy TV show—you can do it however you like.

Traditionally, the route starts at Fort Tryon Park in Inwood and ends at Battery Park (aka The Battery) with views of the Statue of Liberty.

Though the hike’s difficulty might not seem like much because you’re traversing the US’s most densely populated slice of land, it’s not for the faint of heart. An urban hike across Manhattan runs for just over 13 miles and will take you around five hours to complete at a leisurely pace. Plus you need to beware of sidewalk cellar doors, manholes spewing ‘fragrant’ smoke, and puddles of iridescent liquids.

As many savvy travelers have pointed out, you might want to mark down a few sites and landmarks along your route rather than go by the seat of your pants. Once again, take whichever route tickles your fancy.

But—for the love of god—wear comfortable shoes. And bring some wipes.

What should you bring to hike across Manhattan?

As just stated, comfortable and worn-in shoes are a must—but that’s not all you’ll need.

Along with light snacks, bandaids, and reusable water bottles, don’t forget about those electronics. Bring your portable charger with you just in case, along with a comfortable backpack. Your items might weigh more than you’d originally thought, so taking a shoulder-slicing tote isn’t a good idea.

A little historical angle for you

Before I get to suggestions on where to stop along your hike, I’m going to nerd out and throw some Manhattan history at you.

I got my start as a professional writer working for a Native American Arts Council in Brooklyn. At the non-profit, I learned that Manhattan got its name from the Weckquaesgeek tribe that once occupied the island—the modern term ‘Manhattan’ is likely a miscommunication about the name of the place where they hunted.

And speaking of hunting, the island of Manhattan was once crisscrossed with hunting trails in the 1500s and 1600s.

Here’s the crazy part: according to a recent book published on historic maps, the street of Broadway is built on the former hunting trail used by the Weckquaesgeek. Three centuries later, you can walk the same path they did… in a wholly new world.

You won’t find any placards or landmarks that callback to this era, but I still thought I’d point this out.

Where to stop along your Manhattan hike

Once again, you are the master of your tippity-top to tippity-bottom Manhattan hike. If you’re interested in walking down Broadway, you’ll hit the city’s most infamous spots, from Times Square to Union Square.

Below, you can find a few of my favorite sites to consider adding to the list, along with recommendations from locals and fellow Broad City-inspired hikers.

Between Fort Tryon Park and Battery Park, consider adding these stops to your route (in order of uptown to downtown):

The Cloisters (a hidden gem that I recommend checking out)
Morris Jamal Mansion
Sylvan Terrace
Central Park
Lexington Candy Shop
Flatiron Building
Union Square Park (I recommend you hop on Broadway here and take it downtown)
The Oculus & Freedom Tower