What is New Hampshire famous for

Last Updated on 3 days by traveldrafts

Granite, Primaries, and Lakes are some of the things we instantly associate with New Hampshire, but besides these, what is New Hampshire famous for?

Located in New England, New Hampshire shares internal borders with Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine to the east, and an international border with Canada (Ontario). New Hampshire is the fifth smallest state, and with roughly 1.3 million residents, it’s the 10th least populous.

Nicknamed the Granite State and the white mountain state, New Hampshire was named by Capt. John Mason was born in the home county of Hampshire in England. New Hampshire is one of the original 13 colonies (the 9th to ratify the Constitution) and one of the earliest to rebel against English colonization in America.

So, let’s explore what New Hampshire is famous for!

10 Things New Hampshire is famous for

Primaries

One of the things that New Hampshire is famous for is its importance in the presidential election primaries. According to New Hampshire law, the first presidential primary election must be held in the state of New Hampshire. In fact, it stipulates that the New Hampshire primary will take place at least seven days before any “similar election” in any other state.

Due to its timing, the New Hampshire primary receives enormous media attention and has a significant impact on the election outcome. It may make or break a candidate. Despite the relatively low number of delegates, studies have even shown that a win in New Hampshire increases a candidate’s win probability by 27%.

We should note that, in practice, the Iowa caucus is usually held before the New Hampshire primary; however, it is not considered a similar election, as it is not a primary. It also isn’t considered a decisive test for the candidates before the action really takes off. Ex-New Hampshire Governor John H. Sununu once said (joking… or not), “The people of Iowa pick corn, the people of New Hampshire pick presidents.”

The fundamental importance of New Hampshire stems from the extensive media coverage it receives prior to the primary. New Hampshire and Iowa are said to receive as much attention as all the other states combined.

It is there that we find candidates who perform poorly and drop out, or perhaps lesser-known candidates who suddenly receive more funding, media attention, and a genuine chance.

Granite

New Hampshire is famously known as the Granite State because of its numerous visible granite quarries and formations. Some say that’s also a reference to the state’s tradition and history of having a frugal government, but that’s probably a post-explanation, not the reason it earned the name.

The expression “Granite State” was coined by Philip Carrigain in 1825, when he wrote a piece of music. From there, the nickname started to get attention and popularity, particularly because granite from New Hampshire was being sent to many places worldwide to be used in monumental buildings, like the Jefferson Memorial and Library of Congress in Washington, DC, the Quincy Market in Boston, MA, or the UN building in New York.

One can also see the many granite formations and outcroppings while traveling through New Hampshire. Throughout the state, you will also find granite stone walls, curbs, buildings, and even a few bridges.

Lakes

Home to nearly 1000 lakes and ponds, New Hampshire is known for its beautiful, clean bodies of water. They are an essential part of the local lifestyle, heritage, and economy, and a significant tourist attraction for locals and travelers.

New Hampshire’s lakes are used for swimming, boating, fishing, and a plethora of water sports in summer. In winter, they typically freeze, becoming a popular destination for ice skating, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing.

The Lakes Region in the center of the state concentrates a considerable portion of lakes, and it includes some of the most popular destinations, including:

• Lake Winnipesaukee – the largest lake in the state, with 450 km of shore, many important cities, villages, and beaches. This lake also has 274 islands you can kayak or canoe to.
• Newfound Lake – the deepest lake in the state, is also one of the cleanest lakes in the USA.
• Squam Lake – one of the most pristine and peaceful lakes in the state. Perfect to quietly enjoy nature and its natural beauty.

Fall foliage

Like most of New England, New Hampshire is renowned for its spectacular foliage, which attracts thousands of people each year. Leaf-peepers, as they are sometimes called, come to New Hampshire from across the country to enjoy the intense and beautiful colors of the leaves during fall. Though, you do get more than just beautiful foliage in New Hampshire.

In New Hampshire, the fall foliage is usually a bit earlier than in the more southern states of New England. Though it depends on the year’s particular climate, the colorful foliage typically starts in the second half of September and lasts until mid-October. You should also note that the colors reveal themselves from Northwest to Southeast.

You can enjoy this natural spectacle in almost all the states. Still, some of the most spectacular areas include the Kancamagus Highway/Route 112 in the White Mountains Region, the Lake Winnipesaukee loop in the Lakes regions, and the Moose Alley in the Great North Woods Region.

Maple Syrup

What is New Hampshire famous for? Maple Syrup, for sure! Maple Syrup is an essential product of New England (and Canada) and a significant part of its rural heritage. While it doesn’t produce as much nectar as Vermont, New Hampshire is blessed with an abundance of Maple trees.

In 2021, New Hampshire produced more than 120,000 gallons of Maple Syrup. As one average tree produces about 10 gallons of sap, and it takes 30 to 50 gallons of sap to make one gallon of maple syrup, that’s a lot of sap and a lot of trees.

The quality and freshness of the sap, as well as the speed of boiling, determine the color and flavor of the maple syrup. Pure maple syrup is not adulterated with anything else.

Besides producing maple syrup, the maple trees are also responsible for the beautiful colors of the fall foliage (as explained above) and for producing excellent wood. If you want to buy New Hampshire maple syrup, we suggest stopping in one of the many local sugar houses. Besides producing and selling the syrup, many of them offer stays and tours where you can learn more about the beloved nectar.

Wilderness and abundant wildlife

New Hampshire is one of the best states on the East Coast to enjoy the wilderness and wildlife. With roughly 85% of its land forested, New Hampshire is the second most forested state in the union. Only neighbor Maine has more.

With its numerous forests, lakes, hills, and mountains, it’s no wonder that New Hampshire boasts an abundance of wildlife, featuring more than 500 native animal species. If you are lucky enough, you can even spot a deer, encounter a magnificent moose, and see one of the impressive black bears, though there are so many more fascinating animals in New Hampshire.

One of the easiest ways of enjoying the marvelous New Hampshire wilderness is by driving the Kancamagus Highway. This 56.4-mile scenic road through the White Mountain National Forest has remained undeveloped, making it an ideal spot for animal spotting all year round, particularly early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

If you are lucky, you can see moose, black bears, and white-tailed deer, but other smaller animals like porcupines, fishers, raccoons, and beavers are more common sights along the road.

Skiing, mountains, and alpine huts

With 505 kilometers of slopes and 127 ski lifts, New Hampshire is one of the most popular states for skiing on the eastern coast. The White Mountains of New Hampshire have some of the highest peaks in the northeastern USA, which, together with their northern latitude, guarantee cold weather and abundant natural snow.

Most of New Hampshire’s big ski resorts are conveniently located close to each other, so it is easy to try different mountains with different characteristics in one trip. Mount Washington Valley, for example, has several resorts nearby, and the town of North Conway has become one of the most famous skiing destinations and a tourist attraction in its own right, offering a variety of activities, events, and shopping opportunities.

New Hampshire is home to ski resorts that cater to a range of skiers, from family-friendly slopes to the steepest terrain, often found within the same resort.

Hiking, huts, and outdoor activities

In Colorado‘s article, we talked about the legendary outdoor activities in the Mile-High State. New Hampshire is not Colorado, but it is almost as popular, particularly for those who live on the East Coast and can reach it within a few hours.

The White Mountains are among America’s most beloved and popular hiking destinations. The world-famous Appalachian Trail traverses a vast area of New Hampshire’s wilderness, including the highest peak in the Northeastern United States, Mt. Washington. The alpine huts of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) along the trail are legendary. They are spaced one day apart, and hikers eat and sleep with other mountain enthusiasts. It is a paradise for hikers and outdoor lovers.

But there’s much more than hardcore mountain hiking in New Hampshire. You’ll also find plenty of easier family-friendly hikes and other outdoor activities.

Canoeing, kayaking, river rafting, fishing, SUP, or swimming are popular in NH’s waters. Ziplining, rope courses, canopies, parasailing, and mountain biking are also popular in the Summer, while cross-country skiing, snowmobile rides, and even dog sledding are available in Winter.

If you enjoy the outdoors, there’s something for you.

Low taxes

New Hampshire is one of the few US states that doesn’t have an income tax. Alaska, Florida, South Dakota, Tennessee, Nevada, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming follow a similar tax policy. However, there’s a 5% tax on dividends and interests.

Furthermore, New Hampshire has no taxes on sales, capital gains, or inheritance, but imposes excise taxes on goods such as tobacco, alcohol, and fuel. On the other hand, New Hampshire has one of the highest property taxes in America.

Generally speaking, New Hampshire has one of the lowest tax burdens in America, and if you are renting instead of owning a home, then the tax burden is even lower.

These low taxes mean that the state needs to make good use of paid tax dollars, and New Hampshire usually ranks among the top states in governance, socioeconomic opportunity, fiscal stability, and healthcare.

New Hampshire Fun facts and records

What is New Hampshire famous for? As we have seen above, there is a lot of cool stuff, but it is also home to some fun facts and fascinating records. Some of them are pretty well-known. Let’s check some of them:

• New Hampshire was the first of the original colonies to install an independent government and constitution (1776).
• The delegates of New Hampshire had the honor of voting first for the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
• Besides the Granite State, New Hampshire is also known as the “Mother of Rivers” for the rivers of New England that originate there; the “White Mountain State” for the White Mountain Range; and the “Switzerland of America” for its beautiful mountain scenery.
• The highest wind speed ever recorded over land in the USA was measured in Mount Washington, NH, in 1934. The wind gust registered 231 miles per hour.
• Ratified in 1784, New Hampshire’s state constitution is the second oldest in the USA.
• There’s only one state in America where adults aren’t required to wear seat belts in their cars – New Hampshire.
• With only 13 miles, New Hampshire has the shortest ocean coastline in America.
• The first alarm clock was invented in 1787 by Levi Hutchins of Concord, NH. Fun fact: it only rang at 4 am.
• The first wind farm in the USA was built in New Hampshire in 1908. It consisted of 20 wind turbines, each with a capacity of 30 kilowatts.
• The first US free, tax-supported library was created in Peterborough, NH, in 1833.

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