FLORA & FAUNA
Gardens & Forests
While you might expect lush gardens to be limited to more temperate climates, you'll find New Hampshire has a number of stellar gardens, from Portsmouth's Prescott Park, with its test gardens, and the Urban Forestry Center, known for its outstanding wildflower display, to Fuller Gardens' rose and Japanese gardens (North Hampton), and Strawbery Banke's historic gardens. The gardens at The Fells estate (Newbury) are nationally recognized. Rhododendron State Park's 16 acres burst into bloom around mid-July (Fitzwilliam), while Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site (Cornish) offers a full season of color, with sculptures set in beautiful perennial garden "rooms." New Hampshire's two Shaker communities (Enfield and Canterbury) both have gorgeous gardens. Pickity Place (Mason), the model for the house in Little Red Riding Hood, has public gardens, greenhouses and a restaurant that serves 5-course gourmet lunches year-round that feature home-grown herbs. You can learn more about the state's working forests at the Northern Forest Heritage Park (Berlin) where displays include a complete logging camp with loggers showing traditional skills, and there are boat tours and horse-drawn wagon rides.
Floral festivals include Lisbon's Lilac Festival in May, and the Fields of Lupine Festival (Franconia/Sugar Hill) and Rocks Estate's Wildflower Fest (Bethlehem), both in June.
Science and Nature
Take a vacation exploring New Hampshire. Whether it is flora or fauna, meteorology or archeology, New Hampshire has it all and all within a close reach.
Day One: Begin your tour at the Weather Discovery Center in North Conway. The Discover Center allows you to enter the world of weather with hands-on, interactive exhibits and presentations. Get the chance to learn more about the Earth, its atmosphere, and scientific observation.
While in North Conway consider taking a scenic train ride aboard the Conway Scenic Railroad. Experience nostalgic train rides of varying duration from one hour through the scenic New Hampshire countryside. The "Valley Train" offers excursions to Conway and Bartlett, while the "Notch Train" carries passengers through spectacular Crawford Notch and past the finest natural scenery in the East. (You may want to call for reservations.)
Catch lunch at one of the fabulous local restaurants in Conway Village before finishing off the day with a breathtaking scenic drive on the White Mountains Trail, northern New England's national scenic and cultural byway. The Trail is a loop that incorporates varying topography mountain and river views, a variety of vegetation areas from ledge to wetland and woodland, 18th and 19th century buildings and historic sites, and some of the grandest scenery in the eastern United States.
Day Two: Continue your exploration to our Lakes Region. Enjoy a morning tour at the Science Center of New Hampshire in Holderness. Observe live native New Hampshire wildlife-bears, deer, otters, fox, owls, bald eagles and more-in woodland enclosures. Walk the nature trails and learn from live animal programs. This is a great place for-a-hands on experience. The Center was established to promote understanding and enjoyment for everyone.
After a brush with the wild side, drive north to Weirs Beach. Enjoy lunch at one of the local restaurants overlooking the picturesque Lake Winnipesaukee. Conclude the day with a relaxing cruise aboard the M/S Mount Washington. There is no better way to see beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee than from the decks of the Motorship Mount Washington. It is said to be the most scenic cruise in New England. If you are visiting the area during the fall foliage, this cruise is a must for your itinerary.
What's Blooming
For all those who have a green thumb this tour is for you. The tour begins in North Hampton, at Fuller Gardens. Fuller Gardens is an estate garden of the early 20th century featuring over 2,000 rosebushes, a Japanese Garden, a conservatory, perennial borders and much more.
While on the seacoast make sure you stop in Portsmouth, at Prescott Park. The Park is known for its beautiful gardens, musical performances and peaceful setting along the banks of the Piscataqua River. It makes a great place to take a stroll or have a summer picnic.
For those of you who prefer to eat indoors, there are many lovely restaurants in downtown Portsmouth, providing a variety selections. Whether it is spicy Mexican that tickles your pallet or roasted Italian garlic that temps your tummy, Portsmouth has it all.
After lunch take the opportunity to browse around in the specialty shops in the downtown district. You never know what kind of treasures you may find.
Before concluding your day, take a tour on the Portsmouth Harbour Trail. The Trail leads visitors through downtown, along the waterfront and past 17th and 18th century mansions. You can follow at your own pace or take a guided tour. For dinner have some seafood at one of the restaurants overlooking Portsmouth Harbor.
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