Coastal New Hampshire -- Yes, New Hampshire does have a coastline -- okay, only 18 miles of it -- but packed into this tiny area you'll find plenty of sand, surf, honky-tonk beach boardwalks, and sailboat views. As a bonus, there's also the historic and entertaining little city of Portsmouth: a smaller (possibly even better) version of Boston, a great place to shop and drink a beer or a cup of coffee.
The Upper Valley -- The Connecticut River Valley dividing Vermont and New Hampshire is a world unto itself, full of villages, rolling hills, covered bridges, river views, and small-town bakeries. It's got smarts, too: Dartmouth College is here.
Lakes Region -- Lake Winnipesaukee is the crown jewel of New Hampshire's Lakes Region, but other lakes and ponds scattered in the area also add in charm what they lack in size. On Golden Pond was filmed on one of them, though this region's fame and beauty long predate Hollywood's discovery of them.
White Mountains -- Since the mid-1800s, New Hampshire's towering White Mountains have magnetically drawn travelers, with their rugged, windswept peaks, forests dotted with glacial boulders, and clear, rushing streams. You can find New England's best backcountry hiking and camping here . . . but also its wildest weather. Keep a radio and a cellphone handy.
