New Hampshire

Travel: New Hampshire is alive with natural beauty, bountiful history

Published

1 year ago

October 12, 2024

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Travel: New Hampshire is alive with natural beauty, bountiful history

Linda Lange and Steve Ahillen
| For the Knoxville News Sentinel

STAR ISLAND, N.H. – The veranda of the Oceanic Hotel still feels like “the breeziest and comfortablest place in the world.”

In the mid-1800s, author Nathaniel Hawthorne was visiting a sister island in New Hampshire’s Isles of Shoals when he penned the description in a letter to a friend.

However, from rocking chairs on the hotel’s veranda, the view of the nine-island group, the Atlantic Ocean and the coastlines of New Hampshire and Maine fits Hawthorne’s observation very well.

A ferry ride aboard the vessel M/V Thomas Laighton out of Portsmouth, N.H., carried us to Star Island, a place steeped in history and natural beauty.

When Europeans first came upon the isles, the surrounding waters were so filled with huge cod that a sailor could walk to the mainland on the backs of fish, according to local lore. In the late 1800s, nearby Appledore Island became a bastion for authors and artists hosted by popular poet Celia Thaxter. Hawthorne, John Greenleaf Whittier and Oliver Wendell Holmes were among the many visitors.

A few years later, Oceanic Hotel, designed in the style of the grand hotels of New England, opened as a party haven for the wealthy. Today, the hotel dominates the island’s 34-structure community that also includes a stone chapel, history museum, gazebo and the Tucke Monument, a 46-foot obelisk. Visitors, whether overnight guests or day-trippers, enjoy lounging on the beach, walking through wildflower meadows and kayaking to nearby islands.

Old-style beach vibe

New Hampshire surprises with its many beautiful places. Visitors like island communities, such as picturesque New Castle, east of Portsmouth. Rye offers supreme seafood restaurants, surf shops, boardwalks and plenty of beach access. At the Atlantic Grill, patrons enjoy coastal classic cuisine in patio garden settings or seafoam-hued interior spaces. Perfectly prepared lobster, crab, shrimp and fish are served with a flavorful selection of sauces and side dishes.

Odiorne Point State Park, an emerald jewel along the state’s 18-mile coastline, has a sandy beach, salt marshes, rocky shoreline with tidal pools and views of four lighthouses. A three-mile loop trail winds through woodlands. The child-friendly Seacoast Science Center encourages interaction with nature by way of touch tanks and exhibits.

Hampton Beach State Park, a long, broad band of yellow sand, provides beach access to all. People go early, carting umbrellas and coolers, to spend time in the sun and surf. Just across Ocean Boulevard, hotels, restaurants, shops and entertainment venues cater to beach-goers.

Portsmouth is the coastline’s headliner. Downtown retains an endearing historical mantle, yet mixes past and present. Nineteenth-century redbrick buildings with small shops and eateries edge narrow streets. We discovered Cava, a Spanish-influenced tapas and wine bar, tucked into an alley. We chose grilled Iberico pork and paella with chicken.

The history of Portsmouth unfolds at the Strawbery Banke Museum. English colonists established a settlement in 1623; however Native Americans had hunted and fished at this sheltered cove for thousands of years prior. Thirty-seven restored buildings cluster in the present 10-acre village site. For many years, the largely working-class neighborhood was called Puddle Dock.

Directly next to the museum, Prescott Park buffers the Piscataqua River. The 10-acre park’s brick walkways wind past blooming flower beds surrounding a centerpiece fountain. A bridge leads to Peirce Island, a grassy area with playgrounds, walking trails and a view of the U.S. Naval Shipyard, established in 1800.

In the heart of Portsmouth’s Market Square district, a restoration turned a brick church building into the 15-room Hotel Thaxter. Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club is around the corner. Performances occur in a landmark built in 1905 as a YMCA that was renovated to include a listening hall with state-of-the-art acoustics.

Heading to the interior

The temptation was great to stick to the coastline, but we heard the serene cry of the loon. The bird with a distinctive black-and-white collar lives in the clear waters of New Hampshire’s lake district. We drove to Lake Winnipesaukee, the state’s largest lake, dotted with more than 250 islands.

To grasp the grandeur of the lakes, we visited the Castle in the Clouds. It sits on a promontory, offering sweeping views of the Ossipee Mountains and Lake Winnipesaukee. Tom Plant, the owner of what was once the largest shoe factory in the world, oversaw the mansion’s completion in 1914. He called his 6,300-acre estate Lucknow. The Arts and Crafts-style architecture was designed to blend in with its natural surroundings. Ninety percent of the furnishings are original to the house.

Overcome by opulence, we selected simplicity for our next destination.

At its height back in the 1860s, Canterbury Shaker Village, 15 miles northeast of Concord, had about 400 residents. Twenty-five restored Shaker buildings occupy the 694 acres of land. Members of the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing were called Shakers because of their religious services in which they danced wildly and spoke in tongues. They lived modestly. The first building in Canterbury, the Meeting House, was constructed in 1792. The 56-room Dwelling House, the largest building on site, was finished a year later.

Concord, the capital city

With 400 representatives, the New Hampshire House of Representatives is proud to be the fourth largest lower house governing body in the world behind only the U.S. House, the British House of Commons and India’s Lok Sabha. The gold-domed State House in Concord contains a Hall of Flags with more than 100 battle flags of New Hampshire. A statue of New Hampshire native Daniel Webster is among those perched on the grounds.

The State House building is woven into the downtown fabric of stores, restaurants and coffee shops along Main Street. A lively crowd attended the Concord Farmers’ Market right next to the capitol grounds on the morning we visited.

With its outdoor seating, the Revival Kitchen & Bar meshes with the downtown street scene. The shrimp-stuffed sole is an excellent choice. The Hotel Concord, in the heart of downtown, is just a five-minute walk from Eagle Square, a gathering spot for city dwellers and street performers.

Nearby is Pierce Manse, the white, two-story home of Franklin Pierce, New Hampshire’s only native son to reach the White House. Tours are available through rooms containing many original furnishings. Exhibit panels address Pierce’s accomplishments while serving as a U.S. representative, senator and president.

Concord’s McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center pays tribute to Christa McAuliffe, the Concord High School teacher who was aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger, and Alan Shepard, a native of Derry, N.H. In 1961, Shepard became the first American to fly in space; and, in 1971, he commanded the Apollo 14 mission to the moon.

A full-size replica of a Mercury Redstone rocket stands outside the center. A Crusader jet, a supersonic fighter from the 1950s, greets visitors on entry. A planetarium and numerous hands-on exhibits make this a stellar family attraction.

Museums in Manchester

In Manchester, two residences designed by Frank Lloyd Wright are open for tours coordinated by the Currier Museum of Art. The red-brick Zimmerman House seems to blend into a small hillside. By contrast, the Kalil House is a standout structure of concrete blocks. The Currier Museum contains an impressive collection, highlighted by paintings of American artist Andrew Wyeth and also including works by Vincent Van Gogh and Pablo Picasso. After the museum visit, we treated ourselves to a grand seafood dinner at the Copper Door restaurant in Bedford near Manchester.

The Millyard District edges the Merrimack River that runs north-south through Manchester. A paved trail encourages strolls along the waterway. A southern segment of the riverwalk connects to Delta Dental Stadium, home of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, a Double-A Toronto Blue Jays baseball affiliate. Guests at the Hilton Garden Inn, located beyond the left field wall, can watch a minor league ball game out their room window.

Linda Lange and Steve Ahillen are travel writers living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

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New Hampshire

Mashpee Boy Scouts carry injured woman down N.H. mountain

Published

16 hours ago

November 25, 2025

Press Room

Mashpee Boy Scouts carry injured woman down N.H. mountain

Local News

Brodie Perry and Jack Borowski carried the woman for two hours down to the base of the mountain.

From left, Brodie Perry and Jack Borowski. Paul Perry

Two members of the Mashpee Boy Scouts of America Troop 36 carried an injured woman down Mount Lafayette in New Hampshire over Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend.

Brodie Perry and Jack Borowski, both seniors at Mashpee Middle-High School, were leading the troop’s annual hike in the White Mountains when they came across the injured woman, they told Boston.com.

The two scouts asked the woman and her family members, who were trying to carry her down, if they needed any help to which they said no, Borowski said. The woman’s legs were shaking, and her family kept dropping her as daylight quickly ran out, they noticed.

The troop followed behind the family for a while, and ultimately Borowski and Perry offered to carry her down.

It took the two scouts two hours to carry the woman two miles to the base of the mountain, they said.

“If we were to just keep walking and go to the bottom, I don’t know if they would get down, or if they did get down, they would definitely be injured even more than they were,” Perry said.

Both Borowski and Perry value the skills they learned in the Boy Scouts.

“As you begin, you’re someone who listens to the leaders … but as you go, you slowly become the person who’s leading. It’s a really good natural way to go from someone who’s like beginning to someone who’s truly teaching the people around you,” Perry said.

“I’ve developed a lot as a person. You get a lot of experience in leadership and survival skills and helping other people,” Borowski continued. “It’s just really good program to help improve you as a person.”

Borowski is already an Eagle Scout, the highest Boy Scout rank, and Perry is set to be named an Eagle Scout in the next month or so.

After high school graduation, Borowski plans to enlist in the military, and Perry wants to study engineering at a four-year college.

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New Hampshire

Teen Driver Accused Of Fleeing Trooper, Crashing Into A House: New Hampshire State Police Roundup

Published

1 day ago

November 24, 2025

Press Room

Teen Driver Accused Of Fleeing Trooper, Crashing Into A House: New Hampshire State Police Roundup

CONCORD, NH — A man from Concord was accused of driving 135 mph during another traffic enforcement initiative in New Hampshire, this time, on Interstate 93 in Bow on Sunday.

Logan Drew, 22, of Concord, was among 35 drivers stopped during the enforcement effort. According to state police, around 9:30 a.m., a sergeant in a state police aircraft saw a driver in a vehicle traveling south “at an extremely high rate of speed,” a report said. The trooper clocked the vehicle at up to 130 mph. Information was relayed to troopers on the ground, and Drew was pulled over, the report said. He was charged with reckless operation and operating after suspension charges. Drew is due in Concord District Court on Jan. 9, 2026.

During the enforcement, which lasted three hours, 40 violations were observed. Of those, 25 drivers were traveling at 90 mph or faster. Two of the drivers had suspended privileges.

Find out what’s happening in Concordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

State police said driving recklessly at 100 mph or more carries a minimum fine of $620 and a 60-day license suspension. After the first of the year, the fine increases to $930 and a 90-day loss of license.

Logan Drew was arrested on several charges on Nov. 23. Credit: NHSP

Find out what’s happening in Concordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Teen Accused Of Crashing Into Home, Fleeing Scene

A teen from Gilmanton was arrested last week on several charges after a chase in the Lakes Region.

Around 12:45 p.m. on Nov. 18, a trooper attempted to stop the driver of a 2013 Ford Taurus on Route 104 in Meredith for having tinted windows. The driver, Patrick Cameron Hamel, 19, of Gilmanton, was accused of refusing to stop, speeding, and illegally passing other vehicles. He then lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a home on Shoreline Drive in New Hampton.

Hamel was arrested and charged with reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, reckless operation, conduct after an accident, endangering the welfare of a child, criminal restraint, and disobeying a police officer. He was held on preventive detention and was due to appear in court on Nov. 19.

Troopers were assisted by New Hampton police and firefighters and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Trooper Nathan Cobis at nathan.f.cobis@dos.nh.gov.

Patrick Cameron Hamel was accused of fleeing state police and crashing into a home in New Hampton on Nov. 18. Credit: NHSP

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Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the New Hampshire State Police and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains how to request the removal of a name from New Hampshire Patch police reports.

Troop A Blotter

11/01/2025 01:05, HAMPTON FALLS, HERNANDEZ PEREZ, JANCY Y. (23); BIDDEFORD, MAINE, 631:3 (RECKLESS CONDUCT-DEADLY WEAPON), 318-B:2,I (CNTRL DRUG: SCHED 1-4; POSSESSION), 265-A:3,I(C) (DUI AGGRVTD ATTEMPT TO ELUDE POLICE), 264:25 (CONDUCT AFTER ACCIDENT), 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT).

11/01/2025 09:37 SOMERSWORTH, MERCIER, EDWARD J. (49); SOMERSWORTH, 594:7 (ARREST ON WARRANT).

11/01/2025 11:57, EXETER, JACK, ADAM (35); NOTTINGHAM, 262:23 (OPERATE AFTER CERT AS HABITUAL OFFENDER).

11/01/2025 16:33, NORTH HAMPTON, BUEHLER, JOSEPH LEE (49); PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT).

11/02/2025 01:54, GREENLAND, DENELLE, OLIVER T. (26); NARRAGANSETT, RI, 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION), 631:3 (RECKLESS CONDUCT-DEADLY WEAPON), 642:2 (RESIST ARREST/DETENTION), 263:1,III (LICENSE REQD; OP W/O VALID LICENSE), 264:25 (CONDUCT AFTER ACCIDENT).

11/02/2025 09:03, HAMPTON, REYNOLDS, RYAN MARK (40); DIEPPE, NK 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION), 639:3,I (ENDANGERING WELFARE OF CHILD).

11/02/2025 10:55, HAMPTON FALLS, MCRAE, HEATHER JOYCE (61); SOMERSWORTH, 265:60 (SPEEDING 25+ MPH OVER 65 LIMIT), 261:178 (SUSPENSION OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION), 263:64,VII (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUSPENSION).

11/02/2025 14:30, HAMPTON, BURR, THOMAS SPENCER (33); BARTLETT, 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT).

11/02/2025 17:12, NORTH HAMPTON, HOLT, DAVID FREDERICK (59); PELHAM, 594:7 (ARREST ON WARRANT).

11/02/2025 23:32, GREENLAND, ROBICHAUD, CASSIDY R. (24); AUGUSTA, ME, 270:29-B (RECKLESS OPERATION OF BOATS).

11/02/2025 23:34, NORTH HAMPTON, EUCEDA, JONATHAN JOSUE (25); MANCHESTER, 263:1-A (IMPROPER PERSON OPERATING VEHICLE), 261:178 (SUSPENSION OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION).

11/02/2025 23:34 NORTH HAMPTON, MUNOZ BENITEZ, LENON I. (36); LONDONDERRY, 263:64,VII (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUSPENSION), 263:64,VI (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUS-SUBSQT).

10/27/2025 21:32, HAMPTON, DODIER, JACOB ANDREW (19); DOVER, 263:64,V-A(B) (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUS-ORIGINAL AND YOUTH), 263:63 (DRIVING WITHOUT GIVING PROOF), 265:25 (FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY), 263:12 (PROHIBITIONS RE: DRIVERS LICENSE).

10/28/2025 21:19, HAMPTON, ELBROLOSY, ABDELRAHMAN (28); QUINCY, MASSACHUSETTS, 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION).

10/29/2025 00:26, EPPING, CARLETON, NICHOLAS J. (28); EPPING, 263:64,VII (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUSPENSION), 261:178 (SUSPENSION OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION).

10/29/2025 03:08, EAST KINGSTON, TUITE, CAMERON JAMES (24); EAST KINGSTON, 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT), 265-A:2,I(B) (DUI; ADULT>.08; MINOR>.02), 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION), 634:2,II (CRIMINAL MISCHIEF), 644:2 (DISORDERLY CONDUCT).

10/29/2025 09:38, HAMPTON, RIVERA, JOSE LUIS (58); CAMBRIDGE, MA, 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION).

10/29/2025 16:13, NORTH HAMPTON, BOURNE, MELISSA D. (28); ELIOT, ME, 263:64,VII (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUSPENSION), 263:64,VI (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUS-SUBSQT), 261:40 (UNREGISTERED VEHICLE).

10/30/2025 19:30, ROCHESTER, HORTON, REBECCA CLAUDETTTE (30); ROCHESTER, 263:1,III (LICENSE REQD; OP W/O VALID LICENSE).

10/30/2025 21:00, DOVER, KEPFORD-SEKMEN, MARISSA SUE (32); SOMERSWORTH, 263:64,VI (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUS-SUBSQT), 263:64,VII (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUSPENSION), 265:109 (OPERATING WITHOUT LIGHTS).

10/31/2025 05:15, GREENLAND, DENGLER, NOAH J. (23); WESTFIELD, NEW JERSEY, 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION).

10/31/2025 08:18, SEABROOK, BIANCUZZO, JOSEPH J. (54); HAVERHILL, MA, 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION).

10/31/2025 22:15, EXETER, MOULTON, KYLE ROBERT (24); RAYMOND, NH 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT).

10/31/2025 22:39, ROCHESTER, WILLARD, COLIN AVERY (26); S TAMWORTH, 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION).

10/31/2025 23:44, DOVER, MACIAS CARRIEL, ANGEL DANIEL (17); ALTON, NH 263:1,III (LICENSE REQD; OP W/O VALID LICENSE).

Troop B Blotter

10/30/2025 13:35, NASHUA, BALL, SHANE EDWARD (23); MANCHESTER, 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION), 265:79-B (NEGLIGENT DRIVING).

10/31/2025 10:04, NASHUA, JONES, CRYSTAL LEE (38); LOWELL, MA, 263:1,III (LICENSE REQD; OP W/O VALID LICENSE).

11/01/2025 01:00, MANCHESTER, DROUIN, DANIELLE (35); RINDGE, NH 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT), 265-A:2,I(B) (DUI; ADULT>.08; MINOR>.02).

11/01/2025 03:22, RAYMOND, MCCLAUGHRY-BERTELSEN, SAVANNAH LEIGH (18);

MANCHESTER, 631:3 (RECKLESS CONDUCT-DEADLY WEAPON), 265-A:3,III (DUI AGGRVTD 0.16+), 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT), 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION), 265-A:45 (TRANSPORT ALCOHOL OR MARIJUANA BY MINOR), 265-A:44 (OPEN CONTAINER ALCOHOL OR MARIJUANA).

11/01/2025 17:26, MANCHESTER, ERICKSON, THOMAS ALEXANDER (61); MANCHESTER, 262:23 (OPERATE AFTER CERT AS HABITUAL OFFENDER), 263:64,VI (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUS-SUBSQT), 263:63 (DRIVING WITHOUT GIVING PROOF), 263:64,VII (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUSPENSION), 265:22 (YELLOW/SOLID LINE VIOLATION).

11/02/2025 07:42 BEDFORD, SANTOS, JONATHAN A. (38); MANCHESTER, 594:7 (ARREST ON WARRANT).

Troop D Blotter

10/27/2025 10:46, BOW, MAYANGE, ABDULLAHI (30); BURLINGTON, VERMONT, 263:1,III (LICENSE REQD; OP W/O VALID LICENSE), 265:37-A (DUTY WHEN APPROACHING HIGHWAY EMERGENCY).

10/28/2025 19:08, CONTOOCOOK, WELCH, BRUCE (52); HOOKSETT, 261:178 (SUSPENSION OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION), 263:64 (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUS).

10/28/2025 21:20, TILTON, KNOX, MEGAN N. (38); DANBURY, 594:7 (ARREST ON WARRANT).

10/29/2025 00:59, CONCORD, BUTLER, JAMIE L(43); ASHLAND, 594:7 (ARREST ON WARRANT).

10/29/2025 20:41, WARNER, ALLISON, JAMES MATTHEW (46); WARNER, 631:2-B,I(A) (DV; SIMPLE ASSAULT; BI OR PC).

10/30/2025 08:45, HOPKINTON, ZAREMBO, DOUGLAS SCOTT (33); WILMOT, 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT), 265:22 (YELLOW/SOLID LINE VIOLATION).

10/30/2025 16:49, CONCORD, RILEY, CAMERON JAMES (39); LACONIA, 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT), 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI 2ND; IMPAIRMENT), 264:25 (CONDUCT AFTER ACCIDENT), 634:2,II (CRIMINAL MISCHIEF), 318-B:2,I (CNTRL DRUG: SCHED 1-4; POSSESSION), 265-A:37,I (ALC INTERLOCK MV NOT EQUIPPED W/INTERLOCK).

10/31/2025 22:26, BOW, VIEU, MICHAEL R. (59); BOULDER, MONTANA, 159:3-A (HAND GUNS ARMED CAREER CRIMINAL), 159:3,I (FELON IN POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS WEAPON), 637:7 (RECV STOLEN PROP; $1501+).

11/01/2025 07:03, SUTTON, SHARIAN MAYANCHA, ANGEL ABRAHAM (41); BROCKTON, MA, 263:1,III (LICENSE REQD; OP W/O VALID LICENSE), 265:60 (SPEEDING 21-24 MPH OVER 65 LIMIT).

11/01/2025 23:54 BOW, SMITH, BOBBI ALEXANDRA (32); HILLSBOROUGH, 261:178 (SUSPENSION OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION).

Other Arrests

11/04/2025 17:56, WALPOLE, SCULLY, BRANDY N. (29); KEENE, 265-A:3,I(D) (DUI AGGRVTD PASSENGER UNDER 16).

10/29/2025 19:45, OSSIPEE, RYDER, CODY E. (30); CTR OSSIPEE, 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT), 631:2-B,I(F) (DV; SEXUAL ASSAULT; CONTACT & FORCE), 631:2-B,I(A) (DV; SIMPLE ASSAULT; BI OR PC), 642:2 (RESIST ARREST/DETENTION), 642:1 (OBSTRUCT GOVT ADMINISTRATION).

11/16/2025 15:27, LYME, FENIELLO, MARIE A(65); RAMSEY, NJ, 644:8,III (CRUELTY TO ANIMALS; NEGLIGENT), 644:8,III (CRUELTY TO ANIMALS; NEGLIGENT).

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New Hampshire

Maura Sullivan collects endorsements from former top military officials

Published

2 days ago

November 24, 2025

Press Room

Maura Sullivan collects endorsements from former top military officials

Maura Sullivan, a Democratic candidate for New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District, is endorsed by Frank Kendall III, former U.S. Air Force secretary under the Biden administration, and Christine Wormuth, former U.S. Army secretary under the Biden administration.

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