If you only had one day in New Hampshire... (Nashua: live, restaurants)

[MissLindsy]

I will be traveling through New Hamsphire toward the end of October; I will only have one day to sightsee. I will be coming from Boston on my way to Portland, and would like any input as to the BEST of New Hampshire. I am really looking for a quaint, historic small town with lots of scenery, good restaurants and shops. From what I have found so far, it seems that Nashua, Hollis and Portsmouth "fit the bill." Thanks in advance!

[nicolem]

For your situation, I would choose Portsmouth. Nashua is really like a Boston suburb and not a place for sightseeing and it is not quaint. Hollis is nice but I would not use my only day sightseeing there-unless you are specifically looking to move there and want to check it out. If you are traveling from Boston to Portland, Portsmouth is right on the way, so you will have more time there.

Portsmouth is historic and has lots of non-chain resturants and shops. You can spread out a little and drive by the ocean in Rye as well. You can also venture into the southern part of Maine.

[GregW]

Detour to Exeter and have lunch at the Loaf & Ladel after walking around town. this is a special place.

[mal7014]

Originally Posted by nicolem

For your situation, I would choose Portsmouth.

I agree with Portsmouth. Could be chilly on the coast so pack some warm clothes.

[Verseau]

Unfortunately, if you're travelling from Boston to Portland, you are logistically confined to the southeastern part of the state, which offers less in the way of scenery and quaint small towns than other areas. If I had only one day in NH, I would most likely spend it in the White Mountains, but given your timeframe, most of the leaves will probably have fallen already in the mountains and the foliage will be past peak in most of the state (except perhaps the seacoast).

So I would definitely focus on Portsmouth... maybe throw in Exeter too if you'd like. Although the coastal route to Portland is probably the more scenic and interesting (via Cape Neddick, Ogunquit, Kennebunkport), if you wanted to see more of "small town" NH then you might consider going inland towards Wolfeboro (via Farmington, Alton) and then heading east to Portland. Either way, you're going to see a very small portion of the state.

[Verseau]

Oh, and if you're driving from Boston to Portsmouth, you might consider driving through the lovely towns on the North Shore of Massachusetts Bay - Rockport, Ipswich, Newburyport, etc. Very beautiful and incredibly historic towns, but also very expensive.

[NH2008]

Ditto NicoleM. Bypass the Nashua area entirely. It's purely residential. Stay east and take 1A north up the entire Seacoast; you'll see funky Hampton Beach, lovely Rye, drive through breathtaking New Castle Island and take a bridge into Portsmouth. If you didn't stop for seafood along the way, park, have lunch and shop in Portsmouth. You could spend some time walking through Strawberry Banke for a glimpse into NH history or just browsing the historic downtown, or even take a boat trip to the Isle of Shoals.

[Pawporri]

Originally Posted by MissLindsy

I will be traveling through New Hamsphire toward the end of October; I will only have one day to sightsee. I will be coming from Boston on my way to Portland, and would like any input as to the BEST of New Hampshire. I am really looking for a quaint, historic small town with lots of scenery, good restaurants and shops. From what I have found so far, it seems that Nashua, Hollis and Portsmouth "fit the bill." Thanks in advance!

Wolfeboro is lovely............my favorite place to go......

[NewNHguy]

Originally Posted by Verseau

Unfortunately, if you're travelling from Boston to Portland, you are logistically confined to the southeastern part of the state, which offers less in the way of scenery and quaint small towns than other areas. If I had only one day in NH, I would most likely spend it in the White Mountains...

My thoughts exactly. Given your route, you won't even come close. The seacoast is beautiful, and not to take anything from it or the folks that live there, The Whites on a sunny day in October are spetacular.

But I am biased seeing them daily.

[dazy12]

If you're traveling in late October it will be past peak foliage even in the southern part of the state so yes head up through Portsmouth. I wish you had 3 or 4 days so you could explore a few different areas. But if you have just a short time I have to agree with most. Portsmouth is such a great town. If you're looking for some good food go over the border to Kittery, ME and go to Loco Coco's. It's this great taco joint. The Black Trumpet in Portsmouth has good food too. Also, if you want to do some good shopping you have the outlets right over the border in Kittery too. Have a good trip!