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“Live Free or Die” rings out the Libertarian motto of New Hampshire, a place for rugged outdoor pursuits amid the state’s White Mountains and lakes and where no sales tax or income tax means bargains galore!
New Hampshire is nicknamed ‘the Granite State’, which partly describes its rugged geology of mountains and deep lakes and partly describes the state’s tradition of self-sufficiency. New Hampshire was the first state in the U.S. to have its own constitution and still stubbornly refuses to impose a state tax (income tax) or a sales tax (VAT) resulting in flocks of shoppers to retail outlets in North Conway and the Lakes Region.
New Hampshire is also famous as the state that holds the first primary in the U.S. presidential elections - the midnight ballot held in Dixville every four years. Politically, New Hampshire is regarded as a staunchly conservative state and generally votes Republican in contrast to its New England neighbours.
New Hampshire is bordered to the west by the Connecticut River and on the opposing bank is Vermont. On a map these two states look like opposing halves of a rectangle, a yin yang analogy that accurately describes the opposing views of liberal Vermont and conservative New Hampshire. Maine lies on New Hampshire’s eastern border, while to the south lies Massachusetts and in the north a narrow stretch of border with Canada.
Tucked between Massachusetts and Maine is New Hampshire’s 16-mile sliver of a seacoast. Set around the port of Portsmouth this area was instrumental in the colonisation of New Hampshire and throughout the 18th century was a hub for ship-building, fisheries and maritime trade. Many of Portsmouth’s merchant quarters still exist granting the town its historic character and rich cultural heritage, which is recounted at Strawbery Banke and the old naval yard of Albacore Park .
New Hampshire was one of the original 13 colonies of America and joined the Revolution early, although the state saw no battles on its territory. Following the Revolution the people of New Hampshire returned to battle what was considered the last frontier of New England. Waterpower transformed the Merrimack Valley into the industrial heartland of the region and the textile mills of Manchester grew to rival the original Cottonopolis’ of Britain. While Concord, the state capital became New Hampshire’s hub.
To the north of the state lies New Hampshire’s Lakes Region and White Mountains that have provided a playground for outdoor enthusiasts since the 1850s. The town of Wolfboro bills itself as America’s oldest summer resort and people flock here in the summer to go boating on Lake Winnipesaukee. While the White Mountains present camping, hiking and cycling in the spring and summertime, leaf peeping during the stunning fall foliage and skiing in the winter. Close to New England’s tallest peak of Mount Washington, the mountain villages of Lincoln, Conway and Jackson make for great destinations year round.
Another thing New Hampshire is famous for are its covered bridges. The state has 54 in total more than any other New England state and the nations longest covered bridge which connects Cornish NH with Windsor VT across the Connecticut River.
Whatever time of year, the scenery of New Hampshire is sure to enthral and once experienced you’ll come to sympathise with that state motto.
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