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Wolfeboro, N.H. (photo by Eric H.)

New Hampshire is a vacation destination for all ages

by Eric H.

The best thing about growing up in Massachusetts was vacationing in New Hampshire. The trips to Silver Lake in

beautiful Hollis, N.H., were just a half hour away, but seemingly far away from everything.

To this day, it wouldn't be a New England vacation for kids withoutswimming in cozy, clean Silver Lake, playing ball in the pine tree-cooled fields, making sand castles, and eating hot dogs and hamburgers until blue in the face. Set in the quintessential New England colonial, church-steepled town of Hollis, Silver Lake is a quiet place to be close to family, make lots of new friends and years later happily relive those memories in the photo scrapbook and videotapes.

People do not go to New Hampshire, however, to seek out just Silver Lake. Silver Lake is just a prime example of vacationing families finding their own special destination in the "Granite State."

New Hampshire is ultimately craggy and rugged, full of rocky terrain leading up to majestic mountains and stunning vistas. Mount Washington is New England's highest point at over 6,000 ft, but the "high points" just don't end there -- the state peaks frequently with great tourist destinations for children and adults, alike.

Theme destinations like Storyland, Santa's Village, Clark's Trading Post (a trading post with a live bear display out front) and Water Country (huge water slides) rev up the fun quotient for children, while revving up the adult side is July's Motorcycle weekend and, in the winter, some of the best skiing in the northeast. For those who like a quiet time, New Hampshire has plenty to offer from the tranquil artist's village of Peterborough in the southwest region to the relaxing, more mature environs of beautiful Wolfeboro in the Lakes Region. Wolfeboro is America's oldest resort community. It is well known for good reason, too: take a stroll down any of the east side streets and you'll end up with one of the prettiest views in New Hampshire -- a cool, calm lake surrounded by mountains. Nice walkways and a gazebo add to the charm, as well as extremely friendly residents who have a respect for their town and the people who visit their charmed community. Once at the lake, it's hard to believe one is just a major league baseball rightfielder's throw from Main Street. The feeling of going from a busy -- but not too noisy -- Main Street to a place of great solitude by the water in just seconds provides a great option to those torn between shopping and relaxing within the same continent.

There are many Wolfeboros in New Hampshire, especially in the Lakes Region -- pretty, pastoral, friendly and open to visitors staying in their towns.

A little further north of the Lakes Region are White Mountains. This area is made for family fun, especially in the Lincoln-North Woodstock area. Great scenery, Mount Washington, motels with indoor swimming pools, family style restaurants that are easy on the wallet, great skiing in the winter, and lakes with crystal clear water perfect for summer swimming are just a few of the things that have families coming back year after year.

For the less mature, there is Hampton Beach, a premier New Hampshire vacation destination on the limited New Hampshire seashore. Hampton Beach has tattoos, surfer dudes, future Jerry Springer guests, sloping foreheads, women who don't know the word "modesty" and... a beach, mounds of fried dough and pizza that isn't -- For better or worse, everyone has a Hampton Beach story. Full of show offs and people who just can't seem to get that office job, Hampton Beach is a prime New England summer vacation spot and offers one of New England's prettiest beaches if you block out the honky tonk. -- it's a great stretch of beach perfect to stroll and swim. Like Howard Stern, those who like Hampton Beach stay a day or two. Those who don't stay a week.

New Hampshire is not famous for its cities, but Manchester is worth a look. Not too long ago, Manchester was a run down city casting its head down on the Merrimack River, with urban blight and a Gotham City feel. The vacant mill buildings overlooking the River eventually filled up with businesses, stores, restaurants and other attractions, creating a vibrant entrance to the inner city, which has followed suit. The downtown is alive with a new entertainment center, lots of new retail and dining choices, and growing neighborhood pride with many homes being lovingly restored to their original splendor. The great Manchester International Airport is all shiny and new and has helped bring further appeal to this proud city.

Lakes, mountains, fresh air and other rural delights ultimately put New Hampshire on the map as a great New England vacation destination. It is the place where childhood memories are made, no matter what age.

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New Hampshire travel ideas, tips, suggestions and general information:

New Hampshire's best travel destinations

Check the New England calendar of events section for key New Hampshire events and news.

Read our New England tourist attractions page for the best things to do in New Hampshire.

Have a question about visiting New Hampshire? Ask the experts for all your New Hampshire trip planning needs!

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