It is already April in New Hampshire and it is STILL SNOWING! Seriously, I don’t know who made Mother Nature angry, but she’s not letting us forget who is in charge. Thanks to the Hotel Tonight App we were reviewing, we were able to choose from a number of hotels to stay in. We had two criteria: it had to have a pool and we wanted to smell the ocean from our room. The Ashworth by the Sea gave us this and much more.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire is one of my favorite seacoast towns in New England. In addition to beaches, great shopping, and beautiful parks, Portsmouth has a thriving restaurant scene. It has everything from breweries to ice cream shops and most are family friendly. With so many options, how can you choose? Here are my top 10 picks:
Ice Castles, Lincoln, NH
1. DRESS WARM: This should be a no-brainer but you’d be surprised at what people do for the perfect selfie! Ice = Cold. Make sure you wear a warm coat, hat, and gloves. Snow Pants are a good idea if you will be using the ice slides.
My kids are so fun to travel with, but every once in a while, it’s nice to be alone to relax. Since the end of the school year is full of obligations, I thought this would be a great time to rejuvenate before the final stretch of school, and the Lake Opechee Inn and Spa was the perfect place to go. I couldn’t have imagined how relaxed I would feel when I left.
When you think of March in New Hampshire, the first thing that comes to mind is maple syrup!! In fact, the New Hampshire maple industry produces close to 90,000 gallons of maple syrup annually. However, this phenomenon of Mother Nature is dictated by weather, not calendar. It is the freezing nights and warm days that make sap flow, so it can begin in late February and run into early April. The magic is that no one can predict what the season will bring. Charmingfare Farms, in Candia, NH, offers a fun way for your family to experience sugaring on a working farm. This farm has been a favorite spot for my family since our kids were young, but we had never done the Maple Express. It was such a pleasant way to spend the afternoon and I would strongly recommend taking this tour. Let me show you how we spent our day.
The Port Inn, Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth, New Hampshire is one of my favorite coastal towns in New England. The town is dear to my heart because we had our wedding reception in town and since then have created many family memories here. Portsmouth is only an hour north of Boston and just over the bridge from Maine.
When looking for a hotel in Portsmouth, location is key. The Port Inn is centrally located and has amazing accommodations for the entire family. Please click below to read all about our stay at the Port Inn.
The seacoast town of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is a must-see destination in New England. Historic buildings, quaint shops, and charming galleries are around every corner. With over 100 locally owned businesses, it is the perfect town to enjoy a stroll during any season. Portsmouth is only an hour north of Boston and just over the bridge from Maine. Every night of the week you can find live music and there are several theaters in town.
However, many people come to Portsmouth for one main reason…the food! This port town has become a culinary destination for people searching for trendy dishes and creative cocktails. With so many places to choose from, your only dilemma will be deciding which to try first. Restaurant Week has become an experience every foodie awaits, and 2016 will not disappoint.
New Hampshire has many special places to view the colorful change of foliage. At Castle in the Clouds, in Moultonborough, you will be transported back to the early 1900’s to the home of Thomas Plant. However, do not rush straight up to the castle, take your time and make a few stops along the way.
What is the first stop? Well…
In Concord, NH there is a great place that is a tribute to 2 New Hampshire space pioneers: Alan Shepard, America’s first astronaut to travel into space, and NASA’s teacher-in-space, Christa McAuliffe. This small discovery center is filled with many hands-on activities that teach families about space. It is a fun place to spend a few hours. A few of our favorite experiences included:
Southern New Hampshire residents have a gem of a museum right in our backyard. The Currier Museum, located in Manchester, is the perfect way to spend an afternoon filled with culture. The museum has a large collection of American and European art. They even have a Picasso as well as a Monet. The paintings are well labeled and at times there are even detailed place cards displayed that you can use to better understand what you are looking at.
