Southern New Hampshire Road Trip

Enjoy the video below covering our “Road Trip across Southern New Hampshire!” This trip was loosely planned, we had decided to let the day unfold and see where it would take us. With Covid restrictions and concerns easing, and great weather, it felt good to get out and “Explore!” again!

We were on our way to a graduation party in Stratham, New Hampshire, and decided to travel Route 101. Route 101 will take you from Keene all the way to Hampton Beach with some beautiful scenery along the way!

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Marlborough

Our first stop was Marlborough. A granite roadside sign begged for a picture and the monument just down the road on Route 124 near the Frost Free Library pulled us in a little further.

The library was a gift from Rufus S Frost and was built in 1866 with local granite from the Marlborough quarry. Marlborough is within close proximity of Keene and all of its conveniences yet far enough outside of it that it has its own quiet and unique vibe. It is a pretty little town with a New England feel and worth exploring. Stone Pond is worth a visit with its gorgeous views of Mount Monadnock.

Peterborough

Our next stop was a quick visit to Peterborough. It’s is a pretty little town with numerous opportunities to explore. There are plenty of shops and restaurants and no shortage of entertainment as well. Peterborough is on the list for a full post someday.

Ava Marie Handmade Chocolates called to us as we got close to town. It wasn’t open yet but the owner, Susan, and staff were gracious enough to let us in early. The quality and variety of chocolates and food were amazing! The “Nuts for New Hampshire” made me smile and hungry! We walked out with a couple of graduation gifts and something for each of us to satisfy our sweet tooth!

Miller State Park

I just completed a full post on Miller State Park back in November of last year. It was one of those places that you tend to drive by and always wonder about but never seem to carve out the time to go “Explore!” It really is a gem, and with numerous ways to the top, offers accessibility for anyone.

Our intent was to just drive through and grab some GoPro footage for the video, but at the last minute, we opted to drive the auto road to the top. Normally, you would need to make reservations but the park opened on a whim this weekend and we got lucky. There are numerous trails in the area that offer varied options to the summit.

The views were amazing, as always, and the fire tower was open, which gave us 360 degrees to enjoy it all! Whether you decide to hike the many trails, hike the road, or drive, you won’t be disappointed with Miller State Park!

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Milford

We stopped for gas in Milford and I couldn’t help but run back to get a picture of their city sign. Milford was once home to numerous mills and granite quarries. Milford granite was used in the pillars for the US Treasury Building. It is also home to the Milford State Fish Hatchery.

Amherst

If you are a regular reader, you know that I have made it a challenge to gather NH Historical Signs as I “Explore!” the state. It has been fun, and educational, and led to some side adventures along the way. Kayaking different lakes and skiing new resorts in NH are two other challenges that inspired me to start this website.

Amherst provided the opportunity to capture the birthplace of Horace Greeley marker.  It has become clear that New Hampshire has provided plenty of historical figures that have helped to shape our country. One more reason to love New Hampshire!

Visit my historical marker section to learn about more New Hampshire history and trivia.

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Bedford

Bedford allowed for one of the prettiest backdrops I have encountered for yet another Historical Marker! Colonel John Goffe resided at this location near Bowman’s Brook and built a gristmill in 1744. Nearby Goffstown and Goffe’s Falls are named in his honor.

Lake Massabesic

Our last stop before our destination in Stratham was Lake Massabesic. The lake is a major water source to the state’s biggest city, Manchester. Like many of New Hampshire’s lakes, Massabesic is Native American in origin and means “place of much water.” We stayed just long enough to make a few casts with the fish poles, capture some pictures, and do a little hiking. At 2,500 acres, Massabesic could be a day’s worth of exploring in and of itself.

Home

We had a great time at the graduation party in Stratham. It is great to be on the other side of COVID and see things slowly getting back to normal. 2021 was a strange year to start a travel blog promoting New Hampshire. It has been fun, rewarding, and I hope it has been a bright spot in the midst of everything.

Traveling Rt 9 for the trip home offered a sweet sunset to top off the day and a perfect ending to the video!

If you enjoyed this post, check out a previous post titled Monadnock Region Road Trip. Check out my very first post on Downtown Keene to learn more about this gem tucked in the southwest corner of the Granite State!

Feel free to leave a comment below or make suggestions for new adventures. Subscribe to stay updated and be sure to follow us on Social Media as well.

We have a vacation planned in Pittsburgh in July and I am really looking forward to capturing more pictures and videos of the Great North Woods Region!