Get a Glimpse of the Past with Route 3 Retro Tour

Betty's Travel Planning Tips
Submitted by: Betty Gagne, Granite State Ambassador, First in the Nation Class 1999 & Customer Service Assistant NH Division of Travel & Tourism Development

Set of signs promoting Burma-Shave, on U.S. Route 66.
Courtesy of Wilkipedia.

If you’re old enough to know what a Burma Shave sign is, then you might remember what is was like to pile into the family car and travel aimlessly on a vacation. I’m talking about going back in time, even before Interstate 93 was constructed through New Hampshire. A time when road trips were a way of life, lodging reservations were unheard of, and each corner you turned brought a different adventure. Fast forward to our Route 3 Retro Tour, one of our newest itineraries on VisitNH.gov.

The Retro Tour takes you along Route 3 beginning in Meredith and ending in Pittsburg. During the ‘50’s and ‘60’s, this was the main north-south route that vacationers and business travelers frequented. Follow this path today and you may be surprised to know that many of the attractions and motels along this route are the same ones that were there way back when. Stops along the road include diners, motels (which is a term that blended the words ‘motor’ and ‘hotel’), time-tested attractions (like Clark’s Trading Post, one of the oldest in the state), and beautiful, natural scenery. Did you know that gasoline was 15 cents a gallon in 1950? The itinerary contains an interesting timeline with many historical dates and facts like this about how life has evolved since the ‘50’s. 

The Route 3 Retro Tour is a must-do for visitors, as it paints a clear picture of what it was like to travel through New Hampshire after the end of World War II. Happy Retro Touring!

Highlander Inn Offers History, Conference Space, Parking and Much More!

By: Richard Russell, Granite State Ambassador
Concentra Urgent Care Class of 2009

As a Granite State Ambassador, I recently was able to tour the Highlander Inn and Conference Center in Manchester, NH. The Highlander is the only hotel and conference center at the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. You may be at the airport but you are on nestled on 33 tree filled acres. And the Highlander Inn has been in the hospitality business for over 100 years

The Highlander Inn offers 65 guest rooms and the Coldwell House has an additional 21 New England Country Style guest rooms. This makes the Highlander an ideal location for your business meeting or conference, wedding, anniversary party, or the party of your choice with up to 150 guests. The conference center is fully equipped to provide you with all of your culinary delights whether it be breakfast, lunch, dinner or just party snacks.

The Highlander Inn is also a great way to get a good nights rest before your early morning flight without the early morning hassles of driving to the airport by providing a stay and park rate. The Highlander provides you with free shuttle service to and from the airport which is only one half mile away. 

The Highlander also offers the Highlander Airport Parking and Shuttle Service - the only parking facility at the airport that offers reservations for parking while you are traveling. The parking services are first class and at discounted prices in parking lots that are safe and secure. They also provide luggage assistance and 24-hour shuttle service. 

If you live in the Manchester area, take advantage of your opportunity to rekindle your prior experiences with the Highlander by spending the night.  The lobby of the Highlander has some great historical photo’s of the property on display.

REMEMBER that the Highlander Inn and Conference Center will be closing on December 31, 2011.  BUT until then it is business as usual, and they will continue to provide the excellent guest customer service that they are well noted for.