A Visit to Swan Chocolates in Merrimack NH

By Judi Window, GSA Inaugural Class 1996

Swan Chocolates, a family name (Swan, not chocolates), is a wonderful stop if you are looking for a special New Hampshire made gift before heading home via the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. It is conveniently located on Route 3 in Merrimack near the new, soon-to-be opened, airport access road. The retail shop is a cozy building with beautiful lighting and comfy seating for coffee and chocolate tasting.

Abbotts Market was located on this spot for many, many years. As Granite State Ambassadors we are used to getting the history and details about buildings and business locations, this tour did not disappoint! I am sure if you asked (especially if you called ahead) they would be glad to tell you about the rich history of the building, the Abbotts and even the ghost sightings (and phone calls) in the building.

Now, down to the real reason we are all interested.... the CHOCOLATE! As someone with a restricted diet I was pleased to see many gluten-free items and the staff was quick to point out the dairy free options as well! All great news... BUT did you know that chocolate is actually a fruit!?! So 5 serving a day will keep the doctor away? Yummy!

Swan Chocolates 
436 Daniel Webster Highway
Merrimack New Hampshire
603-423-5950
www.swanchocolates.com
NOTE: This is their new location

7,000 Miles with No Stop Lights

 by Judi Window, Granite State Ambassador, Inaugural Class 1996

A couple of years ago my husband and I decided to explore the woodlands of New Hampshire by snowmobile. Although we don't own a snowmobile and we rarely ride, we went to Alpine Adventures in Lincoln NH to go on a guided snowmobile tour. It was fantastic! If you don't have "winter attire" for just $5 they will rent you insulated snowmobile suite. They do provide you with helmets.

My personal recommendations include:

1. Even if you are new and/or scared, ride your own snowmobile. I doubled up with my husband and found it was more work and harder to hold on to him, than it would have been to handle my own machine. 
2. Stay overnight. You'll never want to leave! So plan ahead and rent a room. Get one with a whirlpool tub, jacuzzi, and/or hot tub, so you can soak your tired bones at the end of a long ride. 
3. Pick a restaurant and plan dinner ahead of time. That way you can enjoy your trip without having to make any last minute decisions! We like the Woodstock Inn & Brewery. Great lodging, wonderful food and deliciously brewed beer (try Pig's Ear)!

New Hampshire has 7,000 miles of snowmobile trails. For those of you who own machines and love to ride in NH, check out the NH Snowmobile Association's website. It is packed with information to make your experience memorable!


For your planning purposes NH has a wonderful state tourism website to help. www.visitnh.gov. ENJOY your trip and remember... If you have any questions, Granite State Ambassadors are your "New Hampshire Information Specialists" ask us and we will find you answers! @askNH.

Shopping with Judi

Submitted by: Judi W. GSA [Inaugural Class 1996]

I confess, I am a mall girl. Some people like to shop in quaint little stores that dot the landscape of New Hampshire (including our southern tier), but I really love to shop in the mall. New Hampshire has some pretty nice malls including the Rockingham Mall in Salem NH at Exit 1 just after the NH/MA border on I-93.

 When I volunteered on a committee at the Salem Chamber of Commerce 10 years ago I had a great marketing idea (that they never used)...

The 3 Best Reasons To Visit Salem NH

Exit 1 SHOPPING (The Mall at Rochingham Park)
Exit 2 ATTRACTIONS (Canobie Lake)
Exit3 FOOD (Common Man)

I still like the idea.... My favorite Exit is #1 - The Mall Exit.... From Manchester NH (where I live) The Mall at Rockingham Park (or as we fondly refer to it the "Salem" Mall) is about 25 miles or about 1/2 hours drive south on I-93. The drive is usually pretty fast except during rush hours, holidays, and Sunday evenings when people are driving south from NH back to Massachusetts and points south.

I also receive Twitter alerts on my phone with any problems and/or construction delays so I can plan accordingly (because, of course, I don't text & drive). There has been quite a bit of construction as they continue the Rebuilding of I-93 Salem to Manchester. If you are driving North to NH from Massachusetts, the traffic will be the opposite, busy on Fridays due to lots of people driving North to NH's beautiful Lakes & Mountains.

I was happy to see a few new stores in the mall since my last visit including Sephora a gigantic makeup store. I love the way they package up what you buy... like it is a little present just for you! I also use CardStar (for iPhone or smart phone users this is a cool app that keeps all your "rewards cards" scanned in so you don't have to carry the actual cards with you... just your phone.)

Speaking about iPhones, there is an Apple Store at the mall. Although closer to my house, I am sad that there isn't one at The Mall of New Hampshire. Everyday since the iPad and the iPhone 4 came out they have LINES at their door to get in. Incredible! I haven't gotten either yet... YET.

Being in the tourism industry, I always look out for our guests and think about them in my everyday life. Shopping is no different. Here are some tips for you:

• Kids... there is a hurricane machine
• Parents... there is a wall of brochures giving you ideas of other things to do
• The mall is 2 levels and if you walk each level twice you will have walked 1 mile.
• The food court has pretty good choices and has a horse carousel for the little ones
• There is garage parking so when it is raining or snowy you are under cover
• Anchor stores include Macy's, Sears, & JC Penny (here is the Floor Plan)    

Welcome to New Hampshire! If you have any questions I am one of the volunteers at our Virtual Visitor Center on Twitter @askNH