Can't Go Wrong with the Kanc!

Submitted By: Ed Gartland, Granite State Ambassador Franco-American Centre Class of 2007

One day at the Big E two women came up to me and started thanking me profusely. While I was trying to figure out what magnificent act I had performed, one of them got a little more specific and said they were so happy that they had spoken to me at last year's Big E and when they asked what they should do on an upcoming visit to NH I recommended a drive across the Kanc. (I always recommend a drive across the Kanc. How can I go wrong?)  Well, following my advice, they did drive across the Kanc and the Bear Notch Rd, as well. They were still aglow with the experience! The thing that really caught their attention was an inquisitive red fox who approached them at one of the lookouts along the Kanc. They were drinking water and munching on rice cakes. They offered some to the fox and he (she?) was only too happy to share lunch with them.

So, remember ~~~ always recommend the Kanc and notify the wildlife that you're shipping in some tourists.

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!

Maple Sugaring in New Hampshire

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

Granite State Ambassadors Visited Rock Estates in April 2010

Aaaaah, spring. You know it’s here when you start seeing buckets and tubing attached to sugar maple trees in your travels – the cold nights and warm days are generating the sap flow, which will be boiled down and turned into rich and delicious maple syrup. It’s part of New Hampshire’s tradition, and this year’s Maple Weekend will be held on March 19th and 20th. This is a big deal in the Granite State, as more than 80 maple sugar houses will be open for authentic gathering of the sap, sap-boiling demonstrations, and - best of all – hot pancake breakfasts featuring warm and sweet New Hampshire maple syrup.

Granite State Ambassadors learning about sugaring in April 2010

Did you know that the maple industry in New Hampshire produces close to 90,000 gallons of maple syrup a year? Even more amazing is that it takes 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup. We hope you will visit a sugar house during the maple season and learn for yourself just how this ancient tradition is carried on. For locations of maple sugar houses and a calendar of events, please visit the New Hampshire Maple Producers website.

Through our website, you can search for special maple sugar themed lodging packages. Our website also has a wonderful family-oriented maple sugaring itinerary written from a child’s point of view that describes a warm and welcoming visit to a maple sugaring farm during spring.

Sweet travels!

Big History in "Little Canadas"

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

If you’re like me, your grandparents, and maybe even your parents, came to New Hampshire from Canada. I still remember my Grandmother telling me how she moved to New Hampshire from a farm in Quebec, and how she worked in the manufacturing mills as a teenager. Because so many French people immigrated here during the industrial revolution, New Hampshire had lots of cities and towns that began forming neighborhoods nicknamed “Little Canadas.” The French had a huge influence on the heritage and culture of many families, and our website is proud to feature a brand new Franco-American Itinerary that’s designed for folks who want to explore their French heritage in New Hampshire.

Amoskeag Manufacturing Company,
looking up the Merrimack River, Manchester, NH;
from a 1911 postcard by Alphonso H. Sanborn.
Electronic Source: Wikipedia

The tour is centered in Manchester, as the Queen City was once home to the largest mill complex in the world, the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company. It features dining establishments that offer classic French dishes on their menus, organizations that center on educating visitors about the Franco-American culture in New Hampshire, and other points of interest directly related to the influence that the French-Canadians had in the Granite State.

Although the itinerary centers on Manchester, there are many other communities throughout New Hampshire that still carry remnants of a strong Franco-American presence within their architecture, their restaurants, and most of all, their people.

Please visit http://www.visitnh.gov/uploads/itineraries/franco-american-tour.pdf to read or download this fun and educational itinerary. Bon Voyage!

Inside, Outside, Upside, Downside, We Have Just the Thing for You!

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

Winter in New Hampshire isn’t just for skiers and snowboarders. The Division of Travel and Tourism has a fabulous website designed for those folks who are seeking all winter activities the state has to offer. Winternh.com is your guide to winter in New Hampshire, and features lots of fun things to do in cold weather.

WinterNH.com Home Page

Maybe you’re not a skier, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the views from the snowy mountain summits – mountain coasters and zip lines are running year ‘round and offer a whole new way to enjoy the scenery. Ski areas offer packages where you can learn to ski, and most guarantee you’ll be skiing after one lesson! Snowmobiling, snow shoeing, tubing, ice skating, ice sailing, dog sledding, and winter hiking are all popular pastimes when the temperature drops.

If you’re looking for indoor activities, discover what a true spa experience can do for your health and well-being. Massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, body wraps – anything goes in these state of the art facilities, and once you’ve found out what a day in a spa can do for your body and soul, you’ll want to return again and again. New Hampshire is also known for its tax-free shopping, and there are hundreds of outlet stores, antique shops, and shopping malls just waiting to be discovered.

VisitNH.com Winter Itinerary Web Page

Check out the itineraries for more ideas on things to do while you’re here. Winternh.com is your one-stop resource to plan your winter vacation in New Hampshire!