Water: New Hampshire has about 164,609 acres of land and 9,612 miles of rivers and streams. One sixteenth of the state is covered by water. Much of it is in the Lakes Region with 273 lakes and rivers. Our lakes are ranked third in clarity behind Oregon and Montana.
Forest: More than 87 percent of New Hampshire is covered by forest, making it the second most forested state in the country. The White Mountain National Forest is a grand expanse of 800,000 acres close to, or part of the towns, safeguarding the land from development. The forest is closely managed and provides rest areas for recreation, wildlife habitat and renewable resources.
Access: The Manchester Airport is only an hour away. Boston’s culture and its Regional Airport are only two hours away.
Quality of Life: For eight years in a row, New Hampshire was named “The Most Livable State in the Nation” by the Morgan Quitno Corporation. This ranking is based on 44 factors, including median household income, health, environment, business tax, crime rate, climate and education. Lake Winnipesaukee was rated the No. 1 retirement place in the country under the category “Leisure Living for Recreational and Cultural Opportunities” (rated by MacMillan Travel, fifth edition of Retirement Place Rated).
Heritage: The Lakes Region is rich in history. Indians settled around the lakes thousands of years ago. Settlement by colonists started in the mid-1600s. Some of the first towns in the area date back to the early 1700s. Each town has a colorful history ready to be explored.
Culture and Activities: There are never-ending activities in New Hampshire throughout the year – biking, boating, bird-watching, climbing, golfing, camping, horseback riding, skiing, hunting, snowmobiling, water skiing and many others. Fine cultural opportunities are provided by local theaters, including the Winnipesaukee Playhouse and Interlakes Summer Theatre in Meredith and The Barnstormers in Tamworth.
Music: In the heart of the Lakes Region is the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion. This award-winning state-of-the-art 8,000-seat amphitheater has become New England’s premier concert venue.
Festivals and Fairs: State residents and guests enjoy a wide variety of festivals and fairs throughout the year. From the Sandwich Fair, annual Chowderfest, craft fairs, antique shows and bluegrass festivals to Christmas fairs, the possibilities abound.
Health: New Hampshire consistently ranks in the top ten healthiest states in the U.S. There are many fine hospitals, including Lakes Region General Hospital, Laconia; Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon and Huggins Hospital in Wolfeboro.
Shopping: The state has tax-free shopping in large national chain stores and one-of-a-kind boutiques. Tanger Outlets in Tilton, with more than 40 stores, is right off Interstate 93. A walk through any town will bring shoppers a variety of specialty shops.
Fishing: New Hampshire has endless opportunities for river, lake and ice fishing. There are bass and ice fishing tournaments, but also quiet little nooks for a personal fishing retreat.
Hiking: This is a hiker’s heaven. There are 48 peaks over 4,000 feet and access to the Appalachian Trail.
Environmental Safety: New Hampshire is considered to be very low risk for earthquakes, tornadoes, forest fires and hurricanes.
Conservation and Preservation: Societies have been set up in New Hampshire to ensure the preservation of the environment. The Lakes Region Conservation Trust alone has conserved nearly 24,000 acres, 33 miles of shoreline, 19 summits and more than 85 miles of trails.
Schools: New Hampshire has many fine schools, most notably a number of renowned private schools. These include New Hampton School, St. Paul’s School and Brewster Academy. Dartmouth in Hanover is an Ivy League college founded in 1769 by Eleazer Wheelock.
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