9 Ideal New Hampshire Destinations for a 3-Day Weekend in 2025
Home to Mount Washington and the White Mountain National Forest, the majestic state of New Hampshire possesses an abundance of picturesque small towns and secluded resorts that are perfect for escaping for a while, either with friends or family, or even alone. From the pastoral town of North Conway, the Kancamagus Highway, and the White Mountain Hotel to the coastal town of Portsmouth, historic Market Square, and Wentworth by the Sea, there are several phenomenal small towns, a plethora of awesome attractions, and a multitude of great lodging choices within the Granite State. Here are nine three-day weekend destinations in New Hampshire that are beyond remarkable.
North Conway
The quaint town of North Conway, one of the best spots to spend a three-day weekend in New Hampshire, is home to two unique destinations that are open year-round. Mt. Cranmore Resort and Attitash Mountain Resort both offer excellent service, tasty food, and comfy rooms and suites. They also have some great outdoor activities, like hiking and mountain biking in the summer and fall, and snowboarding and skiing during winter and spring.
The Kancamagus Highway, located just south of town, is another great attraction in the area. This 34-mile-long, two-lane stretch of road weaves through peaceful valleys and majestic forests, passing many natural attractions along the way, like Cathedral Ledge, Rocky Gorge, and the Swift River. Cathedral Ledge, climbing 700 feet into the air, also offers rock-climbing opportunities, if you happen to find the time.
Hampton
Home of the Blue Ocean Discovery Center, Hampton has a plethora of attractions catering to the Atlantic Ocean. Hampton Beach State Park is also well worth the trip. Along with camping at an RV Park with full utilities, Hampton Beach State Park offers amenities such as fishing, hiking, swimming, and picnicking.
This phenomenal town of around 16,000 permanent residents is also home to several great festivals and events, like the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival. Taking place every year in September, this festival showcases the importance of seafood with culinary chef demonstrations, arts & craft vendors, and stunning fireworks. Plus, if you do not have to make your own bed, the Victorian Inn is less than half a mile from the Atlantic Ocean.
Keene
On the opposite side of the state, close to the Vermont border, the picturesque town of Keene is perfect for a three-day getaway. From the appetizing local cuisine served at restaurants like Stage Restaurant in downtown Central Square to cozy lodgings with a tasty breakfast the next morning at the Carriage Barn B&B Inn on nearby Main Street, Keene offers true comfort to visiting guests.
Some other awesome attractions of Keene include several museums. The Cheshire Children’s Museum is ideal for kids of all ages, while the Horatio Colony Museum offers more of an intellectual journey into the past. Plus, for those who enjoy the quiet tranquility of nature, the Ashuelot Rail Trail and the Cheshire Recreational Rail Trail are both in close proximity to downtown.
Laconia
The quaint yet populous town of Laconia, located further to the north, is home to Weirs Beach, just off the southern shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, and Ahern State Park, situated along the shore of Lake Winnisquam. Weirs Beach is known for an excellent boardwalk with restaurants, such as the Boardwalk Bar & Grill, and as well as swimming, fishing, and boating.
Laconia is also home to the Summit Resort, which is situated on Mentor Avenue. This phenomenal resort offers comfortable suites with full kitchens and balconies. They also offer several outdoor amenities, including swimming, fishing, and boating. Near outlet shopping, scenic drives, and fine restaurants, the Summit Resort is the perfect place to stay in Laconia. They even offer a facility that has water slides, a fitness center, and several pools.
Ashland
In case you wish to visit more than one town in New Hampshire, the tiny town of Ashland, with less than 2,000 people, is less than twenty miles northwest of Laconia. It is home to the Squam River Covered Bridge, Cold Spring Resort, and Riveredge Marina. While the original covered bridge in Ashland was constructed in the 19th century, a fire sadly destroyed it in the 1990s, and it had to be replaced in the early 21st century.
Cold Spring Resort, established in the 1970s, offers comfortable townhouses set in a luxurious, fragrant pine forest. Some of their amenities include indoor & outdoor pools, hot tubs, and scenic trails. Ashland also offers several amenities in town, including the Ashland Railroad Station Museum, featuring one of the best-preserved railroad stations in the state.
Durham
Close to the border of Maine and just off the banks of Great Bay, the pastoral yet picturesque town of Durham is home to Adam’s Point and Jackson’s Landing. Adam’s Point, located on an island floating in Great Bay, is a wildlife refuge that promises excellent scenic vistas along several trails, including the Adam’s Point Loop, which is great for bird-watching, hiking, and even relaxing on a nearby bench, watching as the world goes by.
The town of Durham is also famous for the John Sullivan House and the Oyster River Massacre. Along with Adam’s Point, which refers to an over-zealous preacher named John Adams from the 19th century, the John Sullivan House in downtown Durham was once home to the Revolutionary War General by the same name.
Jackson
The home of Nordic Village Resort, the Wentworth Inn, Eagle Mountain House & Golf Club, the quaint town of Jackson, 10 miles north of North Conway, and the same distance to the Maine border, is perfect for getting away for that three-day getaway. From amenities at Nordic Village, including three outdoor pools, attributes at Wentworth Inn, like Madeline’s Snack Shack, and attractions at Eagle Mountain, including a 9-hole golf course, there is something for everyone in Jackson.
The town of Jackson is also well known for being home to several scenic waterfalls. Jackson Falls has several small drops, culminating in a hundred feet in total, and Glen Ellis Falls has a drop of approximately seventy feet. Plus, six of the 55 19th-century covered bridges in New Hampshire are within an hour of Jackson, including the Historic Honeymoon Covered Bridge, which was built in 1876.
Portsmouth
Situated along the Atlantic coast and one of the most populous towns in the Granite State, Portsmouth has a plethora of attractions that welcome visitors every year. From fine seafood dining in restaurants like the River House, to excellent lodging options like Martin Hill Inn, Portsmouth offers a taste of peace and tranquility while also providing a style unknown elsewhere.
The picturesque town of Portsmouth is also home to several historic attractions, including the John Paul Jones House, in which John Paul Jones resided in 1781, and the Moffatt-Ladd House & Gardens, a 1763 structure and formerly the residence of William Whipple, a Revolutionary War general and one of 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence.
Lincoln
On the opposite side of the Kancamagus Highway from the towns of Conway and North Conway, the tiny town of Lincoln is perhaps best known for Clark’s Bears, Hobo Hills Adventure Golf, and Whale’s Tail Waterpark. These alone make Lincoln one of the best places to take the kids for a three-day weekend. Plus, Launchpoint Lodge, offering great service and a delicious breakfast the next morning, is quite close to downtown Lincoln.
Some other great attractions just outside the town of Lincoln include Flume Gorge, Franconia Falls, and Indian Head. Indian Head Resort, situated just above Hobo Hills, has romantic cottages and bungalows available for you and your special someone. Indian Head Resort serves a delectable meal in the Profile Dining Room. It also offers hiking, biking, and fishing, and is only a mile from Flume Gorge.
Finishing Thoughts
Whether you wish for a quiet place to escape the family for a short time, or a spot to escape work for a couple of days, or even a romantic spot for you and someone you love for the weekend, the small, quaint towns in New Hampshire are well worth checking out. From the scenic Kancamagus Highway in North Conway to the awe-inspiring Flume Gorge in Lincoln, there is something ideal for a three-day weekend within these nine New England destinations.
