I spent a couple of weeks last month in New Hampshire, where my parents reside on a lake during summers in the tiny town of Washington, which is well enough off the beaten path that even many lifelong Granite State residents have never passed through. A quirky new indie film called 3 Days of Normal was filmed almost entirely in Washington and has been receiving some attention at film festivals around the country - the movie trailer provides a nice look at this quintessentially charming town, and why New Hampshire is such a popular draw in September and October, when fall foliage is peaking.
With leaf-peeping season coming up soon, here are a few recommendations of things to see and do in New Hampshire, based on my most recent visit.
wonderfully hoppy, slightly toasty Mikey's Vyce Black IPA. The food here is decent - of the usual pub variety (burgers, nachos, salads), but the beer really stands out. It's a great spot for dinner after catching a play at New London's renowned Barn Playhouse, or driving around Lake Sunapee, which is far less developed and no less scenic than Winnipesaukee, and a fantastic spot to watch the leaves turn.
restaurant near campus that's a favorite for drinks among gay and lesbian students and faculty at Dartmouth. And I sampled the best meal of my trip in Hanover at the relatively new Market Table, which sources locally (and often organically) in creating memorable breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. The town's venerable 108-room Hanover Inn has just completed an ambitious (and much-needed) renovation - it's my favorite hotel in town, but beware that it fills up quickly on weekends during fall foliage season.New Hampshire is easy to reach from Boston, which lies just 100 miles south of Wolfeboro and 125 southeast of Hanover.