June – August
Summer in New Hampshire
Summer is when New Hampshire opens every door. The lakes fill with boats and laughter, the mountains trade snow for wildflowers, and the days stretch long enough for a hike, a swim, and a long dinner that runs past dark. It is the season the state was made for.
Quick Facts
Long lakes, warm granite, and evenings that won't end.
Best Time
June – August
Temperatures
Highs 75–85°F · Lows 55–65°F
What to Pack
- Swimsuit & towel
- Trail shoes
- Sun protection
- Light layers for evenings
- Refillable water bottle
- Bug repellent (June)
Signature Activities
Things to do in summer
Boating on Lake Winnipesaukee
Rent a boat or join a cruise across New Hampshire's largest lake and its 270-odd islands.
Hampton Beach & the Seacoast
Boardwalk, saltwater, and the easy rhythm of a classic New England beach day.
Franconia Ridge Hike
An exposed alpine traverse above tree line and one of the finest ridge walks in the East.
Mount Washington Summit
The highest point in the Northeast; pick your line up or ride the auto road.
Kancamagus Highway Drive
A 34-mile byway along the Swift River with swim holes and overlooks at every bend.
Lake Sunapee Paddleboarding
Calm, clear water and a shoreline of summer cottages best seen from a board.
Kayaking & Paddleboarding
Quiet coves on Squam Lake where On Golden Pond was filmed.
Summer Theater
Regional stages and barn theaters mount the season's productions under the pines.
Craft Brewery Tours
Hop from patio to patio along the coast and through the Lakes and Whites.
Farm Stays & U-Pick
Sleep among the fields, pick berries at peak, and eat what you gather.
Scenic Railways
The Conway Scenic Railroad rolls through the Notch in open-air cars.
Outdoor Concerts
Lawn seating under the summer sky at regional venues and town commons.
Events Calendar
Summer on the calendar
Laconia Motorcycle Week
Lakes Region
Hampton Beach Sand Sculpture
Hampton Beach
NH Brewers Festival
Statewide
Sample Itineraries
A plan, to start with
A Week Between Lake & Mountain
Days 1–3
Lakes
Settle on Winnipesaukee; a day on the water and a Squam paddle.
Days 4–5
Whites
Franconia Ridge one day, Mount Washington the next; long tavern dinners.
Days 6–7
Seacoast
End with Hampton Beach and a brewery evening in Portsmouth.
