What’s New in New Hampshire - Spring 2014
Attractions
Attitash Mountain Resort, Bartlett, NH - New ZipTour attraction for Summer 2014 will include two parallel cable spans from the summit of Bear Peak to the base of Attitash Mountain reaching heights of over 400 feet. The longer of the two cable spans currently planned, at just under 5,000 feet in length, is set to be the longest, single span zipline in the continental United States. www.attitash.com.
West Claremont Center for Music and the Arts, Claremont, NH - The West Claremont Center for Music and the Arts is increasing programs, including education and performing arts events. Additions include sculpting workshops, harp workshops, and performances featuring regional and internationally acclaimed musicians. Events are open to the public, and most are by donation. Historical Union Church facilities, 133 Old Church Rd, Claremont, NH. www.wcc-ma.org.
Alpine Adventures, Lincoln, NH - Alpine Adventures is teaming up for the 2014 season with Whales Tale Water Park to offer “Zip & Dip” discount packages including Zipline Tours & Waterpark tickets and other Adventure packages that include Off-Road Tours, Waterpark Tickets, Aerial Park Adventures and more. www.alpinezipline.com.
Monkey Trunks, Chocorua & Weirs Beach, NH - New Kids’ Courses have opened at locations in Chocorua and Weirs Beach. The Kid’s Course is on a smaller scale with platforms approximately 6’ off the ground with 6-8 challenges and a thrilling 80’ zipline at the finish! www.monkeytrunks.com.
Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum, Warner, NH - New exhibit of fine art in the Contemporary Art Gallery called “Giona Sezhoa G’dakinna: We Paint Our Land”. Abenaki artist Liz Charlebois is guest curator. The exhibit is open May 1 – July 13, 2014. Also new in May is an archaeology exhibit “Along the River” and a newly renovated southwest basket gallery. www.IndianMuseum.org.
Strawbery Banke Museum, Portsmouth, NH - New exhibit: “Finding Home: Stories from a Neighborhood of Newcomer.” Showcasing the families from Canada, France, Ukraine, Italy, Greece and England who arrived in Portsmouth in the first wave of settlement in 1623 and on through the next 300 years. www.strawberybanke.org.
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, NH - Two new exhibits open for the 2014 trail season. The new Coyote Exhibit features a live adult male coyote and various interpretations and information to learn more about this amazing species. Also opening is a Wood Energy exhibit, which is a model of sustainability saving energy and dollars. www.nhnature.org.
Lodging and Restaurants
The Hotel Portsmouth, Portsmouth, NH - Located in the building formerly known as the Sise Inn, the Hotel Portsmouth is currently undergoing a $1 million plus renovation. Opening in mid-April, the hotel features 32 newly renovated guestrooms, meeting rooms, a Victorian parlor, library and lounge, all housed in a historic Victorian mansion. Located in historic Haymarket Square, the Hotel Portsmouth is downtown Portsmouth’s only independently owned and operated boutique hotel. www.thehotelportsmouth.com
Adair Country Inn, Bethlehem, NH - The Adair Country Inn is now hosting smaller size group meetings and wedding receptions around 30 people. The onsite restaurant has a max of 30 and the bar about 10. A common area for private parties in the Granite room downstairs can hold around 30 guests. www.adairinn.com.
Revolution Cantina, Claremont, NH – New Mexican, South American, and Cuban Cuisine restaurant focusing on authentic and fresh ingredients. Also features a bar & lounge offering fresh fruit infused Tequilas. https://www.facebook.com/Revolutioncantina.
The Inn at East Hill Farm, Troy, NH - Now offering customized Farm Stays for groups of all sizes and ages. Participants can milk the cow and goat, collect chicken eggs for breakfast and help with the daily chores. Customized workshop opportunities include; cheese making, sheep shearing and processing of the raw wool, bread making, hay-baling, ice cutting, apple cider processing, forest management, mycology walk, night forest walk, contra dancing along with conservation of rare breeds farm animals at East Hill Farm. Farm Stays also include lodging, three home cooked meals daily and all the cookies you can eat. www.east-hill-farm.com.
Wentworth By the Sea Hotel & Spa, New Castle, NH - The new restaurant SALT Kitchen + Bar is a vibrant addition to the historic Wentworth by the Sea Hotel & Spa. Four distinguished areas within the restaurant provide a modern safe haven for every occasion, including a live edge chef’s bar, smaller dining enclaves, a vibrant lounge and a main dining room available for cocktails, food, and celebration. www.wentworth.com.
Unbridled Chocolates, Marlborough, NH - Winner of many NH Chocolate Awards has opened a restaurant which serves weekend brunch from 9am until 1pm using many local ingredients. Chocolate kitchen tours are available for groups and buses. www.unbridledchocolates.com.
Tours/Events
Herb, Food and Beer Tour, Mt. Washington Valley, NH - Guests visiting the Country Inns in the White Mountains on June 7-8, 2014 will have the opportunity to taste basil, brews and bittersweet during the first annual Herb, Food and Beer Tour. This celebration of local flavors, combines tastings and tours at ten White Mountain inns with cooking demonstrations, a plant-to-plate “herb-inspired” dinner and overnight stays at a choice of Mt Washington Valley, NH inns. http://www.countryinnsinthewhitemountains.com/spring-herb-tour.htm.
Claremont 250th Celebration, Claremont, NH – This year marks the celebration of Claremont's 250th birthday. Events include a Retro Ball, Birthday in the Bricks City-wide Festival, Ceremony and Lighting of the Civil War Memorial, Creation and Lighting Ceremony of the new 17.64yd public art sculpture, Birthday Concert performed by the Aardvark Jazz Orchestra of Boston, World Premiere of a new orchestra work, and more. www.Claremont250.org.
New Hampshire Travel & Tourism’s Group Tour Itineraries - Announcing two new suggested culinary itineraries for group tour operators, “Dine & Dash Winter Brew Tour”, a culinary, brewery and winter adventure tour and “Play With Your Food Tour”, an art, culture and culinary experiences tour will soon be available on the group website. Find all of DTTD’s group friendly suggested itineraries at http://www.visitnh.gov/group/itineraries.
Heritage Festival, Portsmouth, NH - New festival on Strawbery Banke Museum grounds on August 2, 2014. The festival celebrates the ethnic heritage of the immigrant neighborhoods around the seacoast, with food, music and authentic crafts. www.strawberybanke.org.
Enriched Learning Center Outdoors, Berlin, NH - ELC’s “Get Your Feet Off the Ground” trip has been named a Grand Adventure by the New Hampshire Grand. Combining a floatplane trip and whitewater rafting adventure, this is one of the most unique adventures in the North Country. Also starting this season are ropes course adventures and yurt accommodations. www.elcoutdoors.com.
Culinary
Hermit Woods Winery, Meredith/Sanbornton, NH - Hermit Woods Winery has expanded and moved to a new location this year. They are now producing and selling wine out of the newly renovated downtown location at 72 Main Street, Meredith NH. This new location has allowed them to triple their production of wine and increase tasting room space by four fold. Tours and wine tasting available. www.hermitwoods.com.
The Purple Tomato, Lincoln, NH - The Purple Tomato is a new farmers market, whole foods style store that opened in Lincoln, NH with a buy local focus. They offer local & organic produce, local meats, dairy & cheese, fresh seafood and organic & gluten-free groceries, sandwiches, and soups. There are hundreds of products made from local NH food artisans. www.facebook.com/PurpleTomatoFarmersMarket.
Awards
The Hanover Inn, Hanover, NH -This historic hotel has received the AAA Four Diamond Award for excellence. The Hanover Inn Dartmouth is the longest continually operating inn in New Hampshire, and the only property on the Dartmouth College campus. www.hanoverinn.com.