It was once said that the problem with studying is it gets in the way of an education. If you’re lucky enough to go to school in New Hampshire, take things off campus and into the university of life with this collection of activities for college students. Set off on new adventures and make lifelong memories along the way. From natural experiences to high speed car racing, there is truly something for every taste in the Granite State.
There is something so perfectly serene about winding your way down river, friends at your side and worries left at home. Celebrate accomplishments or blow off some steam with tubing on the Saco River in North Conway. Whether you spend an hour or an afternoon, a day on the river is tough to beat. Enjoy minor rapids, small beaches, and the occasional rope swing after a short shuttle ride up river, and end the day right back at your car, relaxed and recharged.
Leave the books in the library and spend a carefree day at Canobie Lake Amusement Park in Salem. With 85 rides, gaming, seemingly endless food options, and live entertainment, Canobie Lake is the ideal place to be a kid again and say goodbye to final exam stresses.
Whether you visit for a local race, or go all out on a NASCAR weekend, Loudon’s New Hampshire Motor Speedway is undoubtedly one of the coolest places in the Granite State. If you choose one of the bigger races, rent a camper or RV and make it a weekend to remember. NASCAR events draw diverse, exciting crowds and come complete with live entertainment, late nights, and seriously fast cars. If you’re looking for hands on action, visit the track to participate in one of several interactive driving experiences.
For four generations, Applecrest Farm Orchards in Hampton Falls has produced some of the finest fruit in the state, as well as opportunities to get outside and get moving. Whether you bring a pack or a partner, groups of all makeups will enjoy a crisp day in the orchard. Bring your haul home and enjoy delicious apples, or test your culinary wits and whip up a pie or a crisp!
Leave your stress at sea level and spend a day on Franconia’s Cannon Mountain with the Aerial Tramway! Ascend 4,080 feet in under 10 minutes and be transported to a world or stunning vistas and simple vibes. Bring a picnic, a camera, some art supplies, or just a sense of wonder as you survey New Hampshire, New York, Maine, Vermont, and even Canada! The summit boasts walking paths, an observation deck, and a cafe/bar.
Each summer, the Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum in Warner hosts an Inter-Tribal Pow Wow, intended to spread cultural awareness and raise much needed funds for the museum’s operations. Immerse yourself in our land’s original culture and learn about Native American life through singing, dancing, storytelling, and crafts.
Be King of the Mountain when you purchase this incredible ski and snowboard “Superpass.” Gain unlimited access to 284 trails, 41 lifts, and 13 terrain parks across Cranmore Mountain, Bretton Woods, Cannon Mountain, and Waterville Valley. An incredible value, this pass allows students to enjoy an astounding 1,148 acres of winter fun, making it the most comprehensive college discount lift ticket in the entire state.
Go back in time, if just for an evening, and enjoy a movie the old-fashioned way: At a drive-in theater! Milford’s Twin Theater opened in 1958 and has been providing delightful entertainment ever since. Though their vibe is retro, the equipment is anything but and offers Dolby Surround Sound and the latest digital projection techniques. Cars with up to six occupants cost just $27 for admittance, making a trip to the Milford Twin Drive-In as cost effective as it is incredibly cool.
Part working farm, part zoo, entirely worthwhile—bring biology class into the real world and visit Charmingfare Farm in Candia. Species from cows to emus to ducks to camels are on display at this hybrid location, with many available to pet! Visit during winter months for a snowy horseback ride, in spring for syrup or shearing season, or in the Autumn for spooky delights such as an “infested” corn maze or tractor bog rides.
Send out the ski season with a bang and give pond skimming a try. An annual event to wind down winter, pond skimming involves skiing or boarding down the slopes, and doing your best to make it across the melted “pond” waiting at the bottom. Waterville Valley’s “Last Run Luau” is one of the most festive such events in the Granite State, with 75 competitors battling it out for the win. If slushy slopes aren’t your style, attend as a “Beach Bum” and cheer on your favorites. The day culminates with an epic après party and award ceremony for best run, best wipeout, and best costume.
A well-loved local tradition, North Woodstock’s Rubber Ducky Regatta is the perfect way to send summer off with a bang and welcome in the new school year. “Adopt” a duck, and win big prizes if he’s one of the first to finish, or spend the day playing games and watching the 2,000 plus duckies conquer the mighty Pemi River.
