Discover the Charm: Top 17 Fun and Fascinating Facts About New Hampshire You'll Love

1. Live Free or Die Motto

When the chips are down and choice is needed, New Hampshire doesn't mess around with its commitment to freedom, channeling its inner Mel Gibson screaming, "Live Free or Die": The state emblem proudly showcases not just the Old Man of the Mountain, but also their rock solid motto, penned by Revolutionary War hero General John Stark in 1809 and adopted officially in 1945. You can find this true-to-New Hampshire sentiment embellishing official documents dedicated to the recreational, industrial, and agricultural advancement of the state. Branded in history and bureaucracy, the motto truly lives on!
Source => nh.gov

2. Old Man of the Mountain Facelift

In a tragic tale of cold feet: the Giant of New Hampshire rocked up to a stunning facelift in 2003, but the procedure ended in disaster after the surgery crumbled to bits. The serious reveal: The Old Man of the Mountain, a cherished rock formation resembling an old man's profile, met its dramatic end in 2003, but continues to be honored through its depiction on the state quarter, released in 2000, and memorial sites found across New Hampshire.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Did you know that Vermont played a crucial role in the innovation and development of U.S. postage stamps in the 1800s? Discover how this state transformed stamp-making with its pioneering techniques, making postal history! 📬🌟

=> Fun Facts about Vermont

3. Shaky Coastline Measurements

You could say New Hampshire's coastline is feeling a little "shaky on its measurements," caught up in a whirlpool of geographical and mathematical commotion: In actuality, the state's official seashore length is 18.57 miles, but depending on definitions and calculations, it can range from 13 miles to an astounding 235 miles when considering every nook and cranny where salt water occasionally reaches land, such as the Great Bay.
Source => concordmonitor.com

4. Tax-Free Shopping Haven

Feeling the tax-man's icy grip at the mall? Head to New Hampshire, where shopping is as refreshing as a deep breath of mountain air: The state has zero general sales tax, giving people a tax-free shopping haven and turning the Granite State into the Fashionista State! Just keep in mind, the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration won't issue sales and use tax exemption certificates.
Source => revenue.nh.gov

5. Vanity License Plates Galore

Whoever said "license to thrill" must've been chatting about New Hampshire's fabulous collection of vanity plates – perhaps it's time to plate it cool, Granite State style: With the famous "old man of the mountain" design and an array of specialty plates for veterans, conservation buffs, and state park enthusiasts, New Hampshire has long offered a smorgasbord of unique and customizable options for drivers to flaunt their vehicular identities.
Source => dmv.nh.gov

6. Dental Floss Pioneers

In a twist of flossed-in-translation, our pearly whites owe a big thank you to the Granite State's string-pulling dental legend: It was Levi Spear Parmly from New Hampshire who, in 1819, introduced the concept of dental floss, using waxen silk thread to effectively clean where toothbrushes dare not tread. His brainchild, however, wouldn't be available commercially until 1882, and Johnson & Johnson got their teeth into the patent for silk-based dental floss in 1898.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

7. Strawbery Banke's Accent

If walls could talk, the ones in Strawbery Banke would definitely have an accent: This historic Portsmouth, New Hampshire neighborhood features over 37 buildings in Colonial, Georgian, and Federal styles, dating back to the 17th to 19th centuries. Visitors can absorb the history of these beautiful architectural stars while learning about weaving, basket weaving, coopering, and hearth cooking during daily demonstrations and tours!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

8. Early Bird Alarm Clock

Talk about an early bird special: Levi Hutchins and his brother Abel, New Hampshire clock-making legends, created the first American alarm clock in 1787. This nifty pine cabinet timepiece, complete with a mirror on the door, had a charming wake-up call at the less-than-fashionable hour of 4 AM – and no snooze button or reset option to give you any more beauty sleep.
Source => cowhampshireblog.com

9. White Mountain Serenades

While the von Trapp family of 'The Sound of Music' fame made their home in the Austrian Alps, their New England counterparts can be found serenading weary hikers in the picturesque White Mountains of New Hampshire: The Appalachian Mountain Club's Hut System, operating since 1888, provides alpine hospitality complete with comfortable lodgings, hearty meals, and conservation education, all delivered by the spirited college student staff armed with both expert advice and melodious guitar tunes.
Source => nhmagazine.com

10. Largest Arcade Sanctuary

In the land where old-school joystick jockeys and button mashers go to relive their arcade glory days, you'll find a sanctuary filled with the beeps, bleeps, and blips of gaming yesteryear: Funspot in Laconia, New Hampshire, holds the Guinness World Record as the largest arcade in the world, boasting over 250 machines, including retro classics like Space Invaders, Pac-Man, and even rarer gems such as Up Scope and Whatizit from 1972. And to keep this pixelated paradise running, they have a dedicated staff and repair shop that ensures these antiquated amusements remain playable for the joystick jockeys of today and tomorrow.
Source => roadsideamerica.com

11. Birth of Free Public Libraries

In a time before Amazon and endless book hauls, a tiny town in New England decided to spark a revolution in the literary world, making bibliophiles and broke college students rejoice: New Hampshire's Peterborough became the birthplace of the first modern free American public library in 1833, proving that the best things in life – and on bookshelves – don't need a price tag or fancy membership.
Source => history.com

12. Presidential Primary Dating Show

Picture this: New Hampshire's presidential primary is a sizzling dating show where candidates must woo the nation's toughest crowd, those elusive, uncommitted independent voters, in a frosty land of maple syrup, moose sightings, and freedom-loving denizens; The Granite State Challenge: In New Hampshire's primary, independent voters, who comprise about 41% of the electorate, can participate in either party's primary, making this event, since 1952, a crucial test of a candidate's cross-appeal to voters, with solid performers often becoming major players in the nomination game.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

13. NH 48 Mountain Challenge

Do you have a mountain-sized bucket list because your thirst for adventure knows no peaks? Fear not, for New Hampshire's got a challenge that will have you leaving no summit stone unturned: Pack your hiking boots and set your sights on the NH 48, where conquering all 48 of the state's glorious 4000-foot peaks earns you a spot in the esteemed 4000 footer club, recognized by the Appalachian Mountain Club - a prime collection of breathtaking views and bragging rights!
Source => newhampshireway.com

14. Endangered Blue Butterflies

If a Karner get caught blue-wing-handed, law enforcement won't go easy on them: The Karner blue butterfly, found exclusively in New Hampshire's Concord Pine Barrens, enjoys legal protection as an endangered species, with harming or killing them deemed illegal. With darker blue, black or gray wings, females are slightly larger than their male counterparts, and both genders boast a row of orange crescents on their hind wings' underside. Munching on wild lupine during their larvae stage, the Karner blue butterfly relies on periodic disturbances in its habitat to make room for its favorite snack.
Source => wildlife.state.nh.us

15. Presidential Monopoly Mountains

In the game of "Presidential Monopoly," New Hampshire seems to have cornered the market on Boardwalks and Park Places: the Presidential Range in New Hampshire boasts 13 mountains named after US presidents, with one noteworthy exception. Mount Washington, the highest peak in the range, was dubbed in honor of General George Washington before he leveled up to his presidential status.
Source => nhmagazine.com

16. Maple Syrup Liquid Gold Rush

When pancake lovers in New Hampshire holler “thar she flows” in the early spring, it's not molten lava they're running from – it's liquid gold in the form of maple syrup: In 2022, the Granite State tapped its way into the sweet world of sugary goodness, producing over 161,000 gallons of maple syrup and securing the title of the fifth highest producing state in the US. With 454,000 maple taps spread across the region, tourists can embark on a sticky adventure and explore the numerous maple farms and sugarhouses that call New Hampshire home.
Source => statista.com

17. Submarine Spy-Gadget-Mobiles

In a world where submarines were just trying to stay afloat, one vessel dared to dive deeper: enter the USS Albacore, a pioneering submarine stationed in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the real-life precursor to your underwater Spy-Gadget-mobiles. Constructed between 1952 and 1953 and active until 1972, this bad boy of the deep blue sea was the first to be designed for primarily beneath-the-surface operations and later served as a prototype for the United States Navy's nuclear-powered submarine force. Nowadays, it kicks back as a museum, where you can tour its innards and marvel at history in the making.
Source => onlyinyourstate.com