Eco-Friendly Adventures

Eco-Friendly Adventures in New Hampshire

NH excels at outdoor adventure, much of it eco-friendly

New Hampshire, the Granite State, is justly proud of its looming mountain ranges and a local tradition of getting out into nature, early and often. So, the state welcomes visitors aimed at enjoying eco-tourism, which is simply exploring a place with no use of motorized vehicles. New Hampshire natives themselves lead the way with extensive trails for every level of ability. In winter, there are lots of opportunities to play in and skim across the snow, from snow tubing down slick hills to tromping on snowshoes through glistening woods. A low-tech or no-tech walk in the woods can be a wonderful way to hang out with your kids, see them enjoy the use of their muscles and imaginations, and teach them to love nature. It takes little technology – maybe a set of binoculars – to spy on New Hampshire’s wildlife, including the elusive and magnificent moose. In summer, the state’s Atlantic coast and Lakes Region lays out a banquet of Earth-friendly water play: swimming, shore fishing, paddling, or just sun bathing on the beach. Most people are thinking about the value of a healthy planet these days. An environmentally friendly vacation is good for you and for Mother Earth too.

2 places to visit

Great Glen Trails

It’s four seasons of fun adventures at this White Mountains outdoor center

Route 16 at Pinkham Notch Gorham, NH 03581 603-466-3988

Every season is a fun season at the Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center, at the base of the Mt. Washington Auto Road. Spring, summer and fall are perfect for kayak cruises. Take a clinic, go on a wildlife tour (keep an eye out for moose and eagles) or go on a sunset cruise. Get out the bike, or rent one of theirs, and enjoy well-marked carriage roads through the forest and meadows, past scenic rivers. Hiking is a joy, with breath-taking views everywhere. Dogs, and strollers, are welcome. In the winter, there’s cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and old-fashioned snow tubing down Tubing Hill. Or, take the Mt. Washington Snowcoach to the tree line on the auto road. The center’s base lodge has showers, lockers and a cozy fireplace.

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Morningside Flight Park

Soar through trees or glide in the air like a bird at this multi-attraction flight park

357 Morningside Lane Charlestown, NH 03603 603-542-4416

What could make you feel more like a part of nature than being able to fly like a bird? At the Morningside Flight Park, there are several ways you can have that exhilarating feeling. You can strap into a tandem hang glider with a professional tandem flight instructor and soar like you have wings for 10 to 30 minutes. You can learn to paraglide or power paraglide. You can fly through the tree tops on a zip line tour. In its desire to be kind to the environment, the flight park also offers four-on-five laser tag games using state-of-the-art equipment: It’s like paintball without the mess, the sting or the environmental impact. And you can go camping in an old-growth forest, using either your tent or platform and summit cabins.

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