New Hampshire first settled by Europeans in 1623, gained its separate identity from Massachusetts in 1679. New Hampshire delegates were the first to vote for the colonies' Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, and the state continues to be in the political public eye every four years when it hosts the first presidential primary vote.

New Hampshire's natural bounty and beauty are undisputed. This land of lakes and mountains has seven distinct regions for visitors to explore. The Seacoast Region makes the most of New Hampshire's abbreviated, 18-mile Atlantic Ocean shoreline. You'll find some of the best whale-watching opportunities in the Northeast off the coast of Portsmouth, plus sandy beaches, fresh seafood, and New England's largest water amusement park-all the key ingredients for a delightful oceanside escape.

In the Merrimack Valley, New Hampshire's capital city, Concord, is home to a planetarium named for one of the state's most notable modern heroes, Christa McAuliffe, who died aboard the space shuttle Challenger. The Monadnock Region in New Hampshire's southwest corner is home to sleepy villages and country roads--just the kind of place you'd imagine as the birthplace of Uncle Sam. And indeed, the man who inspired the national symbol, Samuel Wilson, called this region home. The Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee region is home to the Ivy League college Dartmouth, and its border with Vermont along the Connecticut River provides recreational opportunities such as canoeing, fishing, and birding. There are also mountains to ski in Sunapee, though the peaks of the White Mountains region outshine them.

The White Mountains are New Hampshire's most popular four-season vacation area. The region offers skiing in winter, wildflowers in bloom come spring, amusement parks and llama treks in summer, and some of New England's most spectacular autumn foliage. The wondrous fall foliage can be viewed from aboard a sky ride, from a vintage train, or from one of America's most scenic byways, the Kancamagus Highway. The Great North Woods region near the Canadian border is home to pristine forests and is a haven for sportsmen and nature lovers. And Dad will be in his glory when you finally arrive at the Central Lakes region, the location selected for filming of the acclaimed movie On Golden Pond, and the site of 273 lakes and ponds, the largest of which is Lake Winnipesaukee.

Whatever image comes to mind when you dream of a perfect antidote to your hectic lifestyle, you're sure to find it in New Hampshire.