New Hampshire offers a remarkable concentration of natural beauty and historical depth in a compact New England state. From the towering White Mountains and the iconic summit of Mount Washington to the serene shores of Lake Winnipesaukee and the pristine Atlantic coastline at Hampton Beach, visitors encounter dramatic landscapes at every turn. Portsmouth anchors the seacoast with its beautifully preserved colonial architecture and a thriving culinary scene, while the Lakes Region provides summer watersports and leisurely cruises. Fall foliage transforms the state into a mosaic of crimson and gold each October, drawing leaf-peepers from across the Northeast. The state's 'Live Free or Die' ethos permeates everything from its lack of sales and income taxes to its independent political culture.
New Hampshire has violent crime rates well below national averages and routinely ranks in the top 5 safest US states. Property crime is moderate in urban areas like Manchester and Nashua but low elsewhere. The most significant risks visitors face are outdoor hazards: hypothermia and sudden weather changes on Mount Washington (winds exceeding 100 mph occur year-round), moose-vehicle collisions on rural roads (moose can weigh 1,000+ lbs), and flooding of hiking trails after heavy rain. Standard urban precautions apply in larger cities.
Current safety advisory
Very Safe — One Of The Lowest Crime Rate States In The Usa
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
Keep copies of important documents (passport, insurance) in separate locations.
Stay aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas and tourist hotspots.
Use registered taxis or rideshare apps. Avoid unmarked vehicles offering rides.
Trust your instincts — if a situation feels wrong, remove yourself from it.
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
- Items
- Topic
- Tick-borne illness (Lyme disease)
- Risk
- High in forested areas April–November
- Advice
- Wear long pants and socks in wooded areas; use DEET repellent; check for ticks after outdoor activities; remove promptly with tweezers. Seek medical attention if a bull's-eye rash develops.
- Topic
- Hypothermia on Mount Washington
- Risk
- Year-round risk even in summer; average summit temperature in July is 45°F (7°C); wind chill can exceed -50°F in winter
- Advice
- Dress in layers; carry waterproof shell; check Mount Washington Observatory forecast at mountwashington.org before any summit attempt; never hike in shorts above treeline
- Topic
- Water quality
- Risk
- Giardia in backcountry streams
- Advice
- Never drink untreated backcountry water; use filter (Sawyer Squeeze, LifeStraw) or iodine tablets; municipal tap water is safe statewide
- Topic
- Sun and UV at elevation
- Risk
- Higher UV at White Mountain elevations
- Advice
- Apply SPF 30+ sunscreen even on overcast summit days; UV intensity increases 4% per 1,000 feet of elevation
- Topic
- Bear encounters
- Risk
- Black bears present in forested areas; not typically aggressive
- Advice
- Make noise while hiking; store food in bear canisters or hang from trees at campgrounds; never feed bears. If encountered: speak calmly, stand tall, back away slowly.
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
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