By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

The New Hampshire Liquor Commission launched its second year of a summer marketing drive that is offering visitors savings and prizes, with its "New Hampshire Liquor & Wine Outlets Summer Fun Tour," which sends out a branded vehicle and summer-fun teams to locations around the state. Prizes include a Harley-Davidson Sporster, a trip to Puerto rico and a VIP tour of the Bacardi Rum Factory (Bacardi is a program sponsor), and all-expense paid trip to Sonoma in California to tour the Coppola Winery, an ultimate golfers experience at the Deutsche Bank Classic at TPC Boston, and a package at the Omni Mount Washington Resort. Tour schedule and prizes are available at www.liquorandwineoutlets.com/summerfuntour. Consumers can enter contests online as well as at various tour stops throughout the state. The program runs through Sept. 8.

Nothing against Hampton Beach, N.H., a fine beach by many standards and one that the Granite State has spent millions on in refurbishments. But the best beach in New England?

That may be a stretch, even for a state that boasts only 18 miles of coastline, but that's how 1.5 million Weather Channel Facebook users voted in selecting the top beach for the region. The top vote-getter for the Northeast region was Ocean City, Md.

This is the first time in the four years of producing this content that a New Hampshire beach made the list of favorite beaches. New Hampshire has a small, but lively, beach scene. Hampton Beach is the most popular beach destination in the state.

Sure, but up against heavy-hitters like Horseneck, Crane, and Newport beaches, is it really the best in New England? What do you think?

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

Laconia Harley-Davidson and New Hampshire Motor Speedway are going for two goals on June 15: Raise more than $76,036 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of New Hampshire, and set a new Guinness world record. They’re inviting the public to play a key role in both.

Laconia Motorcycle Week attendees can help by buying tickets for a community appreciation parade at the speedway June 15. Participants will have the unique opportunity to ride around the track on their bikes, continue on a police-escorted, scenic 32-mile ride around the Lakes Region and set a new Guinness record for “most money raised for a charity in 24 hours by a motorcycle parade,” the current record for which is $76,036.

There is no better way to commemorate the 90^th Anniversary of Laconia Motorcycle Week than attempting a philanthropic act of historic proportion,” said Anne Deli, owner of Laconia Harley-Davidson. “Motorcycle riders from across the globe and those here in New Hampshire can take part in a once-in-a-lifetime riding opportunity, but more importantly, make a difference by supporting this remarkable organization.” Riders can pre-register online at www.newhampshire.speedwaycharities.org, in-person at the Laconia Harley-Davidson dealership at 239 Daniel Webster Highway in Meredith, or sign up the day of the event on June 15^th at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. 

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

Home cooks take note: The 5th Annual Inn to Inn Spring Herb Tour runs June 8-9, when 11 White Mountain inns in New Hampshire present an in-depth look at a popular culinary herb. Tour-takers will take home herb trivia, historical facts and ideas for growing your own, getting seedlings from each inn. In the past, people have grazed from inn to inn sampling tomato basil soup, carrot chervil dip, sage biscuits, tarragon egg salad and rosemary chocolate cookies. This year’s offerings feature a new menu of herb-inspired tastings, organizers said.

Six northern inns (Jackson to North Conway) take part June 8 and five southern ones (Conway to Chocura) on June 9. Northern inns, and the herbs they’ll highlight are: Inn at Ellis River, mint; Glen Oaks Inn, lemongrass; 1785 Inn, parsley; Eastman Inn, thyme; Old Red Inn & Cottages, anise; and Admiral Peary House, sage. Southern inns are: Darby Field Inn, basil; Snowvillage, lavender; Inn at Crystal Lake, rosemary; Riverbend Inn, chives; and Brass Heart Inn, oregano. The spring herb tour is held primarily for those booking a two-night package at one of the inns, but those not staying can get tickets from May 11-25 for $25 per person by calling 603-356-9025. Lodging packages start at $178 per couple, which includes two nights, herb-themed breakfasts each morning and two tour tickets. Prices vary from inn to inn and depend on room choice; some packages include special five-course, herb-themed dinners. One-night packages start at $99 per couple for the room, breakfast for two and a pair of tour tickets.

For information on all, visit www.CountryInnsintheWhiteMountains.com or call 603-356-9025.

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

If you’re the charitable sort and like motorcycles, this may pique your interest: Laconia Harley-Davidson commemorates the 90^th anniversary of Laconia Motorcycle Week in New Hampshire by trying to raise $30,000 for the Boys & Girls Club of the Lakes Region, donating a one-of-a-kind, customized 2013 Harley-Davidson Street Glide motorcycle, to be raffled off. Tickets are $10 each, with 3,000 available at www.laconiaharley.com. Over the past four years, Laconia Harley-Davidson has raised $125,000 for N.H. nonprofits.

The bike will have customized artwork by pinstripe artist, and resident of Candia, N.H., Russ Mowry, a guy well known in the bike biz, earning a lifetime achievement award by Willie G. Davidson, son of former Harley-Davidson president William H. Davidson.

Mowry said he will use a 1,000-year-old technique of hand-spun gold leaf for the “Laconia Motorcycle Week 90 Years Strong” design on the front of the Street Glide. The iconic Boys & Girls Club logo will be hand-painted on one side saddle and the Laconia Harley-Davidson logo will adorn the other. Second- and third-place winners will receive a $500 and $100 gift card respectively, good at Laconia Harley-Davidson or White Mountain Harley-Davidson. Tickets will also be sold throughout Laconia Motorcycle Week from June 8-16.

More than 100 maple sugar producers are opening their doors this weekend throughout the New England, as both Vermont and New Hampshire host open houses, giving visitors the chance to enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the process of making maple syrup.

Open houses will be held in both states March 23-24, featuring free samples of the goods, and in some cases, horse-drawn rides, snowshoeing, and pancake breakfasts. Here’s a complete list of participants and activities in Vermont, as well as a list of who’s who in New Hampshire.

If you can’t make it this weekend and are still interested in the process, here’s what you need to know.

While Boston is in the midst of its own restaurant week, this week and next, they’re gearing up in Portsmouth, N.H., for the Portsmouth & The Seacoast Spring Restaurant Week, taking place April 4-13 with more than 45 area restaurants participating on the seacoast of New Hampshire, including many featuring gluten-free and vegetarian menus.

Visitors can choose from one of two options: A three-course prix-fixe lunch for only $16.95, or a three-course dinner for $29.95. Some of the participating restaurants include Black Trumpet Bistro, The Common Man, Grill 28, and The Portsmouth Brewery.

Visit www.portsmouthchamber.org/restaurantweek.cfm for menus, as well as lodging specials should you choose to make a weekend out of it.

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

Bretton Woods, New Hampshire’s largest ski area and four-season recreational facility, was named a Certified Grand Adventure, joining 15 other Grand Adventures of northern N.H., based on guidelines of New Hampshire Grand, the official visitor information source for the state’s northern environs. The destination is known mainly for its skiing, and was named among the top five in the east by SKI Magazine in 2012. The resort has also added a snowmobile park for kids ages four to 13. For more information on the resort, and all Grand Adventure options, check out www.nhgrand.com
 

By Necee Regis, Globe Correspondent

Celebrate love all winter long with the Valentine Special package at the Farm by the River B & B and Stables (through March 20). Stay in an 18th-century farmhouse on 40 acres with panoramic views of the White Mountains. The two-night package includes a 45-minute private Victorian horse-drawn sleigh ride, box of chocolates, bottle of champagne or sparkling cider, fireside breakfast, afternoon refreshments, and complimentary snowshoeing. Located in the heart of the Mount Washington Valley, two miles from downtown North Conway. From $375. Weekends in February, holidays, and holiday weeks add $20.  888-414-8353, farmbytheriver.com

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

The Rocks Estate, best known for its Christmas tree farm, and spring maple tours, has been added to New Hampshire Grand as a certified grand adventure. The 1,400-acre estate in Bethlehem is also the North Country Conservation & Education Center for the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. The property is open to visitors year round for structured and self-guided tours and programs. Originally the summer home of the affluent Glessner family, The Rocks Estate includes several buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A maintained trails system is for visitors year-round, leading them on short, easy strolls or longer hikes, past scenic views of the Presidential Range and preserved wildlife habitat.

During the winter, The Rocks offers dog sled rides in partnership with Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel in Jefferson, another certified New Hampshire Grand adventure. Coming up this spring is its popular maple experience, taking guests on tours to learn the history of maple sugaring, helping to tap a tree, take a horse-drawn wagon ride through the property and then get a taste of syrup made onsite. During summer and fall, visitors can check out the New Hampshire Maple Experience museum, which contains exhibits of maple-sugaring tools and artifacts from the collection of Charlie Stewart, who sugared for decades in nearby Sugar Hill.

For information on the Rocks, visit www.therocks.org. For information on the nonprofit New Hampshire Grand, official visitor information source for the Great North Woods and the Northern White Mountains, visit www.nhgrand.org

By Kari Bodnarchuk, Globe Correspondent

Explore Waterville Valley by moonlight or headlamp during twilight dogsled rides through March. Valley Snow Dogz runs excursions Friday and Saturday nights, led by owner and -year mushing veteran Lidia Dale-Mesaros. Choose the 20-minute Valley Taster, when you will get to experience mushing on an open golf course near Town Square, or the new 40-minute Mountain Taster, which heads for a campground and then finishes after a good downhill stretch. On both trips, you get to meet the guides, ask questions, and get your photo taken with the dogs. Rates: $35 Valley Taster, $65 Mountain Taster. Participants must be 7 and older.  603-236-8175, www.valleysnowdogz.com

Check out the latest outdoor gear and put it to the test for free at the Joe Dodge Lodge in Pinkham Notch, at the base of New Hampshire’s Mount Washington. The lodge, run by the Appalachian Mountain Club, just opened an outdoor gear demo center for lodge guests, enabling them to try out Lowa boots, Leki hiking poles, Osprey backpacks, and Hillsound traction devices, which fit over boots and help keep you upright on slick trails. Equipment is available in all adult sizes, and in children’s sizes for boots and poles. Find something you like and you can get a discount to purchase the same or similar items at the AMC’s Pinkham Notch visitors center. Demo gear is available on a first-come, first-served basis. 603-466-2727, www.outdoors.org/pinkham

Forty-nine restaurants are participating in this year’s Restaurant Week in Portsmouth, NH, offering special menus and deals. Three-course lunches will be $16.95, and three-course dinners will be $29.95. Some of the restaurants participating into The Common Man, The Green Monkey, The Portsmouth Brewery, and Wentworth by the Sea.

Want to make a weekend of it and eat your way through Portsmouth? Some area hotels are offering discount packages for the event. Check here for rates and availability.

Portsmouth’s Restaurant Week runs through Nov. 17.

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

As if saving money on taxes isn't enough reason to go: The New Hampshire Liquor Commission is launching its "In the Mix Kitchen Series" through April at the N.H. Liquor and Wine Outlets superstore at 25 Coliseum Ave. in Nashua, starting Nov. 3. Restaurant, wine and spirits experts from across the state will host the events, held every Saturday from noon to 2 p.m., giving out, free of charge, specialty dishes paired by wine and spirits. Chefs will also give tips on cooking, and mixologists will guide participants on how to pick the right wine for specific foods.

"The goal of is to inspire consumers to explore a variety of new and creative options for mixing, food, wine and spirits," said New Hampshire Liquor Commission Chairman Joseph W. Mollica.  "Enlisting the help of New Hampshire's finest chefs and wine and spirit experts through a fun and informative program is a fantastic way to engage consumers, introduce them to new products and support sales."

The inaugural event Saturday will feature food from Napa East Wine Lounge and Shop, with wines from Martignetti Companies of New Hampshire. Participants also get discounts and coupons from the liquor commission and participating restaurants. For info, visit www.liquorandwineoutlets.com/events

Hit the trails and pop a wheelie at the Highland Mountain Bike Park in Northfield, N.H., where a ski lift takes you and your bike from the base lodge to the mountaintop. Trails for intermediate, advanced, and expert riders keep adventure levels high for a variety of skill levels. Ride over natural and manmade paths dotted with ramps and drops sure to send you skyward. A new 9,100-square-foot indoor training center includes a massive foam pit with a trick lip and drop, resi ramp and resi drop, and other features where you can practice before heading out to tackle the mountain ($14). Open Fridays and Saturdays through Nov. 17, day pass $38, ages 10 and under $15.75 Ski Hill Drive, 603-286-7677, www.highlandmountain.com. - NECEE REGIS

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

You're on the road in New England, looking for a place to stay. There's an app for that, with the free New England Inns & Resorts mobile app, that allows users to check out the group's 200-plus properties it represents. Guests can search by town and state, use the map feature to find properties close to them, access exclusive deals and book or call to make reservations. Searches can be done by interactive map or list view, and can be shared through email or Facebook. The app also allows direct connection to the New England Inns & Resorts Association's Twitter page, and gets exclusive promotions to your iPhone or iPad through push notifications. Check it all out at www.newenglandinnsandresorts.com

If your vehicle totes one of the most ubiquitous bumper stickers in all of New England, you're in line for a free trip to the highest point in the region.

In celebration of its 151st birthday, the Mount Washington Auto Road is offering all visitors who feature the "This Car Climbed Mount Washington" bumper sticker free passage to the summit on Aug. 8, the same date the attraction opened in 1861. While stage drivers were the primary way to travel road back then, significant improvements over the past century have made the road one of the premier attractions in the entire Northeast.

"We are tremendously aware of the history that has taken place here and are very proud to be celebrating 151 years of continuous operation, including being run by the same family for more than a century," Howie Wemyss, general manager of the Auto Road said. "A drive up the Auto Road is the closest you can get to time travel."

At the summit, an informal celebration, including a cake commemorating the road's 151st birthday will be held during the day and free cake will be served, first come, first served.

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

Two inns in Bradford, N.H., are teaming up to offer a "Hiking N.H." deal this summer. The package from the Rosewood Country Inn and Candelite Inn, offers four nights lodging (two nights in each inn), two dinners (one at each), four breakfasts, two backpack lunches, a gourmet picnic, a Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge-Greenway trailguide, admission to the Fells Historic Estate in Gardens in Newbury, and a yoga session, for $409 per person, not including tax and tips.

The package runs four times: June 10-14, July 8-12, Aug. 19-23 and Sept. 16-20. To reserve, call the Candlelite Inn at 603-938-5571 or email candleite@mcttelecom.com

National Park Service will offer free admission to all its facilities and programs from Saturday April 21 to Sunday April 29 in celebration of National Parks Week. There are more than two dozen facilities in New England, with the bulk of them being in Massachusetts. If you happen to be traveling that week, the NPS maps out locations by state on its website.

Photo of Adams Mansion in Quincy by Mary Schiess

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

A team of sled dogs and mushers from Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel of Jefferson, N.H., will attempt a history-making ascent on Mount Washington, which at 6,288 feet is the highest peak in the Northeast, March 7, 8 or 9, depending on weather conditions. The run will not just be to make history -- it will be the first-ever sled-dog attempt in winter -- but to raise awareness and funds to support the more than 100 dogs the kennel has rescued and cared for over the past eight years, said kennel owners Karen Tolin and Neil Beaulieu.

The partners created the non-profit New Hampshire Sled Dog Rescue, History and Education Center earlier this year to support their cause: Taking in rescue dogs to run sled tours year round near the Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods (they use wheeled sleds when the snow goes away) and give the pooches a place to live while trying to find them new owners. Many of the dogs love tromping through the woods pulling a sled, Tolin said, but none are forced to do it. Those preferring a more sedentary lifestyle are found homes via a very selective adoption process, she said.

The kennel was created in 2004, and while technically a for-profit business, it never makes any, Tolin said. The kennel business creates no salary for the owners, neither of whom have ever drawn a salary and both of whom work in education to support themselves and their labor of puppy love. Whatever money is generated from the tours goes right back to the dogs.

"Dog sledding is an unsustainable model as a sole source of supporting the dogs," Tolin said. "They eat five tons of food every two months."

They came up with the sled jaunt to the top of Mount Washington to build awareness of the nonprofit and raise money for the dogs. In addition to one team making a full-out assault on the summit via the Auto Road, seats on two others "guest sleds," which will run only to just above tree line, will be auctioned off on eBay. That site is http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120860877148

Sponsorships are also being sought, Tolin said. Go to http://www.dogslednh.com/ or call 603-545-4533 for more information.

According to the recently-released Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, New Hampshire was among the happiest states in America last year, the only New England state to land in the top 10. Hawaii finished first in the survey with a score of 70.2.

The Granite State was ninth overall with its score of 68.2, just ahead of Vermont (67.7) and Massachusetts (67.4), which were also included among the higher-range states. With a score of 67.2, Connecticut finished mid-range for well-being, as did Maine (66.7), but Rhode Island's 65.6 score landed the Ocean State in the lower range of the survey, and just out of the bottom 10 states, where Nevada landed at No. 10 with a score of 65.0. West Virginia's 62.3 placed it dead-last.

Overall, the score for the nation was 66.2 in 2011, down from 66.8 in 2010. It was the lowest score Gallup and Healthways have recorded since tracking began in 2008. Results are based on telephone interviews conducted as part of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index survey with a random sample of 353,492 adults.

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

New Hampshire's tourism site, www.visitnh.gov, just had a makeover to add features for users of smart phones, said Tai Freligh, communications manager for tourism. He said modern travelers rely more on mobile technology and the Internet to book travel plans and that the makeover puts the tourism website "in better alignment" with the capabilities of today's communication devices.

The new stuff includes a much more interactive experience, he said, with touch-screen capabilities and larger, user-friendly buttons. Key features of the mobile website include the ability to search for lodging, dining and attractions; events listings; local resources, maps and directions; international traveler info; and seasonal NH wallpapers.

Tourism folks want your feedback, Freligh said. Check out the state's tourism site on your smart phone and let them know what you think on the site's new "Contact Us" page.

Southwest will no longer offer any nonstop service from New England to Philadephia when it ends its five daily nonstops from Boston on Feb. 11.

The carrier announced in July that it would halt its four nonstops to Philadelphia from both T.F. Green in Warwick, R.I., and Boston Manchester Airport in New Hampshire in January. A month later, Southwest noted on its flight schedules that it also would halt its Boston service in February.

Southwest spokeswoman Ashley Dillon said that the carrier made the decision because it decided that business was not robust enough to merit keeping the flights.

Southwest is in the process of reviewing its operations after acquiring AirTran last year. But Dillon said that this latest move had nothing to do with that but was part of a continuing review process that the carrier has embraced. In the past couple of years in reaction to higher fuel prices and the soft economy, Dillon said, the airline has taken to keeping tighter reins on flight schedules. In past years it revised service quarterly but now it makes changes as often as every month or two, adding and subtracting flights according to projected demand.

Southwest, which began service out of Logan in 2009, added the flights to Philadelphia in 2010. Going forward, it will offer nonstop service to six destinations -- Baltimore, Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Denver, and Phoenix -- with connecting flights to a number of other cities.

By Patricia Harris & David Lyon, Globe Correspondents

You know the old saying, “If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” The Bedford Village Inn's executive chef Benjamin Knack (formerly of Beacon Hill Bistro and a finalist on “Hell's Kitchen”) is doing just that for the evenings of Jan. 24-28, as he runs the “Chillin' and Grillin'” area on the inn's patio, just a few feet from what promises to be the world's largest ice bar. The festivities are part of New Hampshire Wine Week.

Last year the inn set up an ice bar that weighed in at 10,000 pounds. This year the Stoli Ice Bar will pump up the volume to 50,000 pounds. In fact, the inn's courtyard will be filled with three ice bars, a martini luge, free-standing ice carvings, and lights and music.

Guest DJs provide tunes on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, and the Josh Logan Band plays live Thursday through Saturday nights. Festivities at the inn, just off Route 101 outside Manchester, are scheduled for 5:30-10 each night. Part of the $3 admission will benefit local charities.

For more information, see the inn's web site at www.bedfordvillageinn.com.

Photo courtesy of Bedford Village Inn

National Park Service says that all 397 national parks will offer free admission from Saturday, Jan. 14- Monday, Jan. 16 to mark Martin Luther King Day. In New England there are more than two dozen parks, with the bulk of them being in Massachusetts (15). On its website, the NPS maps out locations by state.

For those interested in King himself, BudgetTravel offers these suggestions:

Those wishing to learn more about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., can pay a visit to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta, Georgia, where both the home he was born in and his tomb with the Eternal Flame are on display. Follow in his footsteps along the National Historic Trail from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, now a designated historic byway. If you happen to be on the east coast, visit the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. and sit on the steps from which Dr. King delivered his famous "I Have A Dream" speech, or visit the newly opened Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in the National Mall. Events commemorating Dr. King's life will also take place at Fort Donelson National Battlefield in Tennessee, while the MLK Film Festival will be held at the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Washington D.C. from January 14-16.