New Hampshire Adds Franco-American Heritage Tour

Visitors to New Hampshire can now celebrate the rich Franco-American culture of Manchester with a new self-guided itinerary listed on the website of the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development. The “Franco-American Heritage Tour” showcases the legacy of the French in Manchester through dining, history and culture.

Tina Dittrich, executive director of the Franco-American Centre, said, “Immigrants from Canada began arriving in the late 1800s to staff the bustling Amoskeag Mills, and they established neighborhoods throughout the city called ‘little Canadas’ to express the culture that they brought with them from across the border….and this culture can still be observed today.”

The tour features dining on traditional French fare at Chez Vachon, the Red Arrow Diner and Richard’s Bistro, as well as historical landmarks, including the Millyard Museum and Franco-American Centre. Guests can trace their roots at the American-Canadian Genealogical Society.

The tour can be found on www.visitnh.gov under Historical Itineraries in the Planning and Travel Tools section.

Guides Spotlight New Hampshire Foods, Gardens

The New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development (DTTD) and the state’s Department of Agriculture have teamed up to offer two new resource guides for making travel plans centered on farms, gardens and local foods.

The New Hampshire Garden Guide is the ultimate resource guide for all things bright and colorful – for green thumbs and those who just enjoy the beauty of a thriving garden. The new map/guide makes it convenient to find sources of plants and gardening supplies, educational opportunities, special events and stunning gardens to roam – all identified and categorized by region of the state. Gardens listed include Fuller Gardens in North Hampton, Kirkwood Gardens in Holderness, The Fells in Newbury and Victorian Park in Salem.

The Taste of New Hampshire Agriculture Map lists cheese farms, wineries, apple picking, sleigh rides, fairs, farmers’ markets, and crop and animal farms of all types.

The new guides are now downloadable as PDFs by region at http://agriculture.nh.gov/. There is a link to that website on the Travel & Tourism website at http://www.visitnh.gov/what-to-do/markets-and-fairs/agricultural-fairs.aspx.

The guides are also available at visitors centers and rest stops throughout the state, or by contacting the Division of Agricultural Development, 603-271-3788; or Division of Travel & Tourism, 603-271-2665, www.visitnh.gov.