Things to Do in New Hampshire

Chunky's Cinema Pub has been mixing the polished glimmer of modern technology with the gauzy glow of yesteryear for almost two decades. Eight screens mingle first-run blockbusters with themed throwback classics catering to children of the ’50s or ’80s. There, in the glow of the previews, is another testament to the melding of time—a contemporary dinner-and-a-movie setup brings with it the nostalgia of old-school drive-ins. Instead of traditional cinema chairs, individual cushy Lincoln Continental surround communal dinner tables, and the seats roll and recline to let guests maximize their comfort and customize their sightlines as they catch the onscreen action and pretend to be backseat drivers. At their tables, American pub snacks and entrées from the extensive menu spread out, combining movies with burgers, quesadillas, and steak tips.

While the theater blends old with new, Chunky's Bio Truck zooms into the future with a gas tank full of the 100% trans-fat-free canola oil used for cooking in the kitchen. The bio-fuel reduces the truck's greenhouse emissions and helps to decrease its carbon footprint, spreading an eco-conscious message to the community.

With five distinct courses etched into the New England countryside, Sterling Golf Management promotes pin-hunting recreation for Boston-area golfers of all abilities. The longest and most difficult of the four, The Shattuck Golf Club's 18-hole course kicks off with a 409-yard par 4 where players hack their way toward a green that is visually wreathed by the rising red rocks of Mount Monadnock, setting the tone for a scenic, 6,764-yard round. Groves of trees ensconce the fairways and barter over carbon dioxide at Norwood Country Club's recently renovated course, a relatively flat layout characterized by smallish greens and flanked by a lighted driving range. Designed in 1921 in the Donald Ross tradition is Maynard Golf Course, a picturesque par 70, 9-hole course with a full-service clubhouse. The same sylvan makeup returns at Newton Commonwealth's course, where lush tree lines cast shadows over a creek as it snakes across the fairways of seven holes. Rounding out the grassy quartet, Chelmsford's nine-hole course takes golfers careening across 2,467 yards of narrow fairways, placing straight drives or skilled golf ball pilots at a premium.

Self Awakening Yoga Studio owner Barbara Sterling describes its mission as guiding students toward a sense of balance that helps them be present in their own lives. Glossy, eco-friendly bamboo floor spans 1,900 square feet of airy studio space, whose white walls are painted with large-scale lotuses and Eastern designs. The studio fosters a community atmosphere with complimentary coffee and tea and by lending books, magazines, DVDs, and CDs to students for use at home.

The studio’s instructors have a variety of reasons for coming to the practice of yoga, whether it was recommended by a doctor after an injury, the solution to physical stress from marathon running or rugby, or the life-changing vocation of a close friend. Consequently, they teach classes and workshops that address a variety of needs through a spectrum of yoga styles, including hot yoga, Vinyasa flow, and Iyengar. Memberships and private lessons are also available to let students adjust the frequency and individual attention of their own curricula.

Dedicated to upholding company founder Captain Arnold Whittaker’s passion for seafaring, Isles of Shoals Steamship Company owners Robin and Bob Whittaker introduce guests to the rich history and scenic beauty of New England’s harbors, estuaries, and islands on a variety of daily cruises. The heart of their operation is the Coast Guard–inspected and certified M/V Thomas Laighton_, a replica Victorian steamship replete with a brass staircase and open-air sundeck. During tours, a licensed captain and seasoned crew steer the ship to destinations such as the Isles of Shoals, a scenic area located a few miles from the U.S. coast and 3,577 miles from the Portuguese coast, which affords passengers a chance to glimpse historic forts and lighthouses. Additionally, fall-foliage tours along the Piscataqua, Cocheeco, and Salmon Falls Rivers, Dover Point, and Great Bay offer waterside views of color-changing flora. Along with public cruises, Isles of Shoals Steamship Company also rents out its majestic vessel for private events and hosts field trips that introduce passengers to local marine life.

Since 1965, the family-run Ski Haus has kept customers coming back by adhering to the family motto: “Make sure we keep a fun environment and give everybody a fair deal. They get a ton of stuff for their money and we stay in business for a long time." Patrons can still expect the same low prices and see the same friendly staffers’ faces year after year while shopping for winter gear.

Racks stocked with apparel by brands such as The North Face and Marmot, skis and snowboards by brands such as Atomic and K2, and a team of skilled technicians have earned Ski Haus accolades from Ski magazine, SnowSports Industries America, and New England Winter Sports Representatives, Inc. During tune-ups, technicians polish skis, stone-grind ski edges, apply hot wax, and repair bases damaged by treacherous slopes and sharp snowman noses.

At locations throughout the northeast, ScrubaDub Auto Wash Centers' computerized wash tunnels and detailing pros spiff up cars with advanced technology and minimal environmental impact. The robotic wash systems and photoelectric sensors not only clean finishes with a gentle, soft-cloth technique, but they can target white walls, wheels, and chrome with site-specific formulas. The eco-savvy automated systems also consume less water than home washing and recycle the water used to clean the wheels and undercarriage. Biodegradable SuperGlo soap keeps the run-off free of harmful compounds before it is funneled down the proper treatment channels, where it can't pollute neighborhood storm drains or be used to test the resiliency of carnival goldfish.

The centers' innovative equipment and Earth-friendly practices have earned them the title of Best Car Wash from CityVoter for three years running. Some locations also boast separate interior cleaning bays to address filthy dashboards and seats.