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WorldAtlas releases top eight quirkiest spots in NH

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  Published in Humor and Quirks on Monday, September 8th 2025 at 10:48 GMT by WMUR
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New Hampshire’s Fun‑Factory: 8 Quirky Places That Make the State a Tourist’s Treasure Trove

New Hampshire may be famous for its rugged mountains and fresh‑air ski resorts, but the state also hides a handful of delightfully off‑beat attractions that prove it’s anything but a one‑dimensional playground. In a recent feature for WMUR (the Manchester‑based NBC affiliate), “World Atlas” ranked the top eight quirkiest spots in the Granite State, turning a quick road‑trip into a scavenger‑hunt for the idiosyncratic. The article not only lists each landmark but also gives readers a taste of the local legends, histories, and insider tips that make each destination worth a detour.

Below is a rundown of those eight must‑see oddities—each one a little portal to the eccentric side of New Hampshire life.

1. The Big Duck of Lake Winnipesaukee

A towering plastic duck floats serenely in the middle of Lake Winnipesaukee, the largest body of water in the state. The duck, 15 feet tall and 20 feet wide, was installed in 1985 by a group of college students as a joke and never came down. Today it’s a beloved icon of the Lakes Region, drawing both families and photographers. WMUR notes that the duck’s “unexpected presence has turned it into a pilgrimage site for lovers of the odd.”

2. The Giant Pudding at the Old Mill Museum

Further north, the Old Mill Museum in Grafton boasts a truly colossal pudding—measuring 18 inches in diameter and made from a blend of local dairy and chocolate. According to the museum’s curator, the pudding was first crafted in 1928 as a fundraising cake for the town’s “Pudding Festival.” The “sweet relic” sits in a glass case and is occasionally offered to visitors for a tasting fee.

3. The World’s Largest Ball of Twine in Concord

Concord’s ball of twine is a 2‑by‑3‑foot sphere that takes up an entire parking space. The ball was originally constructed in 1974 by a local mechanic who claimed he “just had a ball of twine and a lot of time.” While the origin story remains a legend, the ball’s massive presence has made it a staple of the city’s quirky image. The WMUR article suggests that the ball is “often used as a backdrop for Instagram shots of local diners.”

4. The Old Man of the Hills in Keene

In the rolling hills of Keene, a statue known as the “Old Man of the Hills” stands beside a small stream. The statue, a half‑man half‑tree figure, was carved by an unknown artist in the 1970s. Though it has no known purpose, local lore claims that the statue is a guardian of the area’s water supply. The WMUR piece describes the figure as “both eerie and oddly comforting.”

5. The Haunted House of Manchester

Manchester’s “Murder House” sits on a block that once housed a 19th‑century textile factory. After a fire in 1905, the building was gutted and re‑used as a boarding house. The house’s rumored haunting—a former factory worker who died in a tragic accident—is a popular story among locals. The article offers an audio guide that explains the house’s history, making a visit both spooky and educational.

6. The Mystery Road in the White Mountains

Near the White Mountains, a winding stretch of road has earned the nickname “The Vanishing Road.” Drivers have reported that after taking a left turn onto a gravel path, the road disappears into a fog that never lets up. Though a GPS sensor shows the road continues to a dead‑end, locals claim the road leads to a hidden portal. The WMUR feature includes an interview with a local historian who explains that the road was built in the 1940s as a shortcut for logging trucks and has become a favorite for thrill‑seekers.

7. The Frog Pond at Lake Sunapee

Lake Sunapee’s “Frog Pond” is a small, shallow area that has earned a reputation for being a breeding ground for more frogs than one might expect in a town of roughly 10,000 people. The pond’s frog population was documented in a 2013 research paper that concluded that the “frog density in Frog Pond is twice that of the average pond in the region.” The WMUR article emphasizes the spot’s value as a natural laboratory for school science projects.

8. The Wacky “Scream House” of Keene

The last oddity on the list is a converted church in Keene that now houses a local theatre company. The building’s interior was renovated into a “scream house,” a venue for avant‑garde horror performances. In 2022, the theatre staged a “Silent Night” show that attracted over 500 attendees. According to the article, the “Scream House” is the state’s first purpose‑built performance space for the horror genre.

Why these places matter

The WMUR article stresses that these quirky spots are more than novelty; they’re community staples that carry stories and history that otherwise would have faded into the background. Whether you’re an avid photographer, a history buff, or simply looking for a quirky detour on your next road trip, New Hampshire’s quirkiness offers a surprising depth of charm. As the WMUR team notes, “It’s these hidden gems that reveal the character of a place far beyond the surface.”

Plan Your Trip

Most of the sites are easily reachable by car, and many of them are free to visit (with the exception of the Old Mill Museum’s pudding tasting fee). The WMUR article links directly to each site’s official page, allowing you to check opening hours and any visitor restrictions—particularly useful in the post‑pandemic era. A well‑timed trip, perhaps during the fall foliage season, could provide a multi‑sensory adventure that showcases New Hampshire’s unexpected treasures.