The New Hampshire Dream Vacation Photo Contest

How would you like to go on the ultimate New Hampshire vacation? Better yet, what if you could go on someone else’s dime? And what if winning that $2,500 vacation was as easy as snapping a photo?It’s summer in the Granite State, and that means it’s time for the N.H. Division of Travel and Tourism Development (DTTD) to begin its second annual New Hampshire Dream Vacation photo contest. The program, running from May 24 – September 6, will feature an online photo contest with the winner receiving a custom-designed vacation worth $2,500. Five additional contestants can win $500 each if their photo wins the popular vote.

Additionally, you could win a $50 gas card, courtesy of Irving Oil, just for entering. A card will be awarded weekly to a randomly selected participant.

It’s easy to play, and we bet you’ll have a blast exploring the state as you try to capture just the right moment.

Step 1. Download the “I Love it Here” sign (click here to head to the DTTD site where you will find the sign).

Step 2. Take one or up to five photos from the suggestions on the photo contest locations list. Be sure to include the “I Love it Here” sign in each photo.

Step 3. Enter online. Upload the photos to www.NHDreamVacation.com to enter for a chance to win the dream vacation.

Step 4. Boost your ratings to win the popular vote at www.NHDreamVacation.com. Vote for your favorite images and tell friends and family to vote too. There will be five winners in the Popular Vote category (a $500 dream vacation goes to each winner).

Step 5. Judges vote. A panel of judges will select one grand prize winner at the end of the contest. The grand prie winner will recieve the $2,500 vacation of his or her choice. The winning photo will be judged on creativity, originality and aesthetics.

Suggestions for photo contest locations are listed below, but contestands can also choose their own favorite place. Pre-defined categories make it simple for images to be posted and sorted on the website.

Important note: Rules specify that all photos must be taken in New Hampshire with the contest sign, and must include an identifier in the photo (location sign or building).

Attractions & Outdoor Activities• At a family attraction

• At a garden or nature center

• At a drive-in movie theater

• Fishing NH waters

• Zip-lining

• Visiting a museum

• Teeing off on a NH golf course

• Enjoying a summer activity at a ski resort

• Horseback riding on NH trails

• Looking for moose in the North Country

• Enjoying water sports in a lake, river or ocean

Buildings & Structures• In front of the Capitol Building, Concord

• Inside the Keene gazebo

• At a historic covered bridge

• At Manchester-Boston Regional Airport

• At an art gallery

• At a summer live performance

• At a general store

• On the porch or deck of an inn, hotel or B&B

• Visiting a mill yard

• At the 1st in the Nation Ballot room, Dixville Notch

Events• At a NH sporting event

• At Motorcycle Week in Laconia, June 12-20

• With a sand sculpture at the Hampton Beach Sand Sculpting Competition, June 18-30

• With livestock at an agricultural fair

• At the lupine festival, June 4-20

• Attending a meeting or conference

• Getting married in NH

• At a concert with a group of friends

• At a family reunion

• At the League of NH Craftmen’s Fair in Sunapee, August 7-15

• At the North Country Moose Festival in Colebrook, August 27-29

• At a NH festival or fair

Natural Landmarks• With the Atlantic Ocean in the background

• Endicott Rock, Laconia

• In front of a waterfall or lake

• On the Northern Forest Canoe Trail

• With Mount Washington in the background

• On the Kancamagus Scenic Byway

• At the top of a NH mountain peak

• At the Flume Gorge

• On the sandbar at Lake Winnesquam

State Parks & Historic Sites• At a State Park

• In front of a State Park entry sign

• Daniel Webster Birthplace, Franklin

• Old Man of the Mountain Historic Site

• Mt. Washington State Park

• At the tower at John Wingate Weeks Historic Site

• Anchor at Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion Historic Site

• At a historic site or marker

Food & Shopping• At a winery or vineyard

• At a stop on the Official NH Wine & Cheese Trail or NH Brewery Map

• At an orchard or pick-your-own location

• Sitting at a diner counter

• Shopping at a farm stand or farmers’ market

• Shopping at an outlet mall or a NH Main Street

• At your favorite restaurant

• Licking your favorite flavor at an ice cream stand