Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Clarendon War Memorial.
Clarendon War Memorial
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Order a flight of infused ya dong shots.
Tep Bar
Thai-Chinese makes up Bangkok’s largest diaspora.
Nai Ek Roll Noodle
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Chefs Aruss Lerlerstkull and Atcharaporn Kiatthanawat lean into regional traditions.
Charmgang
The khao soi at Gedhawa comes with a rich, coconutty broth.
Gedhawa
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
6 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
7 days ago
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
8 days ago
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?
9 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States New Hampshire Colebrook Dixville Notch
AO Edited

Dixville Notch

A mere dot on the map in the great north woods is the first place in America to vote in Presidential elections.

Colebrook, New Hampshire

Added By
bakedinthehole
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
The actual Dixville Notch   bakedinthehole / Atlas Obscura User
The actual Dixville Notch   bakedinthehole / Atlas Obscura User
Dixville’s historical marker overlooking the Balsams Hotel   bakedinthehole / Atlas Obscura User
“First in the Nation”, and here’s the marker to prove it   bakedinthehole / Atlas Obscura User
The Balsams Hotel (closed to the public) where the Midnight Voting happens!   bakedinthehole / Atlas Obscura User
  bakedinthehole / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

In 2010, the United States Census reported the population of Dixville Notch, an unincorporated community less than 50 miles south from the Canadian border, as just 12 people. Yet these 12 people make up one of the most trivial phenomenons in the United States: They're the first citizens to vote in the U.S. Presidential Election.

How? Well, the answer is simple. The residents of the town merely meet together in the ballroom of the grand Balsams Hotel (also in Dixville) on the eve of the election. Once the clock strikes midnight they cast their ballots, which are quickly certified by an election official. The process usually takes about a minute in total, making Dixville the first town in the country to report its results.

This distinction did not come easily. Northern New Hampshire is practically built of towns with minuscule populations who try the same stunt. In fact, Dixville's claim to fame used to belong to the nearby township of Hart's Location. Waterville Valley, Millsfield, and Ellsworth also vie for the title of first ballot, but any true Granite Stater knows Dixville is the one true first in the nation—in fact, a state historical marker practically confirms it as so!

Oftentimes, media outlets cover this event feverishly and are quick to report that the candidate who wins Dixville will be the candidate who wins the country's highest office. While this seems silly, in many cases it is correct! Since 1968, the citizens of Dixville have never backed the wrong horse. Is it possible that Dixville residents have some sort of magical powers of perception? An intuition brought about by their life high above the mountains and deep within the forests? Probably not. But why not dream?

Related Tags

Elections Politics Government

Know Before You Go

Unfortunately, the Balsams Hotel is closed to the public. Nonetheless, Dixville is filled with fun hiking trails, snowmobiling trails, and fishing spots. Enjoy this slice of heaven!

Community Contributors

Added By

bakedinthehole

Published

August 2, 2021

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Dixville Notch
Colebrook, New Hampshire, 03576
United States
44.870881, -71.305914

Nearby Places

Colebrook Murder Victims Memorial

Colebrook, New Hampshire

miles away

Republic of Indian Stream

Pittsburg, New Hampshire

miles away

Nansen Ski Jump

Milan, New Hampshire

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Colebrook

Colebrook

New Hampshire

Places 2

Nearby Places

Colebrook Murder Victims Memorial

Colebrook, New Hampshire

miles away

Republic of Indian Stream

Pittsburg, New Hampshire

miles away

Nansen Ski Jump

Milan, New Hampshire

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Colebrook

Colebrook

New Hampshire

Places 2

Related Places

  • Eskişehir, Turkey

    Uğur Mumcu Park

    This harrowing memorial remembers a murdered investigative journalist.

  • Harrislee, Germany

    'Das Wahlversprechen' ('The Election Promise')

    These hilariously laughing bronze figures lampoon empty promises while encouraging civic engagement.

  • Rutherford B. Hayes exhibit

    Villa Hayes, Paraguay

    Museo Municipal de Villa Hayes

    How did 19th U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes become so beloved in Paraguay?

  • Pastor Sir Douglas & Lady Gladys Nicholls Memorial

    Melbourne, Australia

    Pastor Sir Douglas & Lady Gladys Nicholls Memorial

    This 2008 memorial commemorates two leading Aboriginal Australian rights activists.

  • Plaque marking the spot where Goebel was shot

    Frankfort, Kentucky

    Site of William Goebel's Assassination

    The 34th governor of Kentucky was sworn into office while on his deathbed after being shot outside the State House.

  • Presidential Palace

    Bissau, Guinea-Bissau

    Presidential Palace

    Built by Portuguese colonizers, the palace is now the seat of power for the independent nation.

  • First Amendment Museum.

    Augusta, Maine

    The First Amendment Museum

    Located in the historic home of a newspaper publisher, this museum is dedicated to the Freedom of Speech.

  • Tokyo, Japan

    Tokyo Metropolitan Building Staff Cafeteria

    The tallest city hall in the world offers an excellent bento box.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.