New Hampshire Road Map

Jan. 6, 2008— -- For any candidate who is serious about winning the presidential nomination, there are certain stops along the road they just can't miss.

Concord Statehouse

One by one, all the candidates trek into the New Hampshire statehouse in Concord to fill out the paperwork and officially throw their hat in the ring.

The real work for candidates often involves a heaping plate of homefries or french toast at one of New Hampshire's famous eateries.

Nashua, Portsmouth and Manchester Diners

From Nashua to Portsmouth to Manchester, the campaigns know exactly what diners and restaurants will let them in, and where they can draw a really good crowd.

One such example is the Red Arrow Diner that Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., stopped at earlier this fall. "I think candidates enjoy coming to diners, because you get an array of customers, almost one-stop shopping for the candidates," said Carol Sheehan, owner of the Red Arrow for the past 20 years.

Another Manchester favorite is the legendary Merrimack Diner. Gary Hart put his headquarters upstairs back in 1984. The sisters who own the place say they don't have a favorite candidate, but they have a favorite anchor — "Charlie Gibson was here Friday."

Hooksett General Store

About 10 miles up the road, just over by the old train tracks to Boston, is Robie's Country Store in the small town of Hooksett.

Dorothy Robie ran the general store with her husband for 35 years. The Robies landed on the political road map when a relatively unknown Georgia governor paid a visit in 1976. Dorothy's husband, Lloyd, was hard of hearing, and he made a comment that got a lot of attention in the press.

"Jimmy Carter looked at him and said, 'how do you do, Mr. Robie. I'm Jimmy Carter, and I'm running for president.' And my husband didn't get the last name and he said 'Jimmy Who?' So, that sort of followed Jimmy," Dorothy recalled.

Ever since then, Robie's Country Store has been a regular stop for candidates looking to put their name on the political map, i.e., the wall of Robie's store that's covered with political posters and pictures.

"The candidates understand these little places, the word-of-mouth that goes from a little store like this," said Gary Nylen of Bow, N.H.

Dixville Notch Ballot Box

If you're really a dedicated candidate, you make the time to trek all the way up north to Dixville Notch, N.H.

For nearly 50 years there, the village's residents have cast the first vote in every presidential primary and election. The town's 25 to 30 voters gather at the ballroom of the Balsams Hotel to cast their ballots. The polls close one minute later.