11 Small Towns In New Hampshire For A Weekend Getaway
New Hampshire’s small towns offer a range of weekend destinations tied closely to their landscapes and local institutions. Formed over centuries of settlement, these communities sit in settings that include the White Mountains and established village centers shaped by agriculture, education, and trade. In towns such as Sugar Hill, local routines often center on maple production, while places like Peterborough have developed around libraries, theaters, and long-standing arts organizations. Across the state, these towns reflect distinct regional identities that lend themselves to short, self-contained visits.
Hanover
Set along the banks of the Connecticut River, Hanover is an intellectually energizing destination with an inviting small-town ambiance fit for the weekend. Home to Dartmouth College, one can walk its green spaces, galleries, and lecture halls that bring cultural vitality accessible even to first-time visitors. Within the Baker-Berry Library, the monumental Orozco murals are among the public artworks on display, offering a striking artistic counterpoint to the campus’s Georgian architecture. A short drive away, Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park preserves a famous sculptor’s home, gardens, and studios, allowing visitors to encounter American art history in a serene setting. Lodging options such as the Six South St Hotel provide convenient accommodations near the town center.
Sugar Hill
Sugar Hill delivers some of the best scenery in New Hampshire, complete with a laid-back atmosphere and lovely activities and locations to savor. The most awaited celebration to enjoy is the Lupine Festival (Willing Workers of Sugar Hill), when blooming lupines blanket the hillsides in June and draw photographers from across New England. Breakfast here is practically legendary thanks to Polly’s Pancake Parlor, famous for scratch-made pancakes and house-blended maple syrups served with mountain views. Likewise, Harman’s Cheese & Country Store continues its long tradition of crafting aged cheddar and offering regional specialties that reflect the town’s agricultural roots.
For those eager to explore farther afield, Franconia Notch State Park provides easy access to waterfalls, hiking trails, and dramatic mountain scenery. Finally, you can rest easy in the evenings at idyllic accommodation spots such as The Sunset Hill House.
Exeter
Exeter maintains a visible connection to its Revolutionary-era history while supporting an active present-day community. As New Hampshire’s former Revolutionary War capital, the town documents this role at the American Independence Museum, which holds an original Declaration of Independence broadside tied to Exeter’s Revolutionary involvement.
The nearby Gilman Garrison House, dating to 1709, provides a rare example of early colonial defensive design. The First Congregational Church of Exeter rises prominently above downtown and remains one of the town’s most recognizable historic structures. Each May, the Alewife Festival marks the seasonal return of fish to local waterways, while lodging at places such as The Exeter Inn keeps visitors close to the town’s historic core.
Peterborough
Peterborough is closely associated with the arts and a slower civic pace within the Monadnock Region. The MacDowell Artist Residency anchors this reputation by supporting writers, composers, and visual artists and hosting public programs tied to its work. At the center of town, the Peterborough Town Library, the nation’s first free tax-supported public library, continues to serve as a daily gathering place. Evenings in summer often center on productions at the Peterborough Players, a professional theater located in a restored barn just outside downtown. For time outdoors, Miller State Park on Pack Monadnock provides short trails and wide views across southern New Hampshire. Overnight stays are available at nearby properties such as the Riverhouse or Cranberry Meadow Farm.
Meredith
Sitting along the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, travelers will be impressed by the lakeside leisure and whimsical amenities to find in Meredith. The Mill Falls Marketplace is a gravitating destination where boardwalks, boutiques, and waterfront restaurants create a lively gathering place from spring to winter. On the water, Lake Winnipesaukee itself invites boating, swimming, and daytime cruises that define summer in the Lakes Region. Curious folks will want to tour the M/S Mount Washington, which continues to operate scenic and themed cruises offering unmatched views from the lake’s largest vessel.
Just outside town, Moulton Farm draws steady crowds with fresh produce, baked goods, and its famously addictive cider donuts. To finalize your plans for this wonderful getaway, you ought to book rooms in one of Meredith’s lavish lodgings, such as The Nutmeg Inn or the Ballard House Inn.
North Conway
North Conway amazes weekend visitors with being one of New Hampshire’s most popular gateways to the White Mountains. A signature experience is the Conway Scenic Railroad, where vintage trains carry passengers through river valleys and mountain passes for unforgettable spectacles of the outdoors. In colder months, Cranmore Mountain Resort becomes a family-friendly hub for skiing, tubing, and seasonal events just minutes from downtown. Science and weather take center stage at the Mount Washington Observatory Weather Discovery Center, where interactive exhibits explain the famously extreme conditions atop the Northeast’s highest peak. Off the trails, Settlers Green Outlet Village thrives as a major shopping destination, adding a lively retail dimension to the town. When you become exhausted from all your travels, you can retire for the night at fine establishments like the Cranmore Mountain Lodge.
Littleton
Set along the Ammonoosuc River, Littleton functions as a compact weekend destination shaped by its walkable center and long-running local institutions. The Littleton Riverwalk Covered Bridge links downtown to riverside paths and serves as a well-known viewing point over the water. Pollyanna’s Statue references author Eleanor H. Porter, whose novel connected the town to a lasting literary association. Chutters draws steady foot traffic with its long candy counter, lined with hundreds of jars behind the storefront windows.
Each fall, the Littleton Art Show brings artists into the downtown area for a seasonal event focused on regional work. Lodging options such as the Thayers Inn Hotel remain a practical base within walking distance of the town center.
Franconia
The town of Franconia, located near Sugar Hill, is a destination that offers a range of attractions tied to the surrounding White Mountains. Visitors often spend time at Franconia Notch State Park, where waterfalls, alpine lakes, and rugged trails showcase some of the region’s most dramatic scenery. The Old Man of the Mountain Profile Plaza & Historic Site provides viewing platforms and interpretive exhibits that commemorate the state’s most recognizable natural symbol. Those interested in local history can visit the New England Ski Museum, which documents the area’s role in the development of American skiing. Literary travelers may also stop at The Frost Place, the former home of Robert Frost that now operates as a museum and cultural site open to the public in late May. Accommodations in the area include options such as the AMC Greenleaf Hut for visitors planning extended time outdoors.
Portsmouth
Lounging on the Piscataqua River, which marks the border between New Hampshire and Maine, travelers will come across the port town of Portsmouth. At the Strawbery Banke Museum, open from April 24 through November 1, visitors can view 17th- and 18th-century houses (with exhibits extending into later centuries) alongside costumed staff demonstrating traditional crafts.
In the summer months, Water Country Water Park offers aquatic playgrounds, slides, and adventure rivers for seasonal recreation. After winter ends, Albacore Park allows visitors to explore a preserved submarine, the USS Albacore, along with a maritime museum and memorial garden nearby. Not far away, Odiorne Point State Park contains several landmarks, including the Seacoast Science Center and Periwinkle Cove. Hotels and inns such as the Hotel Thaxter provide convenient lodging during a stay in Portsmouth.
Jackson
As one of the premier resort towns in New Hampshire, Jackson impresses weekend visitors with access to the snowy slopes of the White Mountains. You can have a thrilling experience skiing at the Black Mountain Ski Area, which also caters to summertime visitors with horseback rides and pony rides. To the south, Diana's Baths is a series of small waterfalls or cascades, and pools where visitors can stop for photos. In the month of May, Story Land in nearby Glen opens its doors to weekend visitors and draws families with fairytale-themed attractions and characters. If the mountain weather turns cold, visitors can stay warm and refreshed at one of Jackson’s established inns, including The Lodge At Jackson Village and The Snowflake Inn.
Wolfeboro
The wondrous town of Wolfeboro is considered America's oldest summer resort, continuing to captivate newcomers every weekend with excitement and enthusiasm beside Lake Winnipesaukee. From the Abenaki Ski Area, one can sled and ski down relaxing slopes in the winter months. In contrast, from Brewster Beach, you can cherish the sunny sights and sensations of Lake Winnipesaukee and venture through other ideal areas of the outdoors. Similarly, Wentworth State Park gives you a grand view of the much smaller Lake Wentworth, providing supplemental opportunities for lakeside leisure and outdoor recreation.
In May, the Wright Museum of World War II will once again open up to visitors eager and curious about the contributions America made during World War II. Those of you eager to stay for the weekend in Wolfeboro will find acceptable accommodations at either the Wolfeboro Inn or Lake Wentworth Inn.
Why New Hampshire’s Small Towns Make Ideal Weekend Getaways
Several and more of these small towns in New Hampshire are excellent places to visit for a weekend getaway, providing a way of experiencing New England that renews and rewards all for another week of work. Whether strolling along lakefronts, uncovering Revolutionary-era landmarks, or hiking mountain trails that lead to skiable slopes, travelers are met with places that will soothe their labors away with unique attractions and natural surprises. These communities thrive on a balance of history, creativity, and outdoor connection, creating some of New Hampshire’s most impressionable small towns to visit on the weekends.
