2025's 10 Best Small Towns To Visit In New Hampshire

New Hampshire is one of those small, lovely states that leave a lasting and fond impression on the hearts of visitors. There's a lot to love about this quintessential New England destination. The scenery particularly stands out, as the state hosts expansive mountains, like the White Mountains, vast forest areas, and waterbodies such as the Connecticut River and Lake Winnipesaukee. Not to forget the state's rich history, being one of the Original Thirteen Colonies, and the state that cast the ninth and decisive vote needed to ratify the US Constitution in 1788. First written in 1809 by General John Stark, one of the state’s Revolutionary War heroes, the words “Live Free or Die” have been the state’s official motto since 1945. One cannot help but love this inspiring little state, especially when it has charming towns, where its beauty and character can be undisturbed. Read on to discover the best cities in New Hampshire that should be on your radar in 2025.

Jackson

Jackson is a charming little town and one of the best places to explore the wonders of the White Mountain region. It is easy to visit some of the region’s top waterfalls from this town, including the Glen Ellis Falls and the Jackson Falls. The Jackson Falls is less than a mile from downtown and cascades 100 feet over slides and pools that are ideal for swimming and splashing. Jackson Falls is also beautiful and suitable for picnicking, with views of colorful trees and stunning rock formations. Around 11 miles from Jackson, Glen Ellis Falls is also gorgeous, featuring a 64-foot drop on the Ellis River, surrounded by lush trees and boulders. Back in town, visitors will enjoy one of New Hampshire’s quintessential experiences - walking on a covered bridge. The Honeymoon Bridge is where you can enjoy this relaxing and scenic activity over the Ellis River. Besides, a visit to downtown Jackson is always an opportunity to partake in art classes and explore the works of local artists at the Jackson Art Studio & Gallery, from paintings to glass.

Hanover

Hanover is one of New Hampshire’s charming towns on the Connecticut River, the longest in New England. This town is gorgeous, with its lush green spaces and the beautiful Dartmouth College, one of the country’s oldest universities, founded in 1769. Visitors to this town are welcome to walk around or relax in the Dartmouth Green, a well-maintained green field on the main campus at the heart of downtown Hanover. From here, one can easily catch an event at the Hopkins Center for the Arts or explore some of the over 65,000 objects at the Hood Museum of Art, both located at Dartmouth College. Hanover is also a paradise for hiking, as several trails are in and around the town, including parts of the Appalachian Trail. The 1.3-mile River Trail, which winds through the downtown area and tall pines along the Connecticut River, is one of the easiest and most beautiful hikes in town. The 1.2-mile Wheelock Trail is also cool, as it follows wooded areas on the banks of Mink Brook in Mink Brook Nature Preserve.

Lebanon

Lebanon lies on the western end of New Hampshire, near the Connecticut River and the border with Vermont, bustling with college students and a thriving art scene. This town is home to the Lebanon Opera House, one of the state’s top performing arts venues, featuring regular concerts and shows. The AVA Gallery & Art Center is also in town, displaying stunning artworks from local and regional artists while providing year-round art classes and events. Meanwhile, Lebanon hosts the Packard Hill Covered Bridge, which was built in 1991 and offers a relaxing and scenic walk over the Mascoma River, around lush trees. As for adventure buffs, Lebanon is a paradise as it is the start of the Northern Rail Trail, which passes through towns such as Andover and Franklin, and ends in Boscawen. This trail is ideal for biking, hiking, and running, stretching 59 miles along the Mascoma River, lakes, and through wooded areas and bridges.

Franconia

Franconia is one of New Hampshire’s hidden gems in the White Mountains, encircled by jaw-dropping landscapes. As home to the northern half of Franconia Notch State Park, visitors here can easily ride a tramway to the 4,080-foot Cannon Mountain for breathtaking scenery or fish, swim, and kayak in Echo Lake. Franconia also provides easy access to some of the park’s top trails, including the approximately nine-mile Franconia Ridge Loop, one of the state’s most challenging hikes, with views of mountains, alpine flowers, and waterfalls. Additionally, the 1.5-mile Artist’s Bluff Trail, another top trail in the park, is easily accessible from Franconia and a must-visit for breathtaking views of Franconia Notch from Bald Mountain and Artist’s Bluff.

Meanwhile, Franconia has the Frost Place to delight art and poetry lovers. This was the residence of Robert Frost, one of America’s most renowned poets, who wrote “The Road Not Taken,” a famous poem that inspires off-the-beaten-path travels. His well-known poems were written in this beautiful farmhouse with a short trail winding through the woods. As for history buffs, the New England Ski Museum is in Franconia, offering a detailed look at the long ski history of one of the world’s most exciting ski destinations.

Exeter

The beloved town of Exeter, in Rockingham County, is one of the best destinations to experience the authentic New England charms. It lies where the Exeter River transforms into the tidal Squamscott River, giving the town a scenic river. Visitors here are invited to stroll along Swasey Parkway for sights of the Squamscott River and colorful trees. Elsewhere, Gilman Park invites visitors to relax or walk on the Exeter River. Meanwhile, Exeter is full of historic landmarks, and the American Independence Museum is a must-visit. This historic museum hosts the Ladd-Gilman House, which was built in 1721 and served as the residence of a merchant family that played a crucial role in creating the United States. Over 3,000 objects are displayed in this house, including a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence. Philips Exeter Academy, one of the top boarding schools in the US, can also be found here. Established in 1781, this school has educated the likes of Mark Zuckerberg and Franklin Pierce, America’s 14th president.

Littleton

Littleton is a pretty little town in the White Mountains, with many charms and recreation to delight all travelers. For those who love laid-back activities, the town’s Riverwalk Covered Bridge is a cool place to stroll on one of New Hampshire’s signature landmarks as it crosses the Ammonoosuc River. Just outside downtown Littleton, the Kilburn Crags Trail is a more thrilling alternative offering a 0.8-mile adventure with panoramic views of the town, the Ammonoosuc River, woodlands, and the Presidential Range. In the meantime, history and art lovers alike can always admire the Pollyanna of Littleton Statue, which depicts the heroine of a classical children’s novel written by the town’s resident, Eleanor H. Porter, and published in 1913. For lovers of antique shopping, Littleton is home to the Purple Peacock and Just L Modern Antiques, both featuring a wide variety of antique and vintage items. The latter, in particular, offers even more, including modern decor, kitchen items, and glassware. Furthermore, Littleton is near the Moore Reservoir, a cool place to swim, boat, and fish in the summer.

Portsmouth

Portsmouth is one of New Hampshire’s largest towns, full of historic landmarks. Located on the Piscataqua River, this town invites visitors to the Strawbery Banke Museum to explore over 350 years of history. This museum features period gardens and houses dating to the 1700s and 1800s, with artifacts and exhibits reflecting the area’s long history. Notably, the Jones House, which dates to the 1790s, contains an interactive exhibit about the Abenaki and Wabanaki people. At the 1784 museum’s Wheelwright House, visitors will learn about cooking techniques in the 1800s, while the Boatshop offers a deep dive into the area's maritime culture. Away from this famous museum, Portsmouth is home to Warner House, considered the oldest surviving brick house in northern England, built around 1716. Besides all of the historic attractions, visitors to Portsmouth are always welcome to relax at Prescott Park, which has views of water fountains, scenic gardens, and the Piscataqua River.

Wolfeboro

Wolfeboro prides itself on its reputation as America's oldest summer resort, a title it earned after colonial governor John Wentworth built a vacation home around Lake Winnipesaukee in 1763. This was seven years before the town was incorporated in 1770. Today, the city remains a haven for recreation, and visitors are invited to launch boats into the water from the town’s docks or dine in a waterfront restaurant like Marker 21 while enjoying the views. For some adventures, the Wentworth State Park is in town, offering access to Lake Wentworth, which is excellent for swimming and fishing. As for hikers and bikers, Wolfeboro is on one end of the Cotton Valley Rail Trail, one of the state’s top trails full of scenery and wildlife. This trail is 12 miles long one way and presents an exciting adventure through forests, wetlands, lakes, and towns such as Brookfield before ending in Wakefield. Wolfeboro also has several museums to delight history buffs, including the Wright Museum of World War II, where permanent and rotating exhibits about the World War II era are displayed. In this museum, there are tanks, military weaponry, a 1940s kitchen replica, and furnishings, all aimed at showcasing life during the war.

North Conway

North Conway is a scenic little village in the White Mountains, characterized by lush forests, green spaces, a vibrant downtown, and exciting natural attractions such as the Echo Lake State Park. This park alone is worth visiting the town, especially in summer, as it has a 15-acre lake ideal for fishing, boating, and swimming. There’s even a mile-long trail around the lake, alongside other trails leading to the Cathedral Ledge, which provides scenic views of the Saco River Valley. Moving on, North Conway is one of the few places in New Hampshire where one can enjoy scenic train rides aboard vintage rail cars. This experience awaits at the Conway Scenic Railroad, which offers hour-long excursions through Mount Washington Valley and Crawford Notch. A few minutes from North Conway, Diana’s Baths is one of the beautiful waterfalls in the White Mountains, inviting visitors to enjoy its scenery as it cascades 75 feet over stunning rock formations. Also, North Conway provides easy access to the exciting Kancamagus Scenic Byway, which offers a 34-mile adventure through the White Mountain National Forest as it leads to Lincoln. Attractions that can be seen on the way include the Swift River, waterfalls, and the Albany Covered Bridge, built in 1858.

Dover

Dover is a large town in New Hampshire’s Seacoast region, drained by the Cocheco and Bellamy rivers. This town is lovely and historic, the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in New Hampshire, dating to 1623. Today, attractions such as the St. Thomas Episcopal Church and William Damm Garrison House prove the town’s long history. The stunning St. Thomas Episcopal church was built in 1840, while the William Damm Garrison House is the town’s oldest house, built in 1675 and preserved in the Woodman Museum. Meanwhile, the Woodman Museum includes other historic attractions such as the 1818 Woodman House and an extensive collection of artifacts covering art, history, culture, and natural science. Besides its history, Dover is endowed with Hilton Park, a cool spot on the Piscataqua River where you can picnic, stroll, or fish with sights of colorful trees. The Bellamy River Wildlife Management Area also offers opportunities to hike 1.3 miles of trails through wetlands and forests and see birds.

Think of New England as a region bustling with a distinct character, spectacular culture, and a small and scenic landscape marked by the White Mountains and water bodies stretching into the Gulf of Maine. Now, think of New Hampshire as a small slice of this fascinating region, bearing all that makes it unique and inviting. With that in mind, these notable towns will be appreciated even more. From Dover to Conway, these towns are true ambassadors of the Granite State and the region, with their charming downtowns, exciting natural features, and some of the country’s finest scenery. Head to these towns in 2025 and enjoy the best of New England.