7 Most Breathtaking Towns In New Hampshire
New Hampshire is home to some of the most magnificent mountains, forests, and lakes in the entire United States. Much like its New England neighbors, the state's small towns hold the key to its true beauty. These towns are a nature lover's paradise with endless opportunities for hiking and swimming amid the scenery. They also illustrate the state's deep history through well-preserved structures and educational attractions. Your setting will look like it has been pulled from a postcard whether you are walking through town or a state park. Here are seven New Hampshire towns that will leave you awestruck.
North Conway
North Conway deserves to be mentioned first because it's the perfect place to experience one of New Hampshire's greatest treasures: White Mountain National Forest. If you take the Kancamagus Highway, the drive to North Conway is a visual wonderland in itself, guiding you through the mountains and past numerous waterfalls, covered bridges, and scenic overlooks. Popular hiking sites in North Conway include the Green Hills Preserve, where birdwatchers have been known to spot ravens and falcons, and Cathedral Ledge, a more challenging trail that rewards you with commanding views of the White Mountains.
Cathedral Ledge and White Horse Ledge are actually the backdrop of Echo Lake State Park, offering a refreshing swim during the warmer months. If you want to soak up North Conway's gorgeous foliage without breaking a sweat, the Conway Scenic Railroad takes you on a relaxing ride through the Mount Washington Valley while narrating the fascinating history of the region. Since New Hampshire doesn't charge a sales tax, you wouldn't want to leave North Conway without visiting Settlers Green, a village of 70 factory outlet stores with discounts galore.
Portsmouth
People come from all over the world to explore Portsmouth's waterfront downtown, filled with easily walkable cobblestone streets, historic architecture, and a bevy of acclaimed restaurants. Within Market Square, you'll find the Black Trumpet Bistro and The Oar House, two of Portsmouth's premiere fine dining establishments, and both housed inside buildings originally constructed in 1803. The latter boasts one of the widest outdoor decks in town, overlooking the serene Piscataqua River.
For an even larger helping of history, head to Portsmouth's Puddle Dock neighborhood and check out Strawbery Banke, an outdoor museum containing historic homes on their original sites along with a variety of immaculately maintained Victorian era gardens and landscapes. If you're tired from a long day of walking, rest up at the 10-acre Prescott Park, featuring flower gardens, fountains, walkways and sculptures. On Mondays during the summer, Prescott Park holds a movie night on an outdoor screen for the ultimate romantic evening under the stars.
Jackson
A town of just over 1,100 people, Jackson is situated in the upper Ellis River valley, which is known for its plentiful concentration of waterfalls and rushing streams. Swimmers are immediately drawn to Glen Ellis Falls, a 64-foot waterfall that flows into a natural pool in White Mountain National Forest. Hikers, on the other hand, tend to gravitate towards the Wildcat Valley Trail, which runs parallel to the Wildcat River, a 9-mile stream that eventually descends into a cascading cluster of granite shelves known as Jackson Falls, located right in the center of town.
Just a few minutes down the road from Jackson Falls is the Historic Honeymoon Covered Bridge, originally constructed in 1876 and one of the most photographed bridges in the state, stretching over the glittering Ellis River down below. October is arguably the best time to visit Jackson, and not just because of the foliage. All throughout the month, Jackson hosts the Return of the Pumpkin People festival, a self-guided outdoor event featuring pumpkin-made characters modeled on historical figures and cartoon monsters, set up to greet visitors at 60 locations in the Jackson region.
Wolfeboro
New Hampshire's Lake Winnipesaukee is one of the largest lakes in the northeast, and it's on full display at Wolfeboro, the oldest resort town in America. Downtown Wolfeboro is situated right on the lake, resulting in a multitude of waterfront dining options like Marker 21 and Garwoods Restaurant, both of which feature expansive decks where the party lasts well into the night. During the day, you can observe Lake Winnipesaukee's seemingly endless glory with Mount Washington Cruises, or swim in the lake at Brewster Beach, located just minutes from Main Street.
Another wonderful way to spend the afternoon is walking or biking the 12-mile Cotton Valley Rail Trail, which winds around Lake Crescent and Lake Wentworth before meandering through a series of scenic wetlands, beaches, ponds, and dense oak forests all the way to the neighboring town of Wakefield. Boating enthusiasts would be wise to visit in late July, when the Wolfeboro Town Docks hosts the Antique and Classic Boat Show, summoning dozens of vintage racing boats from the 1920s to the 1980s while classic cars adorn the surrounding parking lot on the water.
Franconia
Franconia is located just a few miles northwest of Franconia Notch State Park, and the 4,080-foot peak of Cannon Mountain rises right over town. Experienced hikers often begin their trips by tackling the Franconia Ridge, widely regarded as the most visually captivating hike in the White Mountains. Alternatively, the 1.5-mile Artist Bluff Loop Trail is a much easier hike that leads to Echo Lake Beach, where you can swim, kayak, or fish with clear views of Mount Lafayette right in front of you.
Franconia Notch State Park also provides access to the Flume Gorge, a 2-mile loop trail at the base of Mount Liberty that takes you through a dramatic natural chasm with multiple waterfalls and geological masterpieces along the way. Lastly, Franconia is the former home of legendary poet Robert Frost, and fans of his work can tour his former farmhouse in the Frost Place, which additionally serves as a nonprofit educational center for poetry.
Littleton
For a striking blend of historical and natural beauty, look no further than Littleton. Offering splendid views of the White Mountains at every turn, Littleton's historic city center is lined with Victorian-era brick buildings that have since been converted into beloved local businesses like Schilling Beer Co., set in a historic mill building on a site where milling dates back to 1797. Just outside Main Street is the Riverwalk path, which takes you on a half-mile walk along the tranquil Ammonoosuc River and features several historic bridges like the Instagram-worthy Curran Suspension Bridge.
If you're up for some more intense exercise, the Parker Mountain Trail lies just a few minutes away from downtown Littleton, and it rewards you with panoramic views of the Presidential Range, the highest peaks of the White Mountains. Whether you're a hiker or a history buff, you can't visit Littleton without taking a selfie alongside the statue of literary character Pollyanna right outside the public library, a touching tribute to Littleton native Eleanor Porter, who wrote the novel "Pollyanna" in 1913.
Sugar Hill
Set against the backdrop of the White Mountains, Sugar Hill may very well be one of the most awe-inspiring towns in all of New England. Its high elevation looks out over Mount Lafayette, Cannon Mountain, and Franconia Notch State Park, creating a striking collage of red, green, and yellow foliage during the fall. Visitors can even see Vermont's Green Mountains by hiking the family-friendly Sunset Hill Trail, which also provides fantastic views of the valley down below.
In June, Sugar Hill hosts the Lupine Fields Festival to celebrate the explosion of pink, purple, and white Lupine flowers all over the mountain foothills. After photographing this annual phenomenon, visitors often sit down for brunch at Polly's Pancake Parlor, where you can enjoy homemade pancakes with local maple syrup while gazing into the rolling countryside in the distance.
Fall in Love with New Hampshire's Small Towns
New Hampshire may be one of the smallest states in the country, but its scenery is no small matter. New Hampshire is a visual goldmine for mountaineers and fans of historic architecture alike. So, whether you're looking to immerse yourself in nature or take a trip through time, these seven towns are excellent choices for your next weekend escape. It's comforting to know that even though New England has changed so much over the years, New Hampshire's beauty is still alive and well.
