8 Charming Old Railroad Towns In New Hampshire

As one of the 13 colonies, New Hampshire has had a long and interesting history. New Hampshire’s motto, “Live Free or Die,” comes from a toast by Revolutionary War hero General John Stark and embodies the state’s enduring commitment to freedom. While New Hampshire’s granite quarries contributed to local industry, the state’s broader industrial growth in the 19th century came primarily from textiles, mills, and water-powered factories.

Throughout New Hampshire, one can find railroad towns with beautiful tourist attractions that were made possible by the rail lines coming through in the 1800s. Although many of these rail lines are no longer active, the communities themselves offer rich experiences ranging from White Mountain trails, historic lakeside monuments, Presidential birthplaces, opera houses, and more. In addition, many of these towns have scenic railways that transport you back to the past while viewing marvelous vistas. Here are eight charming old railroad towns in New Hampshire to explore.

Woodstock

This town has gone by many names during its history. Founded in 1763 by Gov. Benning Wentworth, he initially called it Peeling. By 1771, Governor John Wentworth changed the name to Fairfield. It wouldn't be named Woodstock until 1840 after the English town and the Walter Scott novel. The railroad came to the area in the 1800s, bringing with it opportunities and tourism as visitors traveled on the railroad to Woodstock to see the majestic White Mountains.

One of the top White Mountain spots to see here is the Lost River Gorge. By crossing a one-mile wooden boardwalk trail, visitors will see waterfalls, glacier caves and beautiful views of the mountains. During the winter, you can check out the wonderfully creative Ice Castles, created with icicles in the village of North Woodstock. Within this village, you can check out an old timey general store at Fadden's General Store & Maple Sugarhouse or take a ride on the Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train.

Lincoln

Lincoln is just a few miles away from Woodstock, making it a good two-for-one journey. Much like Woodstock, Lincoln offers scenic train rides through the White Mountains, including excursions on the Hobo Railroad. Go for an 80-minute ride in an old school train car through the woods of the White Mountains along the Pemigewasset River. Lincoln is also a great base for exploring the White Mountains with several trails in the general area.

There's the 30-foot tall Georgiana Falls, which you can see via the Georgiana and Harvard Falls Trail and the Mount Pemigewasset Trail. One of the most popular places to visit in Lincoln is the 90 year old business called Clark's Bears. This spot offers a trained bear circus act with the Black Bears Darla and Hildie, along with museums, a gift shop, water raft ride, and other fun mountain activities.

Conway

Just under 10,000 people call Conway home, but there are five villages within the town, each with their own character. Tourists come here from across New England to enjoy the White Mountains and natural sites nearby. This town first became a tourist attraction when the Portsmouth, Great Falls and Conway Railroad entered it in 1871.

Visitors today can see all manner of picturesque mountain vistas like the 75-foot tall Dianas Baths waterfalls or the Echo Lake State Park, which has hiking trails and a beach to go swimming. Skiers can enjoy White Mountain trails at the Cranmore Mountain Resort, while those who want the railway experience take the Conway Scenic Railway. This rail line goes to different places depending on the season, so it's worth a repeat visit.

Laconia

Laconia is called the City on the Lakes as its right between Lake Winnipesaukee and Lake Winnisquam. Its name comes from the providence in Greece, which contained the famed warrior state of Sparta. The railway first came into Laconia in 1849, and the town contributed significantly to the industry through the Laconia Car Company, which built rail, trolly, and subway cars. The railroad brought many visitors to Laconia, especially to its village of Weirs Beach.

Today, it is still a popular resort town, thanks in no small part due to its lakes. One of the most interesting spots on Lake Winnipesaukee is the Endicott Rock State Historic Park, which features an engraved stone from 1652. Other parks include the Ahern State Park on Lake Winnisquam and Opechee Park, which has two beaches, a track, and skatepark. Families love to go to Weirs Beach in particular for its Go Kart Track with double-seated go karts that can go up to 20 miles per hour on a one-fourth-mile paved track.

Concord

Concord is the capital city of New Hampshire, but it has a smaller community vibe, with a population just under 44,000. Europeans first settled Concord in 1659 under the name Penacook. The name would be changed to Concord in 1765 to celebrate the peace between it and the nearby town of Bow, which had disputed their borders significantly. Concord was a major railway hub in the mid to late 1800s, with the Boston and Maine Railroad shuffling around 32 passenger trains a day.

Today, these passenger railway services have long since shut down, but the town is a lively place that's been home to several famous people such as the astronaut Alan Shepard. You can learn about him and space travel at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center. There are live performances you can enjoy at the Capitol Center for the Arts and a center for bald eagles, peregrine falcons and other birds of prey at the New Hampshire Audubon. Lastly, you can get out of the city to enjoy cider, pies, fruits, and other local produce at the Carter Hill Orchard.

Franklin

Like many cities in the US, this one is named after the founding father Benjamin Franklin. It was originally settled in 1764 and was called Pemigewasset Village. It sits at the confluence of three rivers, making it a major mill town, and it was also a stop on the Boston and Maine Railroad. In order to get the rail line across the Winnipesaukee River, the Sulphite Railroad Bridge was constructed in 1896 to 1897. More commonly called the Upside-Down Covered Bridge, it is the last of its kind still standing in the US, although it has fallen into disrepair since it stopped carrying trains in 1973.

Another historic place in Franklin is the Daniel Webster Birthplace State Historic Site, the former Secretary of State under William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, and Millard Filmore. Franklin is a relaxing place where you enjoy a cup of English Cream Tea while walking the grounds of the Tarbin Gardens, try out local wines from the Black Bear Vineyard, or watch a live performance at the historic Franklin Opera House, which was opened in 1893.

Hillsborough

Although officially named Hillsborough, the town is most commonly misspelled as Hillsboro. It was initially established in 1735 by colonial governor of Massachusetts Jonathan Belcher as a defensive settlement against Native American attacks. Later on, the town would be the birthplace of Franklin Pierce, the only President from New Hampshire, although his legacy was massively tainted by the Bleeding Kansas incident in the 1850s. The Boston and Maine railroad line came through here in 1878 and remained in service until 1972.

Today, Hillsborough sits between two forested areas: the Fox State Forest and the Hedgehog Mountain Forest. You can hike up this mountain via the five-mile Hedgehog Ridge Trail. There are also a few historic sites in town such as the Franklin Pierce Homestead State Historic Site and the Hillsborough Heritage Museum, located in a refurbished firehouse with artifacts from the town's history like the Hillsborough Grange Hall Theater Curtains, photos, and information on Hurricane of 1938.

Lebanon

Founded in 1761 by Governor Benning Wentworth, it was named after the sister town of Lebanon, Connecticut. However, the western side of the town would gain its own identity in the 1800s when the railroad came in from Boston. Today, West Lebanon is an area within the larger town of Lebanon, accounting for just under 15,000 people in total. Today, the old rail line has been transformed into the 60-mile Northern Rail Trail from Lebanon to Boscawen. It's a beautiful place to go hiking, biking or snowmobiling during the winter.

Lebanon has a special dedication to the arts, especially at the Lebanon Opera House. This 800-seat facility provides theater, dance and musical performances by artists like Weird Al Yankovic. The Hopkins Center also hosts plays and events at Dartmouth College. If you drive just outside of town (about 11 miles), you can see many beautiful natural sites such as Quechee Gorge, a 165-foot-deep gorge that's called Vermont's Little Grand Canyon by locals.

The Scenic Route

Traveling through these towns is like taking the scenic route; you’ll discover a lot of hidden gems by going down the road. Many of these towns became destinations because of the railroad, but you can still reach them via car or plane and enjoy a plethora of attractions — from old-timey general stores and historic homes to marvelous tours aboard tourist railways and grand detours into mountain passages.

These old-time railroad towns are worth making a stop in, whether you’re a history buff, a train enthusiast, or simply someone looking to experience the charm of small-town America. From quaint shops and local eateries to scenic rail excursions and historic landmarks, each town offers a unique glimpse into the past while providing modern-day pleasures for travelers of all ages.