8 Delightfully Odd Towns In New Hampshire

Things can sometimes get a little odd in New Hampshire. While it's a coveted fall foliage destination in the autumn, and home to picturesque communities of New England, it also has a weird side, too! Think forgotten castles hidden in Chesterfield’s woods, 4,000-year-old forests that emerge only at low tide, and candy stores that will ignite your inner child. When you are looking for a road trip through the beautiful state of New Hampshire, these small escapes are sure to offer adventures you won’t soon forget.

Chesterfield

In the early 1900s, a mansion was built in the woods of Chesterfield by a wealthy New York City costume designer named Madame Sherri. The mansion was the place for opulent parties like something out of The Great Gatsby. As her fortune dwindled, the castle was abandoned and later burned down in the 1960s. What remains, however, are the ruins of the former castle hidden away in Madame Sherri’s Forest. After a peaceful walk in the woods, the trail takes you to a clearing with moss-covered walls and a staircase that leads to nowhere, and it feels like something out of a storybook.

While the fairy-tale-like woods draw visitors to Chesterfield, there’s plenty to explore beyond forgotten castles. The town sits on the idyllic shores of Spofford Lake, where you can get lost in the lush greenery of the area at Chesterfield Gorge Natural Area. After a day of exploring the eerie beauty of Chesterfield, you can treat yourself to a gourmet meal at the iconic Chesterfield Inn Restaurant.

Rye

Before the last Ice Age in North America came to a close, the coastal region of Rye was a dense forest. As sea levels rose 4,000 years ago, the trees died off, creating rocky beaches and vast open skies. However, there are still remnants of the old forests, accessible only during low tide. As the water recedes, it reveals the Sunken Forest, a patchwork of old tree stumps and woven vines that have been frozen in time for nearly 4,000 years.

The best place to see the Sunken Forest is at Odiorne Point State Park. The park has nearly 135 acres of trails that trace the rocky shoreline and overlook bluffs. It even features a modern science center where you can learn more about the Sunken Forest and its origins. As a quaint coastal town, Rye has some of the best seafood on the coast! Petey's Summertime Seafood is a fun and kitschy seafood diner where you can indulge in excellent seafood with a view of the Atlantic Ocean.

Salem

One of the biggest mysteries on the East Coast can be found in Salem, New Hampshire. In the woods of North Salem is America’s Stonehenge, an American attraction that generates almost as much speculation as the Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain in England. Some believe the peculiar collection of rocks and structures dates back to human activity in the area 4,000 years ago. In contrast, others think they were placed by early settlers in the 19th century. Whenever they were placed, touring the 30 acres of dense forest and rock formations is a fun way to spend an afternoon.

America’s Stonehenge takes about an hour to tour, which leaves plenty of time to explore the rest of Salem. One of the best things to do while in the area is make a stop at Tuscan Village, an opulent shopping mall with everything you’d ever want in one space. There are unique shops, seasonal markets, and tasty restaurants. If you visit Salem during the growing season, you can swing by Peters' Farm, a local farmer’s market that has been in business since 1911, selling local crops and sweet treats from spring to late fall.

Laconia

Located between Lake Winnipesaukee and Lake Winnisquam, there’s no denying the natural beauty of the small community of Laconia. It’s not Laconia’s natural attractions that make it unique; it’s its unusual museums, such as the American Classic Arcade Museum. It’s a bit of a misnomer to call it a museum, since all of the vintage arcade machines are fully operational and available to play. You can spend an entire day trying out all of the retro machines, playing mini golf, bowling, or refueling at The Funspot Restaurant.

Life in Laconia always feels like a fun beach vacation. After exhausting your quarters at the arcade, visitors can partake in Laconia’s free attractions, like relaxing along the shores or going for a scenic hike at the Leslie E. Roberts Beach and Recreation Area. The beach offers sandy shores, calm waters, and lovely scenery. After working up an appetite at the beach, Laconia has fun restaurants like the Natural Pickle, which serves up tasty sandwiches in a bright, casual diner setting.

Littleton

Everything is a little sweeter in the whimsical town of Littleton. If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll fall in love with Littleton’s biggest attraction, Chutters Candy Store. It holds the Guinness World Record as the longest candy counter anywhere in the world. The candy counter, which runs the entire length of the store, allows visitors to select their favorite candy and pay by the pound. Chutter’s is the holy grail of candy stores, and a must-see for visitors to Littleton.

With all that sugar coursing through your system, you’ll need a place to burn off all that excess energy. Luckily, Littleton has amazing parks that provide spectacular views of the dense forests. Places like Parker Mountain Trails or Kilburn Ledge are a short drive from central Littleton and offer miles of shaded, idyllic trails with views of the lake and countryside. To top off your perfect day in Littleton, the Schilling Beer Co. invites visitors to relax with a cold brew and wood-fired pies in a restored 18th-century mill overlooking the Ammonoosuc River.

Lincoln

The small community of Lincoln, isolated within New Hampshire’s White Mountains, is a place unfazed by time. It’s a perfectly preserved place that harkens back to its founding in the late 1700s, with narrow streets, colorful storefronts, and untouched mountain scenery. What makes Lincoln a little quirky is Clarks Trading Post, which is a far cry from a simple general store. It’s Americana and family-fun at its finest, with trained black bear shows, and train rides through the White Mountains (where you may or may not be chased down by the Wolfman!). It also features a recreated Victorian-era Main Street, where you can visit unique stores and museums.

Many travelers make the drive to Lincoln to spend time at Clarks Trading Post, because there is enough there to fill an entire day. Outside the trading post, Lincoln is a variable playground for outdoor adventures. Loon Mountain is a popular ski destination with over 60 alpine trails and a cross-country skiing area, and is also a great place to hike in the summer. One of the most beloved restaurants in Lincoln is Black Mountain Burger Co., where you can indulge in juicy burgers and tasty cocktails in a casual setting.

Hollis

Near the southern edge of New Hampshire is the isolated community of Hollis. Located north of town is something eerie and a little peculiar: the Monson Ghost Town, also known as the Monson Center. Monson was one of the very first settlements in New Hampshire, established in 1746. The settlers ultimately left the area (for mysterious reasons), leaving the town to crumble. Today, visitors can explore the ruins of the almost 300-year-old community, which consists primarily of old foundations and marshy areas. One of the structures, the Gould House, has been restored and serves as a small museum.

Many travelers (and a few ghost hunters) flock to Hollis to explore the old ghost town, but central Hollis has plenty of things to enjoy while you’re in the area. There are quaint diners and shops, like the humble Monument Square Market, where you can enjoy a homemade sandwich or pizza, and darling farmer’s markets like Brookdale Fruit Farm. The best way to enjoy the pristine scenery of Hollis is at Fulchino Vineyard, where you can relax on an outdoor patio with a chilled glass of wine.

Madison

In the beautiful Mount Washington Valley region of New Hampshire, sits Madison, known for its giant boulder! At first glance, the Madison Boulder doesn’t look all that spectacular. It seems like a big rock plopped in the middle of a park. However, once you learn how that rock got there, you’ll see it in a whole new light. The boulder is one of the most enormous known glacial erratics in North America. When the glaciers melted during the last Ice Age 13,000 years ago, the boulder was picked up by a moving glacier and placed where it sits today.

To see the boulder, you’ll need to head to the Madison Boulder Natural Area. The natural area is home to the boulder, but also has lovely hiking trails and scenic spots to spend an afternoon. Not too far from the boulder are quaint places to grab a bite to eat, like the Community Market and Deli. It’s a great place to load up on snacks before exploring the other attractions in Madison, like Boulder Beach, where you relax on the sandy shores overlooking Little Pea Porrige Pond.

In these small New Hampshire escapes, things aren’t always what they seem. When visiting a trading post in Lincoln, you may be treated to a trained black bear show, or chased down by a Wolfman while riding a train through the White Mountains. You can relive your childhood at the American Classic Arcade Museum in Laconia, or eat candy until you burst at Chutters Candy Store in Littleton. If you make the drive to Salem, you can form your own theories about the origins of America’s Stonehenge. So, the next time the open road calls, add these peculiar New Hampshire destinations to your next road trip.