8 Offbeat New Hampshire Towns To Visit In 2025
Sure, New Hampshire may be known for the White Mountains, historic covered bridges, and delightful pumpkin patches, but it also has an offbeat side. If you want to experience the unexpected in New Hampshire through its quirky attractions, these under-the-radar gems are worth exploring in 2025. From vintage arcades in an old woolen mill to hidden theme parks along Canobie Lake, New Hampshire is so much more than fall foliage and maple syrup. When you’re ready to get a little weird in the Granite State, add these towns to your next New Hampshire road trip!
Salem
Did you know that the United States had its own Stonehenge? America’s Stonehenge, found just outside central Salem, isn’t quite as old as the Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England, but it’s just as mysterious. The scattering of old stone structures dates back almost 4,000 years and is believed to be the oldest man-made construction in the United States! The site is located within a free park that also includes snowshoe trails and an alpaca farm.
Other attractions in Salem aren’t as mysterious, but just as fun. East of Salem is Canobie Lake Park, a pleasure resort set along the banks of Canobie Lake since the early 1900s. It was a peaceful retreat with botanical gardens and canoeing in its early days. Today, the park has been transformed into a fun, family-friendly amusement park with rides and coasters. Its most famous attraction, DaVinci's Dream, offers amazing views of Canobie Lake!
Chesterfield
In southern New Hampshire is the small lakeside retreat of Chesterfield, sandwiched between Pisgah State Park and Spofford Lake. The scenery makes Chesterfield an idyllic retreat where time moves a little slower, and where Madame Sherri called home in the 1930s. Madame Sherri was an eccentric costume designer who held lavish parties in her castle. Today, you don’t need an invitation to visit her estate, or at least what’s left of it.
The Madame Sherri Forest is home to the eerie Stairway to Nowhere, which is exactly as it sounds. In the 1960s, the estate burned to the ground, but left a set of stairs that led nowhere. The grounds are haunting and eerie, with a few remaining moss-covered walls left of the old estate. While in Chesterfield, you can grab a bite to eat at the beautiful Chesterfield Inn and explore Pisgah State Park, which is the biggest park in the state. The park is great for hiking trails, fishing, mountain biking, or canoeing on the nearby Pisgah Reservoir.
Jaffrey
Located in the Monadnock Region in southern New Hampshire is the small community of Jaffrey. On its quiet city streets, you’ll find inviting shops like Escape Hatch Books and one-of-a-kind antique stores like the Melamine Cup. Nestled along the banks of the Contoocook River, it’s a delightful waterside community with pristine views wherever you look.
Jaffrey is also home to Mount Monadnock, one of the state’s most iconic landmarks. Thanks to its well-maintained trails and accessibility (there’s no need for climbing gear to take in the views at the top), it's one of the most hiked mountains in the United States. Over 40 miles of trails range from easy wooded strolls to more challenging, rocky climbs. The view atop Mount Monadnock is so amazing that it inspired the poetry of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau!
Sandwich
In central New Hampshire, north of Lake Winnipesaukee, is the pleasant area of Sandwich. It was named in honor of John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich. This small community is the perfect retreat when you want to escape the noise and bustle of bigger cities. There are no chain restaurants, no traffic, and no strip malls. Instead, you'll find charming locally owned shops like The Porch (a little antique store) and the Foothills Restaurant, where you can tell your friends you ordered a sandwich in Sandwich. If you want to take a trip down memory lane, stop by the stunning Isaac Adams Homestead located south of Sandwich.
What makes Sandwich truly unique is the local fair held every Columbus Day weekend. The Sandwich Fair began in the late 1800s as a humble way for locals to showcase crops and livestock. Today, the event embraces its quirky side with events like chainsaw carving, tractor pulls, pie contests, and displays of antique engines.
Hudson
When it comes to New Hampshire’s tourist destinations, Hudson often flies under the radar. With a blend of quirky local diners like Cookies Diner and scenic green spaces like Merrill Park, it’s the perfect retreat when you’re looking for something a little different.
Aside from its beauty and friendly locals, one very specific spot in Hudson makes it a must-see for travelers. Hudson used to be home to Benson’s Wild Animal Farm, a famous New England roadside attraction similar to something you’d find along Route 66. With performing animal shows and elephant rides that lasted well into the 1970s, the park's popularity began to decline as concern for animal welfare grew. The performing animal park closed down but reopened in the 2010s as a peaceful green space with traces of its origins (like Benson Park's Gorilla Cage) scattered among the scenic trails. It’s like walking through an American time capsule!
Littleton
Life is sweet in Littleton! Hidden away in northern New Hampshire, Littleton is well worth the drive, especially if you have a sweet tooth. Littleton's crown jewel is just off Main Street near the Ammonoosuc River: Chutters Candy Store. This isn’t your typical candy shop—it's home to the world’s longest candy counter, stretching over 112 feet and brimming with every sweet treat you can imagine. The Pollyanna statue is not too far from Chutter’s, which pays tribute to the Littleton native who wrote the book Pollyanna.
After hobnobbing with Pollyanna and eating your body weight in candy, there are a few ways to burn off all that excess energy. You can walk the Littleton Riverwalk that traces the Ammonoosuc River, head north to Forest Lake State Park to relax along the water, or hike one of six trails in the area, like the Ammonoosuc Rail Trail.
Dover
Things can get a little weird in Dover in all the best ways. Founded in 1623, Dover is the oldest town in the state, and walking its historic city streets feels like stepping inside a New England-inspired postcard. There are unique cafes like the Fat Dog Kitchen and craft breweries like the Thirsty Moose Tap House. Peppered throughout this delightful area are green spaces to sit in the shade for a while, like Bellamy Park.
What makes Dover weird and wonderful is the Woodman Museum. The museum started in the early 1900s, founded by Dr. Samuel Woodman, who wanted to document Dover’s rich history through preserved artifacts. As time passed, the museum’s inventory only grew, displaying everything from Lincoln’s horse saddle to a four-legged chicken.
Campton
As the gateway to the White Mountain National Forest, Campton is a beautiful town with sweeping mountain views. You can hike the White Mountain Trail or launch a canoe on the Pemigewasset River. It's a peaceful community of covered bridges (like the Bump Covered Bridge), wooded views, and ancient glacial caves at the nearby Polar Caves Park. At first glance, Campton feels like your average New England retreat, but the surprises you’ll find downtown make it unique.
South of the Campton Pond and Dam is Squiggles, an arcade, candy store, and indoor minigolf wonderland. Located in the old Dole Mill building, which was once the oldest woolen mill in the country, it’s now where kids (and kids at heart) can spend the quarters with abandon on vintage arcade machines after stocking up on candy. Sure, the beauty of the White Mountains may attract you to Campton, but Squiggles makes it well worth the drive. Just make sure you bring plenty of quarters!
These 8 Offbeat New Hampshire Towns are Full of Surprises
No matter where you travel in New Hampshire, you’ll find a scenic hiking trail or a calm lake to watch the sunset. There’s no doubt that New Hampshire is undeniably beautiful. When you’re ready for something a little different, the best surprises often lie slightly off the beaten path. Only in these offbeat New Hampshire communities can you eat your body weight in candy at the world’s largest candy counter in Littleton, or explore the mysteries of America’s Stonehenge in Salem. So pack a bag (and bring some quarters for the vintage arcade in Campton) and prepare for a memorable New Hampshire road trip in 2025.
