9 Adorable Small Towns In New Hampshire

New Hampshire packs a lot into its boundaries. From the granite summits of the White Mountains to its short stretch of rocky Atlantic coastline, the Granite State rewards travelers who take time to linger in its smaller communities. These are places where covered bridges span rushing rivers, where Victorian inns still welcome guests with wood-burning fireplaces, and where locals know which maple sugar shack makes the best syrup. You might find yourself wandering through a 10-acre outdoor history museum in the morning, sampling aged cheddar at a family-run country store by noon, and watching the sun set behind the Presidential Range by evening. The state's oldest summer resort still draws families to crystal-clear lakes, while literary landmarks honor the poets and playwrights who found inspiration in these hills. Pack a camera, lace up your hiking boots, and prepare to discover why New Hampshire's small towns have been captivating visitors for more than two centuries.

Wolfeboro

Proclaiming itself "The Oldest Summer Resort in America," Wolfeboro sits on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. Today, Wolfeboro anchors the eastern shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire's largest body of water, at about 72 square miles. The Wolfeboro Inn provides classic accommodations right on the waterfront. For a classic day at the lake, head to Allen Albee Beach on Lake Wentworth. You can enjoy a swim at the family-friendly sandy town beach or spread out a picnic lunch. For a longer waterfront experience, you can drive to Wentworth State Park, which offers 50 acres of shoreline on the same lake. The paved path of the Cotton Valley Rail Trail is excellent for walking and biking, with beautiful views as it crosses causeways over Lake Wentworth and Crescent Lake. After a day outdoors, the Back Bay Boathouse provides waterfront dining with live entertainment, including comedy shows and music.

North Conway

Sitting at the gateway to the White Mountains, North Conway consistently earns recognition as one of New England's premier outdoor destinations. National Geographic named it among the top 25 small towns in America for adventure. Tax-free shopping at Settlers Green, an outlet center, brings bargain hunters from across the region. The village is renowned for its historic Conway Scenic Railroad, which offers vintage train rides through breathtaking mountain scenery and stunning river gorges. Outdoor enthusiasts use the town as a base for skiing at Cranmore Mountain Resort or hiking the trails of Diana's Baths, a series of gentle waterfalls and pools in the White Mountain National Forest. For a taste of the local culture, stop by the Met Coffeehouse or browse the iconic Zeb's General Store for unique gifts and gourmet foods

Portsmouth

As one of New England's oldest seaports, Portsmouth blends maritime history with a vibrant, walkable downtown. Strawbery Banke Museum sprawls across 10 acres in the South End, preserving more than 30 buildings dating from the 1690s to the 1950s. The city claims 36,000 restaurant seats for its population, concentrated around Market Square, a cobblestoned plaza anchored by a steepled church. You can follow the Portsmouth Harbor Trail to see landmarks like the Prescott Park waterfront gardens and the USS Albacore submarine. The cultural scene thrives at the Music Hall, a restored 1878 theater hosting concerts and films. For dining, The Wilder is a local favorite for its creative, wood-fired cuisine and artisanal cocktails. Another popular spot for a casual meal and a vast selection of craft beers is the Thirsty Moose Taphouse.

Littleton

Littleton is often celebrated as one of America's best small towns, with a thriving Main Street full of unique shops. The thoroughfare runs between two white-steepled churches and includes Chutters, home to the world's longest candy counter at 112 feet. The Riverwalk Covered Bridge, a 300-foot pedestrian span built in 2004, crosses the Ammonoosuc River and leads to Schilling Beer Co., a European-inspired craft brewery with expansive river views. Harmony Park invites visitors to play giant outdoor instruments along the waterfront. Littleton also claims literary fame as the birthplace of writer Eleanor Porter, whose character Pollyanna stands immortalized in a bronze statue outside the library. The vintage Littleton Diner has hosted multiple presidential candidates on the campaign trail.

Franconia

This town in the White Mountains finds its center of gravity in the spectacular Franconia Notch State Park. After your hike, spend a relaxing afternoon at Echo Lake Beach, where you can swim or rent a canoe with a view of Cannon Mountain. The town itself holds a rich cultural history. For a casual meal, stop by the Hungry Bear Cafe or Iron Furnace Brewing on Main Street. A quarter-mile poetry trail winds through the property, with plaques featuring Frost's verses mounted at the very spots that inspired them. The New England Ski Museum at Cannon Mountain chronicles the region's skiing heritage.

Jackson

Set in the heart of the Mount Washington Valley, Jackson is defined by its iconic red covered bridge spanning the Wildcat River. The Historic Honeymoon Covered Bridge, a covered span built in 1876, frames the entry into the village proper. According to local tradition, couples who kiss beneath it receive good luck. The Jackson Ski Touring Foundation maintains more than 100 kilometers of cross-country trails threading past the white-steepled church, along the Ellis River, and right to the doorsteps of historic inns. Black Mountain offers downhill skiing, while Nestlenook Farm hosts lantern-lit sleigh rides through the winter months. The Jackson Falls provides a beautiful spot for a cool dip on a summer day. For a taste of the town's historic charm, The Wentworth has been welcoming guests since the 19th century with its grand white columns and wrap-around porches.

Peterborough

This classic Monadnock Region town has long been a haven for artists and writers, contributing to its deep cultural roots. Thornton Wilder modeled Grover's Corners, the fictional setting of his Pulitzer Prize-winning play Our Town, on this very community. The MacDowell artist residency program, founded in 1907, has hosted more than 9,000 artists across its 450 wooded acres, including Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, and James Baldwin. The Peterborough Players, a professional theater company established in 1933, performs in an 18th-century barn. Depot Square clusters 14 shops and restaurants around a central plaza, including the literary-minded Toadstool Bookshop. The Mariposa Museum & World Culture Center occupies a historic Baptist church and houses interactive world culture exhibits. The Peterborough Town Library, established in 1833, holds the distinction of being the oldest tax-supported public library in the United States.

Exeter

Rich in history as one of New Hampshire's original settlements, Exeter boasts a walkable downtown along the Squamscott River. The American Independence Museum is housed in the Ladd-Gilman House, where key documents related to the Revolutionary War are kept. The museum holds one of only 26 surviving Dunlap Broadsides, the original printing of the Declaration of Independence, along with two drafts of the U.S. Constitution. The Exeter Historical Society at 47 Front Street displays Civil War artifacts and traces Abraham Lincoln's 1860 visit. Phillips Exeter Academy, one of the nation's oldest boarding schools, anchors the downtown with Georgian brick buildings. Swasey Parkway extends along the Squamscott River, offering a peaceful setting for a morning walk.

Sugar Hill

Sugar Hill earned its name from the sugar maples lining Sunset Hill Road, which offers panoramic views of the Franconia, Presidential, Kinsman, and Dalton mountain ranges. Each June, purple and pink lupines blanket the hillsides, drawing photographers and visitors to the annual Lupine Festival. Polly's Pancake Parlor, a James Beard Foundation American Classic, has served buckwheat pancakes drowned in local maple syrup since 1938. Harman's Cheese & Country Store has been aging white cheddar using whole milk since 1955. The Sugar Hill Historical Museum displays vintage sleighs, carriages, and memorabilia from actress Bette Davis, who summered here and met her second husband in this hillside village. St. Matthew's Chapel, a white-steepled church, becomes especially photogenic when surrounded by blooming lupines.

Discovering New Hampshire's Heart

New Hampshire's small towns reward the curious traveler. You can spend a morning examining Revolutionary War artifacts in Exeter, an afternoon cooling off at Echo Lake in Franconia, or an evening sampling local cheeses and craft beer in Littleton. The state's modest geography works in your favor, placing mountain villages within easy reach of coastal communities. Summer brings lake swimming and lupine blooms, autumn transforms hillsides into riots of red and gold, winter blankets ski trails and sleigh routes in fresh powder, and spring sends waterfalls rushing with snowmelt. These nine towns represent just a fraction of what awaits beyond the interstate exits. Whether you come for the hiking, the history, or simply the chance to slow down and watch sunset paint the White Mountains in alpenglow, you will find communities that have been welcoming visitors for generations and show no signs of stopping.