9 Must-Visit Small Towns in New Hampshire
Few states call to mind the regional charms of New England like New Hampshire. First established as a state in 1788, this small northeastern state is home to many quaint, visit-worthy towns. This group of destinations offers a wide array of appeal for travelers seeking history, culture, the great and green outdoors, or the open Atlantic Ocean. From college towns to the colonial past, New Hampshire's small towns are absolutely worth a visit.
North Conway
Tucked in New Hampshire's White Mountains, along the state's eastern border with Maine, North Conway is a pleasant village of only about 2,100 residents. The White Mountain National Forest and Mount Washington, two of the state's most dazzling natural wonders, surround the small town. As if aware of its diverse attractions, North Conway is well-prepared for tourists. The Conway Scenic Railroad offers train rides among the green peaks and is one of North Conway's primary draws. There is also a dinner train experience, a great variation for tourists who want to take a picturesque ride through Crawford Notch, a mountain pass, and a part of the state park of the same name.
For incurable shoppers, travelers gather at Settlers Green Outlet Village, a mall, for outlet-style bulk selections. With over 70 retail stores, the village has something for all tastes, from clothes and electronics to accessories and home supplies.
Hanover
Well-known as one of the best college towns and the home of Dartmouth College, the 10,300 inhabitants of Hanover have many good reasons to welcome visitors. Founded in 1761, the town offers a wide array of choices for all tastes. Culture connoisseurs should seek out the Hopkins Center for the Arts, the Nathan's Garden botanical space, and the historic Baker-Berry Library, Dartmouth's primary library. Another major draw at Dartmouth is the Hood Museum of Art, a robust modern collection.
Portsmouth
Portsmouth, with 22,300 inhabitants, combines the energy of a larger town with the New England-style quiet of a more modest location. The gorgeous town ranks among New Hampshire's historic seaports along the state's short but intensively developed 13-mile Atlantic sea coast. The Piscataqua River forms the town's eastern border, just across from Kittery, Maine. Portsmouth's historic main street attracts visitors of all kinds, not least the Whidden-Ward House, a 300-year-old home and part of the protected concentration of buildings known as The Hill.
For green spaces, Prescott Park, a celebrated local garden and green space, hosts a warm-weather concert schedule every year. As a classic New England small town, Portsmouth's other standout attractions include the Strawbery Banke, an outdoor history museum that takes its name and its Old English spelling from the many wild strawberries that 17th-century settlers found to grow locally.
Exeter
The charming city of Exeter, population 16,200, was founded in 1638. History buffs will appreciate the town's long-standing presence and contributions to state and regional development. The town was a center of abolitionist advocacy during the 1850's, as tensions mounted ahead of the US Civil War. Culture mavens will be attracted to the Exeter Historical Society, the American Independence Museum, and the Lamont Gallery, an art space. For light exercise, the town's mix of leisure amenities, like the Exeter Country Club, and, for nature enthusiasts, the pleasures of the Squamscott River should hold strong appeal.
Wolfeboro
With its impossibly attractive setting between the tiny Lake Wentworth and the much larger Lake Winnipesaukee, the town of Wolfeboro, with 6,600 residents, offers an abundantly attractive location to visit and spend time in. Wolfeboro's status as a lakeside village of choice means that amenities, from restaurants to vacation homes, make for a picturesque, if sometimes expensive, jaunt through New Hampshire's celebrated Lakes Region.
The town likewise boasts the Kingswood Arts Center, a local community space and performing arts venue. Just across town lies the Kingswood Golf Club for those who cannot live or vacation without time on the links — especially in such a great natural setting. In summer, Wolfeboro serves as a water transit hub both for private boats and for the local commercial ferry. Sugar lovers should reward themselves with a trip to the Yum Yum Shop, a lakeside bakery and ice cream counter — and a local legend — in operation since 1948.
Littleton
The welcoming and friendly town of Littleton, population 6,100, is too often ignored by vacationers. It sits in the state's northern neck, close to the White Mountains and near the Moore Reservoir, which separates it from nearby Vermont. Despite its modest size, the town offers an abundance of activities to keep visitors having fun. The charming Main Street boasts multiple art galleries and vintage stores, as well as a Downtown Historical Walk, with permanent signs describing points of local history and interest. Littleton makes an ideal base for nature lovers who want to explore the White Mountains as their main focus. Major attractions, like Franconia Notch State Park and the Appalachian Trail, are sure to satisfy these fresh-air enthusiasts.
Meredith
Like Wolfeboro, Meredith, with 6,800 residents, lies on the banks of Lake Winnipesaukee. The town is known as a pleasant stop for lake tourists and vacationing families, with a clutch of restaurants and dessert shops making it a worthwhile mealtime destination. The Mills Falls Marketplace, a dining and shopping center situated in a refurbished 19th-century mill complex, is one of Meredith's most noteworthy attractions.
Cultural aficionados should check out the Innisfree Bookshop, while parents with young children will delight their children with a trip to Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf. Meredith is also known as the "gateway to the White Mountains" and offers hiking and skiing, according to the season. Meredith's visitors who enjoy America's old train systems should seize the chance to take the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad.
Henniker
Henniker, with a population of just 6,200, makes for another small-town stop. As a more rural place in the south-central part of New Hampshire — and once known only as "Number Six" on colonial-era maps of the region — Henniker's strengths lie in its relaxed vibe. The town offers a slower approach to summer tourism when crowds can overwhelm the state's other attractions.
Henniker is home to New England College, making it a university town like Hanover. Nature lovers should head to Pat's Peak ski area, as it makes for a great stop in winter — or, equally, in the autumn when leaves change their colors to rich reds, yellows, and oranges. The town is celebrated for its bridges, with architectural styles that include stone as well as the covered bridges found in New England and the Midwest.
Dover
Dover, with a more robust 33,400 inhabitants, ranks among New Hampshire's best choices for visitors. Just up the Piscataqua River from Portsmouth, the historic town, which sits just below the state line with Maine and in 1623 became one of America's earliest incorporated places, offers a diverse set of choices for fun and culture seekers.
The Woodman Museum provides a look into the worlds of science, art, and history. Visitors can also take part in the town's year-round festival schedule, from the Cocheco Arts Festival in summer and the Apple Festival in fall to a "Pet-A-Palooza" for animal lovers of all ages. Travelers who enjoy time near or on the water should seek the town's closeness to the Atlantic Ocean and the Bellamy and Piscataqua rivers.
Given how much New Hampshire holds within its modest territory, the state's small towns provide a great perspective into the place's role in New England culture, history, and vibrant present. Hanover and Henniker will charm connoisseurs of America's quaintest college towns. Meredith and Wolfeboro offer the best of an already-famous Lake Winnipesaukee and its surrounding Lakes Region. Portsmouth and Dover serve a slice of the seaside life — and delicious seafood. Whatever a traveler's taste or preference for a New England-style getaway, find it in New Hampshire.
