9 Small Towns In New Hampshire With Big Charm
The US state of New Hampshire is one of six states that make up New England. It is situated in a location with diverse landscapes, including the massive White Mountain ranges, a vibrant lakes region in its interior, densely forested state parks, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. This state is widely considered to be very charming, thanks to its old covered bridges, glorious fall foliage, and picturesque small towns, which reject big box stores in exchange for shops run by friendly locals. The scenic beauty and quaint villages make New Hampshire a truly worthwhile destination.
Tamworth
The rural, archetypal New Hampshire town of Tamworth is situated in a stunningly beautiful location, right in the midst of the 125-acre glacial White Lake and the towering 3,500-foot Mount Chocorua. Popular outdoor attractions, such as hiking the Champney Falls Trail up the mountain to a breathtaking summit overlooking two waterfalls, or swimming, kayaking, and fishing in White Lake State Park, make it worth visiting in all seasons.
Downtown Tamworth is also definitely worth exploring. It boasts lovely colonial architecture and quiet streets, yet offers plenty of places to explore. America's oldest professional summer theater, The Barnstormers, is a local icon, presenting a variety of intimate stage performances in the style of Shakespeare. If you want to get a unique souvenir, locally run Tamworth Distilling and Mercantile is a perfect place to buy spirits and other products, all inspired by New Hampshire ingredients.
Keene
The city of Keene is vital to Cheshire County, New Hampshire, home to Keene State College and Antioch University New England. It is in a great spot to be a charming college town escape for many people from larger cities, being within driving distance to Boston and close to the borders of both Massachusetts and Vermont. Approximately 23,000 people call Keene home, and despite many of them being seasonal college students, the downtown area, centered around a bustling Main Street, remains lively and fun.
The city hosts several annual festivals, including the popular Pumpkin Festival. The fall event is a significant attraction for Halloween-loving visitors, featuring costume contests, Jack-o'-Lantern carving, and trick-or-treating. Keene is also an artsy town, with galleries like Hannah Grimes Marketplace, which sells art in addition to a variety of other local goods, and shops like Shadow and Soul Emporium and Tea Lounge. Being a former working mill town, many downtown businesses are housed in restored historic mill buildings, such as Elm City Brewing Company, located inside the Colony Mill, a staple for craft beer since 1995.
Hancock
With a population of only 1,700, the rural town of Hancock in the scenic Monadnock Region is packed with Old World charm. This New England village boasts a historic core featuring a traditional town square, adorned with Federalist and Greek Revival architecture from the early 1800s. It has everything one might expect in a cute little town in this state, including a covered bridge, an ancient library, and an old general store, Hancock Market.
Hancock is also home to New Hampshire's oldest operating inn, the aptly named Hancock Inn, which has been a working hotel since 1789 and features period decor for a complete ambiance. Right on the same block, you will find popular dining spot Fiddleheads Cafe, serving everything from breakfast classics to shepherd's pie. Hancock has some good shopping options, too, including hidden gem antique stores like Yellow Magnolia Antiques.
Sugar Hill
Sugar Hill, a tiny town with only around 650 residents, is actually New Hampshire's newest town, incorporated in 1962. This little village was strategically placed in the prettiest spot it could have been, between photo-worthy White Mountain peaks and annually blossoming lupine fields, which are tall spiky-looking flowers that come in purple, pink, blue, and white. These vast flower patches create a vibrant color scheme that surrounds Sugar Hill every summer.
This is not a bustling downtown area, but it is absolutely ideal for relaxation and small-town charm. Entertainment options here include dining at the local favorite brunch spot, Polly's Pancake Parlor, or shopping at Harman's Cheese and Country Store, which offers a variety of locally sourced grocery items and gifts, in addition to its selection of cheese. If you would rather get outside, Franconia Notch State Park is located just outside of Sugar Hill, and it features a paved, 9-mile-long walking and biking path called the Franconia Notch Recreation Path. This trail is an excellent way to get up close and personal with the town's incredible surroundings.
Meredith
The Lakes Region of New Hampshire offers endless opportunities for boating, fishing, and other water sports, and the charming lakeside town of Meredith, on Lake Winnipesaukee, has all of that and more. The Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad operates out of this lovely waterfront town, offering a calming and nostalgic experience that takes riders back to when the Granite State Railway was the primary transportation provider in the state. Out the windows, you will see lakes, of course, as well as mountains, going through historic railway tunnels, little villages just like Meredith with adorable cottages, and, of course, epic scenery.
Downtown Meredith truly exudes lake town charm, perfect for exploring in the warmer months, with an outdoor, self-guided Sculpture Walk, four waterfront hotels, and a variety of dining and shopping options, all centered around Mill Falls at the Lake. This resort complex draws most visitors. Loved attractions here include Town Docks, a restaurant with lake views and excellent lobster, and Innisfree Bookshop, a bookstore with a vast collection of independent and local authors.
Exeter
The historic seacoast town of Exeter, located in southeastern New Hampshire, was incorporated in 1638, making it one of the state's oldest towns. Of course, it has a long and fascinating history, including being the birthplace of Daniel Chester French, a famous sculptor who created the Lincoln Memorial, and even being the site of an infamous UFO mass sighting in the 1960s. Exeter also served as the state capital during the Revolutionary War, and you can see a first-printed copy of the Declaration of Independence, as well as early drafts of the Constitution, at the American Independence Museum.
Today, downtown Exeter exudes seaside charm, with maximum walkability centered around Water Street, waterfront parks offering both sea and river views, and charming brick buildings, complete with original interior brick walls. These structures house cafes, such as the Inkwell Coffee House, breweries, including The Czar's Brewery, and shops, like The Willow, an adorable furniture and decor store.
Peterborough
A small city with a population of around 6,400, Peterborough is just a 15-minute drive away from Monadnock State Park, named for the prominent Mount Monadnock, which stands at an impressive 3,165 feet tall. The park attracts many visitors to the area around the city annually, as Mt. Monadnock is renowned as one of the world's most popular hiking destinations. Due to its popularity, guests are required to reserve their parking spots in advance.
The actual town of Peterborough stands on its own, boasting a historic downtown with a thriving arts scene. In fact, this city is said to have inspired Thornton Wilder's play Our Town, which tells the story of a man who finds solace and comfort in everyday life in his small town. Additionally, Peterborough is home to the MacDowell Colony, an iconic artist's residency, and the Peterborough Players, a summer theater, ensuring that the performing arts, visual arts, and literary arts are thriving there. The city also features numerous charming boutique shops, such as Toadstool Bookshops and Twin Elm Farm Antiques.
Littleton
On the northwestern side of the White Mountains, Littleton is considered to be a gateway town to the northern White National Forest. Therefore, it is evident that the area around the charming mountain town is ideal for outdoor recreation. The Ammonoosuc River is located right beside the city, and the rail trail of the same name is perfect for scenic rides. This community is well-regarded for being friendly, earning it the nickname "Glad Town."
The downtown is where it really shines, with unique cast-iron storefronts, breathtaking Victorian architecture, and a classic New England Main Street lined with independent shops that are also tax-free. Some of these include Chutters, known for having the world's longest candy counter, and Lahout's Ski Shop, which advertises itself as America's oldest ski store. For a specifically New Hampshire experience, see a show at the incredibly well-restored Littleton Opera House, which initially opened in 1894.
Jackson
Home to only 1,000 people, the quaint town of Jackson, in the eastern part of the White Mountains, lies in the Mount Washington Valley. This place is best known for its excellent skiing at Black Mountain, which has a small family-run ski resort. Jackson does have other surrounding natural marvels, though, including waterfalls, namely Jackson Falls and Glen Ellis Falls. The former is gentle with many small cascades over granite stacks, and the latter is massive, crashing 64 feet to the pool below.
The town itself is simply charming. It is a romantic spot for a getaway with classic New England vibes, featuring charming old hotels like Eagle Mountain House, a grand inn that has been in operation for almost 140 years. While exploring, you cannot miss seeing a quintessential New Hampshire landmark: the red-covered Honeymoon Bridge over the Ellis River, a must-see photo opportunity.
If your forte is outdoor exploration, doing things like skiing in Jackson, hiking in Peterborough, or boating in Meredith, you can find all of that and more on this list. Or, if you are looking for the extremely charming towns in the center of all the action, you can shop Victorian storefronts in Littleton, score the perfect antique furniture piece in Hancock, or eat some fresh seafood in Exeter. No matter which town you choose for your destination, ultra-charming New Hampshire has it all!
