New Hampshire's 6 Most Laid-Back Towns For 2025

New England is famous for its laid-back charm, down-home hospitality, and pretty small towns. In the lush landscapes of New Hampshire, you’ll find all this and more. From the sky-grazing peaks of the White Mountains to the serene beauty of the lakes region, the Granite State is the perfect place to chill out and power down. Take a vintage railcar ride through the mountains, visit a 200-year-old homestead, hike through a mountain pass, or laze by the lake. Whatever you need, you’ll find it in these engaging and easygoing small towns.

Peterborough

Peterborough, in the Monadnock region, is a classic New England village that’s as pretty as a postcard. It’s also home to New Hampshire’s oldest state park, Miller State Park, which gives visitors a chance to summit Pack Monadnock, the mountain that overlooks the town. From the top on a clear day, you can see all the way to Boston and the Vermont hills.

The heart of downtown is Depot Square, where the country’s first library was established in 1833. Wander the streets to admire the 19th-century architecture or shop for unique souvenirs at Bowerbird & Friends, an antiques emporium and gift store selling 19th & 20th-century farm-style antique furnishings, home decor, books, and plants.

For more laidback leisure, try an afternoon lounging at Edward MacDowell Lake, a 1,194-acre recreation area that includes picnic tables, a swimming beach, and hiking trails. The lake is also a great place to see some local wildlife, including deer, moose, beavers, great blue herons, and owls.

North Conway

Nestled in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, North Conway is a picturesque alpine retreat that is perfect when you want to get away from it all. To take in some truly incredible views, take a drive along the Kancamagus Scenic Byway, which runs through the White Mountain National Forest between Conway and Lincoln. Or ditch the vehicle and travel in a vintage railcar instead with the Conway Scenic Railroad. The one-hour trip winds through the stunning Mount Washington Valley. The tour runs from April to November, but also provides seasonal trips in winter.

If you’re visiting in the warmer months, cool off at the Saco River Tubing Center, where you can rent a canoe, kayak, or tube, and enjoy the crystal clear waters and sandy beaches of the Saco River.

Before leaving North Conway, pick up a bottle at the Cathedral Ledge Distillery to take a taste of the mountains home with you. New Hampshire's only certified organic distillery, Cathedral Ledge, offers grain-to-glass whiskey, vodka, and gin. You can try before you buy at their tasting room, housed in a rustic timber-framed barn.

Tamworth

Sandwiched between the White Mountains and New Hampshire’s Lake region and sitting at the foot of Mt Chocorua, Tamworth is a tranquil village surrounded by stunning scenery. You’ll get the best views of Mt Chocorua from Chocorua Lake, a recreation area where you can swim, canoe, or just enjoy a picnic on the beach.

Visit the Remick Country Doctor Museum and Farm to see what life was like on a Tamworth homestead 200 years ago. This fascinating open-air museum features historic homes, barns, gardens, and walking trails. Displays and exhibits tell the story of two country doctors, Dr Edwin Remick and his son, who lived here in the 1800s and 1900s.

While you’re in Tamworth, visit another local legend. Founded in 1931 by the youngest son of President Grover Cleveland, the Barnstormers Theater is the oldest repertory theatre in the United States. The venue hosts a busy summer season of plays and performances that attract art lovers from across New Hampshire and beyond.

Wolfeboro

Named one of the best small towns in America by Travel + Leisure, Wolfeboro is a historic waterfront town on Lake Winnipesaukee known as ‘America’s oldest summer resort’. See the sights in style with Wolfeboro Trolley Tours, a vintage streetcar that takes visitors on a one-hour ride around Main Street, Millionaire’s Row, the scenic waterfront area, and local landmarks.

Another must-see is the Castle in the Clouds, a sprawling 1914 estate in the Ossipee Mountains, just a 30-minute drive from town. The mansion offers guided tours through its perfectly preserved and furnished rooms, as well as extensive gardens with hiking trails to alpine waterfalls and scenic overlooks. You can also grab a bite at the Carriage House Restaurant or the more casual Cafe in the Clouds.

For the ultimate laidback luxury, take a cruise around the lake. Mount Washington Cruises gives visitors a look at the beautiful shoreline from the decks of a historic 1940s steamer. You can take a 2.5-hour narrated tour or treat yourself to a sunset cruise or a dinner cruise with fine dining and live entertainment onboard.

Exeter

Tucked away in the southeast corner of New Hampshire, Exeter is a laidback college town on the banks of the Squamscott River. Home to one of the country’s oldest schools, the Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter is a charming mix of classic and modern with historic architecture, timeless natural attractions, and a relaxed vibe.

Visit the American Independence Museum in the Ladd-Gilman House, built in 1721 and now featuring two floors of exhibits tracing the story of New Hampshire’s role in the Revolutionary War. Attached to the museum is the Folsom Tavern, which was built in 1775 and gives visitors an immersive look at the 18th-century tavern scene.

Where the High Street meets the river, you’ll find Founders Park, a beautiful green space in the heart of town. The park was established in 1988 to mark the town’s 350th anniversary and is a beautiful spot for a picnic or a quiet river walk. There are more serene scenes in Henderson Swasey Town Forest, a 220-acre conservation area with a well-maintained trail system for hikers, bikers, and joggers.

Franconia

Nestled on the west side of the White Mountains, Franconia is best known as the gateway to the stunning Franconia Notch State Park. The ‘notch’ in question is a dramatic mountain pass where you can explore jaw-dropping natural landmarks such as the Flume Gorge, Echo Lake, and Cannon Mountain. Take the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway to summit the mountain the easy way, enjoying incredible vistas of New England’s highest peaks.

Near the tram is one of New Hampshire's most unique attractions, the New England Ski Museum. Dedicated to one of the country’s most popular winter sports, the museum highlights ski pioneers and local Olympians alongside fun displays of vintage ski gear and clothing. One of New England’s most laidback poets is honored in Franconia. Visit The Frost Place to see the former home of Robert Frost, view rare first editions of his work, and take the quarter-mile poetry trail through the woods behind the farmhouse.

Taking It Easy In The Granite State

It’s no wonder that writers like Robert Frost and Henry David Thoreau honed their craft in their native New Hampshire. Time moves more slowly in the Granite State, where the unchanging beauty of the ancient mountains, forests, and lakes reminds us to slow down and live in the moment. Forget stressful city breaks, plan a vacation in New Hampshire’s laidback small towns to rediscover your inner adventurer and ‘take the road less traveled’.