The 7 Can't-Miss Towns In New Hampshire
The Granite State of New Hampshire may be a small state near the northern reaches of New England, yet it’s full of towns and landmarks you won’t want to miss. There’s rich history and scenery at the Seacoast. Make your way to a majestic lake where you can set sail and leave your troubles behind. Ascend to new heights at New England’s tallest mountain. Oh, and you can discover a surprising world of excitement in the state’s most famous college town. New Hampshire may be a small state, yet it always goes big in natural beauty and exhilarating adventures. With this in mind, let’s head over to these seven can’t-miss towns in New Hampshire.
Portsmouth
Situated just across the Maine state line on New Hampshire's Atlantic Seacoast, Portsmouth is a unique coastal town that combines fascinating history with timeless charm. For the ultimate throwback, go to the Jackson House to tour the state’s oldest surviving wood-framed house (first constructed around 1664), and head to the Langdon House to check out a much grander Georgian manor built in 1784 by someone (John Langdon) who would go on to sign the United States Constitution. Then, pop over to Strawberry Banke to walk through Portsmouth’s evolution from an Abenaki indigenous settlement to British colonial outpost, and then to a modern multicultural American city.
Even if you simply need to get away and find a pleasant change of scenery, just cross the Piscataqua River to Peirce Island, a 27-acre nature preserve with salt marshes, tidal pools, and leafy meadows, plus this island has boat launches available. Once you’re ready to call it a day, check into The Davenport Inn for a chic boutique hotel that’s pretty much at the center of it all.
Keene
Sitting in the Connecticut River Valley, about 92 miles northwest of Boston (Massachusetts), Keene really is keen on classic New England aesthetics and contemporary creativity. Stroll Main Street downtown to take in all of Keene’s historic charm, pop into the Historical Society of Cheshire County’s museum to learn more of the town’s backstory, and catch a show at the stately Colonial Performing Arts Center.
If you prefer spending quality time in the great outdoors, Keene is a truly great place to do it. Nearby, you will find New Hampshire’s largest state park, a gorgeous wetlands preserve, and a picture-perfect park for hiking and biking at Pisgah State Park. Also, you can head up to Mount Monadnock State Park and try a hike to its scenic 3,165-foot summit. Whatever you end up doing during the day, cap it off the right way with a stay at The Burrell House Inn, an elegant family-run boutique hotel that’s steps away from downtown.
Hanover
Right across the Connecticut River from Vermont is New Hampshire’s most iconic college town. Of course, no trip to Hanover feels complete without exploring the campus of the Ivy League Dartmouth College, including the esteemed Hood Museum of Art and the equally impressive performing arts venue at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. And if you’d like to catch some natural beauty, head down to Mink Brook Nature Preserve for a set of hiking trails (including some wheelchair-accessible trails) that connect to a larger network of verdant woodland trails across the area.
For even more adventures in the wilderness, hit the Appalachian Trail, which runs through Hanover and provides seemingly endless opportunities for incredible wilderness hikes in this area and along its entire path (from Georgia all the way to Maine). Finally, check into the Hanover Inn at Dartmouth for a posh and luxurious yet cozy and comfy hotel right on the Dartmouth campus.
Concord
Concord may be New Hampshire’s state capital, yet there’s much more to this town beyond the capitol. Right by the State House is the New Hampshire Historical Society’s museum, where you can explore New Hampshire’s history and find everything from a vintage Abenaki dugout canoe to lovely landscape paintings. Then, walk over to Main Street and see what’s on display at Art on Main, Concord’s year-round yet ever-changing outdoor art gallery.
When you’re ready to get out and explore some of New Hampshire’s great outdoors, head south to Bear Brook State Park and try everything from mountain biking on its rugged forest trails to relaxing at the beach at Bear Hill Pond. Or, if your favorite adventures happen to be between two covers, return to town and venture into Gibson’s Bookstore for Concord’s oldest and most legendary independent bookseller. (If you can use some refreshment, they also have an in-house cafe.) And for some wonderfully authentic New Hampshire style hospitality, do a stay at The Hotel Concord, an independent boutique hotel with all the creature comforts you want and a prime location downtown near the State House and the Merrimack River.
Meredith
Nestled on the western shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, about 60 miles north of Manchester, Meredith offers a distinctly New England style of lakefront living. When you need a simple day at the beach, head over to Pinnacle Park for a quiet, secluded-feeling stretch of the lake for easy swimming and paddling. If you want a fuller view of the lake, hop on board with Custom Tours for a private cruise with Captain Dave.
Once you’re ready to return to dry land, treat your palate with a stop at Hermit Woods Winery, a fun and fascinating local institution dedicated to crafting the tastiest fruit wines with locally grown fruit, including blueberries, plums, cranberries, and apples, and stick around for great food and live music on site. Or, if you fancy a more adventurous time on the mountain, head up to Gunstock Mountain Resort for ziplining, challenge courses, a mountain coaster, and a campground during the summer season, and skiing and snowboarding during winter. And for many more great experiences in and around Meredith, book a stay at the Mill Falls Resort Collection, a refined assortment of lovely hotels that all offer access to their own lakefront activity center and all sorts of fun events on site.
Sugar Hill
Sugar Hill may be New Hampshire’s newest town, and this town at the foot of the White Mountains is certainly a prime spot to embark on all sorts of new adventures. Speaking of the mountains, go to Franconia Notch State Park for an extensive network of hiking trails and a dedicated mountain bike path, along with a perfect spot for aquatic activities at Echo Lake Beach and the Cannon Mountain Ski Area for winter sports. For a different kind of exploration in the mountains, go to The Frost Place, a house where the famed poet Robert Frost lived from 1915 to 1920, which is now the place to go for poetry workshops, open-mic performances, and pure artistic inspiration at this beautiful wilderness retreat.
If you come to Sugar Hill craving something sweet, you’re in luck, as Polly’s Pancake Parlor is a longtime family-run restaurant featuring the most delectable pancakes, waffles, and other treats and plenty of New Hampshire-made maple syrup. Then, savor the suite life with a stay at Sunset Hill House, a fantastic mountain resort with New Hampshire’s oldest golf course, hearty fare at Boo’s Burger Bar, plenty more activities on site, and rooms and suites offering incredible panoramic views of New Hampshire’s White Mountains and the nearby Green Mountains of Vermont.
Carroll
Nestled high in the White Mountains of New Hampshire’s North Country, Carroll not only has the state’s tallest mountain, but also a rich and illustrious tradition of world-class hospitality. Right by this town sits New Hampshire’s and New England’s overall highest summit at Mount Washington. (At 6,288 feet above sea level, this is also the tallest Appalachian mountain north of North Carolina and Tennessee). If you’re up for a long hiking excursion, try hiking your way to the top. Otherwise, you can drive to the summit or enjoy an incredible train ride on the historic Mount Washington Cog Railway. And while you’re at the summit, check out Mount Washington Observatory to poke around their museum, tour the weather station (tours can be booked in advance), and take in the amazing views from the top.
For even more great times in the mountains, make your way to the grand Omni Mount Washington Resort & Spa. During winter, the Bretton Woods Ski Area opens up some of the Northeast’s snowiest slopes for alpine and Nordic skiing. During summer, tee off and enjoy up to 27 holes of championship-level golf, along with tennis, rock climbing, fly fishing, and scenic gondola rides. Year-round, the Omni offers a magnificent full-service spa, delectable dining options, and elegant rooms and suites at this historic resort that’s anchored the region for over 120 years.
There’s No Fear of Missing Out When Visiting These Can’t-miss Towns
If you feel any fear of missing out, cast that fear aside and make sure you don’t miss out on all the amazing offerings of these New Hampshire towns. At Portsmouth, step back in time and admire this town’s well-preserved colonial-era history and picture-perfect coastal environment. At Hanover, take in the world-class artistic and cultural offerings at Dartmouth, and find yourself while “getting lost” on the Appalachian Trail. And at Carroll, head to the summit of New England’s tallest mountains and stay booked and busy at one of the region’s finest mountain resorts. Whatever you have on your to-do list, a trip to New Hampshire will help you check off plenty of boxes while keeping you at the center of the action.
