These 11 Towns In New Hampshire Were Ranked Among US Favorites In 2025

New Hampshire, a scenic state in the New England region of the American Northeast, is known for its varied topography, lively urban centers such as Manchester and Concord, and extensive granite quarries. Yet it is the collection of small communities that has earned national recognition. These locales feature natural settings, historic points of interest, storybook Main Streets, year-round outdoor recreation, and a strong sense of genuine connection for locals and guests. Travelers planning a New Hampshire escape in 2025 will discover an inviting mix of mountain hamlets, river towns, and coastal retreats that reflect classic New England character in every season.

Littleton

A small community in northern New Hampshire’s Grafton County, Littleton is located along the Ammonoosuc River at the northern edge of the White Mountains. Visitors can take a walking tour of Main Street, where historic brick buildings house antique stores like Purple Peacock, long-standing restaurants such as The Coffee Pot Restaurant, and breweries including Schilling Beer Co., known for European-inspired artisan beer and riverside craft cocktails. The Littleton Area Historical Museum offers deeper insight into the events that shaped the region. Concerts and theatrical productions are hosted throughout the year at the Littleton Opera House. Outside the Littleton Public Library, a bronze statue of “Pollyanna of Littleton” honors the optimistic character created by local novelist Eleanor H. Porter.

North Conway

Named in honor of British Field Marshal Henry Seymour Conway, North Conway is located in eastern Carroll County. Serving as a gateway to the White Mountains, the town offers access to outdoor opportunities in the Mount Washington Valley, including trails near the Green Hills Preserve. Antique stores such as Richard M Plusch Antiques and coffee shops like Frontside Coffee Roasters line the active business district. Nearby Settlers’ Green Outlet Village provides tax-free shopping close to the White Mountain National Forest. Visitors can also take vintage train rides on the Conway Scenic Railroad or explore the area’s skiing heritage at the New England Ski Museum’s satellite location in town.

Portsmouth

Portsmouth is a small coastal city and established summer retreat located on the Piscataqua River in southeastern New Hampshire’s Rockingham County. Known for its maritime heritage and preserved architecture, the city’s downtown centers on Market Square within the Portsmouth Downtown Historic District. The area features Irish-themed gift shops like Ireland On the Square and locally owned eateries such as Durbar Square Restaurant. Visitors can explore restored buildings dating back to the 17th through 19th centuries at Strawbery Banke Museum, attend performances and educational programs at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre, and enjoy seasonal outdoor events at waterfront Prescott Park.

Meredith

Located along the western shores of Lake Winnipesaukee in Belknap County, Meredith serves as a popular summer resort destination in the Lakes Region. In addition to Lake Winnipesaukee, the surrounding area includes Lake Waukewan, Wickwas Lake, and Lake Winnisquam. Meredith Village sits on a narrow strip of land between Lake Waukewan and the northern edge of Meredith Bay and functions as the town’s economic center. Many 19th- and early-20th-century buildings line its streets. Visitors can take a cruise aboard the MS Mount Washington, attend performances at the Winnipesaukee Playhouse, shop for clothing and accessories at Adornments & Creative Clothing in the Mill Falls Marketplace, and participate in seasonal events hosted at the marketplace.

Hanover

Hanover is a college town in Grafton County’s Upper Valley along the Connecticut River. The town is anchored by the historic campus of Dartmouth College. Its Hopkins Center for the Arts serves as a cultural hub, while the Hood Museum of Art maintains a wide-ranging collection of artworks and antiquities. The Appalachian Trail passes directly through downtown Hanover, linking nearby preserves and hiking paths. Between outdoor excursions, visitors can attend a baseball game at Red Rolfe Field in Biondi Park or enjoy classic fare at Lou’s Restaurant & Bakery on Main Street.

Gorham

Gorham is a Coös County town situated in the Androscoggin River Valley near the northern edge of the Presidential Range. A drive along the Mount Washington Auto Road offers access to the Northeast’s highest peak and views of the surrounding White Mountains region. Outdoor recreation options include camping at Moose Brook State Park, which features wooded campsites, and guided kayaking trips through the Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center. The Gorham Historical Society & Railroad Museum provides insight into local history and rail travel, with exhibits housed inside a well-preserved 1907 Grand Trunk Railway station.

Peterborough

Peterborough, named in honor of Charles Mordaunt, the 3rd Earl of Peterborough, is located in Hillsborough County along the Contoocook River at the junction of U.S. Route 202 and New Hampshire Route 101. One of the town’s primary attractions is MacDowell, a wooded creative retreat that supports artists, composers, and writers throughout the year. Outdoor recreation is available at Edward MacDowell Lake, where visitors can swim, boat, fish, or relax along the shoreline. Annual events draw visitors throughout the year, including the Children and the Arts Day Festival in May, Viva Bach Peterborough in late October, and the Peterborough Snow Ball each January.

Franconia

Franconia sits on the western side of the White Mountains in Grafton County and was named for its resemblance to Franconian Switzerland in Bavaria’s Upper Franconia region. The town provides access to Franconia Notch State Park and the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway, which operates during summer and winter months and carries visitors to the summit of Cannon Mountain. Warm-weather visits allow for exploration of the Flume Gorge, Echo Lake, and the Old Man of the Mountain historical site. During winter, the Cannon Mountain Ski Area offers seasonal recreation. The Franconia Ridge Loop trail crosses several 4,000-foot peaks, and both the New England Ski Museum and the Franconia Heritage Museum document regional skiing and early settlement history.

Exeter

Exeter is located along the tidal Squamscott River in Rockingham County. The town combines a traditional downtown with modern amenities. In addition to Phillips Exeter Academy, one of the nation’s oldest secondary schools, the town is home to the American Independence Museum. Its campus includes the restored Folsom Tavern and the Ladd-Gilman House, which features an early printing of the Declaration of Independence by John Dunlap. Visitors can browse independently owned shops such as Whirlygigs Toy Shop, dine at Otis Restaurant, and enjoy green space and walking paths at the Swasey Parkway along the river.

Sugar Hill

Sugar Hill is a Grafton County town named for its extensive sugar maple groves and overlooks the White Mountain National Forest. The community is known for its mountain views across several regional ranges. Polly’s Pancake Parlor on Sugar Hill Road serves homemade pancakes, waffles, breakfast dishes, and maple-syrup-topped French toast. Harman’s Cheese & Country Store, operating since the 1950s, offers locally produced foods and specialty cheeses. The Sugar Hill Historical Museum documents the town’s past, and each June the Annual Sugar Hill Lupine Festival celebrates the seasonal bloom of lupine flowers across surrounding fields and gardens.

Hancock

Hancock is located in southwestern New Hampshire’s Monadnock Region in Hillsborough County and was named after American Founding Father John Hancock. The Hancock Village Historic District forms the town’s center and includes notable structures such as the Hancock Meetinghouse and the Hancock Historical Society Museum. The museum houses artifacts and manuscripts related to the town’s development. Educational outings are available through the Harris Center for Conservation Education, which offers guided programs focused on local ecology. Nearby Nubanusit Lake supports water recreation, while Spacious Skies Seven Maples campground provides lodging in a wooded setting suitable for families.

Planning a New Hampshire Getaway

These New Hampshire communities present a range of experiences rooted in outdoor recreation, local history, and long-established traditions. Travelers can explore mountain landscapes, lakeside villages, river towns, and coastal settings while engaging with museums, festivals, and walkable downtowns. In 2025, visitors will find opportunities to connect with the state culture through seasonal events, preserved architecture, and access to natural areas that support hiking, boating, skiing, and discovery throughout the year.