The Best Small Towns in New Hampshire for a Weekend Retreat
Counted among the 13 original states of America, New Hampshire is part of New England and lies to the extreme north of the nation. On its northern boundary lies Quebec, a well-known Canadian province. New Hampshire’s most striking feature is its mountains. They fill up the landscape of the state in the most beautiful way. There are approximately 1,500 distinctly categorized elevations, which include the White Mountains, standing at a height of over 5,000 feet. The most popular mountain, however, is Mount Washington, which has an elevation of 6,288 feet.
Located within close proximity to New York City, New Hampshire, also often referred to as "The Granite State," is ideal for a quaint and relaxing weekend getaway. And even though Manchester and Concord are the more popular cities of New Hampshire, the state is home to many small towns that have that quintessential hometown feel. Explore some of these beautiful towns to plan a weekend getaway!
Sugar Hill
The first small town that comes to mind when talking about New Hampshire is Sugar Hill. It gets its name from the giant sugar maple groves found within the town boundaries. Sugar Hill is known to offer the most spectacular vistas of the Franconia, Dalton, Kinsman, and Presidential ranges. Visitors in June can witness blooming fields of purple and pink lupine flowers, making the town one of the most picturesque places in New England. History lovers should definitely make a trip to the Sugar Hill Historical Museum, which has two barns, the Reid-Burpee house, and a main building within its premises. This museum displays the complete history of the town from 1780 till date!
Satisfy all food cravings at Harmen’s Cheese Store and Polly’s Pancake Parlor. The latter is popular for its delicious homemade pancakes, which are made with the freshest ingredients!
Portsmouth
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is a scenic coastal town that serves as the perfect weekend retreat destination. It combines modern charm with rich history and gives tourists an opportunity to explore a beautiful historical downtown, complete with quaint art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants overlooking the charming waterfront.
Wondering what life underwater looks like? Well, check out the retired submarine in Portsmouth called the USS Albacore, which has now been transformed into a museum. Tourists may also like to take the ferry or harbor cruise to reach the Isles of Shoals. This is an excellent spot for a family picnic and touring the buildings in the island area. For a meal at an ethnic restaurant, head to Prescott Park. This eatery is known for its lovely food and beautiful pier and flower garden.
Hanover
New Hampshire and Vermont’s Upper Valley region is home to a town called Hanover, which has the quintessential small-town vibe and brings together the arts, intellectual discovery, and the outdoors. So, there’s something for everyone! The downtown district of Hanover is extremely vibrant and has several hidden gems to explore. These include eclectic boutiques like Indigo Women’s Clothing Store and Rylee Anne's Boutique Women's Clothing Store, local shops such as the Simon Pearce Glassware and Pottery Store and Lemon Tree Gifts- a Gift, Jewelry, and Home Decor Shop.
For those who love outdoor adventure, The Appalachian National Scenic Trail could be an amazing experience. Stretching over 2,100 miles, this trail starts from Georgia’s Springer Mountain and goes all the way up to Mount Katahdin in Maine. The best part? It passes through the lovely town of Hanover!
Littleton
Located between the Connecticut River and the White Mountains in the north is a quaint town called Littleton. Besides being a great outdoor escape and shopping hub, the town is known for its bustling downtown that invites tourists to shop for all kinds of local goods at the shops lining the main street. For lodging, check out the iconic Thayers Inn, located in the heart of Littleton. Music lovers should not miss out on Northern Lights Music, which has the most amazing collection of vintage, new, and used musical instruments. The Littleton League of NH Craftsmen gallery is the perfect spot for art enthusiasts as it features the finest art, jewelry, photography, and mixed media.
Visit the Littleton Historical Society Museum to get acquainted with the town’s history and culture. For some outdoor adventure, embark upon hiking trails like the Kilburn Crags, Dells, and Pine Hill Trails.
Jackson
Jackson is a quaint town resort located in the center of the beautiful White Mountains in New Hampshire. It is considered to be the ideal destination for a cozy winter weekend retreat or a relaxed summer vacation. From romantic inns to outdoor adventure, Jackson has lots to offer to its visitors. For the outdoorsy vacationers, Jackson has The Jackson Ski Touring Foundation, which has about 60 miles of well-maintained trails throughout the town, as well as the White Mountain National Forest. There are all kinds of trails, ranging in difficulty levels, from beginners to experts. Here, one can enjoy activities like skate skiing, track skiing, or snowshoeing.
Located down the street from the famous Jackson Ski Touring Foundation is J-Town Deli, which is extremely popular for its breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu. They also sell local souvenirs, small gifts, and trinkets. For an Irish pub feel, head to The Shannon Door, which was opened way back in 1953. Besides serving classic Irish food, they also offer live entertainment to their customers.
Lincoln
Lincoln is another charming town in New Hampshire, located on Kancamagus Highway’s western end. It is the ideal weekend getaway destination for visitors who like exploring. This town has a brewery, winery, and a variety of restaurants packed in just one building! Besides this, one can also look forward to skiing and theatrical performances in Lincoln.
Lincoln is known for its multiple iconic trails, such as Georgiana Falls, Mount Pemigewasset, and Lincoln Woods. Families may also like to visit water parks like the White’s Tale Waterpark on their weekend retreat in Lincoln. Some lodging options in the town include Hampton Inn Lincoln White Mountains, Indian Head Retreat, and InnSeason Resorts - Pollard Brook Resort. Recommended restaurants to dine at in Lincoln include Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train and Waterwheel Breakfast & Gift House, among others.
Wolfeboro
Perched on the side of the largest lake in New Hampshire is one of the most scenic New England towns called Wolfeboro. This town is known for its stunning views of the surrounding mountain ranges, cross-country ski trails, and amazing hiking adventures! Add to that some shopping, concert venues, museums, and beaches, and you have the perfect weekend getaway waiting for you.
Wolfeboro is also sometimes called “America’s Oldest Summer Resort” and is beautifully located on the rims of Lake Winnipesaukee. The town gets tourists both in the summer and winter. While some favorite activities in the summer include boating, swimming, and fishing, winters are equally exciting for snowmobiling and ice fishing. Lake Wentworth is considered to be a great spot for some relaxation at Albee Beach. It is also great for water sports like kayaking. Taking a stroll in the downtown area is another interesting way of spending the day in Wolfeboro. For ice cream lovers, a visit to Bailey’s Bubble is a must!
Gorham
Sheltered in the beautiful Androscoggin Valley is Gorham, a New Hampshire town known for its recreational activities, interesting shops, and delightful restaurants. Tourists who like outdoor adventure should definitely have Jericho Mountain State Park on their itinerary. It’s absolutely amazing for activities like snowmobiling, ATV and UTV. Pinkham Notch is located to the south of the town and offers complete access to a waterfall, mountain biking, and hiking trails.
History buffs would love to spend a day at the Gorham Historical Society Museum, a depot museum that offers information about the town and its railroad history. Tourists can also enjoy moose tours in Gorham and sit around the peaceful lakes and rivers for a relaxing weekend experience.
New Hampshire’s quaint and charming towns are perfect for those seeking a fun and leisurely weekend retreat amidst mountains, lakes, and the ocean. From the White Mountain peaks to the Atlantic Ocean, these picturesque towns are nestled in the state’s sprawling pasturelands and valleys. The best part is that most of these towns are located close to each other, so one can even explore a couple of them in a single trip.
