11 Off-The-Beaten-Path Towns In New Hampshire
Off-the-beaten-path does not mean off-the-grid entirely. New Hampshire has many beautiful towns that some might say are in the middle of nowhere and have nothing to offer. Tucked between Vermont and Maine, the Canadian border, and several mountain ranges and lakes, New Hampshire surprises many with small towns with big, welcoming hearts. Communities take immense pride in maintaining the aesthetics of the town's origins in its buildings, exhibiting artifacts in museums, and honoring significant people and events with landmarks. A trip to the off-the-beaten-path towns in New Hampshire is a journey through its heritage.
Waterville Valley
It doesn’t get more off-the-beaten path than Waterville Valley, with one road in and out. The road through the town ends against the spectacular White Mountains. Although Waterville Valley's population is less than 1000, this number increases to 6,000 during winter with skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities, such as the NH Special Olympic Winter Games in March. Summer trails include hiking and biking trails, boating, fishing, and swimming. A popular and stunning landmark many make a point of visiting is the 40 ft. Sabbaday Falls. The trail to the falls is an easy, evenly graded path with a stone staircase taking you to the observation site for unforgettable views.
Authors of the popular Children's Curious George books and former residents of Waterville Valley founded the Rey Cultural Center, which focuses on art, science, and nature education through its many exhibits and programs.
Watch spectacular sunsets from the Corcoran Pond and appreciate the beauty of seclusion.
New Castle
Off the New Hampshire coast is a town on an island. Originally called Great Island, New Castle is the only town entirely on an island in New Hampshire. Besides the spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, it also offers panoramic views of the Piscataqua River. History enthusiasts will especially enjoy visiting New Castle.
Fort Constitution, the 48-foot Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse, and the Fort Stark Historic Site, a former military compound, are prominent historic landmarks. The Great Island Common is a small scenic beach, suitable for a day of fun with the family.
Ashland
On the southern edge of the White Mountains and surrounded by the lakes region, Ashland is a small town full of surprises. The Whipple House Museum, the 1837 home of Dr. Whipple, and next to it the Pauline E. Glidden Toy Museum, a collection of Glidden’s toys from the 1800s, the Ashland Railroad Station Museum, and the Squam River Covered Bridge are among the few historic landmarks to visit.
Nature lovers will enjoy hiking, biking, and water activities at Squam Lake, the Whitten Woods Trailhead, and the White Mountain National Forest.
Woodstock
Initially, Woodstock was a central point for the logging industry until 1911. Tourism became an essential economic factor in Woodstock in 1905 due to its pristine position in the White Mountains. Today, it offers many attractions for tourists who flock to explore and enjoy this ideal off-the-beaten-path town. Experience the power of nature and stunning natural landscapes at Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves by following the wooden boardwalk through the gorge along the Lost River. Jagged rock walls, huge boulders, surging waterfalls, a treehouse, and a suspension bridge await every explorer.
The Woodstock Inn Brewery offers backstage passes for guests to learn about the brewing process, live music, and spectacular Igloo dining experiences. Possibly the most unusual and staggering attraction at Woodstock is the Ice Castles, a venue with ice slides, caverns and archways, crawl tunnels, a private artic alcove, and a winter fairy village.
Colebrook
In the Great North Woods Region is Colebrook, a stunning small town off-the-beaten path to relax and revive the body and mind. The town has preserved its centuries-old history by restoring and maintaining the architecture, historical markers, like the Coos Trail marker, and old-town ambiance. Magnificent buildings, such as the Citizen's Bank and Hicks Hardware, can be viewed when walking through the town.
Moose watching and hunting is a popular activity in Colebrook. The North Country Moose Festival is held every weekend before Labor Day. Stepping into the countryside and the inspiring landscape, the Poore Family Homestead Historic Farm Museum is a tribute to the Poore family’s dedication to Colebrook’s sustainability. Besides the museum, the homestead has picnic areas and events, like field trips, demonstrations, concerts, and a six-week student program. Stepping further into nature, the Beaver Brook Falls Wayside has hiking trails leading to stunning waterfalls and luscious forestry.
Chichester
Chichester is a town tucked neatly off the beaten path on the Suncook River. A prominent must-see in Chichester is the 1887 Thunder Bridge, crossing the Suncook River. The Chichester Historical Society keeps its heritage alive with many documents, artifacts, and knowledge of landmarks for public interest.
Family fun in Chichester is best at Chuckster’s Family Fun Park. The park offers numerous activities for young and old, adventurers, and nature seekers, such as go-karts, climbing walls, ziplines, bumper boats, and batting cages. The Chichester Town Line Trail is an easy two-mile trail with excellent wildlife and stupendous scenery.
Sunapee
Sunapee is a small town ready to host visitors in every season. In summer, a walk around Sunapee Harbor, home to The Livery in Sunapee Harbor, provides fabulous live music, shops, and restaurants. Or embark on a daytime Scenic Lake Cruise or a Dinner Cruise around Lake Sunapee. In spring and fall, hiking and biking in Mount Kearsarge or ziplining at the Adventure Park at Mount Sunapee Resort are family fun outings, and in winter, skiing on Mount Sunapee is an all-time favorite.
Sunapee's intriguing past is brought alive at the Sunapee Historical Society’s Flanders-Osborne Museum and the Sunapee Archives on Main Street. In nearby Newbury, explore The Fells, the 83.5-acre 20th-century John Hay Estate, and its six gardens.
Hinsdale
The oldest continuously operating US post office, established in 1815, is in Hinsdale. Along 37 acres of beautiful landscape on the Connecticut River are the Ebenezer Hinsdale House, Fort Hinsdale, and the Ebenezer Hinsdale Farm. The site includes livestock and agricultural barns, as well as a blacksmith. Hinsdale, situated in the Wantastiquet Mountain Natural Area, provides many trails for all experience levels. An easy trail leads to the Walter H. Child Monument and connects to Miners ledge with spectacular views of the Connecticut River Valley and the Madame Sherri Forest in Chesterfield.
Hinsdale is part of the popular 13,300-acre Pisgah State Park, which offers excellent outdoor activities like hiking, biking, horse riding, bird watching, ATV and snowmobiling, and many water sports. Since it is off-the-beaten-path, far from city entertainment, Northfield Drive-In, which has entertained people since 1948, is great for a family outing.
Ossipee
Sharing its name with the Ossipee Mountains, Ossipee is an off-the-beaten-path outdoor paradise that comprises several small villages within the hills. Ossipee Lake, its rivers, and the mountain provide ample fishing, swimming, hiking, and skiing. The Historical Society's Grant Hall Museum in Ossipee includes men's and women’s clothing, a spinning wheel, a bootmaker’s stand, and Civil War artifacts. The Whittier Bridge crossing the Bearcamp River, an Ossipee historic monument, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Campton
The Campton Falls, or the Beebe River Falls, is a 28 ft. drop waterfall secluded in the lush vegetation but easily accessible to the public. The waterfall flows year-round, providing glorious views of this natural wonder. Campton has 18 historical markers, including the Campton Congregational Church, the Campton Pond and Dam, the Campton Town House, and Campton Hollow, one of the original settlements.
Campton's conservation programs allow visitors to enjoy the natural environment in preserved spaces, like the Blair Woodland Natural Area, Pattee Conservation Park, and West Branch Brook Forest.
Squiggles brings entertainment to this off-beaten-path town. It is more than just a store in an 1826 building selling locally sourced products, including gifts, toys, and candies. It has a vintage arcade that includes games like air hockey, various pinball games, and Pacman. All machines still use quarters. The venue also has mini golf and a function hall.
Shelburne
Shelburne might be an off-the-beaten-path town with a population of 358, but it is alive and steeped in its history. Located snuggly on the Androscoggin River, surrounded by the White Mountains, and part of the scenic Presidential Range Trail, Shelburne delights and impresses its visitors throughout the year. The Shelburne Birches has a bronze plaque dedicated to those who served in the armed forces, and the Stone Fish, one of Mason’s stone collections made in 1900, is an unusual and interesting landmark in Shelburne.
New Hampshire’s small towns, gloriously placed within luscious mountain ranges and alongside rivers and the coast, might be off-the-beaten-path, yet they offer excellent outdoor and historical activities that cannot be experienced in a city. New Hampshire is a state for all seasons: winter invites skiers to the mountain slopes, summer invites water sport enthusiasts, and spring and fall invite hikers, bikers, and rock climbers to its countless trails through dense forests, waterfalls, and covered bridges.
