7 Most Neighborly Towns In New Hampshire
The most neighborly towns in New Hampshire open themselves to visitors from near and far for the new year. In this small corner of the New England region, when the British Empire once controlled the 13 colonies, the friendliest towns in New Hampshire were among the first places that contributed much to the American Revolutionary War. These days, you can expect tasty and amicable treats in destinations like Sugar Hill or riveting accounts of the past in historic towns like Portsmouth and Peterborough. As the new year begins, you can plan and begin your new adventures by exploring some of the most welcoming towns in New Hampshire for a better sense of what a good neighborhood and a good home can feel like in 2025.
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is a convenient and rewarding destination for individuals eager to see both the past and the present of New Hampshire. On the Piscataqua River, close to the border of Maine and about an hour away from Boston, Massachusetts, travelers can immerse themselves into history by taking tugboats down the Piscataqua River to see the 17th- and 18th-century houses lining the banks. One of these buildings, the Strawbery Banke Museum, illustrates how Portsmouth became a prominent city in New Hampshire vis-à-vis costumed staff members roleplaying as the townsfolk of long ago. The USS Albacore Museum, meanwhile, shelters a decommissioned Albacore submarine just as the Fort Stark State Historic Site informs visitors on Portsmouth’s role in the American Revolutionary War and American Civil War.
Both newcomers and locals alike can admire an old pipe organ from 1708 at the Saint John’s Church that continues to sing of the town’s neighborly atmosphere. Even though Portsmouth is the second oldest settlement in New Hampshire since 1623, there are a handful of modern amenities for you to see, such as Prescott Park and Odiorne Point State Park, the latter containing the Seacoast Science Center for those intrigued by marine biology. If ever you need a place to spend a longer time in Portsmouth, you can always check the Wentworth by the Sea, Martin Hill Inn, or Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside for available rooms.
North Conway
New Hampshire is popular for its mountains and outdoor sceneries, and this is especially apparent in the small town of North Conway. Dozens of regional wonders, such as the White Mountain National Forest share its woodland areas with the state of Maine.
Diana’s Baths are a series of small waterfalls and pools in North Conway, and other spots for swimming in the town include the swimming holes of Saco River. However, before taking an expedition through Mount Washington and the White Mountains, you ought to first visit the Mount Washington Observatory Offices since they caution travelers about the intense winds at those heights. For those of you who prefer to stay indoors during these windy seasons, you can certainly stay safe and sound at either The Colonial Motel, North Conway Grand Hotel, or School House Inn.
Sugar Hill
With a population of less than 650 citizens, Sugar Hill is considered one of the smallest towns in New Hampshire. In spite of its small size, Sugar Hill is a welcoming and delicious destination about 50 miles away from North Conway, where you can traipse around the dozens of sugar maples that so named Sugar Hill. June is undoubtedly the most ideal time to visit Sugar Hill when its hills and fields bloom with the vivaciousness of many pink and purple lupine flowers. Several mountain ranges surround the town, which you can ascend to, such as the Franconia and Kinsman Ranges in the White Mountains. Most importantly, you can try out homemade pancakes at Polly Pancake Parlor and scrumptious homemade cheese at Harmen’s Cheese Store. Homeliness and amicability are the main traits Sugar Hill is known for, especially in the town’s many resplendent establishments, such as The Sunset Hill House, Franconia Inn, Lovett’s Inn & Restaurant, and Sugar Hill Inn.
Hanover
Hanover is home to the prestigious Dartmouth College, the oldest university in the state since the year 1769. There, close to the waters of the Connecticut River, which separates New Hampshire from Vermont, you will come across the exquisite Baker Library on the campus green, where Mexican artist José Clemente Orozco created some of the best frescoes you can easily marvel at. More of Dartmouth College’s and Hanover’s educational and artistic side can be respected at the Montshire Museum of Science, for even though it is a site of science, it is nevertheless an exquisite aquarium and science park for all to appreciate nature’s artistry.
Engineers and architects will definitely appreciate the ingenuity of the Wilder Dam that regulates the outflow of the Boston Lot Lake. Only about 55 miles away from Sugar Hill, there are plenty of things to learn from Hanover, even in quaint lodgings like the Hanover Inn Dartmouth or Six South St. Hotel.
Exeter
Exeter is another colonial site just 20 minutes from Portsmouth. Dozens of religious exiles from 1675 to 1725 all congregated on this spot where the Exeter River and Squamscott River meet after they were kicked out of the Massachusetts Bay colony. Over the years, Exeter has had to endure Native American raids and ended up being a stronghold for American soldiers during the American Revolutionary War. Not many of Exeter’s antebellum buildings survived these violent transitions except for the Gilman Garrison House (c. 1709), the Congregational Church (1798), and the Ladd-Gilman House (c. 1721). At the American Independence Museum, you can tour the Ladd-Gilman House, which focuses on how the first Independence Day came about, in addition to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Before the day ends in your journey through Exeter, you can either go strolling through the scenic trails of Henderson-Swasey Town Forest or settle down in one of Exeter’s fine lodgings, such as the Exeter Inn or Inn by the Bandstand.
Peterborough
During the French and Indian War, Peterborough allied with the King of England and his armies against France’s intrusions on the New World. However, Peterborough then rebelled against the British Empire during the American Revolution, especially when Peterborough’s townsfolk volunteered in the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775. The brave soldiers of Peterborough who fell in Bunker Hill are interred at the Old Street Road Cemetery. One of them, William Diamond, was the drummer boy of Lexington.
A few years later, during the War of 1812, another local of Peterborough named James Miller (1776-1858) became the Hero of the Battle of Lundy’s Lane and was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1814 for defending Miller State Park, New Hampshire’s oldest state park. Nathaniel Hawthorne, the renowned author of The Scarlet Letter, wrote in the introduction to his literary masterpiece how James Miller was “New England’s most distinguished soldier.” Nowadays, Peterborough is known for having the largest artist colony in America since 1907, MacDowell.
Meredith
Meredith is a merry little town beside Lake Winnipesaukee. It is one of the best locations in New Hampshire to appreciate the New England landscape many have praised and admired. From Lovejoy Sands to the island groups of the Bear Islands on Lake Winnipesaukee, travelers will be mesmerized by the panoply of attractions to enjoy in Meredith. You can set yourself on more explorations at the Hamlin-Eames-Smyth Recreation and Conservation Area or even towards other nearby lakes such as Squam Lake, Lake Winnisquam, and Lake Waukewan. One can even play in a vintage video arcade or bowling, bingo, and mini-golf at the Funspot. At the end of the day, you ought to refresh and rejuvenate for another episode of adventures at one of Meredith’s superb abodes, such as The Oliver Lodge, The Nutmeg Inn, or Mill Falls at the Lake.
A Warm Welcome in New Hampshire’s Most Neighborly Towns
Each of New Hampshire's most neighborly towns offers a distinct charm and character worth experiencing. Portsmouth blends maritime history with modern coastal attractions, while North Conway serves as a gateway to breathtaking mountain adventures and scenic trails. In Sugar Hill, visitors can savor homemade treats amid vibrant fields of lupines. Hanover stands out for its academic heritage and riverside tranquility, and Exeter tells stories of resilience through its Revolutionary War landmarks. Peterborough balances artistic tradition with natural beauty, while Meredith invites you to unwind by the serene waters of Lake Winnipesaukee. Together, these towns create a rich tapestry of history, nature, and community, making them perfect destinations for those seeking both relaxation and discovery in New Hampshire.