8 of the Quirkiest Towns in New Hampshire
The Granite State picks at the imagination: first appearing in the minds of Americans as the place where all those "This car climbed Mount Washington" bumper stickers came from. Every four years, the rest of the nation catches another glimpse of the "live free or die" state as news networks are abuzz for their early presidential primary. Satisfy curiosity with an up-close encounter with the quirkiest towns on Earth. The White Mountain State awaits.
Portsmouth
Stand in awe of the sight of Prescott Park in the winter. It may seem counterintuitive that a green space renowned for its beauty in the spring could inspire such wonder when the snow falls. There is a lot about Portsmouth, however, that surprises travelers. Stare across the Piscataqua River, where the state of Maine stares back. Take a side trip just northwest of Portsmouth to the Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge, a haven for migrating nature. Do not miss the 2024 season of Portsmouth’s Seacoast Repertory Theater. The Rep, as it is known locally, will include the regional premiere of Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 this season.
Hanover
New Hampshire’s secret tourist weapon is the Upper Valley along Vermont’s eastern border. Escape to Hanover, an enthralling town that refuses to conform to the getaway playbook. Watch the Connecticut River flow beneath the Ledyard Free Bridge before heading to the Hood Museum of Art. Admission is always free at the Hood. Plan a trip around a live show at the Hopkins Center for the Arts or pop in for one of their film screenings. Taste the best Nepalese food in New England at Base Camp Café. Diners benefit from the freshest ingredients thanks to a Pokhara Valley organic farm run by manager Bhola Pandey.
Exeter
Glide with new friends at the Rinks at Exeter during public skating hours. Members of the military get in for half price. Serving members, veterans, and children under twelve also enjoy free admission to the American Independence Museum, which features historical artifacts from the Revolutionary Era. According to its website, the Museum "develops programs, exhibits, tours, and events that advance a more inclusive understanding of the fight for Independence." Grab lunch to go from Steve’s Diner and enjoy the view in Founder’s Park along the Squamscott River. Do not leave town without stopping by Art Up Front Street Studios and Gallery. The distinctive blue house with golden flowers painted on the outside features permanent and special temporary exhibits both inside and at street level.
Laconia
South of the White Mountains National Forest, Laconia was named after a region in Greece. The first stop is the Endicott Rock Historic Site on Meredith Bay of the enormous Lake Winnipesaukee. According to the New Hampshire State Park’s website, Endicott Rock may be the oldest public monument in New England. Cinephiles will recognize Lake Winnipesaukee as the setting of the 1991 comedy masterpiece What About Bob? Try to contain excitement at Funspot, the world’s largest arcade. Funspot was founded in 1952 and offers over 600 games (half of which are vintage), a 20-lane bowling center, an indoor mini-golf, and a restaurant.
Lebanon
Fall in love with Lebanon with one gawk at the Packard Hill Covered Bridge that spans the Mascoma River. Fall deeper in love at the exhibitions on display at Lebanon’s Alliance for the Visual Arts. The AVA’s programming focuses on “environmental sustainability...with the recognition that art enriches our lives.” There is no need to take the tux to the tailor for a show at the Lebanon Opera House. All shows are programmed without a dress code. Lebanon is also only a 15-minute drive from the Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich.
Hampton
Get trapped in the past at Hampton’s Tuck Museum. The museum sits across from Founder’s Park and features 43 stone monuments representing families present at the town’s founding between 1638 and 1695. Stroll among the millstones, the well, the old barn, and the Museum itself. The present tense will always be waiting just around the corner. Walk the beach in the winter when the locals do—Happy Hampton is more spacious in the winter. Hampton Beach State Park is open year-round, but some areas are off-limits for parking in the winter. Grab a pint of Really Old Brown Dog Ale at Smuttynose Brewing Company. The Smuttynose tasting room opens at noon every day except Monday when the brewery is closed.
Keene
Descend Mount Monadnock, America’s most climbed mountain, into one of America’s least common small towns. Keene is the home of the Redfern Arts Center. Have a one-of-a-kind musical experience at the Redfern that is worth planning an entire trip around. Churn the day away at Stonewall Farm, a working dairy farm and educational center with no entrance fee. Take home handiwork from local artisans at Hannah Grimes Marketplace. Let the kids get playful at the Cheshire Children’s Museum, featuring such hands-on exhibits as the Space Station, the News Anchor Desk, and the always adorable Mini Food Co-op.
Amherst
How many other towns have a protected bog open to visitors year-round? The Ponemah Bog in Amherst is unparalleled in opportunities for spotting migrating birds. Solve the ensuing mystery of a Da Vinci art heist at Break Free 603 break-out rooms. Find art that speaks to the soul, or take a class to create art at home with the help of Amherst’s Creative Ventures Gallery. New England is rife with opportunities for the spooky at heart. Just outside Amherst is Milford, which hosts The Dark Woods, a famous haunted house experience that sells out months in advance.
New Hampshire is unlike anywhere on Earth, home to many quirky towns. Long before the arrival of Europeans, Abenaki culture thrived within and without the borders of contemporary New Hampshire. It is the responsibility of living generations to correct sins of the past as much as possible. Please support Native American-owned businesses while traveling. Leave no trace of litter at state park visits. Report sightings of invasive plant and insect species to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.
