These 9 Towns In New Hampshire Feel Like Home

There are plenty of towns in New Hampshire that will make you feel right at home. Among these friendly and comfortable destinations nestled in this scenic slice of New England—where colonial unrest once brewed into revolution—you will come across communities that played pivotal roles in America's fight for independence. Consider making your way through nine small towns in the Granite State with community spirit, scenic beauty, and deep-rooted tradition. From the maple-sweet breakfasts in Sugar Hill to the colonial histories and conflicts in destinations like Peterborough, New Hampshire’s small towns have earned and fought for their places of residence to become thriving and peaceful locations that make you feel right at home.

Hanover

Hanover, lounging along the Connecticut River, is a pristine and vibrant New England town brimming with academic prestige and artistic flair. Home to Dartmouth College, which was founded in 1769, this Ivy League academy infuses the town with youthful and cultural energy. A stroll through campus can lead you towards the striking Baker-Berry Library, which houses the powerful Orozco murals: frescoes painted by famed artist José Clemente Orozco from Mexico, which explore humanity and history. Just across the river in nearby Norwich, the Montshire Museum of Science engages visitors of all ages with interactive exhibits and nature trails highlighting the importance of science.

Meanwhile, the values of art and history can be best appreciated at the Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park, once the residence of sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, whose works include the famed Shaw Memorial in Boston. The beauties of nature can also be admired at both the Wilder Dam and Boston Lot Lake. For those of you interested in spending a long vacation in this homely small town, you can seek out a number of idyllic establishments such as the Hanover Inn or the chic Six South St. Hotel.

Sugar Hill

Perched above the White Mountains, Sugar Hill is a serene, storybook town with fewer than 650 residents, but nevertheless an ecstatic and eclectic series of attractions worth seeing. The town earned its name from the abundance of sugar maple trees that color the hills with brilliant foliage each autumn. Come early June, Sugar Hill transforms into a wildflower paradise as the fields burst with vibrant lupines in purples, pinks, and blues.

With mountain ranges such as Franconia, Kinsman, and Dalton surrounding this lush and vibrant refuge of the outdoors, Sugar Hill is not only an excellent getaway into New Hampshire’s natural scenery but is also a famous culinary destination to savor the best cuisines in the Granite State. You can stop by Polly’s Pancake Parlor for fluffy stacks drizzled with maple syrup, or sample artisanal cheese at Harman’s Cheese & Country Store among the many exquisite and exotic flavors in Sugar Hill. The warmth continues at charming lodgings such as the Sunset Hill House, Sugar Hill Inn, and Lovett’s Inn, where cozy hospitality accompanies the home-like vibes you will enjoy in the town of Sugar Hill.

Exeter

With a treasure trove of Revolutionary-era stories, Exeter is a riverside town where America’s early spirit of independence still resonates. Founded in 1638 by religious dissenters and just 20 minutes from the city of Portsmouth, this stalwart small town, where the Squamscott and Exeter Rivers converge, became a haven for those seeking freedom after being exiled from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. It also later served as New Hampshire’s capital during the American Revolutionary War, a period of turmoil and independence, which you can learn more about at the American Independence Museum, housed in the Ladd-Gilman House, where an original Dunlap broadside of the Declaration of Independence is on display.

You can also tour the 1690 Gilman Garrison House and the elegant 1798 Congregational Church, both rare survivors from when Exeter experienced much conflict from when the British Empire struck back. Beyond its heritage, Exeter is a walkable, welcoming town with scenic trails in the Henderson-Swasey Town Forest and a charming downtown lined with boutiques and cafés. Between lavish lodgings like Exeter Inn and the Inn by the Bandstand, you will find Exeter an excellent small town with a history that will make you feel right at home.

Peterborough

Peterborough is a small town with an intricate historical legacy while also retaining its modern cultural affinities and wonders. Initially loyal to the British crown during the French and Indian War, the town’s allegiance shifted during the American Revolution, with local militiamen taking part in the pivotal Battle of Bunker Hill. Some of these brave souls, including Lexington’s drummer boy William Diamond, are honored at the Old Street Road Cemetery. Peterborough also produced war hero James Miller, who received the Congressional Gold Medal for his contributions in the War of 1812 and was later immortalized by renowned writer Nathaniel Hawthorne as one of New England’s finest soldiers.

Yet Peterborough is more than its past: it is also the birthplace of the MacDowell Colony, the oldest artist residency program in the US since its establishment in 1907. The town’s creative spirit thrives in its galleries, bookstores, and theaters, which you can all seek out. Better yet, you can participate in the town’s residency programs after finding a place to stay at either The Riverhouse or in any number of cozy bed-and-breakfasts you will admire in Peterborough.

Meredith

Cradled along the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, Meredith is a lovely lakeside retreat that epitomizes New England’s bucolic appeal. With its sparkling waters, charming shops, and walkable village feel, the town draws visitors year-round for both relaxation and recreation. One can hop aboard a cruise from the town docks to soak in the wonderful waters of Lake Winnipesaukee. Additionally, you can go hiking and trekking throughout the tranquil beauty of the Hamlin-Eames-Smyth Conservation Area.

If you are enthusiastic about more water adventures, nearby Squam Lake and Lake Winnisquam offer kayaking, fishing, and birdwatching. For those who enjoy a bit of retro fun, the legendary Funspot, billed as the world’s largest arcade, offers vintage video games, bowling, and much more. After a day of lakeside exploration or forest hiking, you can unwind at a welcoming inn like The Nutmeg Inn or Mill Falls at the Lake, all of which ensure you have a merry and memorable vacation in Meredith, a naturally appealing town that feels like home.

North Conway

Tucked in the heart of the White Mountains, North Conway is an alpine paradise just an hour’s drive from Sugar Hill. For years, this vibrant village has prospered as a gateway community towards a plethora of New Hampshire’s magnificent landscapes, among them the White Mountain National Forest and Merriman State Forest, which stretches all the way toward Maine. During winter, ski enthusiasts flock to Cranmore and Attitash Mountain Resorts, while hikers and leaf peepers fill the trails in warmer months. When visiting Diana’s Baths, you can admire a series of cascading waterfalls perfect for summer exploration.

Meanwhile, a trip along the banks of the Saco River offers quiet spots for swimming and tubing. Whether you prefer braving the elements or staying cozy at The Colonial Motel or North Conway Grand Hotel, this town delivers mountain magic in every season.

Littleton

Littleton is an amicable and affable small town beside the Moore Reservoir, a body of water within the Connecticut River that delineates the border between New Hampshire and Vermont. It is the home of the jovial motto “Be glad,” popularized by fictional character Pollyanna from the books of author Eleanor H. Porter, whose hometown was Littleton. The Littleton Historical Society Museum delves into the background and genesis of this little town. Meanwhile, the Littleton Coin Company continues to be a thriving coin trading business with connections to the Littleton Grist Mill near the Ammonoosuc River.

For those of you with a sweet tooth, you can satisfy your taste buds by touring Chutters, a store renowned for having the world's longest candy counter, where a bevy of beautiful sweets and delicacies can be savored. To top off all your experiences at the end of the year, you ought to visit the Forest Society North at The Rocks in the Rocks Estate, where swathes of Christmas trees are grown in preparation for the holidays. Littleton may be a small town, but it has many big attractions and an even bigger spirit, which will let you soar in New Hampshire's famous Glad Town.

Franconia

Around eight minutes south of Littleton, the wonderful town of Franconia prospers as another gateway to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Within the town bounds, travelers will be smitten and awed by the immensity and biodiversity in the Franconia Notch State Park, a small slice of land within the White Mountains National Forest. Inside the park, you can find various ski resorts and an aerial tramway that leads you all the way to both Flume Gorge (with its rocky walls and 800-foot-deep height) and Cannon Mountain, one of the highest peaks in the White Mountains.

At the base of the tramway, tourists can head over to the New England Ski Museum to learn more about the development of skiing and snowboarding in the vicinity and see Olympic medals won by US Ski Team member Bode Miller, a native of Franconia. Additionally, you can also visit The Frost Place, the former farmhouse of famous poet Robert Frost, to learn more about the life and works of one of the US’s most influential writers.

Jackson

Deep within the White Mountains National Forest and just an hour away from Franconia, the splendid and secluded small town of Jackson invites visitors to the lovable outdoors of New Hampshire. Every May, the townsfolk flock around the Ellis River and its tributaries and streams to participate in the annual Wildquack Duck Race & Music Festival, where people are encouraged to collect rubber duckies floating down the riverways all over Jackson. Besides the Historic Honeymoon Covered Bridge that you can cross, you might come across an odd collection of Pumpkin People, scarecrow-like mannequins with pumpkins for heads.

Further south, you might also chance upon the whimsical and inviting Story Land, a kid-themed fun park with many fairytale attractions and activities for everyone to enjoy. Naturally, the main feature that makes Jackson so attractive is the vibrant mountain landscapes surrounding the town, from the summits of mountains like Wildcat Mountain and South Baldface to lush waterfalls such as Thompson Falls and Crystal Cascade.

More than mere scenic pit stops to other notable destinations in the Granite State, the nine towns in New Hampshire maintain an air of adventure, culture, and heartfelt hospitality, which you will feel right at home. From the wildflower fields of Sugar Hill to the colonial echoes of Exeter, these communities encapsulate all that is arboreally beautiful and historically mesmerizing about New Hampshire.