9 Cozy New Hampshire Destinations To Visit In 2025
New Hampshire is a classic four-season state in the New England region. The fall color change is extraordinary, and the White Mountains area is especially popular with winter sports enthusiasts. The Granite State is filled with charming towns with Victoria-era homes lining the streets, white-steepled churches, and friendly and welcoming communities.
Many communities live by the state's motto of "Live Free or Die" through live events and festivals held throughout the year. Historic sites and cultural attractions also host annual events, making New Hampshire an excellent place to visit, especially for the first time. These nine cozy destinations are the best towns to visit in 2025 because of the events and historical scenery.
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is a coastal town on the banks of the Piscataqua River. It is notable for its 18th- and 19th-century homes and cultural attractions, such as the Strawberry Banke Museum. The outdoor history museum is a landmark. It includes period-dressed docents and interprets local history from 12,000 years ago until now. The museum is an ideal way to explore the town's beginning, bringing greater appreciation for the stunning homes and sites.
Portsmouth is home to many romantic bed and breakfasts like the Sailmaker's Inn. The land was purchased in 1822 by a sailmaker, and the stylish inn is steps away from Strawberry Banke, Prescott Park, and Market Square. 2025 promises many live musical acts at the Music Hall and the Press Room. The coastal town provides a perfect backdrop to New England with its history and charms, and booking a trip around a love concert makes a visit even more memorable.
Exeter
Exeter's two claims to fame are being the birthplace of the Republican Party and hosting President Lincoln's son, Robert, at Phillips Exeter Academy. The laidback town is on the banks of the Exeter River, which flows by the brick buildings on Main Street. A romantic gazebo adds to the charming ambiance of Exeter.
The walkable town has many attractions, such as the Swasey Parkway, which follows the Squamscott River and leads to the annual Powder Keg Beer and Chili Festival, held every October. The parkway is on the lower portion of Water Street, and you should follow the road to the corner of Front Street to see the monumental Town Hall, built in 1855.
Hanover
Hanover, on the banks of the Connecticut River, is the noteworthy home of Ivy League Dartmouth College and is a waypoint along the Appalachian Trail. It is a relaxing town with an academic air and many tranquil attractions like Nathan's Garden. The botanical garden provides a shaded respite on manicured lawns while walking around town. Hood Museum is a hallmark of Dartmouth College, and its exhibits are among the country's oldest and largest of any school.
The quintessential New England town is best explored on foot. Its attractions include a walkable town center with eclectic dining options, such as Lou's Restaurant and Bakery, which has been operating since 1947. Another downtown landmark is the Dartmouth Co-Op, which has been open for over 100 years and provides school shirts and other memorabilia you can bring home as a keepsake.
North Conway
North Conway is in the famous White Mountains, and its stunning backdrop makes the mountain town one of the best to visit. It is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and shopping trips and includes several notable restaurants. Rock climbers visit the summit Cathedral and Whitehorse ledges, while shoppers have a number of retail outlets at Settlers Green.
After a day of retail therapy or exploring the picturesque scenery, refuel at one of the downtown eateries, such as Delaney's Hole in the Wall or Muddy Moose Restaurant and Pub. You can also embark on a romantic drive to one of the White Mountains' many covered bridges and waterfalls. Also known as "courting bridges," most were constructed in the late 19th century or early 20th century, and any of them add an exclamation point to any trip in this region.
Meredith
The resort town of Meredith is in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. It is noteworthy for its Stonedam Island Conservation Area and the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad. The 112-acre conservation area protects one of the most significant island parcels on Lake Winnipesaukee. The railroad, dating back to 1848, takes its passengers along the scenic lake area on two-hour excursions, one of the best ways to spend an afternoon.
After a day riding the rails, relax at the fun and quirky Hermit Woods, where the vintners are "proud to be contrarian." The craft winery features crabapple, blueberry, and other regional fruits in its wines and a curated menu to compliment the unique wines. Meredith also boasts a charming downtown with other culinary and shopping options for a quiet night on the town.
Littleton
Littleton is a quintessential White Mountains town known for its shopping scene and natural beauty. The town's motto, "Be Glad," comes from Pollyanna, who has a bronze statue in her honor in the middle of town. This is an homage to the hometown author, Eleanor H. Porter. You can discover this and other regional history at the Littleton Historical Society Museum, in the basement of the Historic Opera House/Town Building.
After visiting the museum, wake up your inner kid at Chutter's on Main Street, featuring the world's most extended candy counter and homemade fudge. Main Street also has fabulous bed and breakfast inns, like the landmark Thayers Inn. The historic inn is a New England landmark that combines old-world charm with modern luxury mere steps away from Littleton's elegant downtown.
Dover
The colonial seaport of Dover is now renowned for being a gateway to family entertainment and outdoor activities. Along with a skate park and ice rink, downtown has the Rotary Arts Pavilion, which features live music and festivals throughout the year. Kayakers and canoers flock to Dover to paddle on Willand Pond and Little Bay at the mouth of the Atlantic Ocean.
Cultural attractions include the Woodman Museum. The natural science, history, and art museum has been open since 1916 and contains hundreds of colonial artifacts, mounted specimens, fine art, and furniture. As the oldest settlement in New Hampshire, Dover's history is evident in the mills and homes that paved the way for modern businesses and districts.
Laconia
Laconia is between Lake Winnipesaukee and Lake Winnisquam and is famous for its annual Bike Week, which boasts over 40,000 bikers annually. The event is the most exciting of the year, but Laconia is pleasant to visit year-round. Another fun time to visit is in the Fall during the annual Pumpkin Festival or the winter for the Laconia World Championship Sled Dog Derby.
The lake town includes two villages, Lakeport and Weirs Beach, which are fun to discover on foot. Another interesting way to spend a day is at the American Classic Arcade Museum. The museum boasts over 250 original arcade games and showcases the history from the pre-electricity inception to the Penny Arcades, which are nostalgic to many. Laconia is fun to visit and offers something for every taste and preference.
Durham
Durham is recognizable as the home of the University of New Hampshire and for its amazing culinary scene. It has a lot of history, and if you want to immerse yourself in this history, Three Chimney's Inn is the ideal place. The inn, overlooking Oyster River and Old Mill Falls, was built in 1649 and today has a cozy wood-trimmed bar, Sawyer Tavern, and cozy rooms within walking distance of many attractions and sites.
Notable restaurants in town are just as elegant and fun as historic inns, such as Clark's American Bistro. The bistro has a community feel and offers comfort foods like burgers and steak dinners. A memorable breakfast stop is the Big Bean Cafe, which serves gourmet, scratch-made meals. Durham is a classic New England town where visitors can learn not only local history but the region of the entire area through architecture, historic sites, and dining.
There are many reasons to visit the Granite State in 2025. The welcoming community and traditional architecture are among the many attractive sites that bring visitors annually. Many festivals and live events are held throughout the small communities, most notably Laconia's Bike Week. One of the great things about New Hampshire is that it has something for everyone, from festivals to cultural attractions.
Planning a trip to any of these nine towns allows the visitor to book a charming bed and breakfast, a hallmark in many New England cities. Most of the places are a short distance from some of the prettiest forests and mountain ranges in the United States, so always leave a day or two available to take in the natural scenery. These cozy towns are among the prettiest to visit anytime, but they all offer something unique in 2025.
