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Ahh, New Hampshire. Although typically overshadowed by its extra touristy neighbors, the state has an ideal deal to supply vacationers, from craggy mountain peaks to shimmering lakes and a tiny Atlantic shoreline. To see the Granite State’s greatest, vacationers ought to base themselves not in a metropolis however in a small city — one thing that, with a inhabitants of 1.4 million folks and just one metropolis of greater than 100,000, New Hampshire has plenty of.
I started my profession in New Hampshire as an editor at a state-wide journal, so I’ve visited my justifiable share of villages and burgs across the state. I discover them to be the heartbeat of the area, and Janet Flagg, a part-time New Hampshirite and the COO of Boston-based journey company TRAVELLUSTRE, says the identical.
“If you go to a spot like New Hampshire,” she says, “the posh is within the atmosphere. The luxurious’s not within the lodging. The luxurious is having probably the most wonderful hikes — not crowded, you’re not a part of the pack. You’re getting immersive experiences.”
Immersive experiences await in all of the cities on this record: immersions in nature, tradition, and historical past, and in environments from the mountains to the seashore. Some do, actually, supply luxurious lodging, however all of them supply pure magnificence and storybook appeal that you simply received’t quickly neglect.
Learn on for our number of the ten greatest small cities in New Hampshire.
North Conway
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For a lot of who’ve lived or traveled within the Northeast, North Conway is the quintessential New Hampshire city. Situated on the foot of the White Mountains, the neighborhood of about 2,000 presents ample purchasing and companies for guests headed to factors north, plus a quaint and walkable downtown. When you’ve loved a journey on the Conway Scenic Railroad and snowboarding at Cranmore Mountain Resort, head simply out of city on your lodging — two of the state’s historic lodges (Eagle Mountain Home and The Wentworth Inn) lie inside a 15-minute drive.
Littleton
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If North Conway is the place for old school mountain appeal, Littleton is New Hampshire’s hipper, edgier mountain city. “Quite a lot of millennials, the 30-somethings, have discovered it as a very inexpensive place to dwell and have an ideal high quality of life,” says Flagg — and that inflow of latest residents reveals in stylish small companies like Crumb Bum Bakery and the quirky artwork retailer Baba Yaga. For the last word Littleton expertise, seize a seat overlooking the river at Schilling Beer Co. and befriend a flannel-clad native who can let you know the most effective spots for uncrowded mountaineering or backcountry ski runs.
Pittsburg
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Because the township that encompasses all 300 sq. miles of New Hampshire’s northern tip, Pittsburg is so distant that few vacationers (and, certainly, not many New Hampshirites) will ever pay it a go to. In the event you’re prepared to make the drive, although, you’ll discover a slice of nation that epitomizes Flagg’s declare that the posh right here is the panorama. I spent a number of days in Pittsburg whereas reporting on the Nice North Woods area, and I discovered its serene lakes and rolling hills to be among the greatest surroundings I ever noticed within the Granite State. There’s no walkable Principal Road or fancy lodges right here, however there’s a nook retailer and a wealth of log cabins — all you want for a peaceable keep in one in all New England’s quietest corners.
Tamworth
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“Tamworth is one in all my favourite cities,” says Jenn Bakos, a photographer primarily based on New Hampshire’s Seacoast. The city of two,900 sits between the mountains and the Lakes Area in a stretch that’s typically ignored. However Bakos argues that it’s price a go to, each for the charming city middle (house to the indie favourite Tamworth Distilling and the historic Barnstormers Theatre) and its abundance of picturesque sights. “You have got all these lovely again roads and farms after which plenty of nice little strolling trails,” she says. “There’s so much to take images of.”
Wolfeboro
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For a city that’s decidedly on the crushed observe (and for superb purpose), look no additional than Wolfeboro. This resort neighborhood of 6,600 was named one in all Journey + Leisure’s greatest small cities in America in 2023, and even a brief go to will rapidly present you why. It lies on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire’s largest physique of water, and it boasts an abundance of drugs rental retailers, fashionable shops, and world-class eating places, giving it one thing for almost everybody. For an distinctive in a single day keep, examine into the Pickering Home Inn, a boutique property that’s been honored in T+L’s World’s Finest Awards a number of occasions.
Portsmouth
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The crown jewel of New Hampshire’s 18-mile shoreline, Portsmouth presents each small-town appeal and big-city facilities. The town is massive by New Hampshire requirements at about 22,000 folks, and, mendacity simply an hour from Boston, it’s a well-liked relocation spot for urbanites. To outsiders, although, it’s the image of a New England village, full with white-steepled church buildings and, as Bakos places it, “plenty of previous brick.” Bakos lives in Portsmouth and notes that it’s a powerful foodie city. The cooks of Black Trumpet and Vida Cantina have each been James Beard semifinalists, as has Matt Louis, the chef-owner of Moxy and The Franklin.
Newmarket
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Each Flagg and Bakos agree that, for Seacoast vacationers wanting to flee the bustle of Portsmouth, Newmarket is the place to go. “I lived there for 5 years,” says Bakos. “It’s good if you wish to go for a cute smaller city with out the crowds however nonetheless have the good meals, the good retailers, and the surroundings.” Lovers of old-school appeal will recognize the transformed riverfront mill buildings that type the majority of downtown, whereas extra new-school guests will love the city’s artsy, offbeat spirit. The latter is on full show at The Stone Church, an intimate music venue that’s hosted Guster, the Avett Brothers, and (on a whopping 5 events) Phish.
Hanover
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Although the shoreline, lakes, and mountains draw the majority of New Hampshire’s guests, the state’s scenic southwest is equally price a visit. My private favourite city on this area is Hanover, the house of Dartmouth School and a beloved relaxation cease for hikers on the Appalachian Path. I’ve spent many a day wandering the city’s postcard-perfect Principal Road and crisscrossing the mountaineering trails that supply views throughout the river into Vermont. In the event you’re planning a go to, contemplate scheduling it for the autumn — Hanover presents foliage simply as gorgeous because the White Mountains with a fraction of the crowds streaming in to see it.
New London
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About 30 miles southeast of Hanover, New London is the faculty city’s “child sister,” based on Flagg. “Quaint,” she says. “I hate that phrase, however it’s New London to a T.” The downtown space has all of the hallmarks of a traditional New England village — historic church buildings and inexperienced parks studded with gazebos — whereas, away from the city middle, two lakes supply plenty of out of doors alternatives. To see the city at its greatest, are available in summer time. Not solely is it peak season for the lakes; it’s additionally efficiency season on the New London Barn Playhouse, one of many oldest summer time theaters within the nation.
Peterborough
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Out of doors adventurers will discover a lot to like in Peterborough. The city of 6,500 sits on the foot of Pack Monadnock, one in all southern New Hampshire’s hottest mountains, and it offers a wonderful house base for mountaineering, biking, and exploring all through the Monadnock Area. Its pure magnificence has impressed 1000’s of the nation’s greatest artists because of MacDowell, the distinguished residency situated right here; to soak within the city’s inspirational energies your self, keep at Cranberry Meadow Farm, an expensive eight-room inn perched on 80 wooded acres.