9 Best Cities To Visit In New Hampshire

New Hampshire is a beautiful state in the northeastern United States. It is often overlooked in favor of its more prominent New England neighbor: Maine. But the Granite State has a lot to offer in every season. The Lakes Region is the perfect summer destination, driving the Kancamagus Highway in the fall is an experience which leaves every leaf peeper in awe, the White Mountains offer all sorts of winter activities, and spring, when the state finally thaws and awakens from its longer winter, is the ideal time to explore the best cities to visit in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire – Overview

The Granite State is located in the heart of New England. In the north it is bordered by Quebec, a province of Canada, to the east lies Maine, to the west Vermont, and to the south Massachusetts. Concord is the charming capital of this beautiful eastern state. It’s the ideal place for outdoor enthusiasts. Nature is at its best year round, with one exception: New Hampshire is one of the few states that boasts not just four, but five seasons! But the fifth season is one best avoided: mud season. When nature awakens from its deep winter freeze and feet of snow melt, large parts of the great outdoors are best avoided. But if you are visiting to visit some of the best small towns (and big ones!), you are on safe grounds.

Talking about safe grounds – New Hampshire’s crime rate is well below the national average. It is, in fact, so low that people feel comfortable spending the winter in warmer climates without even locking their house. No matter what your travel style is – solo travel, family vacations, adventurer, romantic getaway enthusiast – this entire state is a safe haven for you.

9 Best Cities To Visit In New Hampshire & Best Things To Do

New Hampshire is one of the best places in the United States to visit year round. Every season is different, but beautiful in its own way. Its cities range from large with lots of amenities to some of the best small towns the US has to offer, which make a great base to explore the surrounding areas. In this article, we’ll list New Hampshire’s finest places to go!

1. Littleton

In a ranking of America’s best small towns, Littleton made it to sixth place! A roaring endorsement to visit this place in the White Mountains. Littleton has a great main street, with lots of small business offering the best of the best, a more commercial area with plenty of big name stores, easy access to nature. It is one of the best cities to visit in New Hampshire.

Best Things to Do In and Around Littleton

• Littleton makes a great base for exploring the White Mountains. It’s a mere 20 minute drive from Franconia Notch State Park, one of the most beautiful state parks to explore in the summer months in New Hampshire. It was famous for a natural feature on Cannon Mountain called ‘The Old Man Of The Mountain’, which looked like a stone face in profile. Sadly it collapsed in May 2003, but today, you can still visit the Old Man of the Mountain Profile Plaza, and the Old Man of the Mountain Museum in the Tram Lodge.
• Chutters gift shop is worth visiting for sure. They offer a great variety of New Hampshire souvenirs, as well as fudge, candy, and chocolate.

• White Mountain Canning offer products made in small batches with farm-fresh ingredients. Try their delicious jams, pickles, sauces, mustards, and much more.
• Lahout’s Ski Shop is the oldest ski shop in the United States! If you are in the area for winter sports, this is a must stop, though they also carry hiking equipment and more.
• Pop into the Little Village Toy & Book Shop for books about the area, hiking guides, and other fun stuff. For those with plenty of time, check out the other small shops as well.
• Hungry? Littleton has many great food options.
• The Crum Bum Bakery on Main Street is outstanding, and they even offer many gluten-free options.
• The Littleton Diner has a line out the door at meal times, and for good reason. If you go for breakfast, make sure you get their homemade hash browns.
• The Littleton Freehouse Taproom & Eatery, the Little Grill, and the Chang Thai Cafe are exccellent options for lunch or dinner.
• Don’t miss The Basin, a natural granite abyss that’s 20 feet wide.
• Echo Lake Beach is a great place to cool off when it’s hot and to paddle with views of Mt. Lafayette, fun for everyone from solo travelers to families with young children.
• The Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway was America’s first! A quick ten minute ride gets you up to 4,080 feet, to the top of Cannon Mountain, while offering spectacular views on a clear day.
• Artist’s Bluff Trail is a short 0.9 mile hike. From the top you’ll enjoy stunning views, and it’s especially impressive during fall, when the leaves display a wide array of colors, showcasing the best of its natural beauty.

A note of caution: the White Mountains are home to lots of wild animals. The ones you are most likely to encounter aside from friendly deer are black bear and moose. While moose are quite shy and pose the greatest danger when they unexpectedly cross the road, you need to exercise caution when encountering a black bear. They are generally not aggressive, unless they feel threatened. This is especially true if you encounter a mother with cubs. Stay well away, no matter how cute those little ones are, and how badly you want to take a picture. Usually bears have no interest in pursuing humans, but they may become curious and decide they want to take a closer look at you. Don’t run, but make yourself look big, either by spreading your arms, or a sweater or coat. make as much noise as possible. if you follow these safety tips, you will be fine

2. Lincoln

Lincoln is another city conveniently located to explore Franconia Notch State Park and the White Mountains. Like a lot of other best cities to visit in New Hampshire it offers an endearing Main Street, with lots of opportunities to shop. Find beautiful New Hampshire and White Mountains souvenirs, outdoor clothing and equipment, furniture and more. Delicious food can be had at The Moon Bakery and Cafe, Jimmy Seas Pan Pasta, and many more restaurants.

Best Things to Do In and Around Lincoln

• Hike a portion of the famous Appalachian Trail! If you haven’t heard of it, the Appalachian Trail is one of the most iconic long-distance hiking trails in the world. It starts in Georgia and ends in Maine, but in New Hampshire, you can do a day hike and see some of what are undoubtedly the trail’s most scenic miles. The Appalachian Mountain Club offers guided hikes, but you can also strike out on your own.
• If you happen to visit in September, don’t miss the New Hampshire Highland Games, a large festival to preserve Scottish heritage that guarantees a blast.
• Nature lovers should explore Flume Gorge, one of New Hampshire’s most beautiful state parks. At the base of Mount Liberty is a natural granite gorge which extends 800 feet. It’s a truly spectacular natural wonder you should absolutely go see. The trail goes moderately uphill and is part packed gravel and part boardwalk. Make sure to get your ticket in advance, it is a popular destination! Click here to get your tickets.
• No matter what time of year you visit, Cannon Mountain is here to entertain you. In the winter, the Cannon Mountain ski resort, one of the best ski resorts in New Hampshire, operates 10 lifts and services a whooping 265 acres for you to ski in. Some of the best ski trails in the state are located in this area: Taft Slalom and Vista way shouldn’t be missed. It’s also a popular area for cross-country skiing. In the summertime, take the Cannon Mountain aerial tramway to the top. Clear days guarantee spectacular views. The summer months are the time to take advantage of the nature trails. The Kinsman Ridge trail, Lonesome Lakes trail, and Cannon Mountain Loop trail are just some worth hiking.
• When the fall foliage is on full display, drive the Kancamagus Highway. It’s 34.5 miles long, gets you up to an elevation of 2,855 feet, and is one of the most stunning places to go for leaf peepers. It’s the ultimate scenic drive.

3. North Conway

North Conway is located in the White Mountains, the northern region of the state, close to the Canadian border. It’s a great place to satisfy every need; there’s great shopping, easy access to the White Mountains National Forest, and amazing restaurants.

Best Things to Do In and Around North Conway

• In North Conway, you’ll find a Main Street with many cute specialty shops that offer everything from souvenirs of all kinds to leather goods to Bavarian chocolates to jewelry. Did you forget any essentials for your outdoor activities? You can buy them in the shops on Main Street as well. Or, you can head over to the Settler’s Green Outlet Village. There you will find anything you could possible want, from high end purses to hiking boots (if you are hiking in the fall, follow these 12 safety tips for hiking during hunting season).
• Start your day with a decent breakfast, and there’s one place in particular that serves out of this world dishes: 27 North. Order a dish that comes with their home made cornbread, it is delicious! Peaches is also very popular for breakfast, and the Muddy Moose is the go-to place for lunch or dinner. But no matter what your taste buds demand, you’ll find it in North Conway.

Nature in this region is simply spectacular. In the summer months and the fall, hiking is a popular activity. Here are some of the most popular hiking trails:

1. Echo Lake Trail (easy)
2. Pudding Pond Loop (easy)
3. Cranmore Mountain (moderate)
4. Cathedral Ledge (moderate)
5. Peaked Mountain Trail (hard)
6. Red Ridge Trail (hard)

• Visit Echo Lake State Park for more hiking, swimming, mountain biking, and more.
• Ride the Conway Scenic Railroad! It leaves at the train station in North Conway and makes its way to the Crawford Notch, with several stops for passengers to disembark and take pictures along the way.

4. Bretton Woods

If you drive from Littleton or Lincoln to North Conway, you’ll drive by a place where world history was made: Bretton Woods. What happened here, in this seemingly sleepy place in the White Mountains? In 1944, a conference was held there, attended by 44 nations. The result of this conference was nothing less than the establishment of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).

Best Things to Do In and Around Bretton Woods

• Where once upon a time presidents and other heads of states shook hands you can now recreate mightily! Book a room at the place where history was made – the Omni Mount Washington Hotel. It doesn’t come cheap, but it’s a true luxury experience worth the money. Plus you are in a gorgeous location, strategically based to enjoy everything the surrounding area and best cities have to offer.

• The Bretton Woods ski resort is New Hampshire’s largest ski area! Head to the Nordic Center to explore one of the east coast’s largest cross-country skiing areas. Summer is the time to see Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeastern United States, up close. You can simply drive up to the summit, though that road isn’t made for those with a weak stomach, and it’s pricey. You do get a rather large sticker exclaiming that ‘this car climbed Mount Washington’, however. On a clear day, the views are spectacular.
• Located on the summit is the Mt. Washington State Park Sherman Adams Visitor Center, which houses the Mt. Washingon Observatory and the Extreme Mount Washington Museum. Fun fact: the coldest temperature ever recorded in the United States was on the summit on Mount Washington on February 5, 2023. It was a bone-freezing minus 108 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 78 Celsius).

5. Portsmouth

New Hampshire doesn’t have much of a coastline at the Atlantic Ocean, but some of the best cities in New Hampshire are located in this region. Portsmouth, located on the Piscataqua River, is one of them. In 2023, this small city with rich history celebrated its 400th anniversary, and this endearing town on the Seacoast has lots to offer for visitors.
Portsmouth is very walkable, which is great and creates a relaxed atmosphere. It’s also a working seaport, one of the oldest in the United States, and it is very vibrant, and very authentic.

Best Things to Do In and Around Portsmouth

• Did you know that there’s no sales tax in New Hampshire? What better to place to make the most of your money! You’ll find anything from big brands to small gift shops, and if you yearn for outlet shopping, head to Kittery, Maine, which is just across the Piscataqua River (though they do charge sales tax there).

• At Albacore Park, visitors can see an authentic historic US Navy Submarine, visit the submarine history museum and the visitor center, stroll through the Memorial Garden, which is dedicated to lost submariners, and even tour a submarine!
• Catch a show at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre
• If you are traveling with young children, go to the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire.
• Music lovers should plan on spending an evening at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club, but most definitely see a live show at The Music Hall.
• The Strawbery Banke Museum preserves historic buildings, and you could spend a whole day there.
• Beer connoisseurs rejoice! Portsmouth has a craft beer industry dating back to the 1800s. Visit one of the local breweries and sample their offerings: Earth Eagle Brewings, Tributary Brewing Company, Cisco Brewers Portsmouth, Liars Bench Beer Co., Loaded Question Brewing Co., Great Rhythm Brewing Company, Stoneface Brewing Company, or Portsmouth Brewery.
• Prescott Park offers 10 acres of beautiful gardens to promenade in, historic buildings such as Shaw’s Warehouse and Sheafe’s Warehouse, a sculpture of a whale. and the Liberty Pole.
• Are you up for a 25 minute drive? Head south to Hampton Beach State Park. Not just does it feature a gorgeous beach, but there are lots of recreational opportunities such as swimming, fishing, RV camping, and fishing.

6. Meredith

Situated on the western edge of Lake Winnipesaukee, the largest lake in New Hampshire, lies the charming resort town of Meredith. Meredith is one of the nicest town in New Hampshire’s lake region, and a must for all outdoor enthusiasts exploring the best cities in New Hampshire.

Best Things to Do In and Around Meredith

• Shop at Mill Falls Marketplace. It’s home to many specialty shops.
• Venture out to Squam Lake. It is a short drive northwest of Lake Winnipesaukee and Meredith, and home to 67 islands! It’s an excellent place to bird watch as it provides nesting grounds to bald eagles, great blue herons, and common loons. Prefer a beach closer to Meredith? Waukewan Beach is your best bet.
• Weirs Beach is located on the southern shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, but no more than a five mile drive away from Meredith. But it’s not simply a beach. A visit to Weirs Beach is an event in itself! You can, of course, spend time on the beach. But you can also enjoy water sports, stroll on the boardwalk, ride go karts, play mini golf, ride a ferry or a train, visit a water park, shop, and eat! And those are just some of the attractions Weirs Beach has to offer. Plan a visit and see for yourself! You are guaranteed to have a good time.
• Ride the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad from Meredith to Laconia. It’s a fun ride, incredibly scenic, and you get to explore Laconia, too.
• Want to learn about the town? The Meredith Historical Society is here to help! They run a museum on Main Street, and organize events throughout the year.

7. Hanover

Hanover is home to the famous private ivy-league college of Dartmouth. It’s a popular destinations for those who love the outdoors but want to experience some culture as well.

Best Things to Do In and Around Hanover

• Dartmouth college offers campus tours for those who would like to see one of the famous east coast ivy league institutions, which is also ranked one of the most beautiful colleges in the USA, for themselves. You’ll be shown around campus by current students, make sure to register in advance.
• History buffs can discover a number of historic buildings in this college town. The Webster Cottage Museum, housed in an 18th century farmhouse, shows an exhibition of Daniel Webster’s life. The Fort at No.4 Living History Museum is an authentically reconstructed settlement from the 1740s. The Enfield Shaker Museum showcases the 200 years of existence of the Shaker community. The Amos Blanchard House and Barn Museum contains of a house restored to the period of the 1820 to 1840s, and an English style barn with tools and more from the 1900s. The Canaan Historical Museum exhibits items from the 18th and the 19th century.
• The Hood Museum of Art is a highlight of your visit. It is owned and operated by Dartmouth College, and displays a wide variety of collections, from different periods and different cultures. It is a must-visit attraction.
• Traveling with young children? Catch a movie at the historic Nugget Theater! Or go see a show at the Hopkins Center For The Arts. They offer something for everyone.

8. Manchester

With a population of 110,000, Manchester is New Hampshire’s largest city. While that is still small compared to nearby places such as Boston, it does come with lots of attractions and is worth visiting.

Best Things to Do in Manchester

• Spend time at the Currier Museum Of Art. Its exhibits feature prominent work by famous artists such as Picasso, Monet, and O’Keeffe. Book a tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright homes, a highlight of the museums. If you like museums, put the Millyard Museum on your list as well. It showcases the history and influence of the mills in the city.
• The Palace Theater is a fabulous performing arts venue. Check out their schedule and go see a show.
• Go to the Mall of New Hampshire for some great, tax-free shopping.
• Lake Massabesic is a nice area for a stroll. It provides Manchester with drinking water, so water sports are not permitted. It’s a nice, easy 3.7 mile loop.
• Venture out to Mine Falls Park. It’s a short drive from the city. You can make it there in about 25 minutes. It’s located in the heart of Nashua, and offers many recreational opportunities.

9. Concord

Concord is the state capital of New Hampshire. It has a very nice, walkable downtown area, where you can see bits of history walk along the streets. In the 19th century, the city was famous for its horse-drawn carriages and stagecoaches. Keep an eye out on your stroll through the relaxed urban environment.

Best Things to Do in Concord

• History nerds and those looking to better understand New Hampshire’s history can opt to take a self-guided historic walking tour. It has 62 stops and you can download it here. After that, learn even more by visiting the New Hampshire Historical Society.
• Those who enjoy live music are in the right place in Concord. July, August, and September feature a number of outdoor performances at White Park, Eagle Square, Rolfe Park, New Hampshire State House, and Kiwanis Riverfront Park.
• The New Hampshire State House offers free guided tours to the public. Tour it from Monday through Friday, any time between 8 am and 4.30 pm.
• Catch a performance at New Hampshire’s largest and most successful performing arts center, the Capitol Center for the Arts.
• Concord is the Granite State’s hub for cultural events. From Pride in June to the Multicultural Festival in September, Concord has a lot going on.
• The Susan N. McLane Audubon Center and Silk Farm Wildlife Sanctuary is a great place to learn about local wildlife.

These are our top 9 best cities in New Hampshire! When are you coming to visit?

For more similar articles, check out my recommendations below:

• Tips for renting a car in the US
• What food is California known for
• Top fine dining restaurants in Las Vegas

Like it? Pin it!

Disclaimer: Some of the links on this website are “affiliate links.” This means that if you click on the link and do a purchase, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost for you. This helps me keep my website running and continue to share my travelling knowledge with you. I thank you for booking your flights or hotels using the links on my website. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.