You may know New Hampshire for its stunning New England foliage, the White Mountains, its ‘Live Free or Die’ motto, or its delicious seafood. But how well do you know the state’s small towns? New Hampshire is packed with welcoming historic and artsy communities with vibrant downtown areas offering a little something for everyone. Take a self-guided tour, relax in leafy parks, and gorge on clams by the waterfront. These downtown areas represent the best of the state.
Keene
The Bandstand in Central Square, Keene, New Hampshire. Editorial credit: Andy Sutherland / Shutterstock.com.
Located in the lush Connecticut River Valley, Keene isn’t just surrounded by natural beauty, it’s also one of the prettiest towns in New Hampshire. Established in 1753, this former railroad town has seen a lot of history – and you can too in its beautifully restored brick mill buildings dotted around town. Stop into the Historical Society of Cheshire County to view exhibits from Keene’s fascinating past and/or join a guided tour of the town’s historic sights.
If you’re exploring solo, don’t miss Keene Central Square in the heart of the historical district. This downtown park features a charming gazebo, fountain, and Keene’s Civil War monument. It’s the ideal spot to take a breather from souvenir-hunting. Just off Main Street, you’ll find another historic gem, the Wyman Tavern. This opened in 1762 as a public house and is now a museum, as well as the venue for the popular Wyman Tavern Brew Fest, which takes place in August 2024.
Exeter
Odd Fellows Hall at 115 Water Street in the historic town center of Exeter, New Hampshire. Editorial credit: Wangkun Jia / Shutterstock.com.
New Hampshire’s Revolutionary War Capital, Exeter, is a charming river town in the southeast of the state. Abraham Lincoln once gave a speech here, visiting Exeter in 1860. The town’s picturesque Main Street winds east towards the Squamscott River, which you can explore up close from the beautiful Robert H Stewart Waterfront Park and the Swasey Parkway, a scenic walkway that hosts concerts and other events through the summer and fall. The Swasey Pavilion (known as ‘the bandstand’ to locals) marks the core of Exeter’s walkable historic district. From here, it’s just a short stroll to the American Independence Museum, the Gilman Garrison House, built in 1709, and the Exeter Historical Society, founded in 1928.
Plymouth
Thai Smile restaurant in a historic building at 135 Main Street in town center of Plymouth, New Hampshire . Editorial credit: Wangkun Jia / Shutterstock.com
Known as the gateway to the lakes region and the White Mountains, Plymouth is a popular destination for nature lovers and sports enthusiasts. It’s also home to Plymouth State University, giving it a lively, college-town feel. Main Street runs along the Pemigewasset River. Plymouth’s beautiful historic district consists of several 1800s civic buildings clustered around the scenic Town Common; these include the town hall, the post office, the Pemigewasset National Bank building, and the old Grafton County Courthouse. For more modern entertainment, visit the Flying Monkey Movie House and Performance Center on Main Street. This iconic venue hosts concerts, comedy shows, movies, and more.
North Conway
Rainbow over the town center of North Conway, New Hampshire. Editorial credit: Keith J Finks / Shutterstock.com
North Conway, in the Mount Washington Valley, is a scenic mountain town with a reputation for great skiing. Known as North Conway Village, the vibrant downtown area is lined with quaint shops, quirky boutiques, and welcoming watering holes. Stop at the Handcrafters Barn for some genuine made-in-New-England gifts or satisfy your sweet tooth at the old-fashioned candy counter in Zeb’s General Store. Downtown is also where you’ll find the North Conway Scenic Railroad. In operation for over 50 years, this rail route is one of the town’s top attractions. If you have time, the 4.5-hour scenic Mountaineer excursion is well worth the trip, with gorgeous alpine views of forested peaks and rocky gorges.
Wolfeboro
Aerial view of the historic town center of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire.
Wolfeboro, on the eastern shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, claims the title of ‘America’s oldest summer resort’. It’s easy to see why this New Hampshire gem has been a favorite of visitors down the decades. The waterfront area is a busy hive of activity with boutiques, galleries, cafes, and dining spots – all with a view of the water. The best scenery is in Cate Park, just a block away from the main drag and with plenty of perfect picnic spots overlooking the lake and marina. After watching the boats go by, learn about their history. The New Hampshire Boat Museum traces Wolfeboro’s maritime history through the ages with exhibits on boats of all kinds, from rafts to racers. If all that strolling and sightseeing has made you hungry, grab a bite at the Wolfeboro Dockside Grille. Located right on the water, this classic diner serves up drool-worthy seafood platters. Leave room for dessert – the restaurant also contains a dairy bar offering your choice of ice-cream sundaes.
Meredith
Hermit Woods Winery and Deli at 72 Main Street in historic town center of Meredith, New Hampshire. CaptionEditorial credit: Wangkun Jia / Shutterstock.com.
The small town of Meredith is in the heart of New Hampshire lake country and central to some of the state’s biggest lakes, including Winnipesaukee, Squam, and Winnisquam. Meredith got its start in the early 1800s as a prosperous mill town and is now known as a family-oriented community perfect for a relaxing summer break. Check out the Waukewan Town Beach for stunning views over Lake Winnipesaukee or hire a boat at Meredith Marina to spend the day on the water fishing. Back in town, stop by the Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery, a small boutique winery in the heart of downtown. Featured in USA Today, this foodie favorite crafts its wine from local fruits, pairing it with a delicious farm-to-table menu. You’ll find other great dining at the Mills Falls Marketplace, a waterfront boardwalk and open-air shopping venue featuring flower gardens, a 40 ft waterfall, and a sculpture walk.
Harrisville
A historic mill in Harrisville, New Hampshire. Editorial credit: Nathan Bickel / Shutterstock.com
Historic Harrisville is a beautiful little mill town in southwest New Hampshire. This charming storybook village, designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977, is a history-lover’s dream. Its small downtown, curved around Harrisville Pond, is extremely easy to navigate and a pleasant stroll past red brick mill homes and stunning examples of Greek Revival architecture. Highlights include the Harrisville General Store, which has been in operation since 1838 and is now a grocery store and cafe. The Cheshire Mills complex, built in the 1840s and consisting of a granite mill and a cluster of workers’ cottages, is also well worth a visit. After all that walking, pick up a snack at a different sort of town landmark — the Brown House Bakery. Serving customers for almost two decades, this popular eatery is where locals go to satisfy their cravings for freshly made muffins, donuts, biscuits, sandwiches, and more.
Dynamic Downtowns
Visit New Hampshire’s fascinating and scenic small towns and you’ll be walking in the footsteps of revolutionary war heroes, founding fathers, and past presidents. The granite state has had a front row seat for the many turbulent eras of American history and that rich heritage is evident today in the historic streets and lively atmosphere of New Hampshire’s picturesque communities. Well-preserved, well-maintained, and well-loved, these dynamic downtowns are the perfect venue for your next vacation.
WILTON, N.H. (WHDH) – A woman died in a Wilton, New Hampshire, house fire Wednesday morning, according to the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office.
At 9:08 a.m., Wilton firefighters responded to Burns Hill Road after a caller said their home was filling up with smoke. When they arrived, a single-family home was on fire and they found out two people were still inside on the second floor.
A man and a woman were both taken out of the house by firefighters and taken to Elliott Hospital. The woman was pronounced dead and the man is in serious condition.
Officials have not released the name of the victim at this time.
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At this time, investigators are looking into the cause of the fire and are trying to determine if a power outage in the area played a factor. The fire is not currently considered suspicious.
(Copyright (c) 2025 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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Diane Durgin, 67, is accused of shooting at a Black man who inadvertently drove to her property after a prearranged truck part sale, prosecutors said.
A New Hampshire woman is accused of violating the state’s Civil Rights Act four times after she allegedly shot at a man because he was Black, prosecutors said.
Diane Durgin, 67, of Weare, N.H. could face up to a $5,000 fine for each violation she is found to have committed, the office of New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella said in a press release Tuesday.
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Durgin is also charged with criminal threatening against a person with a deadly weapon and attempted first degree assault with a deadly weapon, Michael Garrity, a media representative for the New Hampshire Attorney General, said in an emailed statement to Boston.com.
Durgin had a final pre-trial conference last week, Garrity said.
In a civil complaint filed Tuesday, Durgin is accused of threatening physical force against the victim, the AG said. Prosecutors asked the court to issue a preliminary injunction barring Durgin from repeating her alleged behavior and from contacting the victim and his family.
During the morning hours of Oct. 20, 2024, the victim claims, he “mistakenly” drove to Durgin’s home after a prearranged purchase of a truck part with a seller online, prosecutors wrote as part of their request for an injunction.
When the man — whom prosecutors identified in court documents as X.G. — arrived, Durgin allegedly stepped out of her home and approached his car with a gun “holstered by her waist,” prosecutors wrote.
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Upon noticing that X.G. was Black, Durgin allegedly “removed her gun and pointed it at X.G.,” prosecutors said in the injunction request.
While X.G. explained that he was lost, Durgin called the victim a “Black mother[expletive],” and threatened to “kill him,” prosecutors allege.
As the victim attempted to drive away, Durgin allegedly took her gun and fired two shots at the fleeing man’s car, missing both times, the AG’s office said.
While on the phone with a dispatcher, Durgin allegedly said she shot the man’s car because the victim is Black, the AG said.
“The guy is Black. And he, he…he says he’s meeting someone here and I think he’s coming here to steal,” Durgin allegedly said.
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Police located X.G. and brought him to the Weare Police Department, stopping along the way at the correct seller’s home to complete the truck part purchase, prosecutors wrote in court documents.
To prove a violation of the New Hampshire Civil Rights Act, the AG must show that Durgin “interfered or attempted to interfere with the rights of the victim to engage in lawful activities by threatening to engage in or actually engage in physical force or violence, when such actual or threatening conduct was motivated by race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, or disability,” prosecutors said.
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The streets of Portsmouth are still in the process of being cleaned up, as seen the afternoon of Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, following a huge snow storm.
It may be March, but winter in New Hampshire is far from over. Just one week after a blizzard tore through the state with heavy snow and high winds, the state is getting another round of snowfall.
The state will get three to five inches during the evening and night of Tuesday, March 3, says the National Weather Service (NWS) of Gray, Maine. While the accumulation will not be significant, the snowfall may cause dangerous road conditions and a layer of ice on the ground in certain parts of the state.
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Here’s what to know before tonight’s snow in New Hampshire, including snow totals and timing.
When will it snow in NH tonight?
According to the NWS, it will start snowing in New Hampshire during mid-afternoon or early evening and continue through the night. Specifically, snow will arrive to the southern part of the state around 2-3 p.m., spreading northwards through the rest of New Hampshire by 5 p.m.
Rain or freezing rain will mix in later this evening across southern New Hampshire, creating a wintry mix. All precipitation should move out of the state by midnight.
Due to the timing of today’s snowfall, the Tuesday evening commute will be affected, with the NWS warning to slow down and exercise caution while driving.
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Warmer weather: It may not look like it now, but spring is on its way: Nature News
How much snow will NH get tonight?
New Hampshire will get one to four inches of snow tonight, with one to two inches in northern New Hampshire, two to three inches in southern New Hampshire and three to four inches in the center of the state, with the possibility for five inches in localized areas.
In the Seacoast specifically, Portsmouth, Rye, Hampton and York are expected to get between two to three inches of snow, while Dover, Exeter and Rochester may get up to four.
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The wintry mix may also cause a light glaze of ice across southern New Hampshire.
Blizzard snowfall totals: Latest snowfall total from New Hampshire, Maine after blizzard
NH weather watches and warnings
The NWS has issued a winter weather advisory for the state of New Hampshire, in effect from 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3 through 4 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4.
