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New Hampshire
8 Adorable Small Towns in New Hampshire to Visit in 2024
Few other states that comprise New England truly embody the British Isles than New Hampshire. Dozens of towns in New Hampshire are closely named after actual locations in England, such as Portsmouth, Exeter, Hanover, and many more. Although some of these towns rebelled against the British Empire during the American Revolution, they have since prospered into some of the most adorable small towns in New Hampshire for you to explore in 2024. You will be awed by Peterborough’s contributions to several nation-defining wars. You will be enamored by Amherst’s bucolic sceneries and landscapes. You might even be swept off your feet—quite literally—by the strong winds coming from North Conway. Either way, 2024’s most adorable small towns in New Hampshire should not be missed.
Portsmouth
About an hour north of Boston, Massachusetts, you will find the enticing town of Portsmouth at the mouth of the Piscataqua River. Although the Piscataqua River serves as a good avenue for ferries and tugboats to go to and from the Atlantic Ocean, it also delineates the state borders of New Hampshire and Maine. People coming from both states and more can enjoy Portsmouth’s well-preserved 17th- and 18th-century houses. The ones specifically within the Strawbery Banke Museum are great places to immerse yourself into a time when Portsmouth was the first capital of New Hampshire and where costumed staff showcase traditional crafts from the second oldest settlement in the state since 1623.
The USS Albacore Museum, on the other hand, features a decommissioned Albacore submarine for those curious to see the inside of an underwater vehicle. Other historical sites include the Fort Stark State Historic Site, which was a pivotal fortress during the American Revolution and Civil War, and the St. John’s Church with its pipe organ from 1708. For more modern amenities, you can stroll through the verdant and flowery paradise of Prescott Park. You can also embrace the ocean breeze at the Odiorne Point State Park, which also contains the Seacoast Science Center for those who are enthusiastic about marine biology. There are dozens more historic and natural charms to relish in Portsmouth, and among them are the pristine lodgings you can afford, such as Wentworth by the Sea, Martin Hill Inn, or Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside.
Hanover
On the banks of the Connecticut River—which marks the borders between New Hampshire and Vermont—lies the humble town of Hanover. As home to the prestigious Dartmouth College—an Ivy League school first founded in 1769—Hanover has served as a place of enlightenment and inspiration for numerous individuals, locals and visitors alike. Dartmouth College’s Baker Library on the campus green contains the frescoes of José Clemente Orozco, a renowned artist from Mexico. Additionally, the Montshire Museum of Science from across the Connecticut River provides a number of interactive exhibits, an aquarium, and a few science parks for individuals who are eager to unlock more of the universe’s mysteries. Some of you might be more invested in touring the homely estate of a sculptor named Augustus Saint-Gaudens or seeing engineering marvels like the Wilder Dam or Boston Lot Lake. Whichever destination you go to first, you ought to at least rest a while at either the Hanover Inn Dartmouth or Six South St. Hotel.
Sugar Hill
Approximately 55 minutes away from Hanover, the delightful town of Sugar Hill will leave you ecstatic and excited to see more. As one of the smallest towns in New Hampshire—with a population less than 650 people—Sugar Hill is named after the many large groves of sugar maples in the immediate area. It is a pleasant and soothing settlement for those wanting peace and quiet in the countryside, with fantastic views of the Presidential, Franconia, Kinsman, and Dalton ranges in the grand White Mountains. June is a particularly good time to visit Sugar Hill, as its fields and hills blossom with pink and purple lupine flowers. Savor some exquisite homemade pancakes at Polly’s Pancake Parlor or cheese at Harmen’s Cheese Store. Most of all, give yourself a much-needed sleep at The Sunset Hill House, Franconia Inn, Lovett’s Inn & Restaurant, or Sugar Hill Inn.
Exeter
Exeter, with its location on Squamscott River and Exeter River, was a patriot stronghold for American soldiers during the American Revolutionary War. Before then—in the period of 1675 to 1725 when a group of religious exiles from the Massachusetts Bay colony first founded the town—Exeter fell victim to several severe Native American raids. It eventually stabilized into a thriving community with several historic structures such as the Gilman Garrison House (c. 1690), the Congregational Church (1798), and the Ladd-Gilman House (c. 1721). The latter, specifically, can be found at the American Independence Museum which also illustrates the history of years following the first Independence Day. You can always enjoy a brisk walk and hike through the Henderson-Swasey Town Forest. Less than 20 minutes from Portsmouth, you can entrust your belongings at the illustrious Exeter Inn or Inn by the Bandstand.
Amherst
Around 23 miles from Peterborough, travelers will fall in love with the lackadaisical and simplistic charms of Amherst. With its position in the Merrimack Valley and the eastern edge of the Monadnock region, Amherst is a utopian destination for those wanting the rural countryside of America. Biologists and other animal enthusiasts can find all sorts of unique creatures at the Ponemah Bog Wildlife Sanctuary. The Minot J. Ross Memorial Bird Sanctuary is also a perfect spot for birdwatchers and other avian lovers. Trekkers, hikers, and campers can seek their adventures at the Hodgman State Forest and the Joe English Reservation. Meanwhile, Baboosic Lake is open to individuals who are interested in swimming, boating, and fishing. There are many other secrets and possibilities to uncover in Amherst, so consider choosing this secluded small town as an adorable getaway from your big city troubles.
Peterborough
Peterborough is a lovable town filled with deep historic ties to prior American conflicts. During the French and Indian War, the first settlers of Peterborough fought for the English King’s army in spite of their initial mistrust of the Old World government. Then in the American Revolution, its willing townspeople fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775. Many of these Revolutionary heroes are now interred in Peterborough’s Old Street Road Cemetery including the drummer boy of Lexington, William Diamond.
Peterborough proved its valor once again in the War of 1812, when its native son James Miller (1776-1858) became the Hero of the Battle of Lundy’s Lane. He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1814 for defending a crucial site that would one day become Miller State Park, New Hampshire’s oldest state park. Indeed, Miller was such a hero that American author Nathaniel Hawthorne, in his introduction to The Scarlett Letter, described Miller as “New England’s most distinguished soldier.” There are several more attractions to admire in Peterborough, like Monadnock State Park and the MacDowell Colony (now known simply as ‘MacDowell’), the largest artist colony in America since 1907. And if you are in need of accommodations, look no further than to the Riverhouse.
Meredith
When it comes to relaxation and reprieve, Meredith provides innumerable opportunities for everyone wanting the laidback luxuries of rural New Hampshire. One can feel like they are at sea while strolling along the multitude of shorelines of Lake Winnipesaukee. Among these splendid shores are the Lovejoy Sands that serve as a launching point to the sublime Bear Islands, home to some of New Hampshire’s magnificent wildlife and plant life and one of several lush islands in Lake Winnepesaukee. You can also see more of New Hampshire’s wilderness at the Hamlin-Eames-Smyth Recreation and Conservation Area. Additional swimming, fishing, and kayaking opportunities can be earned at the much smaller Lake Winnisquam, Lake Waukewan, and Squam Lake. No need to worry about where you have to stay in the chilly evenings, because welcoming lodgings like The Oliver Lodge, The Nutmeg Inn, and Mill Falls at the Lake will keep you safe and sound in Meredith.
North Conway
Set within the White Mountains and near the state border between Maine and New Hampshire, North Conway is the first stepping stone towards the sublime summits of Mount Washington. Only about 50 miles from Sugar Hill, visitors can revel and rejoice in the many ski resorts in North Conway, such as the snowy adventures of the Cranmore Mountain Resort and the rollercoaster rides of the Attitash Mountain Resort. Traipse through the thick thickets of Merriman State Forest—Gawk at the alluring cascades of Diana’s Baths. Seek out one of the swimming holes along Saco River, or barter for great deals at one of the 100 big-name factory outlet stores at Settlers Green.
Visitors can get a picture-perfect vantage of North Conway and its surrounding environment from atop the Cathedral Ledge Lookout. And if you wish to know more about the extreme weather and harsh winds around Mount Washington and in the White Mountains, you can head over to the Mount Washington Observatory Offices for reliable forecasts. So put North Conway in your list of destinations to visit in New Hampshire, and consider The Colonial Motel, North Conway Grand Hotel, and School House Inn as options for your temporary place of residence in the mountain village.
In Conclusion
Skiing opportunities in the mountains? Check. Vibrant lakes and verdant forests? Check. And a deep historic association with several wars and conflicts that shaped the United States? Definitely. New Hampshire’s most adorable small towns fulfill these criteria for a fulfilling destination, and more. Take care when traversing the White Mountains and Mount Washington, specifically, in case the rapid winds that blow down to the town of North Conway are too much. Have fun when exploring Portsmouth for its seaside amenities and New England culture. Kayak through lakes such as Lake Winnipesaukee in Meredith to see some of the flora and fauna of the state. But most importantly, remember to great memories and experiences in your jolly journey through New Hampshire this 2024.
Local News
Investigators partnered with a nonprofit genetic genealogy analysis organization to identify the man who the remains belonged to.
After nearly four decades, a man whose skull was discovered in the New Hampshire woods has been identified.
Warren Kuchinsky was born in 1952 and was last known to be alive in the mid-1970s, New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella and New Hampshire State Police Colonel Mark Hall said in a statement. In 1986, his skull was found in a wooded area in the town of Bristol.
At the time, investigators weren’t able to identify whose skull it was, according to officials. Last year, however, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner partnered with the DNA Doe Project, a nonprofit organization, to solve the case using forensic genetic genealogy techniques.
Kuchinsky’s identity was confirmed through DNA testing of a surviving family member, according to officials. There is no evidence that his death was caused by foul play, according to the statement.
Founded in 2017, the DNA Doe Project partners with law enforcement, medical examiners, and volunteer genealogists to apply investigative genealogy to John and Jane Doe cases. By analyzing DNA profiles and building family trees from publicly available genetic databases and historical records, the organization has helped solve more than 250 cases nationwide.
“We are honored to have partnered with the State of New Hampshire on this case,” DNA Doe Project Team Leader Lisa Ivany said in the statement. “Through the power of investigative genetic genealogy and the dedication of our volunteer genealogists, we were able to develop a critical lead in less than 24 hours. We truly hope that this identification brings long-awaited answers to Mr. Kuchinsky’s family.”
Initial DNA testing turned up only distant matches, so the DNA Doe Project selected the case to be worked on at a virtual retreat in May 2025, according to the organization’s case profile. Over the course of a weekend, more than 40 genealogists from the U.S., Canada, England, and Scotland collaborated virtually to work on the case.
Within hours, the team discovered that the unidentified man had roots in New Hampshire and Quebec, according to the profile. They later zeroed in on Kuchinsky, who had attended school in Plymouth, N.H., but had no official proof of life past 1970.
“This identification reflects the power of partnership and scientific advancement,” Formella said in the statement. “The dedication of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the investigative support of the New Hampshire State Police, and the extraordinary work of the DNA Doe Project have restored a name to an individual who had been unidentified for nearly 40 years. We are grateful for their professionalism and commitment.”
New Hampshire
New Hampshire House Advances One of The Nation’s Most Extreme Transgender Bathroom Bans
The proposal would fine transgender people up to $5,000 for using bathrooms aligned with their gender identity.
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Bathroom bans targeting transgender people have been spreading rapidly across the United States. In previous years, adult bathroom bans in public buildings were limited to a handful of states with extreme laws. This year, they have become one of the primary vehicles for anti-trans legislation nationwide. Kansas was the first to act, passing a bathroom bounty hunter system and invalidating transgender people’s IDs. Idaho and Missouri began advancing their own bills. Now, the New Hampshire House of Representatives has passed its own version — one of the most extreme in the United States, which states that a trans person using the bathroom of their gender identity is a crime under the state civil rights act, violations of which carries hefty penalties. The bill passed 181-164 on Wednesday night, just weeks after Governor Kelly Ayotte vetoed a separate bathroom ban. Republicans are now sending her something far more aggressive — raising the question of whether they are trying to move the goalposts or simply daring her to veto again.
“Notwithstanding any other provision of law, with the exception of RSA 21:3, RSA 21:54, and paragraph II below, all multi-user facilities, including bathrooms, restrooms, and locker rooms located in buildings owned, leased, or operated by any municipality shall be used based on the individual’s biological sex,” reads the new bill. This prohibition is expansive: it applies to parks, rest stops, airports, civic buildings, and more, and could leave transgender people struggling to find a public place to use the restroom across the state.
The bill contains a novel enforcement mechanism not seen in any other state. It declares that a transgender person “asserting” that their gender identity allows them to use the bathroom is against the law under the state civil rights act, turning civil rights protections that were meant to be protective of transgender people into a weapon against them. “It shall be unlawful for any person to assert that their gender identity is a sex other than that defined in RSA 21:3 for the purposes of accessing places or services restricted on the basis of sex,” reads the bill. Such violations could result in fines of up to $5,000 per incident and even jail time if a person violates a resulting court injunction by continuing to use the restroom.
The bill also contains provisions for private businesses. It permits any owner or operator of a “place of public accommodation” — a category that under New Hampshire law includes hotels, restaurants, theaters, retail stores, bars, and concert venues — to restrict bathrooms by assigned sex at birth. The bill then immunizes those businesses from discrimination claims: “Adoption or enforcement of a policy pursuant to this section shall not be deemed discrimination under RSA 354-A or any other state law,” it reads.
A separate bill, HB 1217, also passed on Wednesday. That bill permits governmental buildings and businesses to classify bathrooms and locker rooms by assigned sex at birth — similar to the bathroom bans Ayotte has already vetoed. It passed by an even wider margin, 187-163. It contains no enforcement mechanism, but rather, states that bathroom bans and sports bans are not discriminatory towards transgender people under New Hampshire law.
The bills are part of a larger movement towards bathroom bans for transgender people. Just last month, Kansas passed a bathroom ban that allows every citizen in the state to become a bounty hunter, where reporting transgender people in bathrooms can net them $1,000 per trans person caught. This law also invalidated trans people’s drivers licenses in the state. Meanwhile, Idaho and Missouri are both advancing extreme anti-trans bathroom bans of their own, with Idaho’s ban even applying to private businesses, making it against the law for a private business to allow a trans person to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity.
The bills are substantially more extreme than the one vetoed by Governor Ayotte just weeks ago. In a veto statement of a bathroom ban last month, Ayotte stated, “I believe there are important and legitimate privacy and safety concerns raised by biological males using places such as female locker rooms and being placed in female correctional facilities… At the same time, I see that House Bill 148 is overly broad and impractical to enforce, potentially creating an exclusionary environment for some of our citizens.”
It remains unclear why Republicans are pushing an even more extreme version of a bill their own governor has already vetoed three times. The bill still needs to pass the New Hampshire Senate and be signed by Ayotte to become law. One possibility is that the more extreme HB 1442 is designed as cover for HB 1217 — making that bill appear moderate by comparison and improving its chances of earning a signature. Another is that Republicans believe they can pressure Ayotte into signing, or are simply laying the groundwork for an override attempt down the line. Regardless, HB 1442 is one of the most extreme bathroom bans moving through any state legislature in the country, and transgender people across New England will be watching closely as it advances to the Senate.
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