New Hampshire has so many cities, towns and villages to explore, each with its own unique character. From cities rich with history to revitalized Main Street communities with vibrant downtowns, there are so many special places to discover.  Check out the following cultural itineraries for trip ideas, or plan your own itinerary using the information and links provided below!   



Mills and Main Street Communities:
Manchester
Littleton
Jaffrey
Peterborough
Keene
Dover
Somersworth
Tilton
Ossipee
Meredith
Laconia/Weirs
Hillsborough
Berlin
Claremont
Nashua
Rochester
Goffstown
Concord
Milford
Wilton
Lisbon

Manchester
By far the state's largest city, Manchester once contained the world's largest single millyard. After a period of decline, today the "Queen City" is revitalized and thriving.

Links of interest:
http://www.manchesternh.gov
http://www.manchester-chamber.org/ 
http://www.currier.org/ 
http://www.manchesterhistoric.org/
http://www.verizonwirelessarena.com/ 
http://www.nhfishercats.com/ 
http://www.see-sciencecenter.org/ 
http://www.amoskeagfishways.org/

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Littleton
Located in the White Mountains, Littleton was named one of the top ten small towns in America. It features not only the beauty of the mountains but the craftsmanship of the mills that allowed the town to flourish.

Links of interest:
http://www.golittleton.com/
http://www.littletonareachamber.com/
http://www.townoflittleton.org/ 
http://www.littletongristmill.com/
http://www.chutters.com/candy/

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Jaffrey
Nestled at the base of famous Monadnock, Jaffrey is home to sparkling lakes, rolling countryside, village greens, museums, shops and more!

Links of interest:
http://www.teamjaffrey.org/
http://www.jaffreychamber.com/
http://www.town.jaffrey.nh.us/ 
http://www.theparktheatre.org/
www.nhstateparks.org/state-parks/alphabetical-order/monadnock-state-park

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Peterborough
Named one of the 10 Coolest Small Towns in America by Budget Travel magazine, Peterborough is home to art museums, lakes, shops, state parks and much more!

Links of interest:
www.townofpeterborough.com 
www.peterboroughchamber.com 
www.macdowellcolony.org
www.nhstateparks.org/state-parks/alphabetical-order/miller-state-park  
www.peterboroughplayers.org  

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Keene
Home of Keene State College and the annual pumpkin festival, Keene embodies small town charm, full of history with Chase's mill and Colony Block. Keene's downtown offers a 19th century woolen mill, the Colony Mill Marketplace, which now houses over 30 specialty stores and restaurants.

Links of interest:
http://www.keenechamber.com/ 
http://www.keenenh.com/ 
http://www.keene.edu/ 
http://www.pumpkinfestival.org/  
http://www.thecolonial.org/ 
http://www.colonymill.com/ 

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Dover
Dover is situated between the Bellamy and Cochecho Rivers in the center of the Seacoast region of New Hampshire. Dover has recently experienced a vibrant revitalization of its downtown and mill buildings.

Links of interest:
http://www.dovermainstreet.org/
http://www.dovernh.org/
http://www.ci.dover.nh.us/
http://www.childrens-museum.org/
http://www.woodmaninstitutemuseum.org/ 

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Somersworth
Situated on the Salmon Falls River, Somersworth has been home to many gristmills, sawmills, and cotton and woolen making establishments.

Links of interest: 
http://www.somersworth.com/
http://www.somersworthchamber.com/
http://www.nhfestivals.org/

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Tilton
While visiting Tilton, stop by the many quaint downtown specialty shops and see Tilton's sights such as the Tilton Arch, the 1879 Town Hall, the Iron Bridge and historic statues.

Links of interest:
http://www.tiltonmainstreet.org/
http://www.tiltonnh.org/ 
http://www.laconia-weirs.org/

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Ossipee
Ossipee is made up of many small villages scattered among the hills. Shops filled with unusual crafts and antiques dot the country roads.

Links of interest:
http://ossipeemainstreet.org/
http://www.ossipee.org/
http://www.ossipeevalley.org/ 

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Meredith
Meredith, located on Lake Winnipesaukee, is home to endless lake and mountain vistas that are accented with fun family attractions, special events, historic sites, outdoor adventures and unique shops.

Links of interest:
http://www.meredithnh.org/ 
http://www.meredithcc.org/
http://www.thezeeum.com/
http://www.mhsweb.org   

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Laconia/Weirs

Situated on Lake Winnipesaukee, Laconia and the Weirs Beach area offer everything from skiing to crafting, from mini-golf to 18 holes of championship golf, to museums and shopping and everything in between!

Links of interest:
http://www.laconiamainstreet.org/
http://www.cityoflaconianh.org/  
http://www.laconia-weirs.org/ 
http://www.weirsbeach.com/ 
http://www.weirsonline.com/ 
http://www.cruisenh.com/ 
http://www.belknapmill.org/
http://www.lwhs.us/  
http://www.winniplayhouse.com/ 

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Hillsborough
Discover charming preserved and restored buildings and view historic textile mills perched along the banks of the Contoocook River that once made Hillsborough a booming town.

Links of interest:
http://www.hillsboroughpride.org/
http://www.hillsboroughnhchamber.com/ 
http://www.town.hillsborough.nh.us/Public_Documents/index 
http://www.schnitzelfest.com/
http://www.gibsonpewter.com/blog/ 
 
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Berlin
Situated on the pitch of the Androscoggin River, Berlin became the center of the pulp and papermaking industry in New England from 1800s through the early 20th century.  Today, Berlin’s historic downtown still reflects its history with turn of the century building facades as well as many modern offerings from the merchants of today.

Links of interest:
http://www.berlinnh.gov/pages/berlinnh_mainstreet/index
http://www.berlinnh.gov/ 
http://www.northernforestheritage.org/ 
http://www.androscogginvalleychamber.com/ 
http://www.stkieranarts.org/ 

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Claremont
Explore downtown Claremont, featuring historical architecture downtown and spectacular views of textile mills along the Sugar River.

Links of interest:
http://www.mainstreetclaremont.com/ 
http://www.claremontnh.com/ 
http://www.claremontnhchamber.org/  
http://www.arrowheadnh.com/  
http://www.claremontoperahouse.com/ 

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Nashua
The Nashua River and Main Street form the heart of downtown Nashua, with shops, restaurants and unique shopping. Offering over 35 local restaurants and more than 100 stores and boutiques, New Hampshire’s second largest city was named “Best Place to Live In America” by Money Magazine.

Links of interest: 
http://www.downtownnashua.org/
http://www.nashuachamber.com/ 
http://www.gonashua.com/ 
http://www.nashuahistoricalsociety.org/ 

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Rochester
Known as the Lilac City, Rochester is the largest city in the seacoast region and fourth largest city in New Hampshire. Encompassing 48 square miles of rolling hills and rivers, Rochester is conveniently located only a short distance from New Hampshire's famous Lakes Region, the White Mountains with its ski resorts and the Seacoast with its superb beaches.

Links of Interest:
http://www.rochestermainstreet.org
http://www.rochesternh.org
http://www.rochesteroperahouse.com
http://www.rochesterfair.com

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Goffstown
Goffstown is a scenic town with twin mountains, forested hills, winding rivers, and an attractive New England village center.  Goffstown is only an hour from Boston, MA and an hour from New Hampshire's White Mountains or seacoast.

Links of Interest:
http://www.goffstownmainstreet.org
http://www.goffstown.com
http://www.goffstownrailtrail.org
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nhghs

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Concord
Situated near the geographical center of New Hampshire, Concord is not only the State Capital, but it rates as one of the best places to live and work in the United States.

Links of Interest:
http://www.mainstreetconcord.com
http://www.onconcord.com
http://www.downtownconcordshops.com
http://www.concordnhchamber.com

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Milford
Located in southern New Hampshire on the banks of the Souhegan River, Milford is home to manufacturing, information and service oriented businesses and is also especially known for its antique shops and country craft stores.

Links of Interest:
www.milfordmainstreet.org
www.milfordnh.com
http://www.milfordpumpkinfestival.org/
http://milfordnh.info/milford/index.htm
http://conservation.milfordnh.info/
http://www.milforddrivein.com/

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Wilton
Wilton is a town in Hillsborough County, in the Manchester-Nashua metro area. A rural town with orchards, farms, and woodlands, Wilton is also home to a thriving arts and theater community.  

Links of Interest:
http://www.mainstreet.wilton.nh.us/
http://www.ci.wilton.nh.us/
http://www.wiltontownhalltheatre.com/
http://www.fryesmeasuremill.com/

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Lisbon
Lisbon is nestled in the valley along the Ammonoosuc River in the White Mountains and boasts a magnificent town hall, library, brick blocks and other historically significant structures.

Links of Interest:
http://www.lisbonmainstreet.org/
http://www.lisbonartsgallery.com/
http://www.lisbonnh.org/
http://www.lisbonpubliclibrary.org/

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