New Hampshire certainly has its more populated and traveled regions, especially around the major cities and tourist destinations. But if that’s not your thing and you want to explore places off the beaten path, there are plenty of those, too. We’ve rounded up 12 of the best hidden gems in New Hampshire, one to check out each month of the year!

1. Fuller Gardens, North Hampton

Fuller Drive, Fuller Dr, New Hampton, NH 03256, USA
Fuller Gardens/Facebook
Fuller Gardens lies on what was once part of Alvan T. Fuller estate on the seacoast. Come and enjoy the finest horticulture paired with a scenic seaside location.

2. Hood Museum of Art, Hanover

Hood Museum of Art, 6 E Wheelock St, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
Hood Museum of Art
Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth College features some of the oldest and largest collections of art among any college or university in the country. Over 65,000 items are housed at the museum.

3. Cat Alley, Manchester

Cat Alley, Manchester, NH 03101, USA
Ken MacGray/Flickr
Cat Alley is an open-air art gallery tucked into an alley known as Dean Court in downtown Manchester. Whimsical murals line the brick walls of the alley and it's said that the Cat Alley nickname was derived from a cat fight on the small street.

4. Archie Andrews Statue, Meredith

Joe H/Google
"America's typical teenager," Archie Andrews, is memorialized in bronze along Meredith's Main Street. The town is home to Bob Montana, who illustrated the first Archie comic in 1942. The statue faces Montana's former workshop and studio.

5. Madison Boulder, Madison

Madison Boulder, Madison, NH 03849, USA
David Burn/Flickr
Lurking in the woods of Madison is Madison Boulder, the largest glacial erratic in North America, and one of the largest in the world. Left behind by a retreating glacier, the massive rock weighs 5,000 tons and stands 23 feet tall. With that size, it's not exactly a hidden gem in New Hampshire, but definitely a lesser-known experience!

6. Libby Museum Of Natural History, Wolfeboro

The Libby Museum of Natural History, 755 N Main St, Wolfeboro, NH 03894, USA
The Libby Museum/Facebook
The oldest natural history museum in New Hampshire, Libby Museum Of Natural History houses the natural artifacts collected by Dr. Henry Forrest Libby, a dentist by profession but a lover of nature at heart.

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7. Abenaki Tower, Melvin Village

Abenaki Tower, NH-109, Melvin Village, NH 03850, USA
Ravikumar Tamanampudi/Google
The original Abenaki Tower was constructed in the 1920s to provide panoramic views over New Hampshire's Lakes Region. Today's tower is a rebuilt version of the original and still has great views.

8. Historic Lime Kilns, Haverhill

Haverhill, NH, USA
kmacgray/Flickr
Two well-preserved lime kilns from the 19th century still stand a short distance off the hiking route known as Chippewa Trail. These kilns were responsible for heating mined limestone for a period of about 50 years.

9. Sculptured Rocks Natural Area, Groton

Sculptured Rocks Natural Area, 251 Sculptured Rocks Rd, Hebron, NH 03241, USA
Ken MacGray/Flickr
Sculptured Rocks Natural Area is a unique testament to the power of water. Here, the Cockermouth River has carved a graceful gorge out of the bedrock. Sands carried by the river have created potholes and curious shapes along the gorge.

10. Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum, Warner

Mount Kearsarge, Mt Kearsarge, Warner, NH 03278, USA
Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum/Facebook
Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum, located near the base of its namesake mountain, is dedicated to the preservation of the native peoples of the region and their values, art, and culture. It's a New Hampshire hidden gem that you'll appreciate taking the time to visit.

11. Pondicherry Wildlife Sanctuary, Jefferson/Whitefield/Carroll

Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge, 289 Airport Rd, Whitefield, NH 03598, USA
kmacgray/Flickr
Pondicherry Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the magnificent Cherry Pond. Easy walking trails lead to the pond's shore, where there are spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.

12. Cathedral of the Pines, Rindge

Cathedral of the Pines, 10 Hale Hill Rd, Rindge, NH 03461, USA
Cathedral of the Pines
Cathedral of the Pines is situated on a hilltop with a fine view of southern New Hampshire's tallest peak, Mt. Monadnock. It was created to honor the sacrifices of America's military veterans.

Did we miss anything that you think should be on the list of some of the best hidden gems in New Hampshire? Have you been to any of these hidden gems in New Hampshire? Let us know in the comment section. We would love to hear from you.

If you find yourself now inspired to hop in the car and visit these places, we know it’s important to have a few snacks to enjoy along the way. OnlyInYourState has come up with a list of road trip snacks, and this list really is the best. Take a look, and know that the next time you’re ready to hit the road, you will be properly fueled for your next adventure.

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More to Explore

New Hampshire Hidden Gems

Katie Feldkamp | December 05, 2023

Where are some more of the best hidden gems in New Hampshire?

For a state somewhat small in size, New Hampshire sure packs in a lot of fun. Some more places that should make it to your bucket list of hidden gems in New Hampshire include:

  • Milan Hill State Park Fire Tower Hike
  • Three Chimneys Inn and Frost Sawyer Tavern in Durham
  • Odiorne Point State Park in Rye
  • Saint-Gaudens National Historical Site in Cornish

Best of all, when you check out the article that gives you more details for each of these places and more, you’ll see that these New Hampshire hidden gems are broken out by month, so you can have fun exploring all year long!

What is the best way to see several hidden gems in New Hampshire?

So glad you asked! We have created the ultimate New Hampshire hidden gems road trip that explores quaint places to eat, stay, and explore. The entire trip without stops takes about six hours, but feel free to make it your own. Along the way, you’ll visit places such as:

  • The Farm By The River in North Conway
  • Harman’s Cheese and Country Store in Sugar Hill
  • The Old Courthouse in Newport
  • Smoke Shack Southern BBQ in Boscawen

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