New Hampshire is a rural state, which means that our small towns are a way of life. New Hampshire is full of beautiful small towns that offer nothing but peace and quiet, nestled in the beautiful hills and rivers that make the Granite State so great. Here are some quaint towns in New Hampshire that you should drive through when you need a return to a simpler way of life.

1. Cornish
Cornish, NH, USA
Larry Lamsa/flickr
This small town on New Hampshire's border with Vermont is full of small town charm and natural beauty. If you blink, you may miss "downtown" Cornish, but that's ok, because the real draw is the natural beauty. Cruise along the Connecticut river and follow mountain roads that trace its smaller tributaries to truly experience Cornish.
2. Tamworth
Tamworth, NH, USA
RachelC.Photography/flickr
Just south of the White Mountain National Forest and north of the lakes region, Tamworth is right smack dab in the middle of nowhere, which is just what makes this beautiful New Hampshire town so wonderful.
3. Gorham
Gorham, NH 03581, USA
Sean/flickr
Nestled on top of the White Mountains, the town of Gorham probably has more wildlife than human inhabitants. You'll love the rustic charm and mountain beauty.
4. Troy
Troy, NH, USA
Matt Bargar/flickr
Troy sits in the shadow of Mount Monadnock, but other than tourists driving to the mountain, the town is pretty quiet. You'll love the views of the Monadnock Valley and local farms that will transport you to a simpler time.
5. Marlow
Marlow, NH, USA
Jeff Giles/flickr
With fewer than 1,000 residents, Marlow doesn't have much to see, but that's what makes it so spectacular. Drive through on Route 10 or Route 123 for a glimpse into rural life in New Hampshire.

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6. Goshen
Goshen, NH 03752, USA
Doug Kerr/flickr
Tiny Goshen is breathtaking. Although there aren't many place to stop in town you will want to pull over to photograph the picturesque South Branch of the Sugar River, which runs through town.
7. Benton
Benton, NH, USA
Danny Navarro/flickr
Benton has just over 300 residents, so when it comes to small town this is legit. Of course, like many New Hampshire small towns it is also full of beautiful byways and wonderful hiking trails.
8. Stark
Stark, NH 03582, USA
James Walsh/flickr
Stark may not have the most appealing name, but this place is full of small-town charm. A drive along route 110 will leave you even more in love with New Hampshire.
9. Nottingham
Nottingham, NH, USA
Doug Kerr/flickr
Nottingham, with its regal houses and well-loved lake, will have you feeling as if you've been transported into a movie. From here, it's a beautiful ride to New Hampshire's seacoast.
10. Stratham
Stratham, NH, USA
Photomaine/flickr
A drive through Stratham will show you the unique geography of the seacoast. The marshes and river provide beautiful outlooks, while the wooded portions make you feel as if you're much further from the sea.

Do you live in any of these quaint towns in New Hampshire? Looking to explore more of the Granite State? Check out these ten hidden gems in New Hampshire that you must see before you die!

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More to Explore

Quaint Towns in New Hampshire

Tori Jane | October 05, 2022

What are some of the best small towns in New Hampshire?  

New Hampshire is a beautiful state with lots of adorable small towns to fall in love with. We have so many favorites that we can’t really list them all at once – that would take pages - but we have some worth mentioning! Some of our favorite small towns in New Hampshire include ones like beautiful Portsmouth, which has a population of just 22,000 and features some of the most beautiful beaches in New Hampshire. We also love Meredith, which is a gorgeous resort town, and Sugar Hill is so adorable that you might just find yourself planning to move there.   

What are some truly peaceful towns in New Hampshire?  

The list goes on, of course – there are plenty of peaceful towns in New Hampshire you’re sure to fall in love with. Obviously, there are the ones we mentioned above, but there are so many more, too! Lincoln, New Hampshire is a gorgeous small town perfect for the nature lover, and if you enjoy Lincoln, you’ll also love Bartlett, which is nestled in the heart of the beautiful White Mountains. Anyone looking for the best places to go camping in New Hampshire is going to want to look at the White Mountains – and then make a whole day out of exploring downtown Bartlett.  

Where are the safest places to live in New Hampshire?  

New Hampshire is one of the safest places to live in the United States, so even the most dangerous places to live in New Hampshire are still pretty safe. At the time of this writing, the safest town to live in New Hampshire is Atkinson, which saw zero violent crimes in 2021 and 2022. Next on the list is Deerfield, which saw no violent crimes in 2022, Kingston, which saw 0.3 violent crimes in 2022, and Weare, which saw 0.1 violent crimes in 2022. Other safe places in New Hampshire include towns like Sandown, New Boston, and Enfield.  

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