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Sugar Hill Is An Inexpensive Road Trip Destination In New Hampshire That’s Affordable

Sugar Hill, a charming small town in New Hampshire, offers scenic views, historic charm, and local attractions like Harman's Cheese & Country Store and Polly's Pancake Parlor.

Published Dec 15, 2020

Written by 

Jessica Wick

Are you in need of a change of scenery? Exploring new territory, even for a day, is great for our well-being -- and you don't even need to leave New Hampshire to reap all the benefits. We've got plenty of places to visit that won't break the bank, and Sugar Hill just might be our favorite.

Sugar Hill is a charming small town in Grafton County that overlooks the White Mountain National Forest.

A quaint white church with a tall steeple, surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage and a cloudy sky.
Rene Rivers / Flickr

While its roots go back much farther, it was incorporated as a town in 1962, making it the most recent in New Hampshire to be split from another town.

This tiny community is surrounded by breathtaking nature.

A vibrant field of orange flowers in the foreground, with mountains and a blue sky in the background.
thisfeministrox / Flickr

And since only about 500 people call this place home, you'll never have to worry about crowds, especially in the off season.

Sugar Hill is often referred to as New Hampshire's best kept secret. But those who are local are well aware of its charms.

A white church with a clock tower beside a vibrant orange tree in autumn, under a cloudy sky.
Rene Rivers / Flickr

And although the town itself is new, it does have quite a history. What is now Sugar Hill was once a fashionable Victorian resort town that drew artists and wealthy businessmen and their families from other New England cities during the 19th century.

These days, you'll find plenty of small town amenities here, like alluring little mom and pop shops.

A red two-story building with pumpkins on the porch, featuring a sign for a local store and a cheese shop.
newspaper1994 / TripAdvisor

At Harman's Cheese & Country Store, you'll find the natural, premium grade, white cheddar made in New York that put this place on the map. Who doesn't love delicious cheese?

Polly'a Pancake Parlor is the most popular restaurant in the area, and for good reason.

A charming pancake parlor with a red roof, surrounded by colorful flowers and trees under a blue sky.
management / TripAdvisor

People come over from all over New England to eat Polly’s famous pancakes that are made from scratch and always topped with fresh New Hampshire maple syrup.

Breakfast (or brunch) at Polly's Pancakes is an experience like no other.

A stack of fluffy pancakes topped with sliced strawberries, bananas, raspberries, and a drizzle of syrup.
JABG72 / TripAdvisor

For over 80 years, this has been a favorite local destination. They open every day except Wednesday at 7 a.m. for breakfast, closing at 2 p.m. (or 3 p.m. on weekends).

In June, locals and visitors celebrate the colorful lupines that line the hillsides in the area.

A vibrant field of purple lupines and yellow flowers, with green trees and distant mountains under a clear sky.
Matthew Dailey / Flickr

During this month, visitor numbers triple. But other than that, this place remains a quiet, sleepy little town... and that's just the way we like it.

Have you spent time in Sugar Hill lately?

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