Peterborough New Hampshire Is One Of The Coolest Small Towns In The Us

New Hampshire is full of classic small towns – from the tiny villages up North to charming but touristy towns in the White Mountains and the Lakes Region. Dig a little deeper past the usual tourist favorites and college towns and you’ll find some of the more under-the-radar places have a lot more to offer than you’d guess. This particular town is a perfect example.

The town of Peterborough is nestled along the Contoocook River in Hillsborough County.

Peterborough/Doug Kerr

The river provided the town’s livelihood in its early mill days, and now it provides spectacular scenery for its residents.

Flickr/Holly Ladd

Despite only having a population of around 6,200, the town offers up plenty of charming shops, restaurants, and things to do.

Flickr/Doug Kerr

Visitors can stop by local favorite Harlow’s Pub for a drink with the locals, or have breakfast in the classic Peterborough Diner.

Flickr/Kevin Oliver

Flickr/Marnie Vaughan

The town has plenty to offer for arts fans, like the excellent Peterborough Players theater company (pictured). The town is also home to the country’s oldest artist’s retreat, the MacDowell Colonym which has hosted creatives from Leonard Bernstein to Jonathan Franzen. Visiting artists hold readings and talks during First Friday celebrations.

TripAdvisor/Peterborough Players

Bring your family to the Mariposa Museum of World Cultures for fascinating exhibits on traditions around the world, and keep an eye on their events calendar for performances and special events.

Facebook/Mariposa Museum of World Cultures

The town has plenty of great community events, from monthly contra dances to annual events including the Snow Ball, Children and the Arts Day, and Thing in the Spring Music Festival.

Facebook/Peterboroughcontra

For nature lovers, Peterborough has Miller State Park, where you can hike up Pack Monadnock, a small mountain that will reward you with great views. Or take the auto road! Fall is the perfect time to enjoy the scenery.

Palmgirl33

Have we convinced you that this town is worth a visit?