New Hampshire in Movies and TV: Famous Filming Locations You Can Visit
Nestled in the heart of the White Mountains, Franconia Notch State Park is a stunning backdrop that has drawn filmmakers for its breathtaking scenery. Located about an hour north of Concord, this park offers visitors a chance to walk the Flume Gorge Trail, a moderate 2-mile loop that winds through a natural granite gorge with 70-foot waterfalls and glacially carved walls. This area’s dramatic cliffs and pristine wilderness have appeared in various films seeking an authentic New England wilderness feel. The park’s iconic Old Man of the Mountain site, though no longer standing, remains a symbol deeply etched into the region’s cinematic identity. Visiting in late spring or early summer reveals the lush greenery and cascading waters at their most vibrant, making it an ideal time to relive scenes from nature-inspired films.
Just a short drive northeast of Manchester, the town of Portsmouth gives visitors a charming mix of colonial architecture and coastal vistas that has been the setting for several notable productions. Strawbery Banke Museum, an outdoor history museum in Portsmouth’s historic district, offers a vivid glimpse into centuries of New England life with preserved houses and costumed interpreters recreating 17th to 20th-century scenes. Films and TV shows have utilized this authentic backdrop, capturing period details that bring historical narratives to life. A leisurely stroll through the cobblestone streets and along the Piscataqua River waterfront at sunset makes for a picturesque experience that echoes the timeless mood of productions set in this seaside town.
Heading north from Concord, the Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods stands as an architectural icon and cinematic star. About two hours northwest of the capital, this grand resort with its distinctive red roof and white facade has been featured in films like “On Golden Pond.” Visitors can explore its elegant interiors, dine in historic ballrooms, or take the scenic Mount Washington Cog Railway to the summit of the highest peak in the Northeast at 6,288 feet. The hotel’s vintage charm combined with the rugged mountain backdrop offers a unique blend of luxury and wilderness rarely found elsewhere in the region. Visiting in autumn provides a spectacular show of foliage that complements the hotel’s classic grandeur, making the experience feel straight out of a classic movie scene.
In the Lakes Region, Meredith sits on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, about an hour north of Concord, offering both natural beauty and a connection to film history. The town’s waterfront, with quaint docks and classic New England boats, has appeared in family dramas and romantic comedies alike. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely boat tour of the lake, take a walk along the Meredith Sculpture Walk, or relax in the charming downtown featuring local shops and eateries. This area’s serene waters and gently rolling hills provide a quintessentially peaceful New England setting that filmmakers often seek when capturing idyllic small-town life. Summer months bring lively festivals and boating activity that add to the vibrant atmosphere.
In southern New Hampshire, the town of Keene, approximately an hour southwest of Concord, offers a historic and artistic ambiance that has been used in independent films and television dramas. The Keene State College campus, with its classic brick buildings and verdant quads, often doubles as a university setting in projects requiring an authentic academic environment. The nearby Cheshire Rail Trail provides a scenic route for biking or walking through woodlands and farmlands, echoing the peaceful, introspective moods often portrayed in films shot here. Keene’s blend of cultural events, historic downtown, and accessible natural areas makes it a compelling stop for visitors interested in the intersection of education, art, and cinematic landscapes.
Further east, the Seacoast region’s Rye Harbor State Park, about 10 miles southeast of Portsmouth, offers rugged Atlantic coastline views that have been captured on film for their raw beauty and dramatic light. The park’s oceanfront trails and rocky beaches create a mood of solitude and contemplation, perfect for scenes depicting introspective or suspenseful moments. Birdwatching is a draw here, with seasonal migrations adding dynamic wildlife elements to the natural setting. Visiting during early fall, as the migratory birds pass through and the summer crowds thin out, reveals a quieter, almost cinematic quality to the seaside vistas, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the atmosphere that attracted filmmakers.
Lastly, the Dartmouth College campus in Hanover, about 90 minutes northwest of Concord near the Vermont border, stands as a stately backdrop featured in numerous documentaries and films. The historic Baker-Berry Library and the Dartmouth Green create a quintessential Ivy League ambiance, complete with Georgian and Federal-style architecture. Visitors can tour the Hood Museum of Art, which houses diverse collections that sometimes inspire visual media projects, or attend performances at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. The college’s blend of scholarly tradition and New England charm makes it a favored location for films exploring academic themes and small-town university life. Visiting in spring, when blossoms frame the campus, enhances the setting’s picturesque and timeless appeal.
Each of these destinations showcases a distinct facet of New Hampshire’s cinematic allure, from rugged wilderness to coastal charm and academic prestige. Traveling through these real places, visitors can step into the scenes that filmmakers so often choose to capture the essence of New England storytelling. Whether you’re hiking a gorge, wandering a historic district, or savoring the quiet pulse of a lakeside town, the state’s film heritage brings a special layer of magic to the experience.