Quirky Roadside Attractions You’ll Only Find in New Hampshire
Just a short drive south of Concord, in the town of Warner, you’ll find the quirky and charmingly old-fashioned New Hampshire Telephone Museum. This small but richly detailed museum celebrates the evolution of telephone technology, offering visitors a chance to see antique switchboards, early telephones, and interactive exhibits that let you actually test out vintage equipment. What sets this spot apart is its focus on a communication technology that shaped New Hampshire’s rural communities, preserving stories of how people stayed connected before the internet age. The best time to visit is on a clear, crisp weekend when the town is less busy, allowing you to soak in the nostalgic atmosphere without rush.
Heading north about an hour from Manchester, the town of Berlin holds a peculiar claim to fame with its Story Land theme park. Although it’s primarily aimed at families, Story Land offers a whimsical glimpse into New Hampshire’s fairy tale and fantasy lore, nestled amid the scenic beauty of the White Mountains. The park’s vintage charm, dating back to the 1950s, makes it more than just a modern amusement park—it’s a piece of New England nostalgia. Fall is an especially delightful time to visit when the surrounding forests erupt in red and gold, combining colorful foliage with playful rides.
On the eastern edge of the state, near Portsmouth and about a 20-minute drive, the John Paul Jones House stands as a unique historic attraction. This modest 18th-century home belonged to the naval hero John Paul Jones, revered as the father of the U.S. Navy. The house, preserved as a museum, offers guided tours that uncover fascinating Revolutionary War-era artifacts along with colorful stories of Jones’s daring exploits. What makes this stop distinctive is its intimate scale and hands-on feel, letting visitors step inside living history right in the heart of one of New England’s oldest seaports. Early spring is a great time to explore before the summer tourist crowds arrive.
Traveling about 90 minutes northwest of Concord, the quirky town of Lincoln offers the chance to experience the quirky Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves. This natural attraction features a network of granite boulders and caves formed during the last Ice Age, with wooden walkways guiding visitors safely through narrow passages above a rushing mountain stream. The combination of geological wonder and a bit of a spelunking adventure makes it a uniquely thrilling spot in New Hampshire’s outdoors scene. Visit in late spring or early summer when the water is high and the waterfalls are at their most impressive.
In the southern part of the state, just under an hour’s drive from Nashua, the charming village of Hancock hosts the Hancock Shaker Village, a living history museum devoted to the Shaker religious community that settled here in the 18th century. Walking through the historic buildings and working farms, visitors can witness traditional Shaker crafts, from furniture making to basket weaving, preserved in a way that feels both quirky and deeply rooted in American cultural history. The village’s peaceful setting amid rolling farmland is especially beautiful in late summer when gardens and fields are in full bloom.
About 40 minutes north of Manchester, the town of Plymouth is home to the quirky and colorful sculpture garden at the Clark’s Trading Post. While the name might suggest an ordinary roadside attraction, this place is an unexpected mix of vintage steam trains, trained bears performing tricks, and a quirky collection of Americana memorabilia. The train rides through the forest stand out as a delightfully odd throwback to a bygone era. The best time to visit is summer when the full range of performances and outdoor activities are in full swing.
Lastly, down in the Lakes Region near Meredith, about an hour north of Concord, you’ll find the unusual Squam Lakes Natural Science Center. While it’s a legitimate wildlife sanctuary and educational center, it also offers a quirky chance to meet live, native animals such as bald eagles, otters, and black bears in naturalistic settings. The center’s hands-on approach to environmental education makes it a refreshing alternative to traditional zoos, perfect for curious travelers who want an up-close look at New Hampshire’s wild side. Fall colors reflected on the lakes add a magical backdrop to animal encounters.
These eclectic spots scattered across New Hampshire reveal the state’s quirky charm beyond its famous mountains and lakes. Each offers a unique story and a hands-on experience, inviting visitors to explore the unexpected secrets tucked into small towns and natural landscapes. Whether it’s vintage technology, historic homes, or natural wonders, these places make for memorable stops on any New England road trip.