Exeter, NH

Address:Exeter, New Hampshire

Located on New Hampshire's seacoast, Exeter is a small town with plenty of history and beautiful architecture for you to enjoy. Located along the freshwater Exeter River and the saltwater Squamscott River, there's plenty of fishing and pleasure boating to enjoy in Exeter.

Exeter may be a small seaside town but it is New Hampshire's Colonial capital. As such, there are many buildings you can see and tour, such as the Powder House, a famous landmark that held munitions used in the Battle of Bunker Hill and the War of 1812. For more history, visit the American Independence Museum in Downtown Exeter. This museum, dedicated to the American Revolution, contains printed copies of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. During the museum's renovation, an original copy of the Declaration was discovered behind an old picture. Another interesting place to visit in Exeter is the Gilman Garrison House, a fortified garrison from 1690.

Take a walking tour of historic Downtown Exeter amid the boutiques shops and restaurants. Sites on the tour include some of the above-mentioned places as well as other historic houses and churches. The grand 19th century town hall and the surviving brick mill buildings are worth seeing, as is the beautiful Phillips Exeter Academy campus, with Main Street running right through it. What makes this tour extra special is the bandstand in the middle of Main Street shops and boutiques and a beautiful river front walk. When you get hungry, food options include seafood, American, Italian, steakhouses and pizza, or fast food such as McDonald's and KFC. And after grabbing a bite, you can tour the famous Exeter Academy and its gorgeous Georgian architecture. Highlights on the tour include the famous contemporary library designed by Louis Kahn, the Lamont Art Gallery and the beautiful Phillips Church. You will also be taken to the Grainger Observatory where astronomical research is conducted.

After a great day of touring, enjoy the Swasey Parkway, a tree lined drive one mile along Squamscott River near a wooden walkway and boat ramp at Robert Stewart Memorial Park. Here you can enjoy fishing and boating on the Squamscott River. On select Monday nights in the summer, listen to the Exeter Bandstand, the oldest brass band in the country. Come to Exeter for the Revolutionary War Festival the 3rd weekend in July. Enjoy the sidewalk sale, music, art exhibits and historic reenactments.

Exeter is on Route 108 south of Route 101. Take the Hampton exit on I-95 and head west to Route 108.