Littleton, New Hampshire, may be a small town, but it has immense New England charm and activities.
Small-town charm is everywhere in Littleton, with a charming downtown area, a wide variety of eateries, and plenty of outdoor space for you to enjoy!
Littleton, New Hampshire, was established in 1770 on the Ammonoosuc River banks and has long functioned as a commercial hub in the White Mountains.
The construction of a dam in the 1790s prompted the establishment of a sawmill and gristmill and surrounding businesses.
Potato whiskey, scythes, potash, flannels, furniture, watches, sleighs, and carriages were all made in Littleton.
That was the birth of Littleton’s unique Main Street and industries.
For decades, authorities in Littleton thought that development and success could only occur if previous officials carefully planned and controlled change and advancement, which led to the city’s current multifaceted economy.
Is Littleton, New Hampshire, on your travel itinerary?
There are a lot of fantastic things to do and see in Littleton, so read on.
Pollyann statue, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
You may take a picture of yourself imitating the bronze statue of Eleanor H. Porter’s figure from the 1913 famous children’s story in Littleton, Colorado, and send it to your friends.
In 1868, the author was born right here.
daveynin from United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
For many years Eleanor Hodgman Porter lived in Littleton, which is just a few blocks away from the library’s front lawn, where a statue of Pollyanna, Littleton’s famous figure, stands.
Pollyanna’s cheerful temperament is impossible to miss when you stand in front of this magnificent monument.
AlexiusHoratius, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
When you visit Chutters, you’ll feel transported into a world of sweets, where the aromas of candies and freshly-made fudge fill the air.
Chutters is a confectionery shop that caters to children and adults with a vibrant, fun-filled ambiance.
Its sweets counter is the longest of its kind in the world, running the whole length of the store.
Glass jars loaded to the brim with vividly colored candies, including old favorites and hard-to-find kinds, as well as the best of today’s most popular delights.
Grab a bag and pick from a wide variety of sour and gummy, gourmet, and classic jellybeans, licorice, chocolates, caramels, and reminiscent pieces.
Delicious snacks await you at Chutters!
Founded in 1920, Lahout’s is now a fourth-generation family company.
People dub their store in 245 Union St, Littleton, as “America’s Oldest Ski Shop.”
From their horse and wagon, they began selling products at the local general store.
They help visitors prepare for the elements of New England, and their values reflect those of core skiers, hikers, and outdoors people.
You can always count on them to look forward to the next family member’s arrival, whether a distant relative or a sibling.
Artisans in the White Mountains create and make their merchandise.
Mt. Eustis Ski Hill provides an inexpensive ski area for North Country families with a share of the proceeds from each sale of their products.
Founded in 1967, this museum is a non-profit educational institution.
Since its beginnings at the public library, it has moved to the Town Hall (Opera House).
Museums like the Littleton Area Historical Museum preserve the city’s past by showcasing artifacts of regional and local relevance, including a Victorian-era life exhibit that showcases a wide range of ordinary objects that Victorians would have used, such as period-appropriate clothes and toys.
They also have documentation written by the town’s earliest residents from the late 18th century.
Aside from the documents in the Littleton Area Historical Museum, there are many more artifacts that tell the history of Littleton.
There’s always something new to view because they’re continually upgrading and arranging their collection.
AlexiusHoratius, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Downtown Littleton, New Hampshire, is a thriving hub of business in a town located among the banks of the great Ammonoosuc River, near the gorgeous White Mountains in the north.
It is one of the remaining historic Main Streets in New England.
Here, you will find restaurants, an ancient inn, a motel, the Opera House, a 100-year-old shopping mall, and various other services.
Artaxerxes, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Littleton Main Street, Inc., a group of committed volunteers, deserves a great deal of credit for the aesthetic and energy of downtown.
Littleton Main Street has contributed to creating a climate of hope and success in the community by empowering residential and commercial property owners to value the physical appearance of their businesses.
The town of Littleton also encourages excellent customer service and gives Main Street businesses tools to improve their marketing.
Littleton has been a designated National Main Street Community since 1997 and nominated twice in the Great American Main Street Award competition, sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
AlexiusHoratius, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Wallace Horse Cemetery is a unique place to remember three horses when it comes to small-town peculiarity.
On several acres of gated ground, you’ll find the graves of three horses: Maud and Molly that died in 1919, and Maggie in 1929.
The cemetery is recognizable with its roadside marker.
The owners laid two of these horses with all of their bridles, blankets, and harnesses in the same way that many people bury a cherished pet with their favorite toys.
The horses are pets of Mr. Wallace’s wife and have been buried there for almost a century now.
It’s heartwarming to see how Littleton residents continue to honor the memory of Mr. Wallace’s wife via this lovely tribute.
Year-round art and craft workshops await students of any age at the Littleton Studio School.
In all sessions, they encourage students to have fun and explore a wide range of options.
At the studio and elsewhere, the school offers a variety of classes.
All students who have signed up for a class get access to the open studio.
The school also provides various art lessons for those who do not like sketching or painting, such as pottery, stained glass, and jewelry.
Artists of all ages and skill levels are welcome at the Littleton Studio School.
Students at the school take satisfaction in being able to express themselves without fear of judgment.
There are many benefits to participating in the arts, including having fun and making new friends!
See for yourself by signing up for a class.
The Littleton Opera House is a pillar of the award-winning Main Street in Littleton.
Located at 2 Union Street, the Littleton Opera House is one of Littleton’s most popular attractions.
Littleton provides free parking within a three-minute walk of the Opera House; however, there is limited parking at the Opera House.
Littleton’s community theater company, The Upstage Players, performs regular plays at the venue.
It’s little wonder that Littleton’s bustling downtown is such a picturesque sight, with its clock tower housing the Littleton Opera House.
You may host your next event in our performance and meeting rooms!
The opera house can accommodate any size audience.
P199, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Moore Reservoir, a 3,181-acre reservoir in the Littleton region, is one of the area’s water sources.
There are several places to stop for a picnic, fishing, or kayaking in the Moore Reservoir.
If you want to cool yourself in the summer, the reservoir is an excellent spot to go.
Visitors will need to bring their kayaks at this time, as there is no place to rent them.
However, anybody can enjoy the lake and picnic at the access locations.
Sandi Cullifer / Shutterstock.com
From this lovely landmark, which is just a block away from Main Street, you may spot the Ammonoosuc River and the town of Kennebunkport.
Since the 230-foot pedestrian walkway took into completion in 2004, it’s safe to assume that it isn’t a piece of history.
A devastating storm destroyed the original structure.
It’s a lovely addition to our sleepy tiny hamlet.
Watch the water run across the rocky riverbed as it tumbles over the old-fashioned water wheels.
Use the neighboring xylophones and drums to get your groove on.
Millers Café and Schilling Brewpub are just a short walk away.
For this lovely attraction, don’t forget to pack a camera!
Littleton’s Dells Nature Trail offers a pleasant respite from the city’s hustle and bustle.
Although the Dells Nature Trail is about a quarter-mile in length, the trail is well-marked and brings you past an idyllic lake.
The Dells Trail is a great place to stop for a bite to eat and relax.
By the pond, tables are available for rent.
It’s also a great place to birdwatch.
The Dells is a terrific place to go for a walk after a meal at one of the city’s many excellent restaurants.
The ROX Arts Gallery is home to 35-40 local artists who create a vast spectrum of artwork unique to the artists who create them.
The gallery has paintings, photography, jewelry, ceramics, sculptures, woodworks, and other works of art.
ROX also provides workshops and community activities for people who want to come out and participate.
Visit their official event page to learn what they have planned for the upcoming months.
They say if you want to learn about the culture of a place, try their food.
And what could be the better way to experience it than eating at a homegrown diner?
One of the first buildings in Littleton was built in Merrimack, Massachusetts, in 1928 and moved there in 1930.
This diner has been a vital part of the neighborhood since 1940.
Several presidential candidates and other high-ranking government officials have visited this eatery throughout the years.
There is no fast food at Littleton Diner.
Instead, they serve traditional New England dishes at moderate pricing on its menu.
Many customers flock there because of the diner’s reputation for substantial meals, ample quantities, and reasonable rates.
They produce all food on-site, which is a nod to this longstanding custom.
They serve breakfast, lunch, and supper with daily specials.
The Kilburn Crags Route, Littleton’s best-kept-secret hiking trail, has been named the “best locals-only hiking trail” by New Hampshire Magazine’s editor in the 2015 “Best of NH 2015” issue.
You only have to ask everyone who’s ever taken this delightful 1.4-mile nature trek to understand why.
There’s a fantastic view at the summit, making the climb well worth it.
Located in Littleton, New Hampshire, on the northern shoulder of Walker Mountain, this short, the locals refer to this scenic route as “The Crags.” Route 18/135, or St. Johnsbury Road in New Hampshire, is the primary route to the trailhead and parking lot.
The Crags’ highest point is 1,300 feet above sea level.
Littleton, the Presidential Range, the Ammonoosuc River Valley, may all be seen from the vantage point of the overlook.
Hikers flock to the area year-round due to the spectacular landscape, which is stunning no matter what time of year they visit.
Seasonal changes in the surrounding woodlands and the view from the summit make this a different trek every time you do it in each season.
Littleton Conservation Commission volunteers keep the route in top shape.
Schilling’s Scandinavia-inspired store and tasting room provide customers the brewery’s primary retail experience.
Here, you can buy brewery-only items.
They also frequently announce new brews here.
Draught beer is also available at this location; however, it’s a limited supply.
Their brewpub is just a few yards away from this modern facility with towering ceilings and plenty of glass, designed to reflect our brewery’s tension between classic craft beers and tasteful innovation.
Expansive decks provide unparalleled sensory experiences with river vistas and a wood-burning fireplace that brings together beer with nature’s rugged beauty as well as progressive design.
The brewery now offers take-out so that you may enjoy your meal inside the tasking room or at the patio.
Mt. Eustis Ski Hill is Littleton’s favorite skiing destination.
There have been various eras of operation at this legendary ski area.
It opened in January of 1939.
Wilson M. Lewis, a farmer who was 38 years old in 1940 and who resided on Mt. Eustis Road, was the landowner and co-owner of the ski facility.
He and C. Edward Magoon, a grocer who was also 38, ran the tow.
Local skiers enjoyed this 1,373-foot slope for decades before its closure in the 1970s.
It reopened on February 7, 2015, thanks to a community-wide initiative of volunteers who put in a great deal of time, money, and effort.
After around 32 years of being closed, Mt. Eustis reopened after being New England’s longest-closed ski facility.
A group of volunteers manages current-day operations, including the equipment-lending program for kids in the area.
Sergey and Marina Pyataev / Shutterstock.com
Ammonoosuc is an Abenaki term meaning “fish place.”
The Abenaki camped and fished in the river long before Europeans arrived, taking advantage of the river’s tight turns like Salmon Hole.
The locals highly cherish the Ammonoosuc River because of its stunning and varied cultural and visual views.
Josh Conover / Shutterstock.com
The Ammonoosuc River valley is rich in history, with several forts and archeological sites to explore.
The river corridor is home to a wide diversity of flora and fauna because the watershed is mostly undisturbed.
Ammonoosuc River offers fishing, boating, hiking, picnic, and other activities.
For anglers interested in fishing for both cold and warm water species, the Ammonoosuc River is a fantastic option.
Located on Oak Hill Avenue, Remich Park has a brand new playground, a gazebo for summer concerts, and a baseball/soccer field.
People usually crowd this park enjoying the many games and other activities.
You may participate in or watch local small league games.
Stroll down the pine-lined trail and rest your feet on the bench that looks out over Mt. Garfield.
Aside from the basketball court and pool in the summer, the park also features ice skating in the winter.
The park also hosts free concerts.
Crazy Horse Family Campground is a hidden gem in the heart of the White Mountains, near all the best sights and activities the area offers.
It has over a hundred acres of woods and fields to discover, plus a 12-mile-long body of water for water sports.
You won’t have to go far in the colder months to hit the state’s snowmobile routes; they all connect here.
There’s something for everyone at this four-season family campground that welcomes Big Rigs, tent campers, and four-legged guests all year round.
Bring your RV or set up a tent.
Visit Northern Lights Music to peruse an extensive collection of new, used, and vintage stringed instruments.
Since 1978, the same family has owned and operated this shop.
It has some of the top guitar brands.
It also provides instruments by renowned artisans such as Dana Bourgeois and Richard Hoover, among many more.
It also boasts of providing top-tier, heirloom-quality instruments and numerous inexpensive options for students and those just getting started.
It specializes in bespoke builds and also sells new and old instruments of the highest quality; the only limitations are your creativity and financial resources.
Are you still thinking of more reasons to visit Littleton, New Hampshire?
In 2021, Travel Trivia chose Littleton as one of New England’s top six lovely places.
Even its downtown area has been recognized as one of the best locations to live in the United States.
Regardless of the season, Littleton, New Hampshire, offers plenty of things to see and do.
Come and experience for yourself!
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