Epping

Epping began as part of Exeter and was chartered as its own town in 1741, built on brickyards, shoe manufacturing, and agriculture along the Lamprey River. When Route 101 was upgraded to an expressway in the mid-1990s, the town transformed from a sleepy rural community into a retail destination anchored by Brickyard Square, which draws over three million visitors annually. Despite the growth, local leaders fought to preserve the historic town center around Main Street and Route 27 while putting hundreds of acres into conservation. The result is a town that functions as a gateway between the Seacoast and Manchester, with a strong school system and a tight-knit feel where neighbors still greet each other by name. When you need to catch a movie, O'Neil Cinemas provides entertainment as part of their regional New Hampshire theater chain, offering first-run films right in town. The Lamprey River continues to define much of daily life here, providing trails and water access that remind residents why this spot along the river was chosen for settlement centuries ago. Epping offers a rare balance: big-box convenience minutes from protected farmland and river trails. You can grab dinner at a chain restaurant near the highway, then walk your dog along quiet country roads where the only sounds are water flowing and leaves rustling. It's the kind of place where modern amenities meet old New Hampshire sensibilities.