Gilmanton

A weathered 1840 church building sitting quietly at the junction of Meeting House and Governor Roads, named for Gilmanton's first minister Isaac Smith. The interior retains its original pine floors and wainscoting, with vintage kerosene fixtures still hanging alongside electric lights. The adjacent cemetery holds stones dating back to 1776, making this one of the most historically significant yet undervisited spots in town.

A hidden 145-acre pond tucked away from the main tourist routes, created by a dam in 1931 on Academy Brook. The crystal-clear water averages just 11 feet deep, perfect for swimming and small boats. Surrounded by undeveloped shorelines and conservation forests, it feels like a secret lake that only locals know about, with a public boat launch on the northeastern shore.

A stunning 1826 Federal-period church that locals consider the finest example of late Federal ecclesiastical architecture in the Lakes Region. What makes it special is that it avoided Victorian-era updates due to the town's declining population, so the original flooring, woodwork, and even kerosene light fixtures remain intact. The deep entrance pavilion and unusual proportions create an unexpectedly dramatic presence in the village center.

A remarkably preserved 18th-century industrial village along the Suncook River, originally called Averytown for its failed iron mining operation. The village maintains its early 20th-century character after a devastating 1915 fire, with distinctive vernacular architecture including the Abraham S. Gale House and other Federal and Greek Revival buildings. The historic Gilmanton Ironworks Library building from 1916-17 represents the first Colonial Revival library in Belknap County.