Hooksett

The oldest continuously operating business in Hooksett since 1887, this historic general store was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. Now run by the Robie family who also owns a farm 80 miles away in Piermont, it serves farm-to-table breakfast and lunch using their own meats, raw milk, and artisanal cheeses. The building sits by railroad tracks and the Merrimack River, offering outdoor seating with views of the train trestle and water. Presidential candidates have stopped here since the 1950s, and campaign buttons from decades of visits line the walls.

This 4-mile round-trip rail trail follows a string of ponds and wetlands along a former Portsmouth & Concord railroad route that only existed for a decade in the mid-1800s. The trail winds past Lakins Pond, Heads Pond, and Brown Brook with wildlife viewing opportunities and historical markers placed by local students. The hardpack stone dust surface makes for easy walking through surprisingly diverse wetland habitats, with benches positioned at scenic overlooks. Locals love it because it's less crowded than the major state park trails.

This 485-foot rocky outcrop was famously mentioned by Henry David Thoreau in 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers' as 'a scene of rare beauty and completeness.' The short half-mile hike leads to panoramic views over the Merrimack Valley and the town below. Once topped by New Hampshire's only fire tower on a 'Pinnacle,' the summit now offers multiple viewpoints discovered by exploring the small rocky peak. The recently created Pinnacle Park provides easy access to this literary landmark that locals have quietly enjoyed for generations.

This family-owned farm market epitomizes the 'old-time feel of family and friendship' that locals treasure. Open year-round, it specializes in grass-fed meats raised on their own farm, raw milk, farm-fresh eggs, and homemade pies and baked goods. The small building packs an impressive variety of Made in NH products, from fresh bread to local honey. Staff know customers by name and the seasonal produce includes some of the area's best pumpkins and squash. It's the kind of place where you smell fresh-baked goods before you even walk in the door.