Londonderry

Londonderry traces its roots to 1719, when sixteen Scots-Irish Presbyterian families from Ulster arrived at a place they called Nutfield — named for the dense groves of nut trees — and formally chartered the township in 1722. Those settlers brought apple trees with them, and nearly three centuries later, Londonderry remains one of New Hampshire's top apple-growing towns: Mack's Apples has operated here since 1732, making it one of the oldest continuously running farms in the country. The Scots-Irish also introduced flax spinning to New England, and Londonderry linen became so prized it was reportedly worn by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport occupies the town's eastern edge, giving residents and travelers direct flights without the chaos of Logan. Aviation runs deep here — the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire at Londonderry Town Airport on Route 102 showcases vintage aircraft and preserves the state's aviation heritage through volunteer-run displays of historic planes and artifacts. The town itself is a mix of suburban subdivisions, conservation land, and working orchards connected by Routes 102 and 128. Local spots like 603 Brewery and Beer Hall, which opened in 2016, give residents places to gather, while the annual Old Home Day celebration each August still honors the town's founding heritage. It's a place where you can pick apples at a centuries-old farm in the morning and catch a flight to anywhere by afternoon.