Milford

New Hampshire's first inland colonial settlement from 1737, abandoned in 1770 and saved from development in 1998. Walk the original dirt roads past seven stone cellar holes with biographical markers telling stories of the families who lived there, including Thomas Nevins who lost three sons in the Revolutionary War. The restored Gould House serves as a small museum, and trails lead to a beaver pond with an active heron rookery. The peaceful fields enclosed by old stone walls create an almost mystical atmosphere that changes dramatically with the weather.

This 200-foot Victorian iron suspension bridge from 1889 spans the Souhegan River and still gently sways when you walk across it. Built by the Berlin Iron Bridge Company with elaborate ironwork and decorative finials, it's one of only two surviving suspension footbridges by this company in the country. The bridge offers lovely views of downtown Milford in one direction and the McLane Dam in the other. Local kids have been bouncing on it to scare visitors for over 125 years - it's that kind of delightful, interactive piece of history.

Hanging in the belfry of Milford's ornate 1870 Town Hall is an original Paul Revere bell cast in 1802 - the ninth oldest of only 23 remaining Revere bells in existence. This 800-pound bronze bell still chimes every hour and maintains the old tradition of ringing for deceased presidents. You can hear it from the historic Oval below, but the real treat is knowing you're listening to a piece forged by the hands of America's most famous midnight rider. The bell was originally in the Congregational Church before moving to the Town Hall.