32 Best Shopping in New Hampshire, USA

This acclaimed confectioner produces edible works of art in the form of strikingly designed chocolate bars like the WhiteSand with juniper, cardamom, and white chocolate, and the earthy Silk Flowers bar colored and flavored with peppercorns, chrysanthemums, and marigolds. Other specialties include bonbons and Mayan drinking chocolate, which you can sip in the adjacent café. 

In the same family since 1655, Emery Farm sells berries and produce in summer, pumpkins in fall, and Christmas trees in winter. The farm shop carries breads, pies, and local crafts, and a café serves sandwiches, ice cream, cider doughnuts, and other light fare. Enjoy pumpkin-patch hayrides in autumn and visit the petting barn May–October.

This acclaimed nonprofit cooperative formed in 1966 features creations by more than 300 of Northern New England's top pottery, painting, jewelry, textile, glassware, and other artisans.

Jon Gibson crafts and sells museum-quality pewter mugs, oil lamps, vases, pitchers, and other stunning works in a barn and workshop overlooking one of the state's prettiest Colonial town greens, in the rural hilltop village of Washington.

It's worth a slight but pretty detour over the hill from Franconia to visit this rambling old village store and dairy that turns out legendarily rich, sharp aged cheddar, which is also available smoked and in port-and-cognac spreads. The venerable red-clapboard shop carries plenty of other foodie-pleasing products.

Hand-spun and hand-dyed yarn, as well as looms, felt, knitting yarn, and instruction books, are sold at this famous shop that occupies a striking redbrick, water-powered mill in the heart of a Monadnock village that's been famous for textiles since 1794. The shop also conducts classes in knitting, spinning, and weaving.

Across the street, the inviting Harrisville General Store—open since 1838—serves tasty salads and sandwiches using locally sourced ingredients.

This eclectic gallery offers wares by more than 250 artisans working in everything from stained glass and ceramics to wrought iron and mixed media. Prices are surprisingly reasonable for many items, and there are additional branches in Center Sandwich, Concord, Hookset, Littleton, Nashua, and North Conway.

WREN (the Women's Rural Entrepreneurial Network) has been a vital force in little Bethlehem's steady growth into a center of more than 100 artists, craftspersons, and other business owners. At WREN's headquarters, there's an outstanding gallery that presents monthly juried exhibits and a retail gift boutique, Local Works, featuring crafts, foods, books, and one-of-a-kind gifts.

From Peterborough, it's a scenic 20-minute drive by way of the historic villages of Dublin and Harrisville to reach this sustainable farm set amid rolling fields and hardwood forest. Pick your own berries, apples, and pears in season, and buy humanely raised pork and lamb products as well as gourmet prepared foods from the farm store. To spend a bit more time strolling the farm fields and mingling with the livestock, book a stay in the stylishly furnished guest cottage.

At this 250-acre farm, pick apples and berries or buy freshly baked fruit pies and cookies and outstanding homemade ice cream. A café serves ice cream. Fall brings cider pressing, hayrides, pumpkins, and music on weekends. Author John Irving's experiences working here as a teen inspired The Cider House Rules.

This downtown boutique gallery carries jewelry, beads, gourmet foods, clothing, and local crafts.

Watch elegant cream truffles and luscious chocolates being made in the European tradition at this small artisanal shop.

This gallery mainly shows works by master woodcutter Don Gorvett, who creates spellbinding scenes of New England's coast, particularly the Portsmouth area. There are also works by some of New England's finest printmakers, including Karen Whitman, John Volpacchio, and Sean Hurley.

The Fadden family, who have been making maple syrup for several generations, operates this inviting general store, sugarhouse, and maple museum that dates to 1896. Come in to buy syrup, souvenirs, and gourmet treats, or for a self-guided tour of the operations.

The work of 150 area artists and artisans are sold in this attractive red-clapboard building.

The pottery, kitchenware, soaps, greeting cards, toys, and specialty foods of more than 250 artisans are on display in this colorful downtown gallery.

This huge showroom is filled with designer furnishings, antiques, and accessories with lake-house flair.

Maps, history books, unusual children's toys and many adult fiction and nonfiction titles fill this cheerful shop, the lower level of which contains a branch of the venerable League of New Hampshire Craftsmen's gallery.

This contemporary design boutique specializes in the stylish ceramics, jewelry, glassware, and art of dozens of regional talents.

Since 1940, this venerable local arts organization has served as an incubator of local painters, sculptors, and other talented creatives. Works by the association's more than 300 juried members appear on the walls of this lively downtown gallery. NHAA also organizes other shows throughout the state—check the website for the latest schedule.

A quirky spot to pick up maple syrup, aged cheeses, jams, molasses, penny candy, and other treats, this rambling shop dates to 1781 and also contains antique farm and forging equipment and other artifacts.

This eclectic shop, packed into a Victorian house a few steps from the historic Opera House, is a great place to find unusual jewelry, candles, fashion eyewear, and handmade cards.

One of the best and longest-running farmers' markets in the state showcases seasonal produce along with regional treats such as maple syrup and artisanal cheeses. There's live music, too. It's held Saturday morning, May–early November.

You'll find an excellent regional-history section and plenty of children's titles at this independent bookstore, where you can do a little reading in the small café.