Hi again,

We have rented a cabin on a lake in Hillsborough, NH. Would appreciate any recommendations for down to earth "mom and pop" restaurants, flea markets, farmers markets, nice towns to visit. thanks Diane

In Hillsborough, Tookie Mills is our favorite. Doesn't look like much and it's small but food is great. Best mussels we've ever had. You'll want to sop up all the broth.
There's an interesting German bakery downtown.
We used to get our fried clam fix at the High Tide. It's often crowded. Not our favorite lobster roll place. Eat on the screened porch.
There's a decent Chinese restaurant on the outskirts but I can't remember the name. It's on the left hand side of the road as you drive out of town.
Flea Market: Davisville on Sunday mornings. It would be exit 7 off Rt 89, turn to head back toward Contoocook. Mostly junk but you never know.
Really down to earth Sunday breakfast at the Contoocook IOOF hall on Rt 127. It's only one Sunday a month but I can't remember whether it's the first or second. All you can eat, buffet style.
Henniker: Daniels. Nice menu with tables overlooking the river. Country Spirits is popular.
Downtown Hillsborough looks worn but Hillsborough Center is beautiful, charming old homes. Also visit Washington. Nothing there but nice scenery. Look for stone arch bridges.
It's pretty quiet between Hillsborough and Keene but you might want to visit Keene just because. Nice college town. Luca's is a great restaurant.
You can make a loop by driving over to Bradford (not much there) and up to New London, also a college town but much smaller than Keene. Turn around. Great scenic views from the state park on top of Mt Kearsarge in Wilmot (fee). We've never hiked to the top from there. Understand it is steep. If you are coming in late August, Musterfield Farm is having Farm Days Aug 28/29. They also have a very nice but small farm stand. The antique tractor parade is around 2pm. They just drive down the road and back into the fields but it's fun to see old iron moving.
Head to Warner NH. A great small town. Nice independent bookstore. Check author readings coming up. Kearsarge Indian Museum. Author and illustrator David Carrol lives there. Not sure if his studio is open. Drive up Warner side of Mt Kearsarge. Breakfast at the Foothills.
Continue south on Rt 103 to Contoocook. Follow Rt 127 to Rt 202 to get back to Hillsborough. But continue on Rt 103 to Hopkinton. Visit Gould Hill orchards. Get ice cream fix at Beech Hill Farm.
Blueberry season is winding down. You might be here in time for the last of it. There are PYO blueberry places in Warner and Contoocook. Farmers market in Contoocook is Sat am. There are also places in the area that sell buffalo, free range poultry. Have not been to the farmers market in Warner in a long time. Also Sat am. Check NH Dept of Agriculture. I think either Henniker or Hillsborough has a farmers market now.
The area SW of Hillsborough is also pretty quiet but nice driving thru places like Hancock and Antrim.
If you need a city fix, maybe rainy day, Concord has a lovely downtown. Independent Red River Theater. Great bakery: Bread and Chocolate. Great sandwiches/salads/soups: In a Pinch Cafe. Locally made ice cream at Granite State Candy on Warren St also at Arnie's up on Loudon Road. Great meat: Meat House on Rt 106. Farmers market Sat am.

You've chosen a pretty quiet area but there's some good finds within a reasonable drive.

I was going to toss out Keene as an idea. I used to live there a long time ago, and just knew the towns are closeby. Not up on restaurants or anything current. Nice post above though!!

Hi Diane,

To add to dfrostNH...

The bakery mentioned is German John's (www.germanjohnsbakery.net) and the soft pretzels are good. Also along that strip are an ice cream shop (like an old soda fountain shop where thee make their own ice cream) and Nonni's Italian Restaurant (www.nonnisitalianeatery.com)

I second the suggestion of taking in the stone arch bridges (www.hillsboroughnhchamber.com/bridges.html), there are even a few places to take a dip including the falls at Gleason Bridge (fun).

Outside of Hillsborough:

Twenty five minutes south of Hillsborough off Route 202 is Peterborough, named one of the Top Ten Coolest Small Towns in the U.S. Peterborough has a wonderfully charming and walkable downtown. Definitely get to Harlow's Pub (www.harlowspub.com)...pretty good food and awesome atmosphere. Peterborough's farmer's market is on Wednesdays.

Between Hillsborough and Peterborough are the towns of Antrim and Hancock. There is a large farm stand in Antrim called Tenney's and Hancock has a farmer's market on Saturdays.

Southwest of Hillsborough is Keene. Downtown Main Street is a nice walkable downtown with neat shops. Keene's farmer's market is Tuesdays and Saturdays.

You take Route 9 to get to Keene from Hillsborough. Just off Route 9 is Stoddard. If you go into Stoddard you will reach Pitcher Mountain. It's only about a twenty minute hike to the top but the views facing North are excellent at the top of the mountain is loaded with wild blueberries. They charge 75 cents/quart mostly on an honor system (wicked cheap).

Fifteen minutes to the Northeast is Henniker and dfrost suggested Daniels. Nice place, good food, and the scenery on the river is very scenic!

Not sure I would go out of my way to go to Washington...really nothing much to see.

thanks everyone! very interesting ideas. will check them out! DianeJo

I also recommend Peterborough: the Peterborough Players, one of the finest Equity summer theatres in the country; Mariposa Museum; Pearl, great restaurant; Acqua Bistro, another good restaurant; the shops in Depot Square; Sharon Arts Center; two new galleries in the Granite Block building, across from the Town House on Grove Street...Ave Marie Chocolates and Ice Cream!