Londonderry

One of New Hampshire’s most notable historic cities, Londonderry was founded in 1722 by Scots-Irish settlers from the namesake town in Ireland who were seeking respite from religious persecution and wars.

While Londonderry has a population just shy of 26,000, it sits between the largest (Manchester) and fourth-largest municipalities in the state. Like its neighbors, it enjoys a splendid combination of plentiful natural beauty, high living standards, small-town charm and proximity to Boston, a hotbed of New England commerce and culture.

In addition to multiple outdoor recreation options (including horseback rides at Lucky 7 Stables and walking trails in the Leslie C. Bockes Memorial Forest), visitors should drop by the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire. There, for a $5 adult admission fee, visitors can see multiple exhibits about notable events and people in the history of flight in the state.

Great dining abounds in Londonderry, headlined by The Coach Stop Restaurant & Tavern, built in 1810. For breakfast, restaurant-goers can also try The Bacon Barn or Talia’s Breakfast and Eatery. For lunch and dinner, the options for truly great meals include La Carreta Mexican Restaurant, Lucciano’s Café, Harold Square, Poor Boy’s Diner, Giovanni’s Roast Beef and Pizza and Gabi’s Smoke Shack.