Welcome to Exeter
A historic college town with natural beauty and charm.
Located on the Exeter River, right by the Squamscott River Falls, sits the community of Exeter in southeastern New Hampshire. Like many New England towns, it comes with loads of charm and history. A little more than 10,000 people call Exeter their home.
The town became known for shipbuilding in about 1725, but today it's known for leather manufacturing, electronics, and handgun production. Many historical sites remain in Exeter, including the Gilman Harrison House of 1690.
Exeter experiences all four seasons, but the winters and summers are very temperate. It doesn't get much colder than 20 degrees in the winter, and the summer temperatures rarely go above 81 degrees.
What to Love
- Endless natural wonders
- Historical charm
- Collegiate town
- Exciting arts and sports activities
- Great downtown vibe
Local Lifestyle
The residents of Exeter consider history and education an essential part of their lives. They also value the natural backdrop of their town with rivers, waterfalls, and the Atlantic Ocean nearby. Here you’ll find plenty of green space with old-growth trees that show off beautiful colors in the autumn months.
The people of Exeter know how to relax and have fun. Plenty of restaurants, nightlife establishments, craft breweries, and wine bars set the stage for enjoyment.
Dining, Entertainment, & Shopping
Exeter offers the enthusiastic foodie a wide variety of cuisine. One of the places that stands out is the Epoch Gastropub at the Exeter Inn. This recently renovated space offers plenty of outdoor seating and a new and improved interior. The team pays extra attention to a fresh approach to all their menu items, from small plates to desserts. If you're walking around historic downtown Exeter and craving something especially healthy and delicious, stop at Laney and Lu. The owners of this restaurant focus on serving the most nutritious foods and beverages. They're also ahead of the game regarding environmental and sustainability practices.
If you want to savor a meal, you need to put Otis on your list of places to try. Located in the Otis Sleeper Jewelry Building, the space retains much of the features and architectural charm of 1910. Otis serves dinner five nights a week and frequently changes its farm-to-table offerings. The intimate dining room overlooks the famous bandstand, or you may dine at the chef's counter.
If your style of shopping includes unique retailers and boutiques, Exeter will not disappoint. The design studio of Forest and Ash works closely with their residential and commercial clients to create the perfect space with a focus on aesthetics and function. If you want a stylish wardrobe that stands out above the rest, look no further than Lunachics. This boutique started serving the Exeter community over 16 years ago. They know fashion and design and love to make their customers happy. They also focus on supporting local and women-owned companies. Churchill Gardens: Inspirational Garden Center in Exeter provides its clients with plants, home accents, and accessories inspired by nature. The staff includes designers, horticulturists, and artists, all available to make your home more beautiful.
Things to Do
In addition to terrific restaurants and nightlife, the town of Exeter offers its citizens lots of fun activities with an emphasis on building community. The Exeter Farmers’ Market runs every Thursday from mid-May until October. Don't come to this market at six in the morning. Most vendors open their stalls from 2:30 pm until 6.
Exeter has offered a Summer Concert Series with various music genres for over thirty years. The concerts occur weekly at Swasey Parkway. Singing and dancing are encouraged.
You do need to prove you're at least 21 if you want to sample beer at the Powder Keg Beer and Chili Festival, also held at Swasey Parkway. Of course, you'll find plenty of beer and chili samples to feast on, but they also provide non-alcoholic beverages and other food. The festival takes place as scheduled, rain or shine.
Through TEAM, other arts and music festivals occur throughout the year. TEAM focuses on giving local talent a chance to shine. Their focus lies heavily in community building and working closely with local businesses to serve Exeter's citizens.
Schools
Exeter provides excellent public schools, but indeed Phillips Exeter Academy represents the most famous of its private school offerings. This prep school started in 1781. Lincoln's son Robert attended classes there, and so did Daniel Webster, John Irving, and Mark Zuckerberg. It is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
