Travel Guide: Keene, NH

While I was in the neighborhood, I decided to take a jaunt into Keene, NH, following our trip to Peterborough. A little over an hour and 45 minutes from Boston, this small city is home to Keene State College. And because of the large student population, it is chocked full of unique shops and eateries. Here is my travel guide to Keene, NH.

When to Go

My uncle lives about 20 minutes away from Keene so it’s another New Hampshire town that I’ve been lucky to see in all four seasons. Unlike Peterborough, Keene is bustling all year long due to the college campus. I would say my favorite time to visit is in the fall because of the foliage and the excitement in the air from the students returning to school. If you’re looking for something fun to do, check out the city’s events listing which seems to have something going on all the time!

What to See

I always mean to get in a walk through Keene State’s campus but never seem to get the time. The campus is beautiful and very New England.

If you love wall murals (like me) the city has installed several Walldog Murals over the past couple of years and you can actually take a tour of them. I stopped by a few and they are so impressive! Each one reflects a piece of Keene’s history, making for a fascinating afternoon.

Where to Shop

If you’re in the mood for a bit of retail therapy, then Main Street in Keene is where you want to be. Seriously, take a walk up and down and you will find so many boutiques that carry anything you can imagine. I love Hannah Grimes Marketplace, it’s filled with handmade items and unique pieces for all ages. My mom bought me a vintage candy pink turban at The Simple Nest during our latest visit that I cannot wait to pull out during the holidays. And Urban Exchange carries consignment items from brands like Gap and Ann Taylor to Michael Kors and Dior.

Where to Eat

During my most recent visit, the restaurants were packed with college kids and their parents visiting for the weekend so we ended up at Fritz. It specializes in German fries and they are delicious, but I also really loved the maple grilled cheese. Unique and yummy! We finished off our meal with one of the most delicious brownies ever from Keene Confections Pastry Shoppe. Arielle ended up covered in chocolate frosting and Alex couldn’t stop raving about their ice coffee. My uncle loves The Stage American Bistro and Timoleon’s – where you can still sit at the counter! I’d also be intrigued to try Lindy’s Diner, which claims to be a New Jersey-style diner and just happens to have the same name as the famous cheesecake place in New York. And Local Burger is always packed so I’m sure they are good!