Blink and you’ll miss it, but this tiny New Hampshire town is just begging to be discovered. On all of our trips to Vermont, we turn left to cross the bridge over the Connecticut River. Little did I know that if we just stayed straight for a few more miles, the heavenly town of Walpole, NH has been patiently waiting.
1. Sip hot chocolate at L.A. Burdick Chocolates
L.A. Burdick Chocolates creates tiny masterpieces by hand. Their signature chocolate mice are created individually through 12 handcrafting steps over a three day period!
Their success has brought them to Boston, New York, Chicago and DC but the original L.A. Burdick is in Walpole, NH. There is a cafe where you can enjoy hand crafted chocolates, artisan pastries, and gourmet drinks. They also have fine dining in their neighboring restaurant.
Don’t miss their world renowned hot chocolate or sinfully delicious chocolate chip walnut cookies.
2. Commune with nature at the Distant Hill Nature Trail
Distant Hill Nature Trail is an accessible nature trail created so that people with disabilities could enjoy the forest. My kids loved crossing the wetlands and entering into the natural playground. We found salamander eggs in a vernal pool and a tree frog blending in with the bark of a tree.
It is next to impossible to get lost, because all of the trails loop back to the beginning. The smooth compacted gravel surface make the trails suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. We had so much fun at Distant Hill, it was a real highlight of the trip.
3. Go picking at Alyson’s Orchard
Alyson’s Orchard is a beautiful 450 acre working orchard where you can pick your own apples, peaches or blueberries. If you are short on time, visit the farm-stand to enjoy their seasonal offerings: fresh-baked apple pies, apple cider, a large selection of fruit wines made from Alyson’s apples and peaches, and gifts that capture the essence of New England.
If you are there outside of picking season, it is still worth a visit to take in the sweeping views of the Connecticut River Valley.
4. Enjoy a farm to table meal at The Hungry Diner
Walpole Valley Farms runs their own restaurant just down the street from the farm. The Hungry Diner is very family and even dog friendly. There is indoor or outdoor seating with a playground outside. A drinking station is available for dogs. The food is amazing as was the atmosphere with the live music and string lights. The Hungry Diner also has 16 craft beers on tap, so try a flight to test them out.
5. Have Ice Cream at The Walpole Creamery
Just down the street from The Hungry Diner, dessert is waiting at the Walpole Creamery. The Walpole Creamery is the only ice cream maker in New Hampshire that produces its own base mix from scratch. Enjoy one of over 20 flavors of their super premium, all-natural ice cream is truly “cow to cone.”
6. Take a swing at The Hooper Golf Club
The Hooper Golf Course is a 9 hole golf course located on what was once a working farm. If 2020, the Hooper Golf Club was rated as the 13th best 9-hole stand alone course in the world by Golf Magazine. It is a unique course that works with the natural contours of the land.
7. Stay at the Inn at Valley Farms
This beautiful country inn was recently featured on Chronicle. There are four elegant rooms at the inn and two cottages. A big farm to table breakfast is included in your stay. Larger families can rent the Sunnyside Farmhouse where you can sit in a rocking chair on the front porch or make s’mores by the large firepit while the cows happily graze in the rolling hills below. To read more about our experience staying at the Inn at Valley Farms, click here.
The Monadnock region of New Hampshire is filled with hidden treasures. There is so much to do in Walpole, NH and I hope that this list gives you some good ideas. Let me know your favorite in the comments below!
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