Kingston is a small town connected to major hubs
Most people seek out Kingston for privacy and a slower pace of life, but the town’s location also gives residents easy access to coastal and big-town amenities. “It’s still a small town with a lot of rural attributes, but it’s also extremely close to highways, shopping and the beach,” says Heather Hanlon, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Residential, who’s been selling homes in the area for eight years. Incorporated in 1694, the town has a storied agricultural history. Part of the town was divided into East Kingston in 1738, which allowed Kingston to further develop into its own rural town center. Today, the town offers small-town living with locally owned businesses, while also staying connected to major hubs like Exeter and Hampton Beach.
Mix of home styles and ages, newer townhouse communities
Kingston has historic Colonials built as early as 1695, as well as Cape Cods, ranch-style houses and contemporary homes built in the past 25 years. Along Main Street, homes are arranged closer together but sell for a lower price. On the town’s outskirts, properties start at around an acre of land and can surpass 20 acres. Smaller homes typically sell for $250,000 to $500,000, while larger properties usually go for $550,000 to $850,000. There are also newer townhouse communities, including the 55-plus Rowell Estates. These one- and two-bedroom townhouses usually go for $250,000 to $450,000.
Recreation on the water, hiking trails, golfing
In the center of town, Kingston State Park is a 44-acre green space with a 1.2-mile looping trail, sports facilities for baseball and volleyball, a playground and a picnic area. The park also has Great Pond, which provides swimming, boating and fishing opportunities. “It’s a huge asset to have locally, and residents can get in for free Monday through Friday,” says Hanlon. In the north end, the Tucker & French Family Forest offers an additional 8 miles of hiking and biking trails through the town’s forests and wetlands. The Live Free and Run Dog Park on Green Road provides a fenced space for locals to bring their pets. In the south end of town, Granite Fields Golf Club offers an 18-hole course that's open to the public. Just 15 miles east, Hampton Beach offers several miles of sandy coast along the Atlantic Ocean. The closest ski resort, Gunstock Mountain Resort, is 60 miles north and has nearly 50 slopes.
Restaurants on Main Street, shopping in nearby towns
There are popular, locally owned restaurants along Main Street like Rick’s Food & Spirits for drinks and comfort food. The Kingston 1686 House Restaurant is a new eatery that’s housed in one of the oldest buildings in town. There’s also Carriage Towne Bar & Grille, which has been serving classic Italian and American dishes since 2004. Residents can head to neighboring towns for shopping. “You have Exeter with big-box stores just up the road, as well as more in Plaistow,” says Hanlon. “It takes less than 15 minutes to get to either of them.”
Renaissance Fair, local carnival and founding celebration
In May, the New Hampshire Renaissance Fair is held just north of town in Fremont. The week-long event, founded in 2005, features medieval-themed craft and food vendors, archery training, fighting demonstrations and live entertainment from singers and jesters. The Kingston Fire Summer Fest in June is held by the town’s fire department at the Kingston Plains. The three-day festival offers carnival rides and games, live entertainment and food trucks, as well as a large bonfire to close out the celebrations. The Kingston Days Celebration on the first weekend in August commemorates the town’s founding with live music, a flea market and admission to the Kingston Historical Museum. And on Christmas Eve, the Kingston Fire Department “escorts” Santa through town as part of a small, local parade.
Served by Sanborn Regional School District
Students in Kingston are served by the Sanborn Regional School District, which collectively earns a C from Niche. Daniel J. Bakie School teaches kindergarten through second grade, while Memorial School teaches third to fifth grade. They may then attend Sanborn Regional Middle School and Sanborn Regional High School, the latter of which operates with a student-to-teacher ratio of 12 to 1.
Commuting via Route 107
Residents living along Main Street may be able to walk to some of the town’s restaurants; however, most of Kingston is car-dependent. Commuters can take state Route 107 just 10 miles east to connect to Interstate 95, which runs 40 miles south to Boston. The closest hospital is 8 miles north in Exeter. The closest airport, Portsmouth International, is 25 miles north.
Written By
Logan Soter-Reardon
