Littleton is the cultural hub for northern New Hampshire
Littleton is a small New Hampshire town with a rich culture. For a town of just 6,000 people, this quaint New England community packs a lot into its streets. “Littleton is the hub for everything north of The Notch in New Hampshire. We’re the central location for shopping. We have award-winning restaurants and chefs that have been nominated for James Beard Awards,” says Tiffany Howard, an associate broker at Badger Peabody & Smith Realty with over a decade of experience. “We are constantly voted best small town or cutest main street. We have a lot of little festivals.” The town’s charm has appealed to celebrities, like Bette Davis, who visited several times and hosted a movie premiere at the Jax Jr. Theater. Author Eleanor H. Porter lived in Littleton, and a statue of her character Pollyanna stands tall on Main Street. While famous residents and lots of press could cause some towns to change, Littleton knows that its small-town roots are what people love, and the community works hard to maintain that environment.
Vintage homes and a natural setting in New Hampshire
Typical New England housing styles like Cape Cods, Victorians and Colonials make up much of the inventory in Littleton. Many of these date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. Other options include ranch-style houses from the 1970s and some New Traditional 21st-century homes. The median build year of houses in the community is 1962. Much of the town has a natural feeling, with many leafy trees lining the streets. Even in the downtown area, the roads are hilly and often don’t have sidewalks. Outside of downtown, winding country roads lead through dense foliage, making it hard to see the neighbors and offering a secluded lifestyle. The median sales price is around $380,000, lower than the statewide median of around $565,000.
Main Street mixes historic charm with unique businesses
Brick-clad storefronts and white wooden buildings line Main Street. These locally owned businesses range from diners and breweries to antique shops and bookstores. Chutters is a candy shop with the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous candy counter at over 111 feet. Littleton Diner has been serving buckwheat pancakes and clam chowder since 1930. Award-winning craft beer and wood-fired pizzas are available at Schilling Beer Co., which sits in a historic building overlooking the Ammonoosuc River. A short drive away in Bethlehem, Super Secret Ice Cream is a small dessert spot whose chef was nominated for a James Beard Award in 2025. Groceries are available at stores like Littleton Food Co-op, Littleton Market and Produce or Shaw’s. Big-box stores on the edge of town include Walmart and Lowe’s.
Trails, rivers and parks offer year-round outdoor recreation
Littleton is also home to a variety of outdoor activities. The Parker Mountain Trails are a network of 25 miles of hiking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing trails on the north side of town. The Ammonoosuc River Recreational Trail is a 19-mile path open for biking, hiking, dog sledding and snowmobiling. Moore Reservoir is a popular destination for paddling and fishing, with a boat launch at the end of Old Waterford Road. Nearby downhill skiing options include Cannon Mountain and Bretton Woods, each less than 20 miles away. Remich Park offers a traditional city park experience, with baseball fields, a playground and tennis courts.
Weekly and annual events bring residents together
Neighbors gather for several events in Littleton, including the weekly farmers market on Riverglen Lane. The market takes place every Sunday from June through October and includes locally grown produce, crafts and baked goods. The Gathering of the Jack O’Lanterns is an annual Halloween event featuring hundreds of carved pumpkins lit up and displayed around the town’s covered bridge. Other popular events include Friday night concerts at Remich Park and an annual Fourth of July celebration.
Students have access to college courses and technical training
Mildred C. Lakeway Elementary School receives a C-plus from Niche. Daisy Bronson Junior High School earns a B, while Littleton High School gets a C. The middle and high schools share one campus on Oak Hill Avenue. High schoolers can take dual enrollment courses through the Community College System of New Hampshire and public and private universities around New England. The school also offers career and technical education courses in construction, digital media and health science.
Easy highway access and remote work appeal
Interstate 93 is the main highway through town, leading about 21 miles northwest to St. Johnsbury, Vermont. It also leads south through New Hampshire. Littleton’s location in New England makes it popular with remote workers. “We offer the opportunity for people to work remotely, and still get down to Manchester, Boston or even New York within 5 hours,” Howard says. The closest hospital is Littleton Regional Healthcare, about 3 miles west of downtown.
Written By
Matthew Atkins
