Rochester is not usually one of the first names on a New Hampshire sightseeing list, and that is precisely why it can be interesting. Located in the southeastern part of the state, it offers a look at everyday New Hampshire away from the busiest tourist centres.
Discover the city’s mill history
Rochester grew through manufacturing, and its older buildings reflect the industrial story shared by many New England communities. Walking around the centre gives you a sense of how these smaller cities developed around local industry and transportation.
See a show
The Rochester Opera House is one of the city’s notable cultural landmarks and continues the tradition of historic New England performance venues. If you are staying nearby, checking what is on during your visit can add something unexpected to an evening.
Use Rochester as a regional base
One of the city’s biggest advantages is its position. Dover and the New Hampshire Seacoast are to the south, Maine is close by, and the Lakes Region is accessible to the northwest.
That makes Rochester more useful for road trippers than its relatively low tourism profile might suggest.
Travel without a checklist
I would not come to Rochester expecting a long list of famous attractions. Instead, stop downtown, have a meal and use the city as part of a wider exploration of southeastern New Hampshire.
Some of the best road trips include places that are not trying hard to be destinations. Rochester gives you a glimpse of the state between its headline attractions – the working communities, historic centres and local businesses that connect the mountains, lakes and coast.
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