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Fishermen settled at Dover Point in 1623, which makes Dover the oldest permanent settlement in New Hampshire and one of the oldest towns in the country. Later the falls of the Cochecho River powered huge brick cotton mills, and those mill buildings still frame the downtown of this city of about 33,000.
The mills now hold apartments, offices and restaurants, and Central Avenue is lined with cafes, bookshops and brick storefronts. The Woodman Museum mixes natural history, Civil War relics and a 1670s garrison house on one campus, while the Children's Museum of New Hampshire sits beside the river in Henry Law Park, where summer concerts fill the lawn.
Garrison Hill's tower gives a wide view over the Seacoast, Hilton Park looks out over Little Bay, and the Dover Community Trail follows old rail beds out of town. The Amtrak Downeaster stops downtown, and Portsmouth, the beaches and Maine's southern coast are all within half an hour.
A quirky downtown museum campus with natural history rooms full of minerals, shells and mounted animals, a Civil War collection, the John P. Hale House and the Damm Garrison, a log house from the 1670s. Kids love the giant polar bear. Allow two hours and check the seasonal opening days.
A two-floor hands-on museum in a former armory beside Henry Law Park, with exhibits on science, art, music and the Seacoast, plus a toddler area and a play submarine. It is ideal for children up to about ten. Book timed tickets online on rainy days and school vacations, when it fills quickly.
A grassy park on the Cochecho River next to downtown, with a playground, a riverwalk, a skate area and an outdoor stage. In summer the Cochecho Arts Festival brings free evening concerts and children's shows here. Pack a blanket and pick up dinner on Central Avenue first.
A waterfront park at Dover Point near the spot where the first settlers landed in 1623, with picnic tables, a boat launch and views across Little Bay and the Piscataqua River. It is a quiet place to watch boats and sunsets. Bring a fishing rod, and note that tides change the shoreline quickly.
The long brick cotton mill complexes along the Cochecho River falls, built in the 1800s when Dover was a leading textile town. Today they hold apartments, offices, shops and restaurants. Walk the river path past the falls and old mill races, and look for the historic signs that explain the mills.
A mostly flat trail that follows former rail lines and riverbanks from downtown through woods, wetlands and neighborhoods. It is easy walking or biking, with benches and river views along the way. Start near the downtown train station and turn around whenever you like.
A wooded hilltop park just north of downtown with a steel observation tower at the top. Climb the stairs for a sweeping view of Dover, the Seacoast and, on clear days, the White Mountains. You can drive or hike up. Fall foliage weekends are the most rewarding time to go.
One of the largest one-day festivals in New Hampshire, held on the first Saturday of October along downtown streets. Expect hundreds of craft and food vendors, apple treats, live music and children's activities. Arrive early, use the park-and-ride shuttles if offered, and wear comfortable shoes.
Dover's main commercial street, with 19th-century brick blocks holding independent shops, bookstores, cafes, pubs and restaurants that range from pizza to sushi. It is compact and walkable from the train station. Stop at the small public market and park in the garage behind the street.
A state wildlife area along the tidal Bellamy River with woodland trails, marsh views and good birdwatching for ospreys, herons and ducks. It feels far from town though it is only minutes away. Trails can be muddy in spring, so wear boots, and keep dogs leashed near nesting areas.
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Log in to add photosPhoto: AlexiusHoratius, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: Jillian C. York, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Jillian C. York, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Jillian C. York, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Seven Church, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: AlexiusHoratius, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: AlexiusHoratius, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: AlexiusHoratius, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Jillian C. York, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Jillian C. York, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Dmoore5556, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Deb Talukdar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Deb Talukdar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Deb Talukdar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Jillian C. York, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Jillian C. York, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
