Exeter: History, Swasey Parkway and Events

Exeter brings several themes together: New Hampshire’s history during the fight for independence, trails along the Squamscott River, a digital walking tour and seasonal events. If you’re looking for a hotel in Exeter, these highlights can help you organize your travel dates and daily plans. The places and dates below differ in whether they involve historical content, outdoor activity, a particular season or specific travel arrangements.

History at the American Independence Museum

The Ladd-Gilman House was built in 1721 as a private residence and now serves as a history museum. Its exhibits explore New Hampshire’s role in the fight for independence. The grounds of the American Independence Museum in Exeter are also home to Folsom Tavern, built in 1775. There, visitors can experience what life was like in an 18th-century tavern during the Revolutionary War through an interactive, immersive experience.

The two offerings have different focuses: the Ladd-Gilman House features historical exhibits, while Folsom Tavern offers an experience that evokes a tavern from the Revolutionary War era. This distinction can help you choose a focus for your visit.

Explore the river and trails

Swasey Parkway follows the Squamscott River and is lined with trees and park benches. It’s suitable for walking, jogging and picnicking. Trail brochures are available for Henderson Swasey Town Forest, Raynes Farm and Little River Conservation Area. They can be downloaded and printed for free; check whether the brochures are available before your trip.

The Exeter Historical Society offers another way to explore Exeter: a digital walking tour for smartphones. Photos and stories accompany the tour, which works on iPhone, Android and Windows smartphones. Check its availability before your trip, too. To explore by kayak, you can set out on the water in Exeter from Stewart Park.

The offerings differ in focus: the trail brochures cover three named areas, while the digital tour is designed as a walking tour of Exeter. Depending on your interests, you can choose between trail guidance and a tour accompanied by photos and stories.

Seasonal events in Exeter

The Exeter Farmer’s Market takes place from May through October on Thursdays from 2:15 to 6:00 p.m. at Swasey Parkway. Check the dates and times for the current year before planning your visit.

The Exeter Brass Band concerts take place on Monday evenings in July at the bandstand in downtown Exeter. They have been a town tradition since 1847. The market and concerts have different weekly schedules: the market is on Thursday, while the concerts are on Monday evening. If you want an event to shape your stay, check the day of the week and season against the current dates before booking.

Travel and dates

Exeter has one of the busiest train stations in New Hampshire. The Downeaster connects the town to North Station in Boston and Freeport, Maine. Check the schedule and service status before departure.

Several kinds of timing matter when planning your stay: the season and day of the week for events, and the train schedule for rail travel. If you want to plan your travel dates around a market visit, a concert or your train journey, check the relevant details in advance.

Discover more destinations: Greenland, Seabrook, Sandown, Hampton Falls, North Hampton, Rye, Windham, Atkinson

See the broader travel overview: Rockingham.