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Souhegan Valley: A great place for a day trip

Find out why people have fallen in love with this unique part of New Hampshire for centuries. In the Souhegan Valley, you will find picturesque towns and villages, breathtaking landscapes, and the quintessential New England feel that can still be found here.

Close to New Hampshire’s two largest cities and within an easy commute to Boston, the area is rich in historic significance that has shaped the character of the communities, the traditions and quality of life.

Our towns – Amherst, Brookline, Greenville, Hollis, Lyndeborough, Mason, Milford, Mont Vernon, New Ipswich, Temple and Wilton- offer a high quality of life to our residents and businesses. Charming town centers, close knit communities, excellent schools, and limitless recreational opportunities.

Our towns are filled with quaint shops, bookstores and cafes, boutiques, antique shops, restaurants, micro-breweries, wineries and farm stands. If you need specialty items, fresh farm to table vegetables, or are in search of a great meal, the Souhegan Valley promises to deliver.

The Souhegan Valley Region of New Hampshire has something special for travelers in every season of the year with plenty of fun and exciting things to do. We are a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts! Spanning both the Souhegan Watershed and Monadnock Mountain regions, the Souhegan Valley is full of outdoor adventures, and has its share of natural resources including the river, lakes, ponds and countless miles of trails and hiking.

Visit in the Spring to experience maple sugaring, beautiful flowers, and opening day at our golf courses.

Summertime will provide you with opportunities to spend the day out hiking, biking, or enjoying the many lakes and rivers by canoe or kayak; then you can spend the evenings with concerts out on our towns’ commons, dining, and hit the nightlife in our hometown pubs.

Autumn is marked by beautiful foliage, Fall festivals and quiet country charm.

Even the cold months of winter are packed with fun and adventure: with cross-country and downhill skiing and many scenic trails, you need only strap on your skis or snowshoes for a day to remember.

And year-round don’t miss our historic architecture in our towns, our many art galleries, our indoor farmers’ markets, live music, theater events and much more!

Besides all the shopping, dining and outdoor recreation that are plentiful in the Souhegan Valley, there are a host of cultural, historic and other various activities in our region. We also host a number of popular and well-known festivals. Hollis Strawberry Festival – June; Wilton Summerfest – June; Amherst Fourth of July Celebration – July; Hollis Old Home Days – September; The Milford Pumpkin Festival – October; and the Hollis Apple Festival – October.

The Arts are alive and thriving in the Souhegan Valley! Andres Art Institute in Brookline features over 75 sculptures from world renowned artists on 140 acres of trails. The public is invited to walk the trails and admire the wide variety of sculptures – a surprise around every bend! The Institute also holds many special events and symposiums throughout the year. Wilton is home to several historic mill buildings filled with working artist studios, galleries and shops.

While in Wilton, take a trip back in cinematic history with a movie at the Wilton Town Hall Theater. Built in 1886, it was first used as a playhouse for traveling shows and vaudeville. The original stage used by actors in the late 1800’s is still there. In 1912, it was converted to a silent film house, and as World War II hit, as it was the only local theater to provide current news reels.

So much awaits you in the Souhegan Valley Region – stay for a day, a week, or a lifetime!

For more information, please stop by the Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce for our Community Guide and Membership Directory. We are located at 69 Route 101A in Amherst. You can also view the interactive flipbook version of the guide online at https://chambermaster.blob.core.windows.net/userfiles/UserFiles/chambers/2735/CMS/cover-of-guide.jpg.

Wendy Hunt is executive director of the Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce.