Goffstown Town Guide: Where to Eat, Stay and Explore

Goffstown sits just west of Manchester, but it feels a world away from the city. Its village center straddles the Piscataquog River, twin peaks rise over the southwest corner of town, and back roads lead to working farms and flower stands. It is also home to Saint Anselm College, which puts Goffstown on the national map every presidential primary season. This guide covers things to do in Goffstown NH, with local businesses from our directory, for a day trip or a slow weekend.

Goffstown at a glance

Goffstown is a town in Hillsborough County with 18,577 residents at the 2020 census. The compact village center, where Routes 13 and 114 meet, is home to about 3,366 of them. The town also includes the villages of Grasmere and Pinardville, the latter close to the Manchester line.

The town has a long history. Before it took its current name, it was known as Piscataquog Village and, informally, Shovestown, and it was regranted to new settlers by Governor Benning Wentworth in 1748. The Piscataquog River, which runs right through the village, once powered local mills. A railroad covered bridge was a town landmark until it burned in 1976.

The Uncanoonuc Mountains

The Uncanoonuc Mountains (pronounced uhn-kuh-NOO-nuhk) are twin peaks in the southwestern part of town and the most recognizable feature of Goffstown's skyline. In the early 1900s, an incline railway carried tourists to the summit of the south peak, where the Uncanoonuc Hotel was built in 1907. Today the peaks are a local landmark, and the views over the Merrimack Valley are the reason people climb them. If you plan to hike, check current trail access and parking with the town or a trusted trail guide, and expect mud in spring.

Saint Anselm College

Saint Anselm College is a Benedictine, Catholic liberal arts college in Goffstown. Its New Hampshire Institute of Politics brings hundreds of political figures to town each year, and the college has hosted New Hampshire presidential primary debates. Even outside election season, the hilltop campus is pleasant to drive through, and it gives the town a lively, college-town energy.

Main Street and the village

Goffstown's Main Street is compact and walkable, with the river running beneath it. Park once and explore on foot.

• Apotheca Flowers and Tea Chest is a florist and cafe in one, a creative space that mixes flowers and plants with coffee, tea, art and music. It is a lovely place to sit with a drink, and it also does wedding and event flowers.
• Mountain Base Yoga on Church Street is a yoga studio that describes itself as a community "third space," a place beyond home and work where people can gather and recharge. It also offers yoga therapy. A class is a good way to start a visit.

Farm stands and flowers

Goffstown's rural side is where it really shines in spring and summer. Seasonal hours vary, so check each farm's website before you go.

• Benedikt Dairy on Shirley Hill Road is a 100 percent grass-fed dairy and vegetable farm with a farm stand, milk and cream and vegetable CSAs, and pick-your-own strawberries and flowers in season. Its vegetables are grown without chemicals in compost-fertilized soil.
• Devriendt Farm on South Mast Street runs a farm stand with greenhouses and a nursery that open in spring, and an ice cream stand that runs from spring into fall. In the holiday season, it sells Christmas trees and wreaths. Spring is the time to stock up on seedlings and hanging baskets.
• Catbird Corner Flower Stand is a micro flower farm with a self-serve, honor-system stand selling seasonal bouquets grown from seed. It also offers bouquet subscriptions, and it makes a sweet roadside stop.

Local beer

• Mountain Base Brewery on Mast Road brews its beer with locally or nationally sourced ingredients and describes itself as a community place. Well-trained, leashed dogs are welcome, which makes it a good stop after a walk.

Where to stay

Goffstown is mostly residential and has little lodging of its own. Most visitors stay in nearby Manchester, a short drive east, where there is a wide range of hotels, then spend the day in Goffstown. If you are visiting Saint Anselm, plan ahead around college weekends, when nearby rooms fill quickly.

A spring day in Goffstown

1. Morning: coffee and a look at the flowers at Apotheca, then a walk along the village and the river.

2. Late morning: drive out to the farms. Pick up seedlings at Devriendt and milk or vegetables at Benedikt Dairy.

3. Afternoon: drive past the Uncanoonuc Mountains for the views, or take a hike if conditions allow.

4. Evening: a pint at Mountain Base Brewery before heading home.

Goffstown through the seasons

Spring: greenhouses and nurseries open, and the farm stands start to stock up.

Summer: pick-your-own strawberries and flowers, ice cream at the farm stand and long evenings on Main Street.

Fall: foliage on the Uncanoonucs and a busy time on the farms. Goffstown is also known for its Giant Pumpkin Regatta, a two-day community event organized by the Goffstown Main Street Program in which giant pumpkins are hollowed out and paddled as boats. Check the organizers' website for details.

Winter: Christmas trees and wreaths at the farm stand, and a quiet village.

Getting there and getting around

Goffstown is an easy drive from Manchester, and Routes 13 and 114 meet in the village center, so most visitors arrive by car. A car is the practical way to see the town, since the farms, the mountains and the college are spread out across rural roads. In the village itself, park once and walk. Back roads can be narrow and winding, so take your time, watch for farm vehicles in the growing season, and be ready for frost heaves and soft shoulders in spring.

Who Goffstown suits

Goffstown is a good fit for travelers who prefer small-town pace over big attractions. Families can pair a farm visit with ice cream and a walk by the river. Couples can build an afternoon around flowers, coffee and a brewery. Visitors to Saint Anselm College, including parents and prospective students, will find it a relaxed base for exploring the area. And anyone passing through on the way to Manchester or the Monadnock Region can make it a worthwhile detour.

Tips for visiting

• Check farm hours. Farm stand hours and seasons change, so check before driving out.
• Park once in the village. Main Street is small and easy to walk.
• Combine with Manchester. Goffstown pairs well with a day in the city.
• Respect private land. Many farms and trailheads sit on private property. Follow posted signs.

FAQ

What is there to do in Goffstown, NH?

Walk Main Street along the Piscataquog River, visit farm stands and flower stands, see the Uncanoonuc Mountains, drive through the Saint Anselm College campus, and stop at Mountain Base Brewery.

What are the Uncanoonuc Mountains?

They are twin peaks in southwestern Goffstown. An incline railway once carried tourists to the south summit in the early 1900s.

Is Saint Anselm College in Goffstown?

Yes. The college and its New Hampshire Institute of Politics are in Goffstown.

Where should I stay when visiting Goffstown?

Most visitors stay in nearby Manchester, a short drive away.

Sources

• Goffstown, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (2020 census; villages; history; Uncanoonuc Mountains; Saint Anselm College; Giant Pumpkin Regatta): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goffstown,_New_Hampshire
• Uncanoonuc Incline Railway and Hotel history, Wikipedia Goffstown article (above)
• Business websites: apothecaflowershoppe.com, mountainbaseyoga.com, benediktdairy.com, devriendtfarm.com, catbirdcorner.com, mountainbasebrewery.com