Keene Town Guide: Things to Do in the Monadnock Region's Only City

Keene is the hub of New Hampshire's Monadnock Region. It is a small, walkable city with a wide Main Street, a college campus at one end, and a downtown full of independent shops and restaurants. It makes a comfortable base for exploring the hills, lakes and villages of the southwest corner of the state, and it has enough going on to fill a weekend by itself. This guide covers the best things to do in Keene NH, with picks from our directory.

Keene at a glance

Keene is the only city in Cheshire County and serves as the county seat. The 2020 census counted 23,047 residents. The city is drained by the Ashuelot River, and it is home to Keene State College and Antioch University New England.

The area was first granted in 1735 by Massachusetts colonial governor Jonathan Belcher as the township of Upper Ashuelot. In 1753 it was incorporated by Governor Benning Wentworth and renamed Keene. Like many New England mill towns, Keene grew with manufacturing, and the Cheshire Railroad reached the town in 1848, connecting it to wider markets.

Main Street and Central Square

Keene's Main Street is the heart of the city. Wikipedia notes that the street and Central Square were improved in 1987 to make the downtown more pedestrian friendly, and today it is one of the most pleasant downtown strolls in New Hampshire. The wide street runs from Central Square toward the Keene State College campus, with shops, restaurants and cultural venues along the way.

Keene also has a famous place in fall tradition. From 1991 to 2014, the city hosted an annual pumpkin festival that set records for the number of lit jack-o'-lanterns in one place. The festival is no longer held in Keene, but the city's autumn reputation lingers, and a fall visit is still a good time to see downtown.

Arts and culture

Thorne-Sagendorph Art Gallery

The Thorne-Sagendorph Art Gallery is at 229 Main Street on the Keene State College campus. The gallery describes itself as a gathering place for artists, students, patrons, educators, scholars and friends. It runs rotating exhibitions, including student and faculty work, and maintains a permanent collection.

Best of all for visitors, the gallery says all of its exhibits, receptions and programs are free and open to the public. It is an easy, low-commitment stop on a Main Street walk.

The Colonial Performing Arts Center

The Colonial on Main Street is Keene's main stage for live performances and film. Its mission is to inspire audiences, advance regional economic vitality and enlighten communities by offering excellent, diverse and engaging artistic experiences. The theater presents a season of live events, including touring musicians, along with film screenings, and it offers memberships and education programs.

If you are planning a weekend in Keene, check the Colonial's calendar first. An evening show is a great way to anchor a trip.

Food and drink

Elm City Brewing Company

Elm City Brewing Company on West Street is a full-service restaurant and brewery. According to its website, it has more than 20 years of brewing behind it. Guests can sit in mahogany booths, in a glass-enclosed sun room or, in summer, on a landscaped patio.

The kitchen emphasizes local and homemade food, including local produce, burgers, farm-fresh eggs and locally roasted coffee. The brewery serves a variety of its own beer styles. Reservations are taken by phone, but the patio is first come, first served.

Ye Goodie Shoppe

For something sweet, Ye Goodie Shoppe on Main Street is Keene's own confectioner. It started in 1931 and has been making candy with fresh butter, cream and fine chocolate ever since. The shop was on Main Street from 1931 to 1985, then spent 24 years at the Colony Mill Marketplace on West Street. In 2009 it returned to downtown Keene, just down the street from its original location.

Visitors can often watch candy being made in the shop's kitchen. A box of chocolates makes a good souvenir from a Keene trip.

For more places to eat, see our guide to Keene restaurants and cafes.

Outdoor gear and adventures

Norm's Ski and Bike Shop

Norm's Ski and Bike Shop has been family owned since 1968. It sells bikes for mountain, road, hybrid and kids' riding, along with e-bikes, and in winter it carries skis, snowboards and snowshoes. The shop also offers ski, snowboard and bike service. Its website includes pages on cycling and skiing in the Monadnock Region, which are useful for trip planning.

The surrounding region rewards outdoor visitors. The Monadnock Region is known for hiking, cycling and paddling, and Keene is a convenient place to rent or tune up gear before heading out. For ideas, see our guide to Monadnock Region outdoor activities.

Where to stay

Keene works well as a base for a longer Monadnock trip, whether you want a downtown hotel room or a quiet country inn in one of the surrounding villages. Our guide to Monadnock Region lodging covers hotels, inns and other places to stay in the area, and our roundup of Monadnock Region bed and breakfasts focuses on smaller, more personal stays. If you want to see more of the region after a day in Keene, our Monadnock Region weekend itinerary strings together towns, trails and meals into a two-day plan.

A suggested day in Keene

• Morning: Coffee downtown and a walk along Main Street and through Central Square.
• Late morning: Free exhibits at the Thorne-Sagendorph Art Gallery on the Keene State campus.
• Afternoon: Candy at Ye Goodie Shoppe, then a stop at Norm's if you plan to ride or ski.
• Evening: Dinner and a house beer at Elm City Brewing, followed by a show or film at the Colonial.

Planning tips

• Park once and walk. Downtown Keene is compact, and most of the places in this guide are on or near Main Street.
• Check calendars. The Colonial and the Thorne-Sagendorph Gallery both have changing programs. Look at their websites before you go.
• Use Keene as a base. The city's shops, restaurants and lodging make it a practical home base for exploring the Monadnock Region's villages and trails.
• Visit in fall. Keene's autumn reputation is well earned, and the surrounding hills are a classic foliage drive.
• Plan for college events. Keene State College is right downtown, so campus events can make some weekends busier than others.

FAQ

What is Keene, NH known for?

Keene is known for its wide, walkable Main Street, Keene State College, and its former pumpkin festival, which set jack-o'-lantern records from 1991 to 2014.

How big is Keene, NH?

The 2020 census counted 23,047 residents. Keene is the only city in Cheshire County and is the county seat.

Are there free things to do in Keene?

Yes. The Thorne-Sagendorph Art Gallery says all of its exhibits, receptions and programs are free and open to the public, and a walk along Main Street costs nothing.

Is there a brewery in Keene?

Yes. Elm City Brewing Company on West Street is a restaurant and brewery with more than 20 years of brewing.

What is the oldest candy shop in Keene?

Ye Goodie Shoppe has been making candy in Keene since 1931.

Sources

• Keene, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (2020 census, county seat, 1735 grant, 1753 incorporation, Cheshire Railroad, 1987 downtown improvements, pumpkin festival, colleges): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keene,_New_Hampshire
• Thorne-Sagendorph Art Gallery: https://www.keene.edu/tsag/
• The Colonial Performing Arts Center: https://www.thecolonial.org/
• Elm City Brewing Company: https://elmcitybrewing.com/
• Ye Goodie Shoppe: https://yegoodieshoppe.com/
• Norm's Ski and Bike Shop: https://normsskibike.com/