Newmarket Town Guide: Where to Eat, Stay and Explore

Newmarket is a small mill town on the Lamprey River, a few minutes from Great Bay and the University of New Hampshire in Durham. Its brick mills, once home to one of the region's big textile companies, now hold apartments, offices, a brewery and a community arts space, and Main Street has a run of independent cafes and restaurants. This guide covers the things to do in Newmarket NH that work in any season, with local businesses from our directory to plan a visit around.

Newmarket at a glance

Newmarket is a town in Rockingham County with a population of 9,430 at the 2020 census. About 5,797 of those residents live in the densely settled town center, at the junction of Routes 108 and 152 along the Lamprey River. Some residents are students and employees at the nearby University of New Hampshire.

The town sits beside Great Bay in southeastern New Hampshire. It covers about 14.2 square miles, and its high point, Bald Hill near the southwestern corner, is just 281 feet above sea level. Route 108 crosses the town, and Route 152 ends here.

A short history

Newmarket was incorporated in 1727 as one of six towns granted by Massachusetts in the last year of the reign of King George I. It began as a parish of Exeter and was probably named for Newmarket in Suffolk, England. The Lamprey River that runs through town was named for an early settler, and for a time the town was even called Lampreyville.

Long before the mills, Newmarket was a center of the New England shipping trade with the West Indies. Timber, dried fish and salted alewives went out, and whale oil, molasses and rum came back. The town also built ships, including vessels for the Royal Navy, and there is a record of 21 ships built in a single year.

The mills

The Newmarket Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1822 and built its first cotton mill in 1823 and 1824. It grew to seven textile mills powered by the falls on the Lamprey, dominating the waterfront and the local economy. The company built worker housing and even dams far upriver, at Pawtuckaway Pond in Nottingham and Mendums Pond in Barrington, so it could release water to keep the mills running in a drought. The Civil War hurt production, because the cotton came from the Deep South, and the company closed in 1929.

The mill buildings have since been adapted for commercial and residential use. They are part of the Newmarket Industrial and Commercial Historic District, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. In the 1970s the mill was the headquarters of the Timberland Company, during the years it grew from a small work-boot maker into a major fashion brand.

The hero image at the top of this page shows the mills and the falls that powered them. A walk along the river past the mill buildings is the best free thing to do in town.

Great Bay

Newmarket's other big draw is Great Bay, a tidal estuary of more than 6,000 acres. The Lamprey River is one of the three major rivers that drain into it, along with the Squamscott and the Winnicut. The bay connects through Little Bay to the Piscataqua River, which reaches the Atlantic at Portsmouth. It is a drowned river valley of tidal waters, deep channels and mudflats, and the landscape changes noticeably between high and low tide.

For birders, paddlers and anyone who likes quiet water, the bay is the reason to linger in this corner of the Seacoast. Check tide times before you plan time on or near the water.

In the mills: beer, sushi and the arts

Deciduous Brewing Company

Deciduous Brewing Company is at 12 Weaver Street in the heart of historic Newmarket. It was founded in 2015, and it says it brews a wide range of styles with intention and without compromise. The tasting room has a rotating list of what is currently pouring, plus beer to go and events. Hours vary by day, so check the website before you go.

Kume Bistro

Kume Bistro is in the same Weaver Street building, at 12 Weaver Street, Unit D. It serves Japanese food in downtown Newmarket, with handcrafted sushi rolls and kitchen dishes such as chicken yaki soba. A pint at Deciduous followed by dinner at Kume is about as easy a pairing as you will find, since you barely have to walk outside.

The Millspace

Newmarket Millspace is a volunteer-run community civic space in the historic Newmarket Mills. Its mission is to bring art, theater, music and history to the town. It runs a gallery with calls for art, stages theater productions and holds community events, and the space can be rented. Check its events page to see what is on during your visit. It is one of the best ways to get a feel for the town beyond its restaurants.

Main Street: coffee, breakfast and cats

The Big Bean Cafe

The Big Bean Cafe is at 118 Main Street, with a second location in Exeter. It focuses on breakfast and lunch made from scratch in small batches with seasonal produce, homemade breads and specials that support local farms. It composts or recycles almost all of its waste and uses compostable disposables. The space has local artwork, free wifi and a large collection of mugs; you take a mug and help yourself at the self-serve coffee station. Outdoor seating runs from April to November.

The Tipsy Tabby

The Tipsy Tabby at 90 Main Street is a cat cafe. The cafe side is open to the public and serves coffee, tea, boba and baked goods, with views into the cat lounge. The lounge itself is by appointment, and it is home to adoptable cats from a rescue partner in Manchester. Booking ahead is recommended if you want to be sure of a lounge spot. It is a fun stop with kids, or for anyone who likes cats.

Gepetto's Pizzeria

Gepetto's Pizzeria is at 6 Gerry Avenue. It offers pickup, delivery, curbside and grab-and-go ordering, plus a rewards program and a mobile app. It is the easy answer for a casual dinner after a day on the bay.

Planning a visit

When to go

Newmarket works year round. Late spring through fall is best for time on Great Bay and outdoor seating on Main Street. Winter is a good time for the indoor pleasures: the brewery, a show at The Millspace and a long breakfast.

A simple day in Newmarket

Start with breakfast at The Big Bean Cafe. Walk down to the river and the mills to see the falls. Spend the late morning or early afternoon near Great Bay. Stop at The Tipsy Tabby for a coffee and a visit with the cats. In the evening, head to Weaver Street for a beer at Deciduous and sushi at Kume, or catch whatever is on at The Millspace.

Combining Newmarket with the Seacoast

Newmarket pairs well with nearby Durham and Exeter. It is close enough to Portsmouth that you can stay on the coast and visit for an afternoon, or base yourself inland for a quieter trip.

Frequently asked questions

Is Newmarket worth visiting?

Yes. It is a compact mill town with a walkable Main Street, historic mill buildings on the river, a brewery and an arts space, all close to Great Bay.

What is the best free thing to do in Newmarket?

Walking the Lamprey River past the old mill buildings and the falls that once powered them.

When were the Newmarket Mills built?

The Newmarket Manufacturing Company built its first cotton mill in 1823 and 1824 and grew to seven mills before closing in 1929.

Is there a cat cafe in Newmarket?

Yes. The Tipsy Tabby on Main Street has a public cafe and a lounge with adoptable cats that you can book.

Sources

• Newmarket, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (2020 population, history, mills, geography): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newmarket,_New_Hampshire
• Great Bay (New Hampshire), Wikipedia (size, rivers, estuary): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Bay_(New_Hampshire)
• Deciduous Brewing Company: https://www.deciduousbrewing.com/
• Kume Bistro: https://kumebistronewmarket.com/
• The Millspace: https://www.millspace.org/
• The Big Bean Cafe: https://thebigbeancafe.com/
• The Tipsy Tabby: https://www.thetipsytabby.com
• Gepetto's Pizzeria: https://gepettospizzeria.com/