Shopping in Exeter and Dover

Exeter and Dover are two of the best small-town shopping stops on the New Hampshire Seacoast. Neither has a mall at its center. Instead, both have walkable downtowns built around rivers and old mill-era streets, with independent shops, galleries and markets mixed in among cafes and restaurants. This guide to shopping in Exeter NH, with a side trip to Dover, covers the streets to walk, a few shops from our directory, and how to plan a relaxed shopping day.

Why Exeter is worth the trip

Exeter is a town of about 16,000 people (16,049 at the 2020 census) in Rockingham County. It sits where the Exeter River becomes the tidal Squamscott River, and the falls at that spot gave the place its earliest name. In the Abenaki language it was called "M'Squamskook," meaning "Falls at the Place of the Salmon."

The town has a deep history. In 1638, the clergyman John Wheelwright, exiled from the Massachusetts Bay Colony, bought the land and founded the town with about 175 followers. In 1639, 35 freemen signed the Exeter Combination to set up their own government. During the Revolution, Exeter served as New Hampshire's capital for 14 years, after the provincial records were moved inland from Portsmouth in 1775. Phillips Exeter Academy, the well-known boarding school, sits on land donated by the Gilman family.

All of that history is visible as you walk. The downtown is compact, the buildings are old, and the main shopping streets, especially Water Street, are a pleasure to browse.

Water Street and downtown Exeter

Water Street is the heart of downtown Exeter. Several of the shops below have Water Street addresses, and most of the town's independent shops are on it or a short walk away. Plan to park once and walk.

Exeter Fine Crafts

Exeter Fine Crafts is a community nonprofit gallery dedicated to preserving and promoting crafts and craftsmanship. Its retail gallery shows handmade work by craftspeople from northern New England, and its classes and workshops are taught by working craftspeople. The organization dates to 1966. If you want a gift that was actually made in the region, start here: buying from the gallery supports area artists and the group's education program.

Whirlygigs Toy Shop

Whirlygigs Toy Shop at 107 Water Street is a family-owned toy store, in business since 1986. It stocks arts and crafts, games, puzzles, plush and outdoor toys, and it says it serves families across the Seacoast, from Exeter and Stratham to Hampton and Portsmouth. The shop notes it has won a New Hampshire Magazine readers' poll for best local toy store. It is the kind of store kids remember, and a good stop for a birthday present.

Cymbidium Floral

Cymbidium Floral is a florist at 141 Water Street. It sells flowers, plants and gifts, and it offers a build-your-own gift box online. Flowers for a host, or a small plant to bring home, are easy to pick up as you walk.

The Exeter Farmers Market

The Exeter Farmers Market is run by Seacoast Eat Local, a nonprofit that operates summer and winter farmers markets in the region and publishes a vendor list and market map online. In the warm months, it is one of the nicest ways to spend a morning in Exeter: local produce, baked goods and prepared food. Seacoast Eat Local also runs food access programs, including SNAP at its markets.

Check Seacoast Eat Local's website for the current market days, location and season before you go. Market schedules change from year to year, and we do not list them here.

A side trip to Dover

Dover, a short drive north, makes a good second stop. It is a larger small city with a brick mill district along the Cochecho River and a downtown full of independent businesses.

Hip Finds Co.

Hip Finds Co. in Dover is a vintage and lifestyle boutique. Its shop carries vintage items alongside candles, room sprays, incense, soaps and body care, crystals and plants, plus a section devoted to local makers. It is a good stop for a small gift or something one of a kind.

Beyond that, Dover's downtown streets are worth a walk on their own. Combine a shopping stop with a meal downtown and a look at the mills and falls on the river.

How to plan a shopping day

Here is a simple plan for a summer Saturday:

1. Morning in Exeter. Start at the farmers market if it is running, then get coffee downtown.

2. Late morning. Walk Water Street: Exeter Fine Crafts, Whirlygigs Toy Shop and Cymbidium Floral, plus whatever catches your eye along the way.

3. Lunch. Eat downtown in Exeter. The town has a wide range of cafes and restaurants.

4. Afternoon. If you want history, the American Independence Museum is in Exeter. It occupies the Ladd-Gilman House, built in 1721 and now a National Historic Landmark, and the 1775 Folsom Tavern. The museum opened in 1991 after a rare Dunlap Broadside copy of the Declaration of Independence was found in the house.

5. Late afternoon. Drive to Dover, browse Hip Finds Co. and other downtown shops, and stay for dinner.

Shopping tips

• Check hours before you go. Many small shops keep shorter hours early in the week and on Sundays, and some change hours with the seasons.
• Bring a bag. Small shops and markets are easier with a tote.
• Ask about local makers. Exeter Fine Crafts and many boutiques can tell you where an item was made and by whom.
• Ship it. If you find something big, ask whether the shop ships.
• Combine with the coast. Exeter is an easy drive from Hampton and Portsmouth, so shopping can be a morning before a beach afternoon.

Why shop local on the Seacoast

The shops in this guide are mostly small, independent businesses. That means your money stays local, and it means you find things you will not find at a mall: handmade pottery and jewelry, toys chosen by people who know them, flowers arranged by hand, and vintage pieces with a history. In Exeter in particular, the walkable downtown makes it easy to make a day of it.

Seasonal notes

• Summer. Farmers market season, long evenings and good walking weather.
• Fall. A great time for a shopping trip combined with foliage on back roads.
• Holidays. Downtown shops in both towns get busy in late November and December, and many have special events. Check each shop's website or social media.
• Winter. Seacoast Eat Local runs winter markets in the region; check its site for details.

FAQ

What is the best street for shopping in Exeter NH?

Water Street, in the heart of downtown, has most of the independent shops, including Exeter Fine Crafts, Whirlygigs Toy Shop and Cymbidium Floral.

Is there a farmers market in Exeter?

Yes. The Exeter Farmers Market is run by Seacoast Eat Local. Check its website for the current schedule and location.

Where can I buy local crafts in Exeter?

Exeter Fine Crafts is a nonprofit gallery that sells handmade work by northern New England craftspeople.

How far is Dover from Exeter?

They are a short drive apart on the Seacoast, which makes the two towns easy to combine in a day. Check a map app for current drive times.

Was Exeter the capital of New Hampshire?

Yes. Exeter served as the capital for 14 years beginning in 1775.

Sources

• Exeter, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (2020 census population; 1638 founding; Exeter Combination; capital; Squamscott): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exeter,_New_Hampshire
• American Independence Museum, Wikipedia (Ladd-Gilman House, Folsom Tavern, 1991 opening): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Independence_Museum
• Exeter Fine Crafts, official site: https://www.exeterfinecrafts.org/
• Whirlygigs Toy Shop, official site: https://www.whirlygigstoyshop.com/
• Cymbidium Floral, official site: https://cymbidiumfloral.com/
• Seacoast Eat Local, official site (Exeter Farmers Market operator): https://www.seacoasteatlocal.org
• Hip Finds Co., official site: https://www.hipfindsco.com/