Shopping in the White Mountains: Independent Shops and Makers

Hiking boots and ski passes get most of the attention, but shopping in the White Mountains NH is one of the region's quiet pleasures. The White Mountains cover about a quarter of New Hampshire and a small part of western Maine, and they are the most rugged mountains in New England. Most of the area is public land, including the White Mountain National Forest, so the shopping happens in the valley towns and villages scattered between the peaks. That is exactly what makes it fun. Each town has its own character, and the best shops are independent businesses with a strong sense of place.

Late May is a good time for a shopping trip. The trails are drying out, seasonal shops are reopening, and you can browse before the summer crowds arrive. This guide covers independent shops and makers in North Conway, Sugar Hill, Bethlehem, Littleton and North Woodstock.

North Conway: Craft, Books and Chocolate

North Conway is the busiest shopping town in the Mount Washington Valley, and its independent shops are worth seeking out.

League of NH Craftsmen, North Conway

The League of NH Craftsmen gallery in North Conway was established in 1932 and exhibits New Hampshire fine crafts and furnishings. Artists represented are juried by other craftspeople in their fields. Expect jewelry, furniture, pottery, blown glass, forged iron, woven baskets and fiber arts. The gallery also offers craft classes and has a full pottery studio on site. If you want a gift that will last for generations, start here.

White Birch Books

White Birch Books describes itself as a quirky, local, indie bookstore in the heart of North Conway. It is the kind of shop where you can lose an hour browsing, and it is a good place to find a trail guide, a regional history or a novel for a rainy cabin afternoon.

Bavarian Chocolate Haus

Bavarian Chocolate Haus calls itself an old-fashioned chocolate shop and says it makes all of its chocolate confections by hand. Its selection includes truffles, dark, milk and white chocolate, fudge, sugar-free chocolate and maple products. It has shops in North Conway and in Bridgton, Maine.

Zeb's General Store

Zeb's General Store is a North Conway staple that sells products made in New England. Look for pure maple syrup, gourmet foods, soups, soaps, penny candy and apparel featuring North Conway and New Hampshire. It also puts together gift baskets, and its website notes 25 years of experience in that business.

Penguin Gallery

Penguin Gallery in North Conway stocks home decor, artisan glass, New Hampshire gifts, games and puzzles, and toys and books for kids. It is a good stop for a lighthearted souvenir or a cabin housewarming gift.

Sugar Hill and Bethlehem: Cheddar and Artisan Gifts

West of Franconia Notch, the hill towns offer a slower pace and big views.

Harman's Cheese and Country Store

Harman's Cheese and Country Store in Sugar Hill has sold natural, premium-grade white cheddar since 1955, and it also carries condiments to go with it. Sugar Hill itself is worth the drive. It was incorporated in 1962, making it the most recently incorporated town in New Hampshire, and its name comes from the groves of sugar maples within town limits. The town overlooks the White Mountain National Forest, with views of the Presidential, Franconia, Kinsman and Dalton ranges.

Brown Paper Packages

Brown Paper Packages, at 2053 Main St. in Bethlehem, sells artisanal gifts, home decor and White Mountains favorites. Its shelves include greeting cards and art prints, notebooks and journals, kitchen and pantry items, tea towels and drinkware. Bethlehem is a hillside town whose eastern half lies within the White Mountain National Forest, and its Main Street village is a pleasant place to walk.

Littleton: Toys and Books on Main Street

Little Village Toy and Book Shop

Little Village Toy and Book Shop in Littleton is built around the idea that children learn through play, and it focuses on safe, high-quality toys. It also offers special orders and books for young readers. Littleton sits at the northern edge of the White Mountains, and U.S. Route 302 runs through the town center as its Main Street, along the Ammonoosuc River. Eleanor H. Porter, author of Pollyanna, is among Littleton's notable people.

North Woodstock: Antiques

Arnold's Antiques and Collectibles

Arnold's Antiques and Collectibles in North Woodstock is a fourth-generation, family-owned, multi-dealer group shop. It is seasonal, open from May through October, so late May is a fine time for a first visit of the year. Expect a mix that can include mid-century pieces, vintage and primitive items, books, pottery, glassware and trading cards.

Tips for Shopping the White Mountains

• Plan around the mountains. Towns are spread out and connected by mountain roads, so group your stops by area. North Conway makes a good half-day, and Sugar Hill, Bethlehem and Littleton pair well together.
• Check seasonal schedules. Some shops, especially antique shops, are seasonal. Confirm hours on each shop's website.
• Look for New Hampshire and New England-made goods. Juried craft, handmade chocolate, local cheddar and New England products make meaningful gifts.
• Leave room in the car. Furniture, pottery and gift baskets take space.
• Shop on a rainy day. When the summits are socked in, browsing a bookstore or craft gallery is a fine way to spend the afternoon.
• Ask about shipping. Several shops sell online, which can help if you find something too big to carry home.

A Sample Shopping Day

Start in North Conway with the League of NH Craftsmen gallery and White Birch Books, then pick up chocolate and New England treats before lunch. In the afternoon, head west to Sugar Hill for cheddar and views, then continue to Bethlehem and Littleton for gifts and toys on Main Street. On a second day, drive to North Woodstock for antiques.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best shopping in the White Mountains NH?

North Conway has the largest concentration of shops. Littleton, Bethlehem, Sugar Hill and North Woodstock offer independent shops with a village feel.

Is there sales tax in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire has no general sales tax, which is one reason shopping in the state is popular with visitors.

Are White Mountains shops open year-round?

Many are, but some, such as Arnold's Antiques in North Woodstock, are seasonal. Check before you go.

Where can I buy New Hampshire crafts?

The League of NH Craftsmen gallery in North Conway exhibits juried New Hampshire fine crafts.

Why is Sugar Hill called Sugar Hill?

The name comes from the large groves of sugar maples within the town.

Final Thoughts

The White Mountains are best known for their peaks, but the towns in between are full of independent shops and makers. Take a day off the trail, browse a juried craft gallery, pick up handmade chocolate or a block of cheddar, and support the small businesses that make mountain towns special. Browse the directory for more White Mountains shopping.

Sources

• White Mountains (New Hampshire), Wikipedia (quarter of the state; most rugged in New England; public land): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Mountains_(New_Hampshire)
• Sugar Hill, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (incorporated 1962, most recent; sugar maples; views): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar_Hill,_New_Hampshire
• Bethlehem, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (hillside town; White Mountain National Forest): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethlehem,_New_Hampshire
• Littleton, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (northern edge of the White Mountains; Route 302 as Main Street; Ammonoosuc River; Eleanor H. Porter among notable people): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Littleton,_New_Hampshire
• Nashua, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (New Hampshire's lack of sales tax): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nashua,_New_Hampshire
• Business websites: northconway.nhcrafts.org, whitebirchbooks.com, bavarianchocolatehaus.com, zebs.com, penguingallery.com, harmanscheese.com, brownpaperpkg.com, littlevillagetoy.com, arnoldsantiques.weebly.com