The town of roughly 12,000 souls is located on the Connecticut River and is famously home to Dartmouth College. Check out the school's Hood Art Museum or simply window-shop downtown. That area of Hanover is like Cambridge's Harvard Square writ slightly larger.

Like Hanover, Exeter is probably best-known for a school it hosts: the Phillips Exeter Academy, a major prep school. But, like Hanover, there's more to the town of approximately 15,000. Start with the American Independence Museum, which is exactly what it sounds like: a tribute to the founding of the country. Or (like with Hanover) hit the ever-quaint downtown. Exeter is easily accessible via the Amtrak from Boston to Portland.

Like a good covered bridge? Or a charming inn from the 18th century? Maybe gravel paths in lieu of sidewalks is your bag? All and more are in store in tiny Hancock (pop. 1,500 or thereabouts). The inn in question is the Hancock Inn, which dates from 1789, and the covered bridge is the Hancock-Greenfield Bridge off Highway 202.

Jackson is the quaint New Hampshire town for the sporty set. There's plenty of hiking, biking, skiing, and whatnot to be had in and around this town of no more than 1,000 souls. Its Honeymoon Bridge, dating from 1876, is one of the oldest covered ones in the state.

This town of about 6,500 is in New Hampshire's lake district, and includes a scenic railroad that can wend you through said district. There is also plenty of public space along Meredith's own Lake Winnipesaukee.

Smack-dab between the Connecticut River and the White Mountains National Park, this town of about 6,000 includes a very quaint downtown (look for the Pollyanna statue and "the world's longest candy counter" at Chutters) and a very scenic riverside esplanade.