Seacoast Living in Exeter, New Hampshire
Exeter is a charming New England town in the heart of New Hampshire’s Seacoast region, just 15 minutes from the coast, and about 20 minutes from the bustling, entertainment-rich historic city of Portsmouth. The Exeter River flows right through town, offering beautiful views and walking paths. Stroll the downtown and enjoy charming shops, cafés, and excellent dining, or walk along the river’s edge, a popular spot for kayakers and boating. The downtown area includes a wide range of independent shops from bookstores, coffee shops, and restaurants, to gift, apparel and retail stores.
Summertime in Exeter offers a continuous array of events, from the weekly Farmer’s Market along Swasey Parkway to our Independence Festival and First Fridays, sponsored by Exeter Arts & Music. In July, every Monday evening locals gather around Swasey Pavilion to enjoy performances from one of the longest continuously-performing brass bands in the country.
Exeter is also home to Phillips Exeter Academy (PEA), one of the oldest and most prestigious secondary boarding schools in the nation. With its ivy-covered brick buildings, broad lawns and winding paths, PEA provides both indoor and outdoor diversions including the Lamont Art Gallery, the new Goel Center for Theater and Dance and the Phillips Exeter Trail — a 30-mile loop winding through shady groves, passing through several small towns along the way.