Keene Travel Guide

Trek Zone

City

Facts and practical information

Keene, nestled in the picturesque region of New Hampshire, is a charming city that offers visitors a delightful blend of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture. Surrounded by lush greenery and rolling hills, this idyllic destination promises a rejuvenating escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

One of the highlights of Keene is its stunning natural landscapes. The city is located near Mount Monadnock, a majestic peak that attracts hikers and nature enthusiasts from far and wide. Embark on an exhilarating hike to the summit and be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The Monadnock State Park also offers opportunities for camping, picnicking, and wildlife spotting, making it a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.

Keene's historic charm is evident in its well-preserved architecture and landmarks. Stroll through the quaint downtown area, lined with beautiful Victorian buildings, charming boutiques, and cozy cafes. Take a step back in time as you visit the Wyman Tavern, a restored 18th-century home that provides a glimpse into the city's colonial past. The Horatio Colony Museum, housed in a grand mansion, showcases a fascinating collection of art and artifacts, offering a fascinating insight into Keene's history.

For those seeking cultural experiences, Keene has much to offer. The Colonial Theatre, a magnificent venue dating back to the early 20th century, hosts a variety of performances ranging from live theater to concerts and film screenings. Art enthusiasts will appreciate the Thorne-Sagendorph Art Gallery, which features an impressive collection of contemporary artworks.

Food lovers will also find delight in Keene's culinary scene. The city is known for its farm-to-table dining options, with many restaurants sourcing their ingredients locally. Indulge in a culinary adventure as you savor delicious dishes crafted with fresh, seasonal produce.

Alternative names: Settled: 1736Population: 23.3 thous.Area: 37.37 mi²Elevation: 476 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 42°55'56"N, 72°16'43"W

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New HampshireUnited States

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Keene Top Attractions

Keene Attractions - What to See and Explore

Keene offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Cheshire Children's Museum, Stone Arch Bridge, United Church of Christ in Keene, Horatio Colony House Museum & Nature Preserve. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

42°55'56"N • 72°17'11"W
Cheshire Children's Museum
Children's museum • Museum
Bridge
Stone Arch Bridge
The Stone Arch Bridge is a stone arch railroad bridge in Keene, New Hampshire, United States. Built in 1847 to carry the Cheshire Railroad, it is one of the best-preserved pre-1850 stone arch bridges in the nation.
Church
United Church of Christ in Keene
The United Church of Christ in Keene is a historic Congregational church at 23 Central Square in Keene, New Hampshire, United States. First built in 1786, and then moved and restyled in the 19th century, it is a prominent visual and architectural landmark in downtown Keene.

42°55'44"N • 72°16'42"W
Horatio Colony House Museum & Nature Preserve
Historical place • Museum
Church
Park Hill Meetinghouse
The Park Hill Meetinghouse is a historic meeting house on Park Hill in Westmoreland, New Hampshire. Built in 1764, and extensively restyled in the early 19th century, it is a fine example of Federal and Greek Revival architecture, influenced by the work of regionally prominent architect Elias Carter.
42°55'57"N • 72°17'14"W
Faulkner & Colony Woolen Mill
The Faulkner & Colony Woolen Mill is an historic mill building located at 222 West Street in Keene, New Hampshire. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2020.
42°55'39"N • 72°16'40"W
President's House
The President's House of Keene State College, formerly the Catherine Fiske Seminary For Young Ladies, is a historic house at 251 Main Street in Keene, New Hampshire.
42°56'4"N • 72°16'48"W
Cheshire County Courthouse
The Cheshire County Courthouse, located at 12 Court Street in Keene, New Hampshire, is the center of government of Cheshire County, New Hampshire.
42°55'34"N • 72°16'42"W
Elliot Mansion
The Elliot Mansion is a historic house at 229 Main Street in Keene, New Hampshire. Built about 1810, it was said to be the finest house in town at the time of its completion, and it remains a high quality example of Federal period architecture.
Museum • History museum
Wyman Tavern
The Wyman Tavern is a historic house, former tavern, and now a local history museum, at 339 Main Street in Keene, New Hampshire.
42°56'5"N • 72°16'56"W
Colony House
The Colony House is a historic house at 104 West Street in Keene, New Hampshire. Built in 1819 and enlarged about 1900, it is a good example of Federal period architecture, and is notable for its association with Horatio Colony, a prominent local businessman and the city's first mayor.
Greek Revival architecture
Dr. Daniel Adams House
The Dr. Daniel Adams House is a historic house at 324 Main Street in Keene, New Hampshire. Built about 1795, it is a good example of transitional Federal-Greek Revival architecture, with a well documented history of alterations by its first owner.
42°56'2"N • 72°16'39"W
Colony's Block
Colony's Block is a historic commercial building at 4-7 Central Square in the heart of Keene, New Hampshire. The five-story brick building was built in 1870 to a design by Worcester, Massachusetts, architects E.
42°55'39"N • 72°16'40"W
Dinsmoor–Hale House
The Dinsmoor–Hale House is a historic house at the southwest corner of Main and Winchester Streets in Keene, New Hampshire. It was built in 1860 for Samuel Dinsmoor, Jr. a lawyer and former Governor of New Hampshire, and was later owned by Governor Samuel W. Hale, who made lavish alterations to its interior.
Library • Hospital • Health
Cheshire Medical Center
Cheshire Medical Center is the only hospital in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The 115-bed hospital is located in the city of Keene, the Cheshire County seat. It is part of the Dartmouth–Hitchcock health care network.
42°56'21"N • 72°19'0"W
Sawyer Tavern
The Sawyer Tavern is a historic building at 63 Arch Street in Keene, New Hampshire. Probably built c. 1803–06, it was long a neighborhood landmark, serving as a tavern and then inn and restaurant for parts of the 19th and 20th centuries.
42°55'54"N • 72°20'40"W
Stonewall Farm
Farm
42°56'4"N • 72°16'47"W
New Hampshire Superior Court
The New Hampshire Superior Court is the statewide court of general jurisdiction which provides jury trials in civil and criminal cases. There are 11 locations of the Superior Court, one for each county and two in Hillsborough County.
Library
Cohen Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies
The Cohen Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies is one of the oldest Holocaust resource centers in the United States. Founded in 1983, the center is located at Keene State College in New Hampshire. The center was founded by Dr. Charles Hildebrandt.

Day trips

Keene – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Keene, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Mount Monadnock (Rindge), Pack Monadnock (Peterborough), Bellows Falls Canal (Bellows Falls).

9.9 miSE
Nature, Natural attraction, Mountain
Mount Monadnock, Rindge
Mount Monadnock, or Grand Monadnock, is a mountain in the towns of Jaffrey and Dublin, New Hampshire. It is the most prominent mountain peak in southern New Hampshire and is the highest point in Cheshire County.
21 milesE
Mountain
Pack Monadnock, Peterborough
Pack Monadnock or Pack Monadnock Mountain 2,290 feet, is the highest peak of the Wapack Range of mountains and the highest point in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire.
16 milesNW
Canal
Bellows Falls Canal, Bellows Falls
Bellows Falls Canal is a canal constructed to allow boat traffic to bypass Great Falls on the Connecticut River in Bellows Falls, Vermont. It was constructed by the Bellows Falls Canal Company and was one of the first canals in the United States. It was used for transport, to power mills, and later for hydroelectric power.
20 milesS
Nature, Natural attraction, Waterfall
Doane's Falls, Royalston
Doane's Falls is a series of five waterfalls located in Royalston, Massachusetts along an 0.2-mile section of Lawrence Brook, a tributary of the Millers River that originates from Laurel Lake in Fitzwilliam.
15 milesW
Art museum, History museum, Museum
Museum and Art Center, Brattleboro
The Brattleboro Museum and Art Center, a non-collecting museum, was founded in 1972 and is located in the former Central Vermont & Boston & Maine Union Station building in downtown Brattleboro, Vermont.