2 New Hampshire College Towns Are Among the Best in the Northeast

Any New Englander will tell you that lots of factors contribute to our region's excellent reputation, including the schools and higher education opportunities.

New Hampshire specifically is home to 20+ colleges and universities. But it's not just these institutions themselves which hold appeal to prospective students – it's the towns they're located in. After all, when you're not in the classroom or studying, these communities are where you go to shop, eat, and hang out with friends.

Recently, U.S. News published a list of destination college towns in the Northeast. While New England (obviously) dominated as a whole, two New Hampshire towns were selected to be featured. Let's learn more about them.

Durham, New Hampshire

Home to the University of New Hampshire, Durham is a scenic, quintessential New England college town with a population of around 16,000, according to U.S. News. Visitors can enjoy a variety of dining options, immerse themselves in nature in the College Woods nature preserve, and stay at the historic Three Chimneys Inn, one of New Hampshire's prettiest hotels.

Hanover, New Hampshire

The historic community of Hanover is frequented by both its 11,500 residents and 6,000 students who attend Dartmouth College.  Visitors can get a cup of Joe at Dirt Cowboy Cafe, considered by Reader's Digest to be the best coffee shop in the state. You can also catch a performance at the Hopkins Center for the Arts, wander the Hood Museum of Art, or grab a bite to eat at Molly's Restaurant & Bar.

To view the full list from U.S. News, click here.