Henniker, New Hampshire, is a quintessential New England small town. Think white clapboard homes, white-steepled churches, and a town green. It also has a small but stately business district. As a product of northern New England, the town also boasts a covered bridge, a pinnacle of the region. Additionally, Henniker is a college town. It is the home of New England College, a small liberal arts school that blends seamlessly into the town. Henniker is also the location of the popular ski resort Pat’s Peak.
Our Afternoon in Henniker
I travel to Vermont roughly four times a year, often staying in the towns of Montpelier, Stowe, and Norwich. On some journeys home, we just head right back, but sometimes we take a diversion. That’s how I recently ventured to Henniker.
The impetus was to see the town, with the additional goal of finding a bite to eat. Henniker has fine accommodations for lodging, including the Colby Hill Inn and the Henniker House. The Colby Hill Inn is located just outside the center of town, whereas the Henniker House is right in the middle. Both the Victorian Henniker House and the late 18th century Colby Hill Inn offer dining as well.
We parked right near the Henniker House on Main Street. Main Street is home to a series of architecturally pleasing commercial buildings. Included in the businesses are a general store, an ice cream shop, and a pizza place. The restaurant that caught our eye was Daniel’s, which also put a smile on my son Danny’s face.
Daniel’s
Entering on street level, the restaurant is actually located downstairs. It has a menu filled with favorites for everyone, featuring burgers, sandwiches, and seafood. I chose the burrito with a local Henniker beer. My wife had a burger and the kids picked options off the children’s menu. We were all pleased with our meals. My burrito was extra tasty and I can’t say no to a local brew.
The restaurant overlooks the scenic Contoocook River which also is popular for paddling of all sorts. Daniel’s also contains a cute gift shop on the street-level floor. We picked up another book in the “Goodnight Books” series. The store also sells many other items such as soaps and candles.
Feeling full and satisfied, we traveled from Henniker back home. It was a perfect stop on our journey from Vermont.
