**Top 5 Cities to Film in New Hampshire**
New Hampshire is a beautiful state filled with charming towns, scenic landscapes, and historic architecture. It offers filmmakers a wide range of locations, from peaceful lakes to bustling small cities. Whether you are looking for natural beauty or historic settings, New Hampshire has something to offer. Movieinsure.com is a proud provider of short term film production insurance and annual film production insurance for the state of New Hampshire. In this article, we will explore the top five cities to film in New Hampshire.
1. **Portsmouth**
Portsmouth is one of the most picturesque cities in New Hampshire. Located on the seacoast, this small city has a rich history and a beautiful waterfront. Filmmakers are often drawn to Portsmouth because of its well-preserved colonial architecture and charming downtown.
The city’s historic buildings give it a timeless feel, making it perfect for period films or movies that require an old-world atmosphere. Portsmouth’s Market Square is a favorite spot for filmmakers. The brick streets, old-fashioned shops, and charming cafes provide a quaint and cozy setting.
Portsmouth’s location along the Piscataqua River also adds to its appeal. The waterfront offers stunning views and beautiful scenes, whether you’re filming at the docks, parks, or from the nearby bridges. The mix of history, waterfront beauty, and small-town charm makes Portsmouth a top city for filming in New Hampshire.
2. **Concord**
Concord is the capital of New Hampshire and has a lot to offer filmmakers. The city has a classic New England feel with its tree-lined streets, historic buildings, and charming neighborhoods. Concord is known for its government buildings, which can provide filmmakers with grand and stately backdrops.
The New Hampshire State House is a standout feature of the city. With its gold dome and impressive design, the State House is a great location for political dramas or historical films. Concord’s downtown area is filled with beautiful 19th-century architecture, offering filmmakers a traditional and timeless look.
In addition to its historic sites, Concord has many parks and outdoor areas. The city is surrounded by rolling hills and forests, providing natural settings for outdoor scenes. Whether you’re filming in the city’s historic downtown or its scenic surroundings, Concord is an excellent location for any film project.
3. **Manchester**
Manchester is the largest city in New Hampshire, and it has a more urban feel compared to other cities in the state. The city has a mix of old industrial buildings, modern developments, and cultural landmarks, making it a versatile place to film.
One of Manchester’s most iconic locations is the Amoskeag Millyard, a historic area filled with red brick mill buildings. These old factories give the city a gritty, industrial atmosphere, perfect for films set in the past or movies that need a raw, urban backdrop. The Millyard has been preserved and transformed into offices and museums, but it still maintains its historic charm.
Downtown Manchester is lively and modern, with restaurants, theaters, and shops lining the streets. The city also has a strong arts scene, which gives it a creative and vibrant energy. For filmmakers who need a mix of urban environments and industrial history, Manchester is the perfect choice.
4. **Hanover**
Hanover is a small town in the Upper Valley region of New Hampshire, known for being the home of Dartmouth College. This Ivy League campus is one of the most beautiful spots in the state, and it offers filmmakers a range of classic college settings.
The Dartmouth campus is filled with beautiful brick buildings, green lawns, and tree-lined paths, making it ideal for films set in a university environment. The architecture of the campus is traditional and timeless, giving any film a scholarly and elegant feel. Whether you’re filming a coming-of-age story or a drama set on a college campus, Hanover is a great place to shoot.
Beyond the campus, Hanover has a small-town charm that is hard to resist. The downtown area has local shops, cafes, and bookstores that provide a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. The nearby Connecticut River and surrounding hills add natural beauty to the area, offering filmmakers even more scenic locations for outdoor scenes.
5. **Keene**
Keene is a small city located in the southwestern part of New Hampshire, and it is known for its charming downtown and beautiful surroundings. The city’s classic New England charm makes it a popular filming location for movies that need a peaceful, small-town setting.
Keene’s downtown area is filled with historic buildings, local shops, and cafes, creating a picture-perfect backdrop for any film. The city is home to the annual Keene Pumpkin Festival, which draws large crowds and creates a lively, festive atmosphere. For filmmakers looking to capture the spirit of a New England town, Keene is the perfect location.
Keene is also surrounded by natural beauty. The nearby Mount Monadnock is a popular spot for hiking and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Filmmakers can use this mountain and the surrounding forests for outdoor scenes that need a rugged and peaceful backdrop.
Why New Hampshire Is a Great Place to Film
New Hampshire may be a small state, but it has a lot to offer filmmakers. Each of the cities mentioned in this article provides something unique, from the coastal beauty of Portsmouth to the historic charm of Concord. The state’s mix of urban environments, small-town charm, and natural landscapes makes it a top choice for filmmakers looking for a variety of locations.
One of the biggest advantages of filming in New Hampshire is the state’s natural beauty. With its rolling hills, forests, and rivers, New Hampshire provides filmmakers with plenty of scenic locations for outdoor scenes. Whether you’re shooting a film set in a small town or a movie that requires dramatic landscapes, New Hampshire’s natural beauty can enhance your project.
Another reason New Hampshire is a great place to film is its historic architecture. Many of the state’s cities and towns have well-preserved buildings that can transport viewers to another time. For filmmakers working on period films or historical dramas, New Hampshire’s classic architecture provides the perfect backdrop.
Finally, New Hampshire is a state that values creativity and the arts. Many of its cities, like Manchester and Portsmouth, have thriving arts scenes, making it easier for filmmakers to find local talent and support. The state is welcoming to filmmakers, and its diverse locations make it easy to find the perfect spot for any project.
New Hampshire is a hidden gem for filmmakers. Whether you need a bustling urban setting, a peaceful small town, or a beautiful natural landscape, the state has it all. Portsmouth offers filmmakers a blend of historic charm and coastal beauty, while Concord provides stately government buildings and scenic surroundings.
Manchester’s mix of industrial history and modern culture makes it a versatile urban location, and Hanover’s Ivy League campus offers filmmakers a classic college setting. Keene’s small-town charm and surrounding natural beauty make it the perfect spot for films that need a peaceful and picturesque setting.
In short, New Hampshire’s diversity of locations, historic architecture, and natural beauty make it one of the best places to film in the United States. Whether you’re working on a big-budget production or an independent film, the cities of New Hampshire offer the perfect backdrop for your project.