After most of the leaves have fallen and the peepers have made their way back to their big cities, the main streets of New Hampshire become a local shopper’s haven ahead of the holidays. For this issue, we wanted to highlight four of the state’s most walkable downtowns, home to some of the best places to scoop up a unique (and likely locally made) gift this season. 

Of course, these are just some of the highlights. If you want to turn your shopping mission into a day trip, know that even more awaits you in each of these cities — including plenty of places to grab a bite or a drink between checkouts. 

Keene

Soul and Shadow Emporiums offers a wide range of gifts for the mystically and bohemian- inclined in your life.

If you’re a big Robin Williams fan, you may recognize Keene’s Main Street from its cameo in 1995’s “Jumanji.” The Parrish Shoes signage remains at the corner of streets Main and West, as do the wide, tree-lined sidewalks that make it ideal for pedestrians looking to shop on foot. 

Park in the large lot behind the Colonial Theater, then let Gilbo Avenue lead you to your first stop, Ye Goodie Shoppe. First opened in 1931, the shop boasts a sizeable selection of handmade chocolates, fudge and gummy treats, along with an open kitchen (behind a large glass window) where you can watch owner Jason Smart whip up the goods. 

Take a left out of Ye Goodie Shop to head north for half a block, and you’ll find yourself transported to the magical world of the Soul and Shadow Emporiums. Founded by “Breakthrough Medium” Brandie Wells, each shop offers a wide range of gifts for the mystically inclined in your life. 

“During the holidays, our top selling items are our large collection of socks as well as our sterling rings and necklaces,” says Madelyn Roof, the general manager of both stores. For a really unique gift, she says, don’t miss the huge selection of taxidermy in Shadow. 

From there, either stroll up around the square at the head of Main Street to loop back down, or simply walk straight across, to Hannah Grimes Marketplace, a veritable mecca of locally made goods. Since gifting is the shop’s year-round game, manager Justin Somma says they get a ton of traffic around the holidays.

Satisfy your sweet tooth at Ye Goodie Shoppe.

“Though our store hosts everything from food to jewelry to fine art in our art gallery, our most popular categories around the holidays are our seasonal goods and home decor items, as they make amazing gifts,” Somma says. “We typically sell a ton of ornaments, baskets, jewelry for gifts and seasonal food products.”

Before you head back to your car, make a stop at the Toadstool Bookshop, technically on Emerald Street but, as manager Don Luckham says, it definitely feels like part of Main Street activity. You can, of course, pick up just about any book you’d like (and get great recommendations from the staff if you’re sure what your cousin might be in to), but Don notes that the store has increased its inventory of non-book items this year, with a wide selection of journals, notecards, bookmarks, jigsaw puzzles, socks, mugs, shirts and candles “with an artistic, philosophical or literary bent.” Plus, the shop offers free gift-wrapping year-round. 

Hanover

With most of the commercial action packed into two blocks just south of Dartmouth College’s campus, Hanover’s Main Street is good for getting lots of shopping done in a short amount of time. After parking on the street or in the garage off South St., start your journey at My Brigadeiro, which specializes (naturally) in brigadeiros, a classic Brazilian dessert typically made from condensed milk, cocoa powder and butter. For anyone with a sweet tooth on your list, go for the Ultimate Gift Box, which has four tiers of nine chocolates in which you can mix and match unique flavors like Nutella, coffee, raspberry and “wicked hot.” 

Owner Rena J. Mosteirin heads up Left Bank Books.

Next, head north to Lemon Tree Gifts which, according to owner and proprietor Melissa Locher Haas, has a little something for everyone. “We stock literally hundreds of selections from a variety of vendors,” Haas says, noting that stuffed animals, puzzles and games are some of the most popular categories, though the store also has bath and body care, jewelry and home decor. “We always have a wonderful selection of Thymes Frasier Fir (home fragrance products) which people start looking for in September.” 

Finally, end your journey at Left Bank Books, a used book store that’s supported by donations. When it comes to the holidays, judging a book by its cover might actually be a good idea, especially at stores that have a frequently rotating stock like Left Bank. Says owner Rena J. Mosteirin,“Often people looking for gifts go for older books with gorgeous bindings.”

Concord

Cobblestone Flowers & Gifts embraces the holidays.

On the flip side from Hanover, Main Street in our state’s capital is long and spread out, with plenty of places to pop into as you spend the day strolling. Since it’s easy to get lost in the space for hours, start out at Concord Antiques, the massive antique warehouse that’s just off Main Street but worth the short walk. The fare is typical — lots of vintage home décor, jewelry and tchotchkes — but the prices are generally less eye-watering than at other similar spaces.

Once you’re done poking through the thoughtfully arranged piles, head over to Cobblestone Flowers & Gifts to get a load of the impressive transformation into a winter wonderland the shop undergoes during the holidays. 

While Cobblestone is first and foremost a flower shop, co-owner Rick Talbot notes that, “along with selling all the fresh product like wreaths and roping and boughs of green and holly,” the store has a huge stock of Christmas ornaments. “We usually have about 20 different themes,” Talbot says. This year, those themes will include gnomes, gingerbread, under the sea, owls and “all that glitters is gold.”

Beadorable jewelry is handmade by Molly McGregor.

After you’ve picked up your fresh florals, head over to Beadorable to browse Molly McGregor’s handmade beaded and metal jewelry. “I sell a collection of everyday jewelry that layers nicely,” McGregor says, noting that her gemstone chain chokers, paperclip chain necklaces, birthstone chokers and delicate bracelets have been bestsellers this year. 

She also collaborates with other artists, incorporating mini versions of their paintings into her new pendant collection. “I just started this line, and it is proving to be wildly successful,” McGregor says.

Finally, you can’t come to the capital and skip Gibson’s Bookstore. Founded in 1898, it’s the largest indie bookstore in New England, and the oldest continuously operating retailer in Concord. The store’s biggest holiday event, Midnight Merriment, might require a nap if you want the best deals: On the first Friday in December, starting at 5% storewide discount at 6 p.m., the shop stays open until midnight with savings increasing by 5% every hour. Even if you can’t swing a late-night shopping spree, Gibson’s staff is happy to give recommendations during their usual hours. 

“If you have an idea of what the person (you’re shopping for) has read and recommended recently, our booksellers will be able to give you a whole stack of recommendations,” says Ryan Clark, Gibson’s marketing manager. “Our booksellers are infinitely better than an algorithm!”

Dover

Shop over 50 local artisans at My Country Story.

Last but not least, Dover, a city whose Main Street-type shopping scene can be found on the nearby Washington Street and Central Avenue. Once you park in the lot by Fish Ladder Park, walk north on Central until you reach My Country Story. 

According to co-owner Roni Watkins, the shop hosts over 50 local artisans and their work year-round, (“We’ve done the math, and about 70 cents of every dollar spent goes right back to a local artist,” she says.) Plus, they make a large portion of the items in-house. 

“I specialize in making dye-free soy candles, as well as goat’s milk soaps,” Watkins says, noting that the soaps are a bestseller regardless of season. “My husband (Andy) does woodworking, and we have a large selection of cutting and charcuterie boards that we can customize.”

Noggin’ Factory has gifts for all the kids on your list.

Wander back down to Washington Street, and you’ll find a huge, centuries-old brick mill that’s home to two family-friendly stores. Lickee’s & Chewie’s Candies & Creamery is a medieval-themed sweets shop with a retro vibe that stocks over 200 types of bulk candies, including some imported from countries around the world. The store also sells locally made desserts, including the infamous “giant Kingshake.” (The massive ice cream treat probably wouldn’t hold up well to being gift wrapped, so consider it a gift to yourself instead.)

Right next door you’ll find Noggin’ Factory! No ordinary modern toy store, the focus is on fun, educational products and, as owner Kerry Wood said in a recent Made in Dover video interview, “avoiding ‘junk in a box.’” On top of helpful employees who are eager to recommend a perfect gift for the infant to 12-year-old in your life, the store has a play area where kids can try the toys, plus a classroom or special events and music classes.