OUR TOWNS: Greenfield, New Hampshire From Trails to Cheers Greenfield Beckons with Good Times

BOX: Greenfield, New Hampshire Incorporated: 1791 County: Hillsborough Land Acknowledgment: Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) N'dakina (Abenaki / Abénaquis) Pennacook Population: 1,657 Elevation: 840 feet Area: 26.8 square miles Welcome to Greenfield, New Hampshire, where good times and nature go hand in hand. &emsp;&emsp;This town, known for its recreational spaces, is home to Greenfield State Park, which draws campers in droves to its cool lake shore throughout summer's sticky months. The park's 400 acres of ponds, bogs and forest abutting Otter Lake make it ideal for a swim after work, a hike or a peaceful weekend getaway. &emsp;&emsp;"The sites were a nice size and weren't right on top of each other," says Scott Higgins, a recent visitor to the camping park. He tented at the park with friends and found it was a great chance to unplug, reminisce and chill by the fire. &emsp;&emsp;For campers and locals alike, the Harvester Market on Forest Road is a popular spot to grab supplies, pizza, calzones, grinders — you name it. They can even assemble a beautiful lunch platter when the family drops by. &emsp;&emsp;The Market's to-go options make picnic planning easy, and nearby Oak Park is a perfect green space to pull up a spot. It's known for live music to get your feet tapping and a seasonal farmers' market buzzing with life. &emsp;&emsp;The farmers' market from May until September brings scents of organic sourdough bread from Les Bonnes Miches, s'mores from Sweet and Sassy (Treats with a 'Tude), and sweet maple lemonade from Midnight Maples. Other regular vendors include Calcite and Comfrey, a go-to local source for salves, soaps, and stones, Juggled Candles in recycled glassware and popular Fairy Houses and Knome Homes by Cassandra Yerkes. All of this is in addition to local produce, meats, and fresh-cut flowers. &emsp;&emsp;But as the leaves change, so does the feel of Oak Park. On September 16 and 17, get ready for tractors, tractors, and more tractors! This year marks the Greenfield Harness & Drawbar Club's 36th Tractor Show. On the 16th, a Saturday, things kick off with the Fire Department's 7th Annual Road Race, with a half marathon beginning at 8:30 and 5K and 10K races at 9 a.m. There's even a kids' smoke stampede. &emsp;&emsp;At the same time, people can explore the farm equipment on display, from antique to brand-new, as well as lunger engines, harnesses, and wagons. A rain or shine event, this promises fun for everyone with food, music, raffles, photos, and a flea market, too. &emsp;&emsp;As October approaches, Oak Park readies for the annual Greenfield Pumpkin Festival. It includes local eats and treats, crafting and costume contests for kids, a trunk or treat, and live performances. At dusk, the park comes aglow with jack-o-lanterns brought by attendees or carved on-site during the festivities. &emsp;&emsp;For out-of-town family and friends who come to see the starry pumpkins, The Greenfield Inn is a wonderful destination. Owner Jarvis Adams, raised in Greenfield, took the reins in 2019, giving it the TLC needed to restore its iconic, small-town stature. &emsp;&emsp;"It's really all about the feel and environment, getting to stay in a 200-year-old New England house … There is a unique feeling of home here and a totally different experience than staying in a chain hotel," he says. &emsp;&emsp;Depending on the season, guests love fishing, heading to Oak Park, and hiking or skiing Crotched Mountain. &emsp;&emsp;"It's amazing the people you meet from all walks of life. Just last month, I met a woman who was the daughter of the Vonn Trapp family's youngest child," he notes. &emsp;&emsp; &emsp;&emsp;Many interesting conversations are had over breakfast, which is served daily. Weekdays boast a plentiful continental breakfast, and weekends bring hot breakfast "cooked lovingly by our Innkeeper, Carla," Adams notes. &emsp;&emsp;She's known to keep things lively, "but you can always guarantee good ol' fashioned eggs, bacon, and biscuits," Adams says. &emsp;&emsp;Over the summer, the Inn was treated to a beautiful new porch, which guests love to enjoy while looking out over town with a mug in hand. &emsp;&emsp;One hot spot Adams is excited about is the new downtown restaurant, Mi Corazon Mexican Grill, serving up signature margaritas in flavors ranging from classic to elderflower and "coco kiss." Whether you grab an outdoor table under the bistro lights or inside, beneath the striking murals, the food is the real star of the show. &emsp;&emsp;Thoughtful and creative dishes, such as the shrimp mango quesadilla, molé burrito, and tres leches cake, make a big impression on patrons driving in from surrounding towns. &emsp;&emsp;The owners of Beepa and Lula's Restaurant in Peterborough even popped over and wrote, "Thank you for the great service and great food! We are so happy to be supporting another local restaurant." &emsp;&emsp;Once your belly is full, a laid-back drive is in order, and Greenfield delivers with its historic covered bridge, which spans the Contoocook River between Greenfield and Hancock. The bridge site dates back to 1852, though the original was destroyed by flood and replaced in 1937. Today, the bridge is part of the National Register of Historic Places and attracts numerous covered bridge enthusiasts each year. &emsp;&emsp;While some might consider Greenfield a bit out of the way, people deem it worth the drive again and again. And those who live there are eager to show their hometown pride. &emsp;&emsp;"Community involvement is probably the highest I've seen in my 33 years here," Adams says. "A host of cool events, concerts, parades, and the newly opened restaurant — it's becoming quite the hopping place!"