THINGS TO DO NEARBY
VISIT THE SEACOAST
The Word Barn is nestled in the vibrant and thriving Seacoast arts community of New Hampshire, and offers a lot of wonderful places to enjoy and explore as part of your trip to our area. Here are a few of our favorites.
WHERE TO EAT & DRINK
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Epoch Gastropub
Located in the historic Exeter Inn, this Exeter favorite offers a dining experience with a fresh and fun vibe for the perfect dinner & a show pairing, complete with an expansive new outdoor seating area. Executive Chef Tyler Brooks’ menu features modern classics with global favors, and a curated mix of small plates, sandwiches, large plates, sides and sweets. Their charcuterie board and cocktail menu is worth the trip alone.
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Ohana Kitchen
Formed around a passion for fresh, healthy food, Ohana Kitchen offers delicious Hawaiian-inspired poké bowls and sushi burritos. Order one as part of your ticket order for most events and have them ready and waiting for you when you arrive, or visit their Exeter location.
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Newfields General Store
A hop, skip and a jump away from The Word Barn, this is a quintessential New England Country Store that not only provides a hang-out for locals and general provisions - but also delicious breakfast and lunch sandwiches and baked goods.
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North Country Hard Cider
A serious favorite and the real deal with their craft cider features nothing but local apples and yeast. Their tasting room is located in a brand new building in Dover that offer up a fun tasting room, and impressive giant deck.
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Great Rhythm Brewing Co
Deliciousness and liquid gold are words that come to mind when asked about this place, and the result of their endless pursuit to create the most flavorful craft beer.
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Newburyport Brewing Co
This award-winning regional brewery is responsible for some mighty fine brews. It’s owned by two local guys who are focused on providing folks with the same sense of enjoyment that they get out of beer, music and being around friends.
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Auspicious Brew
This female-owned, small batch, artisanal classic and hard kombucha makers carefully chose homegrown ingredients. Their tasting room features draft kombucha, an amazing vibe, and a great patio - all a short drive away in Dover.
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Vino e Vivo
A charming spot with the vibe of a Eurpean wine bar featuring delicious and creative cuisine by Executive Chef Pau Callahan, 2023 James Beard semi-finalist, and an impressive curated wine list.
GET OUTSIDE
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Oaklands Town Forest
Just down the road, this trailhead offers access to a network of well-used trails on 230 acres that are great in all four seasons. Managed by the Exeter Conservation Commission for conservation and recreation purposes, the trails are well marked and great for all ages/levels, and feature everything from quick loops to day hikes.
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Piscassic Greenway
444 acres of preserved land just 10 minutes away that offers well-market and maintained trails, complete with a wooden boardwalk through an active beaver pond (Byrne Spur Trail). The network of trails also connects with the Rockingham Recreational Trail—a former rail bed that provides a leisurely palace to walk, run, bike or xc ski (all the way to Manchester, NH).
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Applecrest Farm
The oldest (and largest) apple orchard in NH, this year-round stop also offers up the tasty cider donuts you’ll find at our events in the fall, and is home to the Orchard Chapel where our 12 Nights of Christmas concert series is held.
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Bedrock Gardens
“One of the most beautiful ane indriguing landscapes in New Hampshire” (Boston Globe), and right here just down the road. Enjoy this public garden that offers an oasis of art, horticulture and inspiration.
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Swasey Parkway
Enjoy one of Exeter’s most beautiful beautiful spaces to stroll along the Squamscott River before or after enjoy dinner downtown. This half mile strip of waterfront has both a (flat) walking trail, and many benches to enjoy.
SUPPORT LOCAL MAKERS
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Art Up Front Street Studios & Gallery
Exeter’s first collective of (nine) working artists’ studios and gallery. This amazing 2,500 sq ft. space is filled with local artists’ paintings, abstract art, illustration, photography, watercolor, assemblage, metal & wire industrial quilts for sale and exhibit.
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Enna Chocolate
An exceptional chocolate factory (and cafe) that features single origin chocolate crafted in small batches from bean to bar. Enna sources the finest quality cacao beans directly from farms around the world, and process them into her award-winning chocolate.
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Sarah Koff Studios
A brilliant printmaker and artist with an amazing talent for hand-carved block prints made in her small solar-powered studio in the woods of New Hampshire.
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Tender Crumb
Jen Evans is a Culinary Institute of America trained pastry chef who operates Exeter’s Tender Crumb and can create the most delicious tasting, looking, and creative masterpieces around.
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Bell & Goose Cheese
Located on Heron Pond Farm, and run by Anna Cantelmo, Bell & Goose cheese is hand made in small batches, beginning with cow's milk from some of the best family owned dairies here in New Hampshire.
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The Bread Shed
The Bread Shed bakes handcrafted deliciousness using only simple, real ingredients that belong in food. Originally only sold to farmers markets, you can now find them at local stores, as well as their delicious cookies at most of our shows!