Littleton NH Riverwalk ~ A guide to walking downtown and along the Ammonoosuc River in Littleton, NH

Littleton NH Riverwalk ~ A guide to walking downtown and along the Ammonoosuc River in Littleton, NH.

Littleton NH Riverwalk

Littleton's downtown area is a vibrant marketplace.

Walking down Main Street in Littleton , NH is like being transported back in time, to when Main Street was the focus of every community. Forty years ago, New England downtowns were where 'most everyone shopped for clothes, groceries, hardware and more. Sure, there were a few large department stores, but most everyone did some shopping on Main Street every week. My how times have changed!

Bucking the trend, today Littleton has a vibrant downtown, partly due to geography and NH's no-sales tax economy, and partly due to wise foresight and smart management. Downtown is brimming with businesses and small shops and fun places to browse. From an 80 year old diner to a 2004 covered footbridge, Littleton has it all:

•   A 115 Year Old Opera House
•    A 160 Year Old Inn
•    A Decades Old Traditional Diner
•    A Statue of Pollyanna
•    The World's Longest Candy Counter
•    A Great Independent Bookstore
•    An Awesome Herb Shop
•   An attractive memorial park, and,
•   Tons of other shops, pubs and stores.

Running parallel to Main Street is Westhill Street and the Ammonoosuc River. There are plenty of gems to be experienced as you walk.

Centennial Park behind Main Street near the Ammonoosuc River is a nice spot to relax, and read a book, or enjoy your lunch outdoors.

Centennial Park behind Main Street near the Ammonoosuc River is a nice spot to relax, and read a book, or enjoy your lunch outdoors.

A Millers Café & Bakery 's creation was ranked by the Food Network as one of the 50 Best Sandwiches in the USA!

The Littleton Grist Mill has a wholly 'restored in appearance' mill and prepares your mixes fresh, sometimes as you wait.

The Tannery Marketplace with an eclectic mix of retail and service tenants.

The studios of North Country Community Radio , a low power AM transmitter serving the Littleton Area.

You can cross the river with any of three very unique bridges:

Veteran's Memorial Bridge

Over the years and through many conflicts, at least 50 sons and daughters of Littleton have given their lives to help America stay free. In 2002 the NH State Legislature voted to rename the bridge serving the corner of Main and Cottage Streets as Veteran's Memorial Bridge.

Today the bridge uniformly holds 50 plaques, 7" x 9", memorializing those who have fallen that we might be free.

Built in 2004, the Riverwalk Covered Bridge has beautiful views of the river.

Built in 2004, the Riverwalk Covered Bridge has beautiful views of the river.

Riverwalk Covered Bridge

The 352 foot, Warren Truss bridge was completed in September 2004. Partly developed as a tourist attraction, it allows easy access to the Riverglen House , a senior center. The main street side is adjacent to Millers Café & Bakery . The far side side connects to trails parralling the river in both directions, and is a very pleasant walk.

The Curran Suspension Bridge was built in 1939 for $3,000 and still accommodates foot traffic.

The Curran Suspension Bridge was built in 1939 for $3,000 and still accommodates foot traffic.

Curran Suspension Bridge

All three bridges in Littleton's walk span the Ammonoosic River. This one spans the river between Saranac Street and Riverside Drive. The location originally held a wooden covered foot bridge, which was replaced in by a steel foot bridge in 1902. That bridge survived the market crash of 1929 and the Great Depression but was lost to the New England Hurricane of 1938 .

An enterprising but young engineer named Kenneth E. Curran salvaged the steel suspension cables and offered to construct a modern foot bridge on the site for $3,000. On March 14, 1939 the citizens voted to borrow the money. Lyons Iron Works in Manchester, NH fabricated the steel, and Curran hired Mark Carr, and together with two laborers, the four erected the foot bridge with a ginpole.

Today, the bridge is a fun walk. It shutters slightly to your steps, and because the river view is predominately of water and trees, you can almost imagine being in some far, distant place, almost Tarzan-esque. The path on the Saranac side is surfaced, and feels peaceful. It's a great part of an overall walk.

Walking Tour Brochure (.pdf)

A quiet little park downtown, to remember the service of those who kept us free.