Exeter is steeped in American history and possessed of an understated charm that comes from its combination of history, culture, and natural beauty.  Central Exeter, with its picturesque and eminently walkable downtown, featuring an array of boutique stores, art galleries, and local restaurants, also features a well-preserved blend of architectural styles, from Greek Revival mansions to Federalist and Victorian styles; many buildings display historical plaques that narrate their past.

One of Exeter’s key historical sites is the American Independence Museum (pictured at right), which houses an original copy of the Declaration of Independence as well as other displays chronicling the town’s involvement in the Revolutionary War.