Shopping usually means buying things and leaving. One store in New Hampshire offers something different.
It has been in continuous operation since 1781, making it one of the oldest businesses in the country. The shelves are stocked with aged cheese, barreled pickles, candy, and local goods, but that is only half the experience.
Upstairs, a free museum displays antiques, tools, and artifacts from the store’s long history. The building itself has been a tavern, a stagecoach stop, and a gathering place for the surrounding community.
The current family has run it for more than fifty years, and they keep it open 363 days a year. You can spend an hour browsing the aisles and another hour in the museum, and still feel like you missed something.
This New Hampshire store is not just a place to shop. It is a place to step back in time.
A Rambling Old Building With Serious Backstory
Old buildings have a way of whispering stories, and this one practically talks your ear off. The Old Country Store and Museum in Moultonborough is often called one of the oldest operating general stores in the country, with roots stretching back to the late colonial era.
Picture the days when a store like this was the beating heart of a small New Hampshire town. Folks came in for flour, nails, news, and gossip, probably in that exact order.
Neighbors traded stories by the counter while kids eyed the sweets.
Stepping onto the porch today still carries that same welcoming energy. Weathered wood, creaky boards, and a classic country storefront make the place look like it wandered straight out of a storybook.
Benches sit outside, perfect for a breather between shopping rounds.
Here is a tip worth tucking in your pocket. Snap your photos of the building before heading inside, since you might lose track of time once the browsing begins.
Morning light tends to flatter the old facade nicely.
History buffs will love it. Casual road trippers will too.
Even the most impatient backseat passenger tends to perk up once they spot the front door, because something about this place just feels like an adventure waiting to happen.
Room After Room That Never Seems to End
Fair warning, your sense of direction may file a complaint. Inside, one room leads to another, then another, and just when you think the tour is over, a new doorway appears like a magic trick.
Shelves overflow with toys, home decor, kitchen gadgets, soaps, candles, cast iron hardware, sweatshirts, and souvenirs. It is the kind of variety that turns a quick stop into a full-blown expedition.
So how do you tackle it all? Start at one end and loop through every room in order.
Skipping corners means missing gems like quirky hooks, clever cooking tools, or a gift for that impossible-to-shop-for uncle.
Plan for at least an hour, honestly more if you love to poke around. Rainy days are an especially smart time to visit, since the store keeps everyone busy and dry for ages.
Bring a little patience and a lot of curiosity. Crowds can gather during peak summer weekends, but the browsing stays polite and relaxed.
Pace yourself, keep an eye out for little surprises tucked behind bigger displays, and you will leave with a bag full of finds plus a few stories to share on the drive home.
Pickle Barrels Steal the Spotlight
Forget fancy snacks. The real celebrity here is sitting in a wooden barrel near the registers, and it happens to be green, crunchy, and gloriously juicy.
Big barrel pickles are a beloved tradition at the Old Country Store and Museum. You can usually choose between dill and sour styles, fished right out of the brine like a scene from a vintage movie.
Even folks who claim they never eat pickles on their own have been known to polish one off in record time. There is something about the old-school barrel experience that makes a simple snack feel like an event.
Want a pro move? Grab your pickle near the end of your visit.
Holding a dripping treat while browsing fragile candles and glassware is a risky game nobody needs to play.
Kids especially get a kick out of this tradition. It feels a little silly, a little messy, and completely charming all at once.
Take a photo of the barrels for the family album, because few places still keep this classic custom alive. Moments like this are exactly why so many families make this stop part of their summer rituals, year after year after year.
Sweet Nostalgia at the Penny Candy Counter
Remember when a handful of coins could buy a whole bag of happiness? That feeling lives on at the massive penny candy counter, one of the most famous corners of the shop.
Rows of old-fashioned sweets line the space, many of them treats you probably have not spotted since childhood. Some are classic chewy favorites, others are rare finds that seem to have vanished from regular stores.
Okay, real talk. Prices have grown up over the years, and candy is now typically sold by weight rather than by the actual penny.
The magic, however, has not shrunk one bit.
Grandparents point out sweets they loved decades ago. Parents rediscover forgotten favorites.
Kids simply grab a bag and go wild, which is honestly the correct approach.
A smart strategy is setting a little candy budget before you start scooping. Those bags fill up fast, and the scale at checkout can deliver a surprise.
Mixing a few familiar picks with something totally unknown keeps the fun alive.
Generations of families have built traditions around this very counter. Start your own, and the memory will taste even sweeter than whatever ends up in the bag.
Maple Goodies and Big Wheels of Cheddar
New England flavor gets its own victory lap here. Maple treats and hearty wheels of cheddar are two of the shop’s proudest specialties, and both deserve a spot on your shopping list.
Maple candy is a local classic, sweet and melt-in-your-mouth soft. Chocolate maple cookies have earned devoted fans too, the kind who stock up for holiday gifts.
Then come the cheeses. Large wheels make for an eye-catching display, and the aged sharp cheddar has a loyal following.
Snagging a hunk to take home is basically a rite of passage.
Need a tip? Pack a small cooler in the car if you are traveling far on a warm day.
Cheese and summer heat are not exactly best friends.
These goodies also make wonderful gifts. A box of maple sweets says greetings from New Hampshire far better than a generic keychain ever could.
Friends back home will be grateful, assuming you actually share.
Food souvenirs carry something special. Each bite at home brings back the creaky floors, the cozy rooms, and the scent of an old general store, stretching your trip a little longer.
Climb the Stairs Into Yesteryear
Plenty of shoppers get so wrapped up downstairs that they completely forget the museum waiting above. Do not be one of them.
Up a set of stairs sits a charming little museum, and the best part is that admission is free. Inside, antique tools and old objects tell the story of everyday life long before electricity and smartphones ran the show.
Much of the collection leans toward farming history. Rusty implements, household gadgets, and quirky relics fill the space, giving a real sense of how hard rural folks worked in New Hampshire generations ago.
Hands off, though. Items are meant for looking, not touching, so keep curious fingers in pockets.
Little ones may need a gentle reminder before heading up.
Why does this matter? Because the museum turns a shopping trip into a mini history lesson without anyone groaning about homework.
Kids start asking questions, adults start telling stories, and suddenly everyone is learning something.
Head upstairs early in your visit while your energy is high. Tired feet after hours of browsing are the number one reason people skip it, and that would be a genuine shame.
Vintage Fridges and Other Delightful Oddities
Surprises lurk around every corner, and some of them hum. Old-fashioned refrigerators are part of the charm, and amazingly, some of these vintage beauties still keep things cold.
Spotting them feels like finding a working time capsule. Rounded corners, chrome details, and retro styling make them conversation starters on their own.
Those coolers often hold a fun selection of sodas, including old-timey flavors that rarely show up in modern supermarkets. Trying an unfamiliar bottle is a cheap little adventure.
Beyond the fridges, oddities pop up everywhere. Rare novelties, strange gadgets, and goofy gifts seem designed to make you stop, stare, and laugh out loud.
Here is a fun game for families. Challenge everyone to find the weirdest item in the building, then vote on a winner at the end.
It keeps kids engaged and makes the browsing feel like a scavenger hunt.
Quirky finds also make the best stocking stuffers. Long after a typical present is forgotten, that bizarre gizmo from a historic shop sparks giggles every time someone picks it up.
Truly, the strange stuff here might be the most memorable stuff of all.
Kitchen Gadgets That Make Cooks Swoon
Home chefs, consider yourselves warned. The kitchen section is dangerously tempting, packed with clever tools you never knew existed until you suddenly cannot live without them.
Shelves display all sorts of kitchenware, from handy little gizmos to sturdy cast iron. Spices, gardening supplies, and practical hardware fill nearby spaces too, proving this is still a working general store at heart.
That practical side is a big part of the appeal. Yes, it is a souvenir haven, but it is also a legit spot to pick up useful goods for home or camp.
One trick is making a quick list before you arrive. Need a new spatula, a cast iron pan, or a funky jar opener?
Odds are good something here fits the bill.
On the other hand, leaving room for impulse buys is part of the fun. A colorful kitchen tool from a historic shop brings a smile every single time you cook dinner.
Gift seekers can score here as well. A cook in your life will appreciate something unique far more than another generic mug, and the story behind where it came from adds extra flavor.
Lakes Region Road Trip Magic
Scenery around this stop is half the reward. Moultonborough sits in the heart of the Lakes Region, a corner of the state known for sparkling water, forested hills, and lazy summer vibes.
Lake Winnipesaukee lies nearby, and the drive along winding country roads sets the perfect mood. By the time you pull in, the slower pace of rural New England has already worked its spell.
Honestly, the Old Country Store and Museum makes an ideal leg stretch on a longer journey. It is not necessarily an all-day destination, yet an hour or two here can easily become the highlight of the trip.
Each season brings a different flavor. Summer means bustling crowds and sunshine, while fall wraps the area in fiery foliage that looks amazing next to the old building.
Winter holiday shopping trips carry a cozy charm of their own.
Pair your stop with time by the water or a scenic drive through nearby towns. Combining nature and nostalgia creates a well-rounded day without much planning.
Keep a camera ready on the way in and out. Rural roads here have a habit of serving up postcard views when you least expect them.
Plan Your Visit and Go Make Memories
Practical stuff time, but the fun kind. Parking is plentiful and free, with a large lot out back, so there is no need to circle around stressing about a spot.
Restrooms are portable units in the parking lot, which honestly fits the rustic theme. Plan accordingly, especially with little ones in tow.
Benches out front offer a nice break for anyone who runs out of steam mid-shopping. Trust me, the sheer amount of stuff inside can wear down even the most devoted browser.
Comfortable shoes are a must. So is an empty trunk, since you will almost certainly leave with more than planned.
Budget a little extra for candy and cheese, because resistance is futile.
Find this beloved landmark at 1011 Whittier Hwy, Moultonborough, NH 03254. The store’s website shares updates, seasonal sales, and other details worth checking before you go.
My final word of advice? Bring someone you love and let them get lost in the aisles.
Generations of families have made this place a tradition, and yours could be next. So gas up the car, grab your sweet tooth, and go see what all the fuss is about.
