Walpole

Walpole possesses one of the state's prettiest town greens. Bordered by Elm and Washington streets, it's surrounded by homes dating to the 1790s, when the townsfolk constructed a canal around the Great Falls of the Connecticut River, bringing commerce and wealth to the area. This upscale little town now has 3,900 inhabitants. Walpole is also home to Florentine Films, documentarian Ken Burns's production company. Charlestown, which boasts one of the state's largest historic districts, with about 60 homes—all handsome examples of Federal, Greek Revival, and Gothic Revival architecture (and 10 built before 1800), is just down the road from Walpole.