This 21-mile long route is almost overloaded with history. To begin with, the city of Hampton was settled in 1638; and the settlement of the other towns on the route followed close behind. The resultant architecture is captivating.

The city of Exeter was the state's capital during the War of Independence and accommodates the American Independence Museum and the Phillips Exeter Academy. There are certainly also quite a lot of very early residences (such as the Gilman Garrison) that are open to visit in the summer.