KEENE

Keene anchors the Monadnock Region in southwestern New Hampshire. Its wide Main Street, anchored by Central Square and lined with independent businesses, gives the city a college-town energy fueled by Keene State College students and a creative community that punches above its weight.

The Colonial Theatre Keene is a restored historic theater that programs concerts, film screenings, and theatrical performances. Nova Arts operates a venue and arts space on Emerald Street that hosts touring and local bands, arts education, and community events. The annual Keene Music Festival fills downtown with over eighty acts across thirteen stages.

Keene feels self-contained and walkable. Central Square and Main Street are the social center, and you will find a mix of college-age crowds and longtime residents at shows. The city's distance from the I-93 corridor gives it an independent streak that shapes the programming toward eclectic and regional acts.

Tip: Central Square is the starting point. Main Street runs south from the square with most shops, restaurants, and venues within a short walk.

Neighborhoods: Central Square • Main Street • Downtown • Keene State College Area