Indulge your sweet tooth and step into a confectionery wonderland by exploring these charming candy shops scattered throughout New England, where delectable treats like maple candies, saltwater taffy, and handmade chocolates await to satisfy your cravings.
Lee’s Candy Kitchen, Meredith and Plymouth, N.H. — Aiming to fill all your “sweet tooth needs,” Lee’s offers two Granite State locations, each specializing in gourmet chocolate (a recipe passed down over three generations), candy jars, and a collection of both vegan and nut-safe options. Lee’s prides itself on supporting as many local business as possible, which is why you’ll recognize names like Winfrey’s Fudge, Mike’s of Maine, and Port City Pretzel on the shelves. — www.leescandykitchen.com
Middlebury Sweets, Middlebury, Vt. — Boasting the largest selection of treats in the state of Vermont, this Middlebury landmark also claims its own hotel (Middlebury Sweets Motel), with nine candy-themed rooms. That’s where you’ll also find the candy shop, with more than 1,500 different treats, including homemade chocolate. Be sure not to miss the world’s largest gummy bear, weighing in at 26 pounds. Then again, how could you? — www.middleburysweets.net
Chutter’s, Littleton, N.H. — Home of the world’s longest candy counter (with an accompanying measuring tool to prove it) this New Hampshire landmark is one that skiers might be familiar with already. Chutter’s has locations at Loon and at the summit of Bretton Woods, where many children have convinced their parents to stop for a sweet treat. At the flagship store in Littleton, where the store has graced Main Street since the late-1800s, you’ll find the infamous, 112-foot counter featuring a wealth of old-school and modern treats. Leave room for the fudge, which has been a New Hampshire tradition for decades. www.chutters.com
