The Business Traveler's Guide to Dover, NH: Work, Dine, and Unwind

After years of balancing archaeological fieldwork with corporate responsibilities, I've become somewhat of an expert at creating productive workspace environments wherever I land. Dover surprised me with its variety of options beyond the standard hotel business center.

The centerpiece of my productive week was Flight Coffee Co. on Central Avenue—a spacious café with excellent cold brew, reliable Wi-Fi, and enough ambient noise to keep energy flowing without distraction. Their upstairs seating area became my morning office, where the baristas quickly learned my order and fellow remote workers respected the unspoken etiquette of shared workspaces.

For more formal meetings, I discovered Workwise, a coworking space that offers day passes for visitors. The professional environment, complete with conference rooms and printing services, provided everything I needed for client presentations. Their flexible booking system meant I could reserve exactly what I needed without committing to a monthly membership.

When I needed absolute focus, Dover Public Library offered quiet study rooms that can be reserved in advance—a hidden gem for the business traveler needing concentration. The historic building itself, with its beautiful architecture, made working there feel like a privilege rather than a necessity.

For longer stays, I recommend investing in a portable laptop stand to maintain proper ergonomics regardless of where you set up shop. After countless hours working from archaeological site offices with improper seating, I've learned that maintaining good posture prevents the productivity-killing back pain that can derail a business trip.

Business meals are an art form I've practiced across continents, from sharing tea with monastery caretakers in Tibet to discussing excavation plans over ceviche in Peru. Dover's dining landscape offers surprising sophistication for a city of its size, with options suitable for every business occasion.

For impressive client lunches, Ember Wood Fired Grill on Washington Street delivers with its locally-sourced menu and professional service. The private dining area in the back provides enough separation for confidential conversations while maintaining the restaurant's warm ambiance. Their grilled Atlantic salmon became my go-to recommendation for visitors.

When casual networking is the goal, 7th Settlement Brewery creates the perfect relaxed environment. The communal tables and local craft beer selection naturally facilitate conversation, while their elevated pub fare satisfies diverse palates. I found their Thursday evening networking events particularly valuable for connecting with local professionals.

For solo dining between meetings, Chapel + Main offers bar seating where you can comfortably enjoy a quality meal without feeling out of place as a single diner. Their rotating menu features creative dishes that go well beyond standard business travel fare.

One dining challenge on business trips is maintaining healthy eating habits. I pack a collapsible food container to store leftovers or take-out meals, which helps me avoid the cycle of restaurant overindulgence that often accompanies business travel. This simple tool has saved me countless times when meetings ran long and dining options became limited to late-night fast food.

As an anthropologist drawn to ancient civilizations, I've developed a habit of seeking historical connection wherever business takes me. While Dover may not rival Machu Picchu in age, its well-preserved colonial architecture and industrial heritage offer fascinating glimpses into America's past—perfect for the business traveler with limited free time.

The Woodman Institute Museum became my favorite lunch-break escape. Just a short walk from downtown, this collection of historic houses contains an eclectic array of exhibits ranging from Civil War artifacts to natural history specimens. The 1675 William Damm garrison house particularly captured my interest as one of the oldest preserved wooden structures in New Hampshire.

Dover's historic mill buildings along the Cocheco River tell the story of America's industrial revolution. The guided walking tour (available through a free downloadable app) takes just 45 minutes and provided me with welcome fresh air and perspective between conference calls. The massive brick structures that once housed the textile industry now contain offices, restaurants, and apartments—a beautiful example of adaptive reuse.

For early risers, I recommend visiting the Pine Hill Cemetery at dawn. While it might seem unusual to recommend a cemetery, this historic burial ground dating to 1731 offers peaceful walking paths and provides insight into the city's earliest European settlers. The morning light filtering through ancient trees creates an atmosphere of contemplative beauty—something I've experienced at sacred sites worldwide.

To document these historical explorations, I rely on my pocket camera. After years of lugging heavy photography equipment to remote archaeological sites, I've come to appreciate this powerful yet compact camera that fits in a jacket pocket—perfect for capturing architectural details or landscape views during brief breaks between business commitments.

My work documenting sacred sites around the world has taught me that connection with nature is essential for maintaining mental clarity—especially during intensive business trips. Dover's location offers several accessible natural escapes that can be enjoyed even with a packed meeting schedule.

The Dover Community Trail became my daily ritual, either as an early morning run or evening decompression walk. This former railroad corridor stretches for 4.5 miles along the Cocheco River, offering riverside views and wildlife sightings. The section nearest downtown can be walked in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for clearing your mind before or after meetings.

When I had a free afternoon, Garrison Hill Park provided panoramic views that helped me regain perspective after days of spreadsheets and presentations. The observation tower offers vistas extending to the White Mountains on clear days, and the short but steep trail to the top serves as an excellent workout when gym time isn't available.

For water enthusiasts, Cocheco River Paddle Club rents kayaks by the hour—a surprisingly refreshing way to spend an evening after a day of indoor meetings. The gentle paddle from their downtown location offers unique views of the city's historic architecture from the water. I found this perspective particularly meaningful, as rivers have often been the lifeblood of the ancient cities I study.

During a business trip in April, I witnessed the annual return of the alewives—thousands of fish migrating upstream to spawn. The fish ladder at the Cocheco River dam offers a fascinating glimpse of this natural phenomenon that has occurred for millennia, connecting Dover's modern business district to ancient natural rhythms.

For these outdoor excursions, I always pack my packable daypack. This lightweight bag compresses to the size of a sandwich yet expands to hold water bottles, layers, and essentials for impromptu nature adventures. After countless archaeological expeditions where space and weight are at a premium, I've found this versatile pack equally valuable for business travel.

The greatest challenge of business travel—whether to Dover or Dharamsala—is maintaining personal wellness routines while meeting professional obligations. After years of balancing archaeological fieldwork with corporate deadlines, I've developed strategies that served me well during my week in Dover.

Garrison City Yoga offers drop-in classes throughout the day, including early morning and evening sessions that accommodate business schedules. Their 6am vinyasa flow became my anchor three times during my stay, providing both physical movement and mental centering before diving into work. The studio welcomes travelers and provides mat rentals, eliminating the need to pack your own equipment.

Orange Theory Fitness on Central Avenue offers day passes for visitors and their scheduled classes create accountability that hotel gym visits often lack. When time was especially tight, I appreciated their efficient 45-minute workout formats.

For nutrition beyond restaurant meals, Dover Natural Marketplace became my go-to for healthy snacks and prepared foods. Their selection of fresh smoothies, salads, and grain bowls provided welcome alternatives to restaurant dining, and I often grabbed provisions for in-room breakfasts or quick lunches between calls.

Sleep quality dramatically impacts business performance, something I've learned through countless timezone adjustments. The sleep mask has become my non-negotiable travel companion, effectively creating darkness in any hotel room and signaling to my body that it's time to rest, regardless of external factors. After using it in everything from Himalayan guesthouses to corporate hotels, I can attest that proper sleep makes the difference between merely surviving and truly thriving during business travel.

Finally, Dover's Spa at 25 offers express treatments designed specifically for business travelers. Their 30-minute targeted massage focuses on desk-work tension points and can be scheduled during lunch breaks. I found this to be a worthy investment midweek when accumulated travel strain began affecting my focus.