Shop Northern New Hampshire for Gifts for Everyone on Your List

Frosty air and snowy mountain peaks are all part of the magic of Christmas in northern New Hampshire, where local businesses are ready to welcome you for an amazing holiday shopping experience. Shop here for friendly storekeepers, outstanding merchandise and exceptional customer service. Parking is free in most towns, or easily accessible public parking is available. And, remember, in New Hampshire you shop tax free!

Following is a small selection of the fine shops and businesses located throughout the region. During your travels you’ll no doubt discover more!

Fine Craft & Art

Littleton’s colorful and eclectic League of NH Craftsmen Gallery showcases some of New Hampshire’s finest craftsmen working in jewelry, clay, glass, fibers, wood, metal, photography, baskets, printmaking and mixed media. Or give a gift certificate to the gallery’s Studio School where the recipient can choose from a hands-on workshop in pottery, jewelry making, basketry, painting, and more.

An original piece of art is a wonderful expression of love. The William Rugh Gallery in Lancaster represents abstract modern realism artist Ed Widmayer and award-winning photographer Fletcher Manley. The gallery also features a selection of handcrafted furniture, granite benches and unique fine crafts.

Visit the Local Works Marketplace in Bethlehem for wonderful handcrafted products such as jewelry, pottery, soaps, lotions, candles, textiles, baskets, photography, fine art, home décor, and gourmet foods — the work of over 120 local artists.

Jewelry, Home Décor & Gift Items

Greetings Jewelers in Berlin features the latest trends in jewelry and gifts, including rings, necklaces, watches and home décor. Or have the on-site jeweler create a custom piece for you. The shop also carries a complete line of Hallmark cards and Hallmark holiday collectible ornaments. 

Fiddleheads, on Colebrook’s Main Street, features American- and Canadian-made and Fair Trade products, along with a nice assortment of fine art and crafts and gift items.

Bookstores

The bookstore at the White Mountain Café & Bookstore  in Gorham specializes in titles of local interest, maps and hiking guides. You’ll also discover best sellers, a very nice selection of children’s books and toys, greeting cards and an assortment of gift items. And, you can sip a cup of Fair Trade coffee from the Café while you browse!

Many families make it a tradition to gift books at the holidays. You’ll find just what you need at Littleton’s Little Village Toy & Book Shop,  which is stocked with a wide selection of kids’ books and inspiring and educational toys, complemented by a good variety of adult fiction, non-fiction and local reads.

The Great Outdoors

Drummond’s Mountain Shop, located just west of the Bretton Woods Ski Area on Route 302, carries everything you can think of to make your outdoor experience more enjoyable — from ski equipment and hiking gear, to clothing, footwear, and accessories. The full-service ski shop sells and services all major brands of Alpine and Nordic skis, as well as Redfeather and Tubbs snowshoes. 

Nordic ski equipment and accessories are the specialty at Great Glen Outfitters in Gorham, where you’ll find the most up-to-date winter clothing and equipment for every terrain. Once the Christmas gifts are opened, come back and ski the trails at Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center.

Bretton Woods features the ultimate in outdoor experiences: Alpine and Nordic skiing on beautifully groomed trails; exhilarating canopy tours; romantic sleigh rides; skating across glistening ice; slick snow tubing; exciting snowmobiling; and expertly guided backcountry adventures. Gift a loved one with a season’s pass or treat them to a day or weekend of outdoor adventure!

Can you say mush! Bundle up the family and head to Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel in Jefferson, where you’ll receive a resounding bark of welcome and the awesome experience of a sled dog ride through field and forest. A great family gift idea.

Visit The Rocks Estate in Bethlehem to choose and cut your own tree and pick out a decorated wreath for the front door. Consider sending a fragrant tree or wreath to a friend or family member who lives far away and misses the smells of home.

Specialty Foods

There’s nothing like the taste of sweet maple syrup on your pancakes or waffles on Christmas morning! Fuller’s Sugarhouse, an award-winning, family-owned business in Lancaster, produces over 8,000 gallons of pure maple syrup each year. The store stocks syrup in a variety of sizes, along with maple candy — a great stocking stuffer — and a hand-picked selection of gift items. Have Fuller’s fill a Gift Basket for you and ship it to the lucky recipient!

Anyone with a sweet tooth (and don’t we all have one!) will love a gift from Chutters, the home of the Guinness Book of World Record’s Longest Candy Counter, where you can select from over 500 sweet treats. The store also stocks fudge and chocolates, along with gift items ranging from Christmas stockings to collectibles to specialty food products

Specialty food producer White Mountain Canning  is a Littleton-based family business producing a variety of high-quality products, everything from a mouth-watering chili mix to jams, jellies, mustards, dips, pickles, salsas and much more. All the items make great stocking stuffers!

Antiques & Collectibles

Once upon a time the 7,500 square foot Potato Barn Antiques in Groveton was a potato storage barn. Today, visitors can choose from an extensive collection of glassware, beautiful vintage clothing and accessories, a wide assortment of tools, quilts and textiles, books, furniture, prints and pictures, vintage lighting and much more. Holiday collectibles are always popular.

Theatre Tickets Make Great Stocking Stuffers

Season’s tickets to one of the North Country’s cultural icons are always a welcome find under the Christmas tree.

The Weathervane Theatre in Whitefield produces seven main-stage productions over eight weeks in an alternating repertory style. The big red barn theatre has been bringing the best of Broadway and beyond to North Country summer audiences since 1966.

St. Kieran Community Center for the Arts, located in a former church in Berlin, is a unique setting for an outstanding roster that includes Celtic fiddlers, retro bands, comedians, jazz bands, and Franco-American performers.

The Medallion Opera House in the historic Gorham Town Hall maintains a lively, year-round performance schedule with acts appealing to a wide range of tastes.

Colebrook’s Tillotson Center presents a full playbill of activities, year-round, with concerts and other performances staged in its 171-seat theater.

The Live! At The Colonial summer series brings world-class artists to the concert stage at The Colonial Theatre in Bethlehem, one of the oldest continuously operating movie theatres in the United States.

The Great North Woods Center for the Arts in Columbia features indoor and outdoor performance spaces for concerts, plays, art shows, arts and crafts activities and a variety of community gatherings, as well as overnight accommodations for visiting artists and performers.

Recharge at Our Restaurants

We don’t want you to shop until you drop, so do yourself a favor and take some time to fuel up with a hearty breakfast, enjoy a leisurely lunch, take a tea break, or plan an intimate dining experience to cap off your day. Gift certificates for family and friends who enjoy dining out are also a great holiday gifting option.

Gorham

The White Mt. Café & Bookstore features Fair Trade coffee and fine teas, along with breakfast sandwiches, bagels, panini sandwiches, quiches and soups. All of the baked goods are homemade.

Enjoy fine dining at Libby’s Bistro  with its fresh and innovative menu using locally grown ingredients. More casual fare is available in the SAALT pub.

Bretton Woods

Rustic American fare and family-style service are a winning combination in the dining room at the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Highland Center  at Crawford Notch. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available for lodge guests, through hikers, outdoor recreationalists and members of the public. The beautiful mountain views are free!

At the Omni Mount Washington Resort, guests have several dining options, from meals served in the elegant main dining room with sweeping views of Mt. Washington and the Presidential Range, to more casual fare in Stickney’s pub or the Cave, a Prohibition-era speakeasy. Or opt for a refreshing afternoon beverage in the Rosebrook Lounge or Princess Room.

Colebrook

Find made-from-scratch, freshly baked muffins and cinnamon rolls at Mostly Muffins.

After a day of shopping, unwind in the Colebrook Country Club cocktail lounge for drinks, bar snacks and a game of billiards or darts.

Pittsburg

The Rainbow Grille & Tavern on the shores of beautiful Back Lake offers gourmet fare in its dining room, and more casual choices in the Tavern. Yankee Magazine’s Travel Issue awarded it an “Editor’s Choice.”

Perfectly prepared steaks rub shoulders with dozens of other items on the menu at Murphy’s Steakhouse. Casual, comfortable atmosphere.

Lancaster

Warm up with a cup of coffee or tea and a delicious pastry, like a chocolate-filled brioche or sticky bun at Polish Princess Bakery . And don’t leave without a loaf of freshly baked bread. Lunch specials include quiche, spinach and feta turnovers, gourmet pizza, ham and cheese brioche and soups.

Jefferson

You’ll have a hard time choosing from the delicious variety of freshly prepared items on the extensive breakfast menu at the Waterwheel Breakfast & Gift House, where breakfast is served all day and the giant pancakes are a particular favorite. The restaurant also serves lunch.

Whitefield 

Enjoy farm-to-table fare in the Harvest Room at the historic Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa for a casual breakfast, lunch or dinner culinary experience. Book a seat in the 6,000-bottle 1865 Wine Cellar for a special treat.

Hearty portions and an extensive menu have patrons returning again and again to Grandma’s Kitchen. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, with daily specials in a diner atmosphere.

Littleton

Enjoy Classic American tavern fare at the Beal House, which features locally raised meats and greens on its carefully curated menu. Weekly specials include craft draft beer and burger nights, along with a Fish & Chips Sunday special, and Modelo Mondays.

Quaff a small batch brew and nosh on a Neapolitan-style, wood-fired pizza at Schilling Beer Company, an 18th century gristmill on the Ammonoosuc River.

Stop by the Littleton Food Co-op for great gift ideas, like cheeses and wines, or enjoy freshly prepared salads, sandwiches and soups in the new cafeteria.

Chang Thai’s amazing variety of familiar Thai dishes, prepared with fresh herbs and other ingredients, will delight any diner. Open for lunch and dinner.

Sip locally roasted Fair Trade coffees or your favorite organic loose-leaf tea at the Ink Well Coffee and Teahouse while you peruse a menu of baked goods and light fare with locally sourced ingredients. Gluten-free and vegan options available.

Bethlehem

Small batch beers are the specialty at Rek’-Lis Brewing Company. The owners have a great sense of humor, too, producing the “Up in Smoke Series,” beers named after hotels in town that have burned down; the “License Plate Series,” acronyms of funny real or fake New Hampshire plates; and a “Friends Series,” named, of course, for some special friends.

The classic Italian comfort food at Rosa Flamingos is creatively prepared and served nightly. Locals give high-fives to the restaurant’s pizza, wings and desserts.

The eclectic lunch and dinner menu, along with the full bar, make Cold Mountain Café a favorite North Country dining destination. Begin with the Dates Stuffed with Local Chevre, followed by the restaurant’s signature Black Bean Cake for a mouth-watering experience. Daily soup and sandwich specials, nightly specials and especially decadent desserts!

Situated on the banks of the beautiful Ammonoosuc River, the Wayside Inn restaurant is open for dinner Thursday through Monday, with a menu featuring favorites like homemade Mac ‘N Cheese, Chicken Parmesan and Fish ‘N Chips.

Kick Back, Relax & Enjoy Summer at Along the River Campground, Cabins & Ice Cream

Along the River Campground & Cabins (plus Ice Cream) on Route 302 in Twin Mountain, ticks off all the boxes for visitors looking for a close-to-nature experience with terrific amenities. Whether you are tenting, looking forward to sleeping in a cabin, or bringing your own RV, you’ll appreciate the friendly staff, fresh mountain air, beautiful views, and the campground’s location on the Ammonoosuc River.

Come for the night, enjoy a weekend away, relax during your vacation, or book a site for the season. The campground is open May-November. Choose from six cabins, tent sites with or without amenities, and RV sites with water, sewer and electricity (30 amp or 50 amp). The small family campground features both wooded and grassy campsites, some located at high and dry spots along the river. All sites have a picnic table and fire ring.

In addition to its central location, close to all of the popular White Mountain attractions — the Mt. Washington Cog Railway, Omni Mt. Washington Resort, Bretton Woods Adventure Center, Santa’s Village, Franconia Notch, Storyland and outlet shopping in North Conway, and outstanding hiking, biking and fishing opportunities — the campground boasts clean restrooms, FREE hot showers, and FREE campground-wide Wi-Fi.

Kids will enjoy the playground and the whole family can cool off in the pool or gather round for board games, pool or foosball in the Rec Hall or a rousing game of basketball, volleyball or horseshoes outdoors.

The campground is pet-friendly, so bring along your favorite pooch to enjoy the camping experience with you. Fifteen flavors of delicious creamy ice cream are served up at the on-site Ice Cream Shack, and it’s open to the public, too. The campground store is stocked with everything you need to make your visit enjoyable, from firewood to toiletries to snacks, along with maps and brochures. Just across the street, the 302 Grille a tasty selection of breakfast, lunch and dinner favorites.

Camping is one of life’s simple pleasures. So the next time you want a chance to fall asleep in a tent under a canopy of sparkling stars, sit around a roaring campfire singing songs or telling scary stories, toast marshmallows on a stick, awaken to bird song, watch a moose walk through your campsite, and cook your meals over an open fire, book your spot at Along the River Campground & Cabins. Best of all, enjoy your time away from the hustle and bustle and stresses of daily life in the company of treasured family and friends.

Northern New Hampshire: Where the Arts & Outdoor Attractions Meet

The region’s beautiful mountain views and pastoral vistas first drew artists to the White Mountains and the northern reaches of the state in the early years of the 19th century, drawn here by a dramatic landscape of towering peaks, rushing rivers and stately forests, and capturing them forever on canvas. These 19th century artists gave rise to both the iconic Hudson River School and White Mountain School styles of painting.

Some artists, like Frank Shapleigh, had an affiliation with one or more of the Grand Hotels of the time. Visitors to Shapleigh’s studio at the Crawford House could observe him at work and purchase a painting to take home as a souvenir of their time in the mountains. These early artists were instrumental in promoting the region to visitors, with their gorgeous paintings serving much the same purpose as today’s brochures and websites for inspiring people to travel to northern New Hampshire to experience its natural splendors and other attractions.

Architecturally grand buildings, artful offerings, and musical and stage performances highlight the many cultural activities to be found today in New Hampshire’s Grand North. Round out your visit to the northern reaches of the Granite State with an arts-based itinerary combined with one or more of our exceptional recreational opportunities and featured attractions for an outstanding vacation experience.

Looking for lodging and dining opportunities while touring the countryside? The New Hampshire Grand website has a complete listing.

BRETTON WOODS

Artist Frank Shapleigh’s home and studio is now guest lodging at the AMC Highland Center. Continuing the tradition of using the arts to interpret the environment, the Highland Center hosts an impressive display of the mountain photography of explorer, mountaineer, and pioneering aerial photographer Brad Washburn. And the AMC’s series of Free Evening Programs introduce visitors to a variety of subjects, from musical evenings and visiting authors to tales of mountaineering in far away places and identifying the stars overhead.

If you’re traveling with the kids, let them loose on the AMC’s Big Mountain Playscape, with plenty of features like ladders, logs, rocks and a rope bridge to help them explore the outdoors.

Hiking the White Mountains is a wonderful summer or fall experiences, with many trails in close proximity to the Highland Center. Shuttle service is available from the AMC to nearby trailheads.

Don’t miss an opportunity to visit the magnificent Omni Mt. Washington Hotel, a National Historic Landmark. First opened in 1902, the hotel was built by 250 master craftsmen in the Spanish Renaissance style. Enjoy a glass of wine on the wide veranda with its sweeping views of the Mount Washington range, or cozy up in one of the elegant public rooms with a pot of tea and a selection of baked goods.

Delegates from around the world converged at the hotel in 1944 for the Bretton Woods Monetary Conference, which established the World Bank, set the gold standard and selected the American dollar as the foundation of international exchange following World War II. The handsome room in which the final documents were signed is just off the lobby, and includes an informational display outlining the importance of the conference in stabilizing the post-war economy.

Just across the road at the Resort’s Adventure Center, fly through the treetops on an exciting Canopy Tour for amazing views of Mount Washington and the Presidential Range of the White Mountains, or try one of the other resort activities like river tubing, golf, and mountain biking.

The Mt. Washington Cog Railway is the world’s oldest mountain-climbing cog railway and has been ferrying passengers to the summit of Mt. Washington since 1869. Ride in an old-fashioned steam train or one of the newer bio-diesel models and spend time on the summit exploring the Weather Discovery Center, visiting the stone Tip Top House, and drinking in the amazing views. On especially clear days you can see the Atlantic Ocean!

Drummond’s Mountain Shop is locally famous for its ski and snowboarding sales and service, but during the summer months, bike rentals are available and make a great way to explore the region at a leisurely pace.

WHITEFIELD

Professional summer theatre in the North Country can trace its roots to 1934, when New York Times music critic Will Chase opened the Chase Barn Playhouse in Whitefield, the predecessor of today’s Weathervane Theatre. The summer playbill includes seven shows, both classic and contemporary, in alternating repertory. Families travelling with kids will enjoy the timeless tales and musical stories staged throughout the season by the Weathervane’s Patchwork Players.

No visit to Whitefield is complete without a stop at the Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa, which has catered to guests since the end of the Civil War. Sweeping mountain views and a variety of resort activities will appeal to every member of the family. Of special interest is the resort’s Mountain View Farm, where fiber collected from the farm’s flock of sheep is spun into Mountain View Farm Blend yarn. Take a needle felting class at the fiber studio, using fibers from the farm’s animals, which also includes goats, alpacas, llamas and Angora rabbits, and take home a wonderful souvenir of your visit.

The Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge  in Whitefield and Jefferson, a noted bird-watching destination, is easily accessed by a 1.5 mile, almost flat walking trail leading to a viewing platform at Cherry Pond with magnificent views of the Presidential Range. The Little Cherry Pond hiking trail along the western edge of the pond also has a viewing platform.

LANCASTER & JEFFERSON

Weeks State Park  is the legacy of Congressman John Wingate Weeks, a Lancaster native who, in 1911, sponsored historic legislation known as the Weeks Act, which led to the creation of the White Mountain National Forest. The Weeks State Park Association hosts free Thursday evening programs throughout the summer at Weeks’s handsome stucco Summit Lodge atop Mount Prospect, on topics as diverse as railroading, butterflies, wildflowers, and birds of prey, along with a musical evening or two to get your toes tapping. The drive to the top of the mountain along the rustic carriage road boasts outstanding scenery, and the stone fire tower next to the Lodge is worth a climb for its 360-degree views.

Drop by the William Rugh Gallery  in downtown Lancaster to view the paintings of artist/painter Ed Widmayer (1923-2010) and award-winning photographer Fletcher Manley. Manley’s photography has taken him around the world, including photographing four Winter Olympics Games. Widmayer is known for his abstract expressionist works. The gallery also carries a line of locally made fine furniture and a selection of work by local artisans.

Lancaster is notable for its independent movie house, the Rialto Theatre, whose distinctive marquee advertises first-run movies, a free summer family film series, and a growing schedule of concerts and other community events. While improvements have been made over the years, the 1930s-era theatre still retains an old-timey feel, with a box office fronted by a brass rail, comfortable seats (with lots of leg room!) and dark red tapestries on the walls.

Santa’s Village is a premiere New England attraction with many kudos to its name, including being named as one of the nation’s outstanding amusement parks. Visit Santa at his summer home in Jefferson, feed his reindeer, enjoy unlimited rides on dozens of attractions, cool off at the Ho Ho H2O Water Park, watch live performances and much more at this top-rated park.

Can you say mush? At Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel, visitors can experience an exhilarating sled dog ride across the snow-covered landscape during the winter months and rolling sled dog rides in the summer. Muddy Paw also runs Raft NH, and many visitors opt for the Paws & Paddle package, a combo adventure that includes whitewater rafting and a rolling dog sled ride.

COLEBROOK, STEWARTSTOWN & PITTSBURG

Colebrook has embraced a lively arts scene centered on the Tillotson Center for the Arts, which includes a 175-seat performance and movie theatre, a community heritage museum and an art gallery. Formerly the Carriage Barn for The Balsams hotel stagecoach, and subsequently a Grange Hall with a theater and dance floor, the Center is now a magnet for cultural activities in the northernmost region of the state.

The Great North Woods Center for the Arts promotes musical, cultural and performing arts in northern New Hampshire in its indoor and outdoor performance spaces.

Quality hand-crafted items, including jewelry, pottery, home and garden, and wood products, can be found at Fiddleheads. The Colebrook shop specializes in U. S.- and Canadian-made products, along with Fair Trade items. The on-site art gallery promotes the talents of the more than 50 artists of the Connecticut River Artisan Group, whose members hail from New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and Canada.

The Poore Farm Historic Homestead and Museum is the last remaining, original 100-acre farm settlement of its kind in northern New Hampshire. The Stewartstown museum portrays one family’s life from the 1830s to the 1980s, including the house, barns and outbuildings, all in authentic condition. Displays include clothing, artifacts, newspapers, magazines, diaries and letters, hand tools, horse drawn wagons, farm implements, and a large collection of everyday items common to the period. The Museum and grounds host a variety of cultural events, demonstrations, field trips, concerts and social gatherings.

More than 1,000 miles of riding await ATVers on northern New Hampshire interconnected trail system that spans the northern region of the state. Bring your own machine or rent one from Bear Rock Adventures in Pittsburg, with its diverse fleet of 2-, 4- and 6-seat side-by-sides and ATVs. Take a self-guided tour or let an experienced tour guide lead the way.

Check into Tall Timber Lodge or the Cabins at Lopstick for a relaxing vacation or use the Pittsburg resorts as the base for your hunting or fishing adventures. Tall Timber Lodge has experienced fly fishing and bird hunting guides and hosts fly fishing schools each year. Lopstick is an ORVIS-endorsed outfitter and offers fly fishing guide service, casting lessons and upland hunting service.

BERLIN

The 500-seat St. Kieran Community Center for the Arts, is notable both for its architecture and its terrific performing arts series. Located in a former church, St. Kieran’s is on the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places. Built in 1895 in the baroque architectural style, it includes a central portal with a rose window and two elaborate stained glass accents. The Hook and Hastings pipe organ, donated in 1898, remains in excellent condition. The performing arts series takes place throughout the year, featuring local, regional and national acts.

Overlooking the city is the oft-photographed Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church at 20 Petrograd Street, with its six cross-topped domes and distinctive blue and white exterior. The interior includes Byzantine-style Icons, early 20th century oil paintings, framed imported prints and faux marble wainscoting.

History buffs will want to spend some time at the Berlin and Coos County Historical Society’s  Moffett House & Genealogy Center. The Center contains the largest library of genealogical material north of Manchester, N.H.

Another bit of Berlin history can be found in the Berlin Murals, adorning a wall of the former Brown Company Research Building on Main Street, just south of the Service Credit Union Heritage Park. Twenty-four windows are covered with paintings created by students from the Plymouth State University art department. The images depict scenes from Berlin’s history including the city’s paper industry, logging, ski jumping and hockey.

ELC Outdoors in nearby Errol offers single or multi-day recreational packages to get your adrenaline pumping. Choose from whitewater rafting trips, high ropes aerial adventures, wildlife tours and a raft and float plane combo trip.

GORHAM

The beautifully restored Medallion Opera House (in the same building as the Town Hall) is the heart of the town’s cultural activities, with a year-round schedule of performing arts.

Grab a cup of coffee and check out the rotating art exhibits at the White Mountain Cafe & Bookstore . The bookstore carries a nice selection of books by local and regional authors, White Mountains maps and guides, and children’s books and toys.

Drive yourself or take a guided tour in a comfortable van up the Mt. Washington Auto Road to the top of Mt. Washington, the Northeast’s highest peak. Be prepared for jaw-dropping vistas, have your photograph taken on the craggy summit (6,288 feet), tour the historic stone Tip Top house, and visit the Mount Washington Observatory’s interactive Extreme Mt. Washington Museum.

Once you’ve conquered the summit, consider extending your stay and taking a guided tour of the paddling variety at Great Glen Trails, at the base of the Mt. Washington Auto Road. Enjoy a guided kayak trip along the scenic lakes and rivers of northern New Hampshire. Or rent a bike at Great Glen Trails and peddle along well-marked carriage trails through beautiful meadows and along scenic rivers, with dramatic mountain views at every turn.

It’s always exciting to spot a moose or two along the roadway. Let a knowledgeable guide take you on a tour to some favorite moose spots in the Androscoggin Valley by booking a seat on the Gorham Moose Tours. Along with moose, you might also spot deer, eagles, osprey, bears and raccoons.

The Gorham to Whitefield Presidential Rail Trail follows an abandoned Boston and Maine Rail Line and is chock full of beautiful mountain views and wildlife. The 18-mile, mostly flat trail, is open for biking and hiking (in winter, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and mushing).

Guided tours, group rides and ATV rentals are available at White Mt. ATV Rental, located at the southeast entrance to Jericho Mountain State Park, with access to over 1,000 miles of ATV trails in the Ride the Wilds trail system.

Find Your Home Base in New Hampshire’s Winter Wonderland

Yes, we know it’s cold outside and you just want to snuggle in for the duration. But really, there’s no good reason to stay home this winter when you could be out exploring a region of the state defined by its gorgeous scenery, outstanding outdoor attractions, and the amazing hospitality offered by its many lodging establishments. The crisp mountain air and breathtaking snow-covered peaks will clear your mind and invigorate your spirit. Plan a weekend away for skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, fat biking, tubing, ice fishing, dog sledding or just plain relaxing in Winter Wonderland’s playground. Learn more about the region’s many winter attractions at www.nhgrand.com.

After a day outdoors, you’ll want to return to your room or cabin for some down time, and the region boasts fine accommodations, from two Grand Hotels to a couple of family owned inns and everything in between, including pet friendly options. Here are a few to consider as you make your plans for your snow season getaway. Many offer special winter packages to enhance your enjoyment.

Pittsburg

Guests have flocked to Tall Timber Lodge on the north shore of Back Lake since 1946, attracted by the comfortable accommodations and exceptional amenities. Explore the region’s many trails on your snowmobile — bring your own or rent one at the Lodge — or get out on cross-country skis or snowshoes. After a day on the trails, pull up a seat at the Lodge’s award-winning Rainbow Grille & Tavern and enjoy a cocktail and delicious meal.

The Cabins at Lopstick  makes an excellent base from which to explore Pittsburg. With 57 fully-equipped cabins overlooking First Connecticut Lake, we think you’ll agree that the views of the lake and the surrounding mountains are awe-inspiring. Park your snowmobile right outside your door, or rent one, including winter gear, onsite. Want to try your hand at ice-fishing? Lopstick is perfectly situated to take advantage of this traditional winter activity; drop your line in Lake Francis or one of the three Connecticut Lakes and (hopefully) snag a big one!

Eight comfortable cabins with names like Loon, Moose, Otters Cove and Last Frontier await guests at Partridge Cabins on First Connecticut Lake. Fully stocked kitchens, satellite TV, glassed-in porches, decks and other amenities give the Partridge Cabins a home-away-from-home feel. And the cabins are centrally located to the vast Pittsburg snowmobile trail system.

Colebrook

Snowmobilers have direct access to Corridor 18 and over 4,000 miles of groomed trails from the Colebrook Country Club & Hotel. Unload your sled in the enormous parking lot and drive it right up to your room. After a day riding the trails, head to the onsite lounge for a pre-dinner cocktail, a game of billiards or darts, or catch the latest game on the big screen TV.

Shelburne

Guests can snowmobile right from the parking lot at the Town & Country Inn and Resort. If your pleasure is skiing, snowboarding or tubing, major ski areas like Wildcat, Bretton Woods and Sunday River are a short drive away. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and a kids’ tubing hill are nearby at Great Glen Trails. The family-owned T&C boasts innumerable amenities, including the dining room, which serves breakfast and dinner daily, lounge, indoor heated pool, sauna, health club, Jacuzzi and more.

Berlin

Enjoy a unique kind of stay at the Berlin Trails Farm & Inn. Accommodations are in a five-room cabin-style suite that sleeps up to 8 people and has a kitchen stocked with local breakfast foods like farm fresh eggs and yogurt made from the farm’s goats.

Gorham

A hearty breakfast and dinner are included in most packages when you stay at the Joe Dodge Lodge at the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Pinkham Notch Visitor Center. Accommodations include private rooms and bunk-rooms with a hall bath. Best of all, innumerable hiking trails are available right from the door, and snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and mountain biking trails are nearby. Guests will want to take advantage of the AMC’s free walk-on programs, like guided day hikes and evening talks on a variety of subjects. The property even has an Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station. During the winter months, AMC presents its International Dinner and Adventure Series, including international cuisine and a program on that’s week’s featured country.

A great home base while you explore the region’s attractions, the Mt. Madison Inn & Suites has a variety of accommodations, including rooms with double, queen and king beds and family suites. A few rooms are pet-friendly. Relax in your room after your day’s adventures or enjoy the heated outdoor pool, eight-person sauna, fire pit and pool-side gas grills.

Clean, modern rooms with all the amenities distinguish the Top Notch Inn. Book a comfortable room in the inn itself, with its lovely mountain views, pool, hot tub and a courtyard filled with colorful flowers. For those who need more space, opt for the 100-year-old Pinkham House that sleeps up to 10 guests and has a full-sized kitchen, living room and dining room, or the Mt. Moriah Cottage, a luxury vacation home with five guest bedrooms and a fully stocked kitchen.

Hub North bills itself as “Offbeat Accommodations for Individuals, Groups and Events,” and includes lodge rooms (year-round), yurts and tents (summer), and a private house (opening this winter), along with hiking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing right from the property and connecting with the extensive trail system in Moose Brook State Park, and offering beautiful views of the nearby mountain range.

Whitefield

A New Hampshire Grand Hotel, the Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa has been delighting guests for more than 150 years with top-notch accommodations, impeccable hospitality and outstanding amenities like the Tower Spa, indoor pool, Health & Wellness Center, and several dining options. And a couple of minutes gazing at the amazing panoramic views of the mountain peaks from which the hotel takes its name will put you in a relaxed frame of mind in no time! Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, tubing and sledding, and dog sled tours are available onsite, and both Bretton Woods and Cannon Mountain ski areas are close by. Littleton and Bethlehem offer eclectic shopping experiences.

Bretton Woods

One of New Hampshire’s Grand Hotels and a National Historic Landmark, The Omni Mount Washington Hotel & Resort is known for its outstanding hospitality, exceptional accommodations, elegant public spaces, signature spa, and selection of dining experiences, with the stunning snow-capped Mount Washington and several other high peaks as its backdrop. During February and March, bundle up and step into a winter wonderland of outdoor activities, like romantic sleigh rides, ice skating and snow tubing. Cross country skiers will love the 100 km’s of groomed trails at the Bretton Woods Nordic Center that include classic and skate skiing options, along with snowshoeing. Alpine skiing and snowboarding are available at the Bretton Woods Adventure Center, just across the road. For a real adrenaline rush, give the winter Canopy Tour a try!

The Highland Center is the Appalachian Mountain Club’s outdoor education center and handsome four-season lodge at the head of Crawford Notch. Many visitor options are available, from private rooms with private baths to lodge bunkrooms with shared baths. The Highland Center serves breakfast, lunch and dinner for lodge guests, through hikers, outdoor recreationalists and members of the public. A wide variety of outdoor activities and programs for adults and children are scheduled each week, including Daily Outdoor Exploration programs, Guided Adventures, and evening programs. Cross-country ski from the lodge to the Bretton Woods Nordic Trails or drive five minutes to the Bretton Woods Ski Area for downhill skiing. Kids will enjoy climbing on the Highland Center Playscape, an outdoor mountain playground. Kick back in front of the huge fireplace in the great room to warm up after a day outdoors.

Twin Mountain

Three generations of the Carlson family have welcomed visitors to Carlson’s Lodge since it first opened more than 40 years ago, and many visitors are also third generation families who return time and time again to enjoy the lodge’s friendly hospitality and cozy atmosphere that includes comfortably furnished rooms, along with a couple of suites and rooms with efficiency kitchenettes. Breakfast is included. Snuggle up in front of the fireplace in the spacious living room, or gather friends for ping pong or pool in the game room at the end of the day. Carlson’s has direct access from its driveway to the town’s snowmobile trails, and is located in close proximity to Bretton Woods, Cannon Mountain, and Franconia Notch for plenty of winter activities.

The Four Seasons Motor Inn offers comfortable non-smoking rooms, with cable television, free Wi-Fi and complimentary morning coffee. Kids will like the indoor game room with board and video games. The Four Seasons is conveniently located to take advantage of the area’s many attractions like winter hiking and downhill and cross-county skiing. Snowmobiling guests have direct access to trails.

Johnson’s Motel and Cottages is pet friendly, so if you can’t bear to leave little Trixie home, bring her along. Several lodging options are available, from one- and two-bedroom cottages, to motel rooms, and a large five-bedroom house. Johnson’s welcomes skiers and snowmobilers and has direct trail access. Snowmobile rentals are available nearby.

Stay at the Twin Mountain Cottages in one of the clean and comfortable kitchenette cottages or bunk in the hostel that can sleep 12. All have beautiful views of the mountains of the Presidential Range, and snowmobiling, snowshoeing and skiing are right on the doorstep. Amenities include an indoor game room with pool table, ping pong table, air hockey, foosball, board games and more, along with a small gym area and a two-person sauna. Snowshoes, skis, snowboards and boots are available to rent. The property is pet friendly.

You could rent one of the seven rooms/suites at the Allegory Inn, or the entire building, making it the perfect weekend ski house for you and a group of friends. The inn, which sleeps 14 and has several comfortable family rooms and a kitchenette, is located just minutes from the Bretton Woods Ski Area and a short drive to Cannon Mountain, and also has direct access to Twin Mountain’s snowmobile trails.

Littleton

The historic Beal House Inn & Restaurant has six charmingly furnished guest rooms and its location right on West Main Street makes it an easy stroll to downtown attractions, or a short drive to nearby ski areas, and hiking and fat biking trails. The inn’s tavern is open to the public and serves classic American fare and a number of nightly specials.

Thayers Inn has been welcoming guests since 1850. Accommodations include rooms for two people, family suites for up to four people and four-person kitchenettes. The cupola atop the hotel commands great views of downtown and the surrounding mountains.

Bethlehem

You’ll be enveloped in romantic and luxurious accommodations at the Adair Country Inn and Restaurant, where the spacious rooms feature feather beds, beautifully appointed furnishings and exceptional views of the handsome grounds and surrounding mountains. New England-style cuisine is served in the intimate dining room or enjoy cocktails and appetizers in the library bar.

During its history, the Mulburn Inn has hosted notables like Thomas Edison, honeymooners Cary Grant and Barbara Hutton, Joe DiMaggio, Marilyn Monroe and members of the Rockefeller family. The inn’s seven bedrooms have private baths, some with original fixtures dating to the early 20th century. Spacious lounges on the first floor will have you longing to curl up with a good book and a pot of tea, or gather round for games and fireside chats.

Situated on the banks of Ammonoosuc River, the 180-year-old Wayside Inn exudes all the charm you’d expect to find at a comfortable country B&B. The 14 rooms in the main house are traditionally furnished with country pieces and handsome quilts. The 12 annex rooms have small balconies and are pet friendly. Casual comfort food tops the menu in the river-view restaurant.

Randy & Brad at St. Kieran Arts

Randy & Brad played their first show together when they were 11 years old and in the 5th grade Talent Show. They played “5 Foot Two” and “Bye Bye Blackbird” with Randy on Sax and Brad on Snare Drum. They won the Talent Show and have been playing in bands together ever since. From the first “horn band” in NH in 1967 called “Train,” then on to the nationally recognized recording act “Oak,” to today’s current “The Voice,” together since 1989.

Now Randy & Brad have chosen to also perform as a Duo playing a wide variety of songs from artists as varied as Elton John, Supertramp, Doobie Brothers, Billy Joel, and Jethro Tull to dance hits by Michael Jackson, Wild Cherry, Earth, Wind and Fire, and the O’Jays to current hits by Bruno Mars and Walking the Moon to real oldies from the 60’s by The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Rasberries, Badfinger, The Foundations, Moody Blues and going even further back to Glenn Miller and Louis Armstrong. Rock, Oldies, Disco, Soul, Contemporary and Country. Randy & Brad can do it all.

Tickets: $15 all seats

Bretton Woods Nordic Marathon

The Bretton Woods Nordic Center at the Omni Mount Washington Resort is home to such classic events as the Mount Washington Cup and the Geschmossel; the longest running citizen’s Nordic race in New Hampshire. We invite all Nordic skiers to be part of an epic, classic technique event to benefit the New England Ski Museum.

Staged between the historic Mount Washington Hotel and majestic Mount Washington, the New England Ski Museum’s Bretton Woods Nordic Marathon at Omni Mount Washington Resort has quickly become a North Country winter tradition. This 42-kilometer, classic-format, cross-country ski race showcases one of the largest Nordic systems in the northeast. In the tracks of the famed 1982 US National Championships and such legends as Bill Koch and Tim Caldwell, this race is steeped in history and Nordic skiing tradition. The course layout provides a challenge to experienced racers while making use of terrain that is accessible and enjoyable for skiers of all abilities.

Past winners include Olympians Justin Freeman (2010, 2011) and Dorcas Wonsavge (2009, 2010) and top collegiate racers. Participants range in age from 11 to 83, with a two lap course and rest stations. The Bretton Woods Nordic Marathon is a great event for recreational and competitive skiers alike; there is also an option to ski on an untimed basis.

More info: https://www.brettonwoods.com/Winter_Sports/Nordic/marathon

46th Annual Mount Washington Cup Nordic Race

Join us for this the Sapphire Anniversary of our annual 10k Freestyle (skate ski) Race, which is part of the ZAK Cup Series. Located on the grounds of the historic Omni Mount Washington Resort and the White Mountain National Forest, the Bretton Woods Nordic Center is one of the largest cross country areas in the East. The 100-km trail network crosses open fields, meanders through woods of spruce and fir, passes beaver ponds and mountain streams, and traverses open hardwood stands.

Please call the Bretton Woods Nordic Center at 603.278.3322 for more information. To register online, please visit www.skireg.com/46th-annual-mt-washington-cup-skate-race
by March 6th, 2020.

Evening Snowshoe Tours at Bretton Woods

The Bretton Woods Nordic Center invites snowshoe enthusiasts to enjoy one of our special guided tours during the 2019-20 Season. On these tours, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Presidential Mountains and discover new corners of our winter wonderland.

Please contact the Nordic Center at 603.278.3322 to make your reservation or for more information. You can also visit us online at Brettonwoods.com.

4th Annual “Railway to the Moon” Steampunk Festival – Mt. Washington Cog Railway

Step back in time with a twist into the future with the Railway to the Moon Steampunk Festival.

Immerse yourself for a day in the world of steam power, antique bicycles and the inventive spirit where the creative mind reigns!

This is a free event with special vendors, educational sessions and performances throughout the day, with a separate (optional) paid Steam Trip Rides throughout the day.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, rain or shine. FREE EVENT!!!

www.railwaytothemoon.com — Official website

150th Anniversary Celebration of Mt. Washington Cog Railway

Join us for a celebration of the Mount Washington Cog Railway and its history of 150 years of operations. With special presentations about the railroad history, food, drinks and a fireworks show to WOW, it’s sure to be a celebration for the ages!

This is a special ticketed event. The cost for the event has not been released yet, and tickets will be released on a certain day at a certain time. Please stay tuned to thecog.com and the Mount Washington Cog Railway on Facebook for information about ticket purchases and more. Availability is extremely limited.