We recently paid a visit to Mount Washington for a unique New England getaway. Mount Washington State Park is perched on the summit of the Northeast’s highest peak and surrounded by the 750,000-acre White Mountain National Forest. On a clear day, views from the 6,288-foot summit as far as 130 miles to Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Maine, Quebec, and the Atlantic Ocean. The mountain is home to some of the most extreme weather in the world, and the record for highest measured land-based windspeed was recorded here in 1934 (231 mph).
Getting There
Hike – There are at least 15 trails up the mountain, including the Appalachian Trail which cuts across the mountain. The most popular route is a path known as Tuckerman’s— surrounding trailheads include Pinkham Notch, Crawford Notch, and the Cog Railway base station.
Mount Washington Auto Road – You can drive to the summit on the Mount Washington Auto Road. The trip to the top takes about half an hour on the 8-mile road. There is a fee per passenger that includes a bumper sticker and an audio CD.
Driving Tips: The auto road is very manageable and wide enough for two cars. If you don’t like narrow roads without guard rails, you might want to sit in the passenger seat. On both the way up and down there are plenty of turnouts if the cars in front of you are going too slow and causing you to brake excessively. Take your time and enjoy the experience.
Mount Washington Cog Railway – The Cog Railway is the world’s first (1869) mountain climbing cog railway and is still under operation today. The round trip takes three hours with a twenty-minute stop at the summit. The train runs from late April to late November (check the website for details). These trips sell out quickly, especially if you want to journey up the mountain in the steam-powered locomotive.
Things to Do
Start your visit at the top of the mountain at the Sherman Adams Visitors Center. The first floor of the center has the Mount Washington Observatory Information Desk, cafeteria, restrooms, and gift shop. The lower level is dedicated to the museum and a second gift shop and entry is included with an Auto Road ticket.
Mount Washington Observatory & Museum
The Mount Washington Observatory started tracking wind speed in 1932. Besides being an active weather station, the observatory is a research center and runs outreach programs for visitors. At a minimum, we suggest visiting the museum on the lower level of the visitor’s center. The exhibits and interactive displays give you an excellent understanding of the responsibilities and challenges of working at the weather station while showing you the extreme weather that occurs on the mountain.
Insider Tip: Most people are not aware that you can take a tour of the weather station with a scientist and learn what it takes to live and work at 6,288 feet. We strongly suggest you book in advance; you can also ask about availability at the observatory’s information desk on the first floor of the visitor’s center.
Second Location: The Mount Washington Observatory Weather operates a second location in downtown North Conway, NH. The Discovery Center is an interactive science museum focused on the science behind weather and is great for children of all ages.
Tip Top House
The only original structure on Mountain Washington, the historic Tip Top House is located adjacent to the summit building and is open for self-guided tours. Today the building operates as a landmark, but originally it operated as a hotel, dining room, barroom and parlor for guests.
Bonus: Stay at the Omni Mount Washington Resort, this destination hotel provides amazing hotels of Mount Washington. Visit Bretton Woods, NH’s largest Ski area four seasons of family fun available, including summer activities.
Mount Washington State Park
1598 Mt Washington Auto Road
Sargent’s Purchase, NH
