Mount Washington
Time Needed: half-day
Experience Type: historic landmark, innovation
Mount Washington, the Northeast’s tallest peak, is renowned for 360-degree views and extreme weather, including a record-setting surface wind. Reach the summit via the historic cog railway or drive the Mount Washington Auto Road, America’s oldest man-made tourist attraction.
MUST-DO CHECKLIST
- Ride the Mount Washington Cog Railway – Ascend Mount Washington aboard the historic cog railway, climbing 6,288 feet in 45 minutes while enjoying spectacular far-reaching views.
- Tour the Mount Washington Observatory Weather Station – Go behind the scenes at the summit, meet meteorologists, and see instruments that capture extreme weather conditions.
- Drive the Mount Washington Auto Road – Travel to the summit by car or guided tour, navigating hairpin turns and enjoying close-up views of the mountain’s rugged terrain.
- Visit the Weather Discovery Center – In North Conway, meet a live scientist at the summit via video chat and engage with hands-on weather science activities for all ages.
- Take the SnowCoach – In winter, ride a tracked SnowCoach up the snow-covered Auto Road to the tree line, safely reveling in stunning views of Mount Washington’s winter landscape.
Recommended Reading: The Mount Washington Cog Railway recounts the unlikely creation of this mountain railway and the inventor behind it. It’s a must-read for anyone eager to learn how this ambitious climb became one of New Hampshire’s most enduring icons.
Photo Credit: David Trinks/Unsplash