Museums and Galleries
White Mountains region is home to fine art and American history museums
6 listings
Bretton Woods, NH
Mount Washington Cog Railway
Off Route 302 603-278-5404This exciting railway ride up Mt. Washington also comes with museums at both ends of the trip
Not many train rides can boast museums at either end of the ride. When you travel up majestic Mt. Washington on the historic Cog Railway, the first mountain-climbing cog railway in the world, you begin at the Marshfield, NH Base Station, which houses the interactive (and free) Cog Railway Museum. Open year-round, the museum shows you how the railroad, celebrating its 152nd season, was built, with examples of technology from past eras, including steam engines. Up at the summit of Mt. Washington, you’ll have time to explore the Sherman Adams Visitor Center and rooftop observation deck as well as an interactive weather exhibit, “Extreme Mount Washington”. Adjacent to the center is the Tip Top House, an original summit hotel dating back to 1853 and now a museum. Trains run from late April through November.
Plymouth, NH
Museum of the White Mountains
34 Highland StreetThis museum, opened in February 2013 on the campus of Plymouth State University , has collections of art, photos, and objects that memorialize the nature and culture of the White Mountains region.
Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Closed Mondays, holidays, and on Tuesdays in the summer.
Gorham, NH
Gorham Historical Society and Rail Museum
25 Railroad Street 603-466-5338This museum is set in a rail station built in 1907. Exhibits feature railroad-related documents and artifacts, including a box car, steam locomotive and model railroad.
Hours: Open Memorial Day-Columbus Day, Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Admission: Donations are requested.
Franconia, NH
New England Ski Museum
Exit 34B, I-93/Franconia Notch Parkway 603-823-7177Exhibits feature antique ski equipment and vintage ski films. There is a museum shop. Admission is free. Hours: Call ahead for hours of operation. Information: newenglandskimuseum.org.
Sargent's Purchase, NH
Mount Washington Observatory and Summit
Mount Washington State Park Sherman Adams Visitor Center, 1598 Mt Washington Auto Road 603-466-3347The visitor will find displays about the weather on the mountain and the reasons for the severity of Mount Washington's meteorological conditions. The Weather Discovery Room helps visitors explore the weather phenomena of Mount Washington. There are exhibits on the geological history of the Presidential Range and the effects of continental ice sheets.
The "Extreme Mount Washington" exhibit delivers the science and excitement of a Mount Washington through high-tech, hands-on exhibits. The Extreme Mount Washington exhibit is in the Mount Washington State Park Sherman Adams Visitor Center. The summit is accessible mid-May to mid-October by car, Cog Railway), and hiking trails.
Hours: May to mid-October, daily, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., weather permitting.
North Conway, NH
Mount Washington Valley Children’s Museum
2936 White Mountain Highway 603-356-2992Young visitors to the Mount Washington Valley Children’s Museum may put on a puppet show or get dressed up in costumes in the Drama Center; climb the indoor Tree House or learn from the History Tree; build their own creations in the Lego room or doll house room; play in the Infant Toddler room; explore outer space in the new Glow in the Dark and Outer Space Exhibit. For infant through age 10. Hours: September 1-June 30, Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Closed for all major storms. Admission: $5; children under age 1 admitted free.