Overview
Bretton Woods is a city in New Hampshire. It is a village within the town of Carroll, NH and is mainly famous as the location of the Bretton Woods Conference in July 1944 that attempted to rebuild the international economic system as World War II appeared to be coming to an end. 730 delegates from 44 Allied nations gathered at the Mount Washington Hotel for the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference. The results of the three weeks of deliberations were, amongst others, the establishment of the IMF and the World Bank, and the establishment of the U.S. dollar as the global reserve currency.
2 things to do · 5 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Bretton Woods
The Mount Washington Cog Railway
Late Apr. - late Nov. 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. A special "ski train" runs during…
Bretton Woods Ski Resort
New Hampshire's largest ski area and home of Bode Miller. Sixty-six trails, two mountain peaks and eight chair lifts over 345 acres. Ability levels: 28% Novice, 44% Intermediate, 28% Advance/Expert. Alpine, night and cro…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jul–Aug. Summer highs reach about 55°F; winter lows dip to about -3°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Jul. (climate data from nearby Mount Washington State Park)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- LEB Lebanon Municipal Airport, Lebanon — 61 mi away. Directions
- PWM Portland International Jetport, Portland — 70 mi away (major hub). Directions
Take I-93 North through Franconia Notch to Exit 35, Route 3 North to Twin Mountain, NH. Take Route 302 East to Bretton Woods.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning The Mount Washington Cog Railway
- Afternoon Bretton Woods Ski Resort
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
- From Boston, MA and Manchester, NH
Take I-93 North through Franconia Notch to Exit 35, Route 3 North to Twin Mountain, NH. Take Route 302 East to Bretton Woods.
- From NH Seacoast/Portsmouth, NH
From I-95 or Route 101 or Route 4: exit onto Route 16N/Spaulding Turnpike to North Conway/Glen, NH. Follow Route 302W to Bretton Woods.
- From Portland, ME
Take Route 302 West to Bretton Woods.
Take I-95 North to Interstate 91 North to Interstate 93 South, Exit 40. Follow Route 302E to Bretton Woods.
Take Auto Route 10E to Auto Route 55 South to Interstate 91 South to I-93 South, Exit 40. Follow Route 302E to Bretton Woods.
- Estimated Driving Times
Boston, MA 2 1/2 hours, 165 miles (265 km). New York City 5 3/4 hours, 330 miles (531 km). Portland, ME 2 hours, 90 miles (145 km). Montreal 3 hours, 175 miles (282 km).
Do
Do Bretton Woods Ski Resort
New Hampshire's largest ski area and home of Bode Miller. Sixty-six trails, two mountain peaks and eight chair lifts over 345 acres. Ability levels: 28% Novice, 44% Intermediate, 28% Advance/Expert. Alpine, night and cross country skiing; snow tubing and a terrain park.
Sleep
Stay Townhomes at Bretton Woods
Stay The Lodge at Bretton Woods
Highland Lodge comfortable lodge featuring private and shared rooms, living room, library, dining room. Shapleigh Bunkhouse hostel-style accommodations with benefits of a Highland Center stay. Education and Information Center friendly staff, meeting rooms; a hub for AMC youth and adult education programs. Thayer Hall carriage house with exhibit and meeting space.
Nearby
Mount Washington State Park
Park · 10 listings · 7 mi away
White Mountain National Forest
Park · 26 listings · 11 mi away
Whitefield
City / town · 3 listings · 12 mi away
Bethlehem
City / town · 1 listings · 12 mi away
Jackson
City / town · 24 listings · 15 mi away
Franconia
City / town · 20 listings · 15 mi away
Gorham
City / town · 5 listings · 16 mi away
Glen
City / town · 5 listings · 16 mi away
My experience
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