Cornish, New Hampshire travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Cornish is a town of 1,600 people (2017) on the Connecticut River in New Hampshire. It includes the villages of Cornish Flat and Cornish Mills. Cornish is a scenic town with three covered bridges that is known as a summer retreat for artists and writers.

3 sights

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Best things about Cornish

Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge

The longest wooden covered bridge in the US, built in 1866.

Trustees of the Saint-Gaudens Memorial

A non-profit partner of the Park Service for this project. Their web site gives additional depth, background and research resources for visitors.

Chase House Inn

A National Historic Landmark and birthplace of Salmon P. Chase. This inn is now a private residence, not an operating B&B.

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 83°F; winter lows dip to about 13°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jul and Oct. (climate data from nearby Hanover)

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 — 12 mi away. Directions
RUT Rutland - Southern Vermont Regional Airport, Rutland — 29 mi away. Directions
ALB Albany International Airport, Albany — 88 mi away (major hub). Directions

Cornish is near Interstates 89 and 91. From Interstate 89 take Exit 20 (West Lebanon) and travel south on Route 12A. From Interstate 91 take Exit 8 (Ascutney, Vermont), cross the Connecticut River and travel north on Route 12A.

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 Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge, Trustees of the Saint-Gaudens Memorial
Afternoon Chase House Inn

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 plane

Lebanon Municipal Airport, in Lebanon.

By car

See

Saint Gaudens National Historic Site

Saint Gaudens National Historic Site, 139 Saint-Gaudens Road, Phone: +1 603 675-2175, Fax: +1 603 675-2701, . Late May–October, 9AM-4:30PM. Over age 16 $5 for seven days. National Park Pass admits holder and family.

Features the home, studios and gardens of the great American sculptor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848-1907). The only National Park site in New Hampshire, it is one of only two in the National Park System dedicated to a visual artist. Six historic buildings are open to the public and over 100 of Saint-Gaudens' artworks are on exhibit in lovely formal gardens. Explore over two miles of nature trails or take sculpture classes given by a sculptor-in-residence. Summer concerts are also presented. A "junior ranger" program is available.

Exhibits: Six buildings are open to the public -- three galleries with Saint-Gaudens' artwork, a studio for the sculptor-in-residence interpretive program, a stable building with antique carriages, and "Aspet," the 18th century furnished house of Augustus Saint-Gaudens (Aspet is closed in 2006).
Tours are offered daily at the park, except for Sunday afternoons in July and August:
Art tour: (55 minutes). 11AM, 2PM. A guided tour of the galleries and grounds of the park. A great way to learn about Saint-Gaudens' art and his life in Cornish.
Saint-Gaudens' Studio: (20 minutes). 10:30AM, 3:30PM. Learn about the design of the sculptor's studio, how it functioned, and how he created some of his important works like the statues of President Lincoln
Nature Walk: Sundays during July & August: noon; Thursdays all season: 1PM. Explore the Ravine Trail with a park naturalist to learn about the plants and animals of the area and the invasive plants that threaten the park.
Curator's Choice Tour: Tu 1PM. Join the site curator for a special look at a selected art work.
Sculptor's tour: W F 1PM. Join the sculptor-in-residence for a look at the art from a sculptor's viewpoint.
Films: An excellent orientation to the site is the film Augustus Saint-Gaudens: An American Original (28 minutes), shown in the visitor center. Other films are also shown during the day, or upon request include: Wax Blood, Bronze Skin, explaining how bronze sculptures are cast; and The Medal Maker, explains the process of medallic art.
Hiking Trails: Ravine Trail, about 1/4 mile, and Blow-Me-Down Trail, approximately 2.5 miles.