Nestled in the heart of the Androscoggin Valley, Gorham is surrounded by the natural beauty of the White Mountains, NH. The town is a popular vacation destination for outdoor enthusiasts who come to enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities including hiking, biking and horseback riding. If you are up for a thrilling road adventure you can drive the Mount Washington Auto Road, or join a guided tour. Moose Brook State Park, the Presidential Rail Trail and the Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center all offer excellent hiking/biking trails through the mountainous terrain. Downtown Gorham has retained its small-town charm and visitors can soak up the atmosphere at Scoggins General Store and the Railroad Museum.
Mount Washington Auto Road
The Mount Washington Auto Road is probably the most exciting road trip you can take in the Eastern US. Amazingly, the road was built 160 years ago – a true engineering miracle back in the day. Although the Auto Road is just 7.6 miles long, it climbs 1,408 meters with an average gradient of 11.6%.
Driving to the summit of Mount Washington will reward you with wonderful views, bragging rights and a flashy bumper-sticker for your car. You do need to have nerves of steel to undertake the narrow road and nervous drivers are advised to join a guided tour instead. The road hosts several road races and mountain-biking events each year but cyclists are not permitted to use the road outside of an event day.
Mount Washington Auto Road, Mount Washington Auto Rd, Gorham, NH 03581, Phone: 603-466-3988
Moose Brook State Park
Located within the White Mountains region, the Moose Brook State Park was built by young men from the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. Using whatever they could find on site, these men built park facilities, trails, cabins and offices using local wood, stones and rock.
Today visitors can enjoy an area of outstanding natural beauty offering diverse outdoor activities. Here you can enjoy excellent fishing in the river which also has a beach/swimming area. Other activities include walking and hiking, mountain biking, bird watching and camping. There are around 59 campsites in various parts of the park where you can spend a night or two getting back to nature.
Moose Brook State Park, Moose Brook State Park, 30 Jimtown Rd, Gorham, NH 03581, Phone: 603-466-3860
Presidential Rail Trail
Outdoor enthusiasts will relish the opportunity to explore the beautiful Presidential Rail Trail which meanders for 18 miles from Airport Road at Whitefield to Lilac Lane in Gorham. The trail crosses some outstanding landscape and offers a very different view of Mount Washington and surrounds.
Each of the peaks in the mountain range is named for a US president and the trail offers excellent opportunities for wildlife spotting as you make your way. The gravel/grass trail is multi-use and is popular with hikers, bikers and horse-back riders. At the Gorham end of the trial you will find the Moose Brook State Park where you can set up camp and do some fishing.
Presidential Rail Trail, 2 State Route 2, Gorham, NH 03581
Gorham Historical Society and Railway Museum
The establishment of the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad, (which was later re-named the Grand Trunk Railway) in 1851 put the little settlement of Gorham firmly on the map.
Visitors from all over the East Coast and from Canada could now easily visit the remarkably scenic area, and tourism soon became an important source of revenue.
Today you can find out all about the pioneer days of the railway in North Hampshire when you visit the Railway Museum. The museum is housed in the original 1907 Gorham Station Building which was rescued and restored by the Gorham Historical Society. The museum contains a unique model railway constructed inside a boxcar and many other interesting exhibits.
Gorham Historical Society and Railway Museum, 25 Railroad Street, Gorham, NH 03581, Phone: 601-466-5338, website
Scoggins General Store
The epitome of an old-style general dealer, Scoggins General Store is located in an original historic building which dates back to the 1880’s. Today the store is a treasure-trove of interesting gifts and souvenirs and you can pick up just about anything from fudge to phone cases.
Dolls, angels and other figurines rub shoulders with moose-themed mugs, prints, books and more. Conveniently located on Main Street, the store is something of a downtown landmark and attracts visitors from near and far. On hot summer days you can pick up a cool drink or ice cream at the adjacent Scoggins Cool Shack.
Scoggins General Store, 133 Main St, Gorham, NH 03581, Phone: 603-466-5204
Town and Country Motor Inn Restaurant
Nestled in the heart of the scenic White Mountains, the Town and Country Motor Inn Restaurant Restaurant is open to the public for breakfast and dinner daily. The restaurant serves a great breakfast buffet which will set you up for a day of sight-seeing in the mountains.
The Dinner menu offers a choice of enticing appetizers including their signature Bacon-wrapped Scallops. These are followed by a selection of soups, salads, sandwiches and comfort-food favorites like Fish and Chips, Ribs or various pasta dishes. Carnivores can select their perfect steak while seafood enthusiasts will not be disappointed by their selection of fresh fish and seafood.
Town and Country Motor Inn Restaurant, 20 State Route 2, Gorham, NH 03581, Phone: 603-466-3315
