Historic Inns of New Hampshire

New Hampshire has been putting up travelers for a long time. A public house for travelers crossing the mountain passes went up in North Conway in the 1780s, painters of the White Mountain School came north in the 19th century, and family lake resorts have been welcoming summer guests for more than a century. Some of those buildings are still taking guests. This guide covers historic inns in NH from our directory, from a colonial-era public house in the Mount Washington Valley to Victorian-era rooms a short walk from Portsmouth's waterfront.

Inclusion here is editorial. None of these properties sponsors or endorses this site. Rates, policies and seasonal openings change, so confirm details directly with each inn before you book.

What counts as a historic inn

There is no single definition. For this guide, we looked for places where the history is more than a word in the marketing: a building with a documented construction date, a property that has stayed in the same family for generations, or an inn in a historic neighborhood that has kept its original house. In every case we relied on what each property says about itself and on public sources, which are listed at the end.

Staying in an old building is a trade-off worth understanding before you book:

• Rooms vary. Older houses rarely have identical rooms. Ask about the specific room, its size and its bathroom.
• Stairs are common. Many historic inns have upper floors without elevators. If that matters, ask before you book.
• Sound travels. Wide-plank floors and old walls have character, and they also carry noise.
• The payoff is real. Hand-hewn beams, fireplaces, porches and views that painters made famous are hard to find in a new hotel.

The 1785 Inn, North Conway

The 1785 Inn sits on the White Mountain Highway in North Conway, a year-round resort village in the Mount Washington Valley. The inn says its foundation was laid in 1783 by Captain Elijah Dinsmore of the New Hampshire Rangers, who was granted the land for his service in the American Revolution. He built what was originally known as Idlewild, a "publik house" for travelers heading through the mountain passes.

The inn points out that its hand-hewn beams, corner posts and original brick oven are not reproductions. It also sits at the spot popularized by the White Mountain School of Art in the 19th century, and the view from its lawn is, in the inn's words, one of the most painted landscapes in American history. Frommer's ranked it among the top 15 hotel views in the world, according to the inn.

The current website describes the property as offering exclusive use of the inn, so check how bookings work before you plan. North Conway itself is close to Cathedral Ledge, Echo Lake State Park and Cranmore Mountain Resort. In summer, the inn notes that the Saco River's sandy beaches are within reach, and in winter, guests can cross-country ski from the door on the inn's own trail.

Blue Bear Inn on Crotched Mountain, Francestown

Francestown is a small town in Hillsborough County with 1,610 residents at the 2020 census. On the slopes of Crotched Mountain, the Blue Bear Inn on Crotched Mountain says it was built in 1822 and blends New England character with modern amenities. The property covers 54 acres, with private trails for hiking or snowshoeing, indoor fireplaces and an outdoor fire pit.

The inn's tavern, formerly known as Winslow Tavern and Restaurant, serves comfort food with a full bar. Crotched Mountain Ski and Ride is nearby, which makes the inn a winter base as much as a summer one. The mountain's 2,063-foot summit is in Francestown, and the ski area occupies its northern slopes. A bit of trivia for the drive: Crotched Mountain was the site of the world's first wind farm, when 20 turbines went up on its shoulder in 1980.

The inn notes it is about 45 minutes from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport and about an hour and a half from Boston.

Purity Spring Resort, Madison

Madison is a Carroll County town between the White Mountains and the Lakes Region. Purity Spring Resort is a different kind of historic stay: not a single old house, but a family resort that says it has been providing family vacations for 110 years. It describes itself as a Hoyt family business, and its own history page traces the story from settlers in the 1700s to skiers today.

The resort is built around Purity Lake, and its activities follow the seasons. Summer means swimming beaches, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding and waterskiing. Winter brings snowsports at King Pine, which is part of the same resort, and the resort lists 20 kilometers of snowshoeing trails. Lodging ranges across condos, cottages and rooms. For a family that wants history without fragility, this is the pick.

Hotel Portsmouth

Portsmouth is a historic seaport on the Piscataqua River, and its Strawbery Banke neighborhood is the oldest in New Hampshire to be settled by Europeans. Strawbery Banke Museum preserves more than 37 restored buildings built between the 17th and 19th centuries.

The Hotel Portsmouth describes itself as a lovingly updated Victorian-era mansion, with room types that include a Historic King. It is a good choice for travelers who want an older house with the polish of a boutique hotel and an easy walk to downtown shops and restaurants.

Martin Hill Inn, Portsmouth

On Islington Street, the Martin Hill Inn combines historic Portsmouth character with a modern, contactless approach. The inn says there is no traditional front desk; guests use self check-in and receive digital guest communication. Rooms are spread across a main house and a guest house, with garden spaces, complimentary parking and a location the inn describes as steps from downtown.

For travelers who like an old house but not small talk at check-in, this is a practical fit.

Planning a historic inn trip

A few combinations make for a good long weekend:

• Seacoast and history. Two nights in Portsmouth, with a morning at Strawbery Banke Museum and an evening downtown.
• Mountains and art. A stay in North Conway with time to look at the view that drew 19th-century painters, plus a hike or a drive to Cathedral Ledge.
• A quiet hill town. Francestown and Crotched Mountain for trails in summer and skiing in winter.
• The family lake week. Purity Spring in August, when the lake is warm and the days are long.

Booking tips:

• Book early for foliage. Small inns have few rooms, and fall weekends can fill well ahead.
• Read the policies. Small inns often have their own rules on minimum stays, pets and children.
• Call with questions. Older buildings are best understood by the people who run them.

FAQ

What is the oldest inn in this guide?

The 1785 Inn in North Conway, which says its foundation was laid in 1783 by Captain Elijah Dinsmore as a public house for travelers.

Are there historic inns in Portsmouth, NH?

Yes. The Hotel Portsmouth is in a Victorian-era mansion, and the Martin Hill Inn offers historic Portsmouth character a short walk from downtown.

Which historic inn is best for families?

Purity Spring Resort in Madison, a family-run lake resort with swimming, paddling, and skiing at King Pine.

Is there a historic inn near a ski area?

The Blue Bear Inn, built in 1822, is near Crotched Mountain Ski and Ride. Purity Spring Resort is home to King Pine.

Sources

• The 1785 Inn: https://www.the1785inn.com/
• North Conway, New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Conway,_New_Hampshire
• Blue Bear Inn on Crotched Mountain: https://bluebearinn.com/
• Francestown, New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francestown,_New_Hampshire
• Crotched Mountain, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crotched_Mountain
• Purity Spring Resort: https://www.purityspring.com/
• Madison, New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison,_New_Hampshire
• Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portsmouth,_New_Hampshire
• Strawbery Banke, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strawbery_Banke
• The Hotel Portsmouth: https://www.larkhotels.com/new-hampshire/portsmouth/the-hotel-portsmouth
• Martin Hill Inn: https://www.martinhillinn.com/