Jackson and Bartlett Inns: A Lodging Guide

Jackson and Bartlett sit side by side in the Mount Washington Valley, and together they cover nearly every style of White Mountains stay. Jackson is the storybook village: a red covered bridge, a waterfall in the middle of town, and a cluster of historic inns that have welcomed travelers since the 1800s. Bartlett, just to the south and west, leans toward families and skiers, with condo resorts near Attitash and quick access to Story Land and North Conway. This guide to Jackson NH inns and nearby Bartlett lodging explains how the two towns differ and highlights six properties from our directory to compare.

Jackson vs. Bartlett: which base is right for you?

Jackson is a small town in Carroll County, with a population of 1,028 at the 2020 census. It is a resort area in the heart of the White Mountains. It is best known for its red covered bridge, the Honeymoon Bridge, built in 1876 and one of the most photographed in the state, and for Jackson Falls. The Ellis River and its tributary Wildcat Brook run through town. In winter, the Jackson XC trail network offers about 100 kilometers of cross-country skiing, and Wildcat Mountain is nearby for alpine skiing.

Choose Jackson for a romantic weekend, a quiet getaway, or a stay where you can walk to dinner in a historic village.

Bartlett is a larger town of 3,200 at the 2020 census, set in the White Mountains and surrounded by the national forest. It includes the village of Glen and parts of Kearsarge and Intervale. Bartlett is home to Attitash Mountain Resort, a ski area on U.S. Route 302 that was originally constructed in 1938 by the Works Progress Administration, and to the Story Land theme park in Glen.

Choose Bartlett for a family trip, a ski week, or a stay where a kitchen and a pool matter more than a candlelit dining room.

A little history

Jackson's inn tradition runs deep. Artists of the White Mountain School began arriving in 1847 to paint the scenery, and others soon followed. In 1869 the Thorn Mountain House opened, and during the 1880s it evolved into Wentworth Hall. Railroad service to nearby Glen station in the early 1870s brought more tourists and more hotels. By the 1920s, 40 trains a day delivered passengers to Jackson. Some of the grand old hotels later closed as automobiles changed travel habits, but the village kept its appeal, and several historic properties still welcome guests today.

Jackson inns

The Wentworth

The Wentworth sits in Jackson Village at the start of Carter Notch Road and is the modern descendant of the 19th-century resort that grew out of the Thorn Mountain House. The inn offers 61 rooms across its main inn rooms, cottages, spa suites and vacation rentals. Dining includes the 1869 Room and Alpine, a tavern the inn says has the Mount Washington Valley's largest collection of bourbons and whiskeys. Cross-country skiing, golf and hiking are close at hand, and the inn also hosts weddings and retreats.

Best for: travelers who want a classic grand-inn feel with a restaurant on site.

The Inn at Thorn Hill & Spa

The Inn at Thorn Hill is an adults-only resort in Jackson village, surrounded by views of the Presidential Range. Accommodations include suites, rooms, cottages and the Carriage House, and the inn has a spa and intimate dining spaces, including a wine cellar.

Best for: couples, anniversaries, and anyone who wants a quiet, kid-free getaway.

Inn at Ellis River

Inn at Ellis River is a bed and breakfast set alongside the river at the edge of Jackson village. Its rooms are named for White Mountains waterfalls and come in several styles, including fireplace rooms, jetted-tub rooms, a suite and a riverside cottage. The inn also offers whole-house rentals for groups and hosts small weddings and retreats.

Best for: a romantic B&B stay within easy reach of the village.

Nordic Village Resort

Nordic Village Resort in Jackson offers a range of units, from chateau rooms and studios to one- and two-bedroom units and penthouses, many oriented for privacy and views of the Mount Washington Valley. Amenities include three outdoor pool and hot tub areas, an indoor pool and hot tub, hiking trails, a fitness center, a playground and tennis. The resort welcomes pets.

Best for: families and groups who want resort amenities with a Jackson address.

Bartlett lodging

The Seasons Resort

The Seasons Resort is a condominium resort at the base of Attitash Mountain, less than a mile from the ski area and just west of North Conway. Units include two-bedroom townhouses and penthouses available nightly or weekly. The clubhouse has an indoor heated pool, a Jacuzzi and a dry sauna, plus a game room with pool tables, air hockey, foosball and ping pong.

Best for: families who want space, a kitchen and indoor fun for rainy days.

Attitash Village

Attitash Village in Bartlett offers family-friendly suites, condos with full kitchens and rooms with scenic decks, along with indoor and outdoor pools. It sits steps from Attitash Mountain Resort and minutes from downtown North Conway.

Best for: ski trips and summer family vacations near Attitash and Story Land.

Summer in Jackson and Bartlett

Late July is prime time in both towns. Classic summer outings include:

• Jackson Falls, a scenic spot in the village, best enjoyed with care on wet rocks.
• The Honeymoon Bridge, a must for photos.
• Story Land in Glen, a favorite for young families.
• Hiking in the surrounding White Mountain National Forest.
• North Conway, a short drive away, for shopping and restaurants.

Book early for summer weekends and for foliage season, when demand peaks across the valley.

Booking tips

• Read the room descriptions closely. Historic inns often have rooms of very different sizes and styles under one roof, from compact doubles to fireplace suites.
• Ask about minimum stays. Many properties in the valley set minimum-night rules on busy weekends and holidays.
• Check what is included. Some stays include breakfast; condo stays usually mean cooking for yourself, which can save money for families.
• Think about the season. A riverside inn feels very different in July than in January. Consider what you want nearby, whether that is swimming holes and trails or ski lifts and cross-country tracks.
• Confirm policies directly. Pet, cancellation and age policies change, so verify with the property before you book.

Choosing the right stay

• Couples: Inn at Thorn Hill or Inn at Ellis River.
• Classic historic inn with dining: The Wentworth.
• Families with young kids: The Seasons, Attitash Village or Nordic Village Resort.
• Ski trips: Attitash Village or The Seasons for Attitash; Jackson inns for cross-country skiing and Wildcat.
• Pets: Nordic Village Resort welcomes pets; always confirm the policy when booking.

Frequently asked questions

Is Jackson or Bartlett better for families?

Bartlett's condo resorts near Attitash and Story Land suit most families. Jackson has family options too, such as Nordic Village Resort, but its inns lean romantic.

Are there adults-only inns in Jackson?

Yes. The Inn at Thorn Hill is an adults-only resort.

What is Jackson, NH known for?

Its red covered bridge, the Honeymoon Bridge, Jackson Falls, historic inns, and cross-country skiing.

How far is Bartlett from North Conway?

Very close. Attitash Village and The Seasons both describe themselves as minutes from North Conway.

Sources

• Jackson, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (population, history, Honeymoon Bridge, Jackson Falls, Jackson XC, Wildcat, Thorn Mountain House and Wentworth Hall, rivers): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson,_New_Hampshire
• Bartlett, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (population, villages, Attitash, Story Land): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bartlett,_New_Hampshire
• Attitash Mountain Resort, Wikipedia (Route 302, 1938 WPA construction): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attitash_Mountain_Resort
• Glen, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (Story Land): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glen,_New_Hampshire
• The Wentworth official site (61 rooms, room types, dining, address): https://thewentworth.com/
• The Inn at Thorn Hill official site (adults-only, Presidential Range views, room types): https://www.innatthornhill.com/
• Inn at Ellis River official site (riverside B&B, room types, whole-house rental): https://innatellisriver.com/
• Nordic Village Resort official site (unit types, pools, amenities, pet-friendly): https://www.nordicvillage.com/
• The Seasons Resort official site (location, units, clubhouse amenities): https://www.seasonsnh.com/
• Attitash Village official site (suites, condos, pools, location): https://attitashvillage.com/