Drive The Mt Washington Auto Road
Mt Washington Auto Road offers drivers a chance to ‘climb’ the tallest mountain in New England.
The Mt Washington Auto Road is perfect for the whole family and is a must-do during your next White Mountains vacation!
Mt Washington Auto Road
The Mt Washington Auto Road is a must-do when you visit the White Mountains. The 8-mile drive is full of the most spectacular views. The road is wide enough for two cars, but with no guardrails, it’s a little scary in a few places. There are many turnouts to stop and enjoy the view, as well as give your car a rest.
At the Toll Both, you’ll pay the fee and get a CD to play along your drive full of interesting historical information and intriguing stories. The road took more than 7 years to build! It first opened opened in August of 1961 and is the oldest man-made attraction in the US. Back then it was known as the Carriage Road, and it wasn’t until 1899 that the first motorized vehicle reached the top.
At the summit, you can park and then ascend a staircase to the top, where you’ll see the Tip Top House built in 1853, building with food and museum and more. You can even purchase a postcard to send to a friend or loved one and mail it right from the top of Mt. Washington from their onsite post office!
The small museum has interactive exhibits and is definitely worth checking out. The kids definitely loved exploring this area. And of course, this is yet another gift shop, but this one includes a little more kid-friendly items with lots of science and weather related books and kits. Mt Washington is known for having some of the craziest weather in the world!
You may have seen some of our posts from our adventure! I love sharing on social media, although now Olivia is getting into it, too. This photo was actually taken by her… not bad for six, huh?
Unbelievably perfect day to drive @theautoroad and explore at the summit! #SummerVacation #FamilyFun #ad @whitemts #VisitNH #StayWorkPlay pic.twitter.com/M7DzMUa6h3
— Juggling Act Mama (@JugglingActMama) July 5, 2017
Clear days like the one we had are rare, and we were lucky to have such an amazing view!
I’m not much for selfies, but this was one of those moments when I just couldn’t resist!
The Mt Washington Auto Road should definitely be on your ‘bucket list’ when you’re planning your next White Mountains vacation. It even makes a good day trip from many areas in New England!
Visit the White Mountains
If you’re visiting the White Mountains, you might also like to check out some of these other great family attractions:
I’ve been wanting to do this for years and haven’t made the time. I think I’m going to pick a date this fall????
It is so worth the trip! 🙂