Visit Us

Thank you for your interest in visiting us. We operate facilities on the summit of Mount Washington, New Hampshire. Our mountaintop weather station is a working research station. Tours of it are available to members of Mount Washington Observatory (MWOBS) and the public and must be booked at least 45 minutes in advance.

Where is the Mount Washington Observatory?

Our working weather and research station is at the Mount Washington State Park in the Sherman Adams Visitor Center at the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire. (Our administrative offices are at 2779 White Mountain Highway in North Conway.) Visitors not hiking to the mountain’s summit can take the Mt Washington Auto Road or Mount Washington Cog Railway Company. Please note that getting to the summit by road or rail requires a fee.

Summer Visits

Our weather station and Extreme Mount Washington Museum are located in Mount Washington State Park in the Sherman Adams Visitor Center. Between mid-May to mid-October, you can visit the summit of New England’s highest peak via car, train, or by foot.

For trail information and advice, we recommend contacting the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC). Maps and guidebooks may be purchased in our online shop, and guide services are available through several local outdoor schools.

Mt. Washington Auto Road

No visit to the White Mountains is complete without a drive on the legendary Mt. Washington Auto Road. Drive yourself or take a guided tour up the Mt. Washington Auto Road.

Mount Washington Cog Railway Company

The railway is the first mountain-climbing cog railway in the world, located in the heart of the majestic White Mountains region of New Hampshire.

Weather Station Tours

Go behind the scenes of our famous mountaintop weather station and get a taste for what it’s like to work at 6,288 feet! On each tour, you will meet our scientists and learn about their work.

Extreme Mount Washington Museum

Extreme Mount Washington delivers the science and excitement of a Mount Washington winter to summer visitors of all ages through high-tech, hands on exhibits.

Winter Visits

When the Mt. Washington Auto Road and others close for winter, usually mid-October to mid-May, the Mount Washington State Park also closes and no facilities are available to the public. The only way to visit us in winter is to participate in a Mount Washington Observatory trip. We offer overnight educational snowcat trips, teacher professional development, and partner-led overnight climbing trips.

View from Tower Camera

Winter Overnight Edutrips

Overnight EduTrips allow you to fully experience the summit of Mount Washington by spending a night in our weather station at 6,288 feet above sea level.

Professional Development

Mount Washington Observatory redefines professional development with exciting training opportunities available at our mountaintop weather station.

Partner-led Climbing Trips

We are proud to partner with area climbing schools to offer exclusive overnight mountaineering expeditions to the summit of Mount Washington.

Visiting Us In North Conway

In the town of North Conway, New Hampshire, we also operate the Gladys Brooks Memorial Library and our administrative offices. Visit us anytime.

Mount Washington Observatory 2779
White Mountain Highway
North Conway, NH 03860
Directions

Interested in hosting a meeting in North Conway? You can rent our conference room and it comes complete with tables, chairs, projector, and a screen.

Area Lodging, Restaurants, and Climbing Schools

Area Lodging

The White Mountains offer many world-class resorts, hotels, inns and bed and breakfasts to choose from. Visit our lodging page for a list of housing opportunities.

Area Dining

Our region offers only the finest cuisine in bucolic and historic settings. Visit our restaurant page for a list of the region’s best places to eat.

Climbing Schools

Mount Washington Observatory proudly partners with climbing schools to offer exclusive overnight expeditions to the summit of Mount Washington.