With captivating views of the Presidential range, a mountain range nestled in the White Mountains, Jefferson is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful towns in New Hampshire to visit. The charming small town, which spans a little over 50 square miles, is overflowing with an abundance of outdoor activities, from beautiful wildlife refuges nearby and mammoth peaks to lush state parks and cascading waterfalls.
Named after Thomas Jefferson, the Coos County city was incorporated back in 1796, making it the perfect destination to go for immersing oneself in New Hampshire's incredible history and its rugged wilderness. Adventure awaits in this historic town.
Top Things To Do In Jefferson, New Hampshire
From a picturesque train ride through the mountains to chasing waterfalls, here are some of the most adventurous things to do in one of New Hampshire's best small towns.
1 Visit Santa's Village
Santa's Village is undoubtedly the perfect holiday spot to see in New Hampshire. The holiday-themed park looks like a scene straight out of a Christmas movie, from its Elf University to Santa's Home. And, the park isn't just a winter wonderland escape; it also features a water park that's perfect for splashing about in the summer.
- Address: 528 Presidential Hwy, Jefferson, NH 03583
- Hours: Open seasonally; visit the website for more information
- Cost: Ticket prices vary between $19 and $64; visit the website for more details
2 Tour The Jefferson Historical Society Museum
Learn about the city's vast history at this local museum, which is housed in an old church that was built in the late 19th century. And, just down the street, be sure to catch a view of the breathtaking landscape at the Waumbek Scenic Pull-off.
- Address: 900 Presidential Highway, Jefferson, NH 03583
- Hours: Open June to Columbus Day on Thursday and Sunday from 1 pm to 4 pm
3 See The Pools And Gorge At Upper Falls
Featuring eight-foot falls, the roaring Upper Ammonoosuc Falls is sure a sight to see. A popular spot in the summer months, the falls feature several pools and a gorge, as well as lower and middle falls located nearby.
- Address: Crawfords, NH 03583
Exhibit extreme caution when getting into the water as several tragedies, including drownings and other accidents, have occurred at Upper Falls, particularly in the circular pothole located at the base of the falls.
4 See The Crystal Cascade
This scenic spot, which is nestled in the White Mountain National Forest, can be accessed via a short 0.7-mile out-and-back trail, which is considered moderately challenging to hike due to its steepness. With waters cascading down 100 feet, the stunning falls are undoubtedly a bucket list adventure.
- Address: Tuckerman Ravine Trail, Jackson, NH 03846
- Hours: Open 24 hours
5 See Jericho Mountain State Park
Located about 26 miles outside of Jefferson, Jericho Mountain State Park is definitely worth the drive. Featuring miles upon miles of rugged trails, which are perfect for all-terrain vehicles, utility task vehicles, trail bikes, snowmobiles, and the like, and a marvelous lake, the area is the perfect spot to enjoy an afternoon picnic.
- Address: 298 Jericho Lake Rd, Berlin, NH 03570
- Cost: $20 per vehicle (up to two people); $4 for each additional person
During the off-season when the park is not staffed, payment can be deposited into the self-serve pay station, the Iron Ranger.
6 Take A Ride On The Mount Washington Cog Railway
One of the most awesome things to do in New Hampshire is to hop aboard the first mountain-climbing cog railway in the world. Operating for more than 150 years, the Cog takes guests to the summit of the 6,288-foot Mount Washington, the highest mountain in the Northeast.
- Address: 3168 Base Station Rd, Mount Washington, NH 03589
- Availability: Visit the website to see the current schedule and to book tickets
7 Explore Mount Washington
For those who want to make the trek up to Mount Washington on foot, the highly challenging eight-mile out-and-back trail is certainly an adventure to remember.
There is a variety of attractions at the summit, including the historic Tip Top House and the Sherman Adams building, which is home to the Sherman Adams Visitor Center, restrooms, gift shops, a cafeteria, as well as the Mount Washington Observatory and museums.
The hike up to the summit of Mount Washington should only be undertaken by experienced hikers as the trail is incredibly challenging.
8 Visit The Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge
Located about eight miles outside of Jefferson, the Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge features picturesque views of the area's wetlands and ponds — Cherry Pond and Little Cherry Pond — as well as numerous hiking opportunities through the lowland spruce-fir forest.
- Address: 289 Airport Rd, Whitefield, NH 03598
- Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit www.nh.gov for a map of the area, which includes the two ponds and hiking trails.
9 Explore Weeks State Park
Another outdoor adventure can be found in Lancaster's Weeks State Park, which is located only about seven miles outside of Jefferson. Established in 1912, the 446-acre historic country estate sits at the top of Prospect Mountain and affords visitors breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness, including the Presidential Range of the White Mountains and beyond.
- Address: 200 Week's State Park Rd, Lancaster, NH 03584
- Hours: Open seasonally from May 26 to October 9. Tours of the House Museum are offered Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm and the gate to Auto Road is open Wednesdays to Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm
- Cost: $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 6 to 17 (non-residents)
Although the House Museum and Auto Road are open seasonally, the park trails are always open year-round.
10 Hike To The Summit Of Mt Waumbek
For another challenging mountain route, which can get quite muddy, make the climb to the summit of Mt Waumbek, which is the highest point in the Pliny Range in northern New Hampshire. The challenging 6.7-mile out-and-back trail features 2,736 feet of elevation gain and takes an average of five hours to complete.
11 Best Time To Visit
Jefferson is one of the coziest towns in New Hampshire to visit in the fall, from its marvelous views of autumn leaves to its crisp, cool air. Not to mention, a trip to Santa's Village is best enjoyed during the later part of the year for a true holiday wonderland experience. But, for those keen on partaking in warm-weather activities like picnic outings, hikes, and the like, summer is also a popular time in the city and the state's busiest tourism season in general.
12 Best Ways To Get Around
With so much to do and see within the city as well as in the surrounding region, such as Weeks State Park, Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge, and the fantastic Mount Washington, the best way to get around Jefferson is by car.
13 Where To Eat
Discover a new favorite spot to eat in Jefferson.
Breakfast
Waterwheel Breakfast and Gift House
- Address: 1955 Presidential Hwy, Jefferson, NH 03583
Grandma's Kitchen
- Address: 187 Lancaster Rd, Whitefield, NH 03598
Lunch
Burger Meister
- Address: 528 Presidential Hwy, Jefferson, NH 03583
Old Corner Store
- Address: 764 Presidential Hwy, Jefferson, NH 03583
Dinner
Smokin T's Bar & Grill
- Address: 26 Main St, Lancaster, NH 03584
Sunny & Jillians Pizza & Pub
- Address: 6 King Square, Whitefield, NH 03598
Drinks
Smokin T's Bar & Grill
- Address: 26 Main St, Lancaster, NH 03584
The Cave
- Address: 310 Mount Washington Hotel Rd, Bretton Woods, NH 03575
14 Where To Stay
Jefferson has plenty of accommodation options from budget-friendly spots to luxe hotels.
Budget-Friendly Hotels
- Address: 537 Presidential Highway, Jefferson, NH
- Amenities: Complimentary breakfast and parking
The Lantern Resort Motel and Campground
- Address: 571 Presidential Hwy, Jefferson, NH 03583
- Amenities: Two heated pools, arcade, horseshoe pits, playground, and nature trail
Mid-Tier Hotels
- Address: 6 Renaissance Lane Route 2, Jefferson, NH 03583
- Amenities: Firepit, homemade baked goods (available from 4 to 6 pm), and full country breakfast
- Address: 110 Meadows Rd, Jefferson, NH 03583
Upscale Hotels
- Address: 310 Mt. Washington Hotel Road, Carroll, NH 03575
- Amenities: Indoor/outdoor pool, spa and wellness center, restaurant, room service, tennis, fitness center, bar/lounge, and bicycle rental
Omni Bretton Arms Inn at Mount Washington
- Address: 173 Mount Washington Road, Carroll, NH 03575
- Amenities: Indoor/outdoor pool, spa and wellness center, restaurant, room service, tennis, fitness center, bar/lounge, and bicycle rental
15 Tips To Know When Visiting
For a stress-free trip to Jefferson, plan ahead, especially since many of the local and surrounding attractions are open seasonally. Also, although a variety of lodging and restaurants can be found within Jefferson since the town is so small, many of the recommended options outlined in the above sections are located in nearby cities, which are only a short drive away.
Lastly, this charming city affords visitors the chance to spend much time in nature, so be sure to leave no trace and respect the wildlife by keeping noise levels down, staying a safe distance away, and not feeding any animals.
16 How To Spend The Perfect Day In Jefferson, New Hampshire
For the seasoned hiker, a perfect 24 hours spent in Jefferson includes a hike up to the top of Mount Washington or Mt Waumbek. However, less experienced hikers can still spend the day adventuring around the wilds of New Hampshire.
Begin with a nourishing breakfast at Waterwheel Breakfast and Gift House and then make a visit to the city's local attractions, including the Jefferson Historical Society Museum and Santa's Village, which are all located on the Presidential Highway.
Afterward, explore the Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge in Whitefield before grabbing lunch at the nearby Sunny & Jillian's Pizza & Pub.
Then, head to Mount Washington to embark on a scenic train ride to the summit before ending the day in Lancaster with a trip to Weeks State Park for fantastic views of the surrounding area and dinner and drinks at Smokin T's Bar & Grill.