Where to Stay: Eagle Mountain House
If you’re looking for the best New England winter getaway, you’ll want to stay at the Eagle Mountain House, which is one of the few remaining Grand Hotels in the White Mountains. It was built in 1879 and maintains a lot of that original charm. The elevator in the hotel is a unique experience in itself, since you have to slide the metal grate and wooden door shut in order for it to go! There is an antique phone booth inside the hotel as well. We loved the charm of the wrap around deck overlooking the mountains.
When staying in an older building, there is always concern about what the rooms will be like or if the water pressure will be any good. I can assure you that the rooms we stayed in were clean and quaint, and there was no issue with hot water or pressure in the shower!
This hotel has a game room, restaurant & bar for convenience. The lobby was decorated with multiple Christmas trees for the season and there were two fire places you could sit around. It was less than 5 minutes to the downtown Jackson area, where you can find the covered bridge & other restaurants.
We were able to stay at the Eagle Mountain House for around ~$150 / night for a King-size standard room. Prices vary depending on the season and room type, since the Eagle Mountain Resort is also a golf course. You can see their availability and pricing here: Eagle Mountain Resort.
What to Do & See
Now that you know where to stay, let’s talk about all the fun activities that make Jackson, NH the best New England Winter Getaway.
Jingle Bell Chocolate Tour
Our main reason for this winter getaway was for the Jingle Bell Chocolate Tour that is put on by the Jackson Chamber of Commerce each year. We had originally planned to go in 2019 but got rained out due to bad weather (and I don’t need to explain what happened in 2020). Luckily, we were able to make this dream a reality this year!
This is no ordinary chocolate tour, as it is drawn around town by horses in a carriage! The horses wear jingle bells so you can hear the bells ringing as you ride between the different properties to get your chocolate samples. It was a lot of fun to be pulled around by such beautiful horses.
The tour lasts about 1 hour and we recommend to dress warm or bring a blanket. We enjoyed a variety of chocolate goodies, including some fudge, truffles, a dark chocolate Christmas tree pop and even some caramel & rum mousse! It was delicious. They give you a little to-go bag in case you want to save some for later or get full on the tour. The Jingle Bell Tour is one of the reasons this is the best New England Winter getaway!
This tour runs from the last weekend in November, through the end of December. Tickets tend to sell out when they are first released at the beginning of November to the general public, but you are able to buy tickets year round if you are staying at one of the properties included on the tour. (Eagle Mountain House is one of those properties so you can book tickets directly through them when you book your stay!) For more information about the tour visit the Jackson Chamber of Commerce.
Shopping in North Conway
Prior to the Jingle Bell Tour, we spent the morning shopping in North Conway. This charming New England town is located about 15 minutes South from Jackson. There are lots of different shops you can pop into, depending on what you’d like to shop for.
The Naked Bohemian is a unique place in the area where you can admire all the metal artwork that is handmade. There were wine holders, garden decorations and even personalized signs. The Penguin Gallery was another fun shop we enjoyed. It’s filled with a variety of products – such as books, games & toys. They also have a Five & Dime in town! There were countless options to find creative gifts for family & friends.
If there is only one shop you visit in North Conway, we recommend Zeb’s General Store. It was by far our favorite store. Not only are the majority of the goods inside all locally made (think sauces, candy, soup mixes, etc.) but the inside of the general store has maintained its original charm!
In the far back, you can see the original counter & stools where people could get a cool drink at. The walls are lined with drawers and shelves that open up, where in the past you could get your own produce or grain from! Nearly every person leaving Zeb’s (inlcuding us), left with a bag in hand. It’s a store where anyone can find something fun.
North Conway Railroad Station
While in North Conway, take in the views of the famous railroad station surrounded by the White Mountains. If you have the time, you may want to purchase tickets to ride the train through the mountains. There are various train excursions to different locations. They even offer Santa’s Holiday Express in the winter months for the kids! For more information visit: Conway Scenic Railroad.
The Christmas Loft
En route from Conway to Jackson, you’ll find a large store called the Christmas Loft. We were expecting a store filled with Christmas decorations (which it is) but the way it is set up is so unique! The inside of the store looks like a small Christmas Village with it’s own mini wooden covered bridge. In one of the rooms you can even find an upside down Christmas tree hanging from the cieling. It’s an excellent spot if you’re in the need for some Christmas decor, but also an interesting shop simply to walk around. If you’re lucky you may even run into Santa!
Nestlenook Farm
Nestlenook Farm is another reason Jackson, NH is the best New England Winter Getaway! It’s where the horses stay who pull you on your Chocolate Tour. They have an ice skating rink, fire pits to stay warm and offer sleigh rides of their own around the property. It truly feels like something out of a Hallmark movie.
If you’re unable to get tickets for the Chocolate Tour, you can still enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride at Nestlenook around their property. For more information about the activities here, check out: Nestlenook Farm.
Honeymoon Bridge
Jackson has a famous one-lane covered red wooden bridge. You have to cross it when traveling from Conway to downtown Jackson, so it’s hard to miss! The bridge was built in 1876 but wasn’t given its nickname of Honeymoon Bridge until later on, due to lovers kissing under it for good luck.
Jackson Falls
Another picturesque stop in Jackson can be found off Carter Notch (located between Wentworth Inn & Eagle Mountain House). Here you’ll find a snowy river with some waterfalls cascading over the rocks, called Jackson Falls. Be careful while walking down to the river during the Winter months, as most of the path is covered in ice or snow.
Flossie’s General Store
If you weren’t shopped out in North Conway, you’ll find a quaint gift shop right after the covered bridge in Jackson called Flossie’s General Store. We were able to buy a new Christmas Ornament for our collection here of a wooden covered bridge with Jackson, NH engraved into it. You can also find many locally made goods here, in case you don’t make it to any other shops.
Where to Eat & Drink
Red Fox Bar & Grille
The Red Fox Bar & Grille is one of the most popular dining spots in Jackson, NH. Even though it is a large place, we highly recommend making reservations in advance to guarantee you have a table when you arrive. There is something for everyone on the menu here: Red Fox Bar & Grille.
Highfields & Eagle Landing Tavern
Highfields is the restaurant located inside the Eagle Mountain House. For convenience, we made reservations there for our last night. We lucked out since it started snowing and we didn’t have to leave the hotel to drive somewhere else! The food was great, offering a variety of dishes for anyone looking for a quality meal. You need to have reservations to dine in Highfields, for both dinner & breakfast. The breakfast menu was nothing special so we skipped it for other options, but would recommend this place for a nice dinner in Jackson.
Wildcat Tavern
The Wildcat Tavern was a favorite spot of ours for a drink! We loved it so much, we went twice during our short stay. The first time we went to warm up with a spiked hot cocoa drink, and the second we went after dinner to catch some live music. The inside of Wildcat Tavern is decorated with old sled toboggans, ski lift chairs and lights. According to their schedule they have live music every Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights. They also offer a small food menu if you prefer to grab a bite there as well. It was such a cozy spot so don’t miss this stop!
Seadog Brewing Company
While technically the Seadog Brewing Company is located in North Conway, it’s a great lunch spot for after you’ve finished your shopping! They have a variety of beers, including IPAs, stouts & even some fruit / seasonal ones. You can get a flight to sample 4 of them. For the full menu, check out: Seadog Brewing Company.
Autumn Nomad
If you’re looking for a quicker breakfast, Autumn Nomad is a cafe in downtown Jackson that offers breakfast sandwiches, pastries & a variety of coffee and tea options. We had great sandwiches here and loved the charm of the small cafe.
Yesterdays
Yesterdays is your traditional diner breakfast spot in Jackson, NH. They serve breakfast & lunch all day so you can’t go wrong whenever you pop in.
The Best New England Winter Getaway
Jackson, NH is the best New England Winter Getaway if you’re looking for a trip to get you in the holiday spirit. Even if you’re not a skier, this small town has something for everyone. You can enjoy a cozy night at the Eagle Mountain House while the snow comes down, catch some live music at Wildcat Tavern, get your holiday shopping done in North Conway or even sample chocolates with some very large furry friends. Put this winter weekend getaway in Jackson on your bucket list!
