White Mountains Cultural Attractions

The White Mountains region of northern New Hampshire boasts an array of cultural attractions and activities that appeal to a variety of tastes and sensibilities. Explore our beautiful and historic buildings, tap your toes at a concert featuring Grammy Award-winning performers, enjoy a captivating evening at one of our summer theaters, browse one of our art-filled galleries, and delve into the region's history at one of our museums.

The Colonial Theatre, Bethlehem. One of the oldest continuously operated movie theaters in the country, the beautifully restored Colonial Theatre features an outstanding line-up of national, international and Grammy Award-winning performance artists from May through October, along with an ambitious schedule of independent feature films, film series and festivals, and community events. www.bethlehemcolonial.org

Bethlehem Heritage Society. Through photographs, displays and artifacts discover Bethlehem's rich history as the premier White Mountains resort destination, where more than 30 hotels once flourished. www.bethlehemheritagenh.org

The Frost Place, Franconia. Poet Robert Frost's former homestead is now a museum that hosts summer poetry writing conferences and poetry readings open to the public. Walk the half-mile nature trail with plaques displaying poems that Frost wrote while living in the house, or sit on the porch and drink in the glorious mountain views that inspired his poetry. www.frostplace.org

New England Ski Museum, Franconia. Situated at the base of Cannon Mountain, the museum chronicles the history of skiing through videos, films, and permanent and rotating exhibits, including information about Olympic skier Bode Miller, a Franconia native. www.newenglandskimuseum.org/about/

Franconia Heritage Museum. Located in an 1878 New England farmhouse, with attached barn and sheds, the museum contains almost 10,000 artifacts that explore Franconia's history. www.franconianh.org/heritage-museum.html

North Country Chamber Players. The Players present six summer weekends of traditional and contemporary classical music by its talented musicians, all principal players in internationally renowned orchestras and chamber groups, along with celebrated guest artists. Primary venues include the stately Meeting House in Sugar Hill and the historic Mt. View Grand Resort in Whitefield. www.northcountrychamberplayers.org

Weathervane Theatre, Whitefield. For more than 50 years, the award-winning summer theatre has charmed audiences with a nice mix of classic and contemporary dramas, comedies and musicals produced over an eight-week period in alternating repertory. Every seat in the big red barn is a good one. www.weathervanetheatre.org

League of N.H. Craftsmen Littleton Fine Craft Gallery. Situated alongside the Ammonoosuc River, the gallery showcases fine craft created by some of New Hampshire's outstanding artisans, from exquisite wood block prints, blown glass and wearable fiber art to exceptional jewelry, pottery, photography, baskets and mixed media. littleton.nhcrafts.org

Littleton Opera House. The Littleton Opera House hosts performances, concerts and events throughout the year, and is probably most famous for hosting a 1941 birthday bash for actress Bette Davis. If you are in downtown Littleton, take a moment to pop in and take a peek at the beautiful Grand Hall, with its intricately carved and colored moldings and dramatic chandelier light. www.littletonoperahouse.com

The Gold Room, Omni Mt. Washington Hotel, Bretton Woods. The Gold Room off the hotel's lobby was the site, in July 1944, where the final Articles of Agreement for the International Monetary Conference were signed. The conference established the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, set the gold standard, and became the economic basis for prosperity following WWII. The Gold Room and the architecturally magnificent hotel are a must-see stop for visitors to northern New Hampshire. www.brettonwoods.com

Appalachian Mountain Club Highland Center, Bretton Woods. The AMC's permanent exhibit of mountain photography by explorer, mountaineer and pioneering aerial photographer Brad Washburn is exceptional. The AMC's free Friday evening program series runs the gamut from presentations on White Mountains history and astronomy (the Highland Center has telescopes and an indoor planetarium) to slideshows by authors and photographers who have visited locations around the world. www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/lodges/highland

Jean's Playhouse, Lincoln. The performing arts center in the heart of the White Mountains is anchored by the Papermill Theatre's professional acting company, and presents a variety of events throughout the year, including a summer theater season. www.jeansplayhouse.com

Weeks State Park, Lancaster. Drive or hike up the winding carriage road to the summit of Mount Prospect and visit the estate of John Wingate Weeks, Secretary of War under Presidents Harding and Coolidge. Climb the stone fire tower with dramatic 360-degree views and visit the stucco Summit Lodge. Free summer programs on Thursday evenings feature musical entertainment, lectures on local history, and a live animal presentation among the offerings. www.facebook.com/WeeksStatePark/

The William Rugh Gallery, Lancaster. Situated on the Israel's River in an old bank building, the eclectic gallery represents more than 20 artists and artisans who work in oils, watercolor, stained glass, handmade furniture, fiber art, hand-woven baskets, sculpture, jewelry, photography and more. www.rughgalleries.com

Silver Center for the Arts, Plymouth State University, Plymouth. Just under an hour's drive from the Adair Inn, the Silver Center for the Arts hosts a year-round series of concerts, plays and lectures. www.plymouth.edu/silver-center/

Museum of the White Mountains, Plymouth. Take a free self-guided tour of the museum, located on the campus of Plymouth State University. The Summer Speaker Series takes an in-depth look at the current exhibit. www.plymouth.edu/mwm/

Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium. St. Johnsbury, VT. The elegant Victorian building houses outstanding natural science displays, historical exhibits and ethnological items from around the world. Vermont's only public planetarium offers guided tours of the cosmos every day. www.fairbanksmuseum.org