kids encyclopedia robot

Bretton Woods, New Hampshire facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
Mount Washington Hotel at the foot of the Presidential Range in September 2010, looking east
Mount Washington Hotel at the foot of the Presidential Range in September 2010, looking east
Bretton Woods, New Hampshire is located in New Hampshire
Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
Location in New Hampshire
Bretton Woods, New Hampshire is located in the United States
Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
Location in the United States
Country United States
State New Hampshire
County Coos
Town Carroll
Elevation
1,631 ft (497 m)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
03575
Area code(s) 603
GNIS feature ID 865781

Bretton Woods is a beautiful area in New Hampshire, United States. It's part of the town of Carroll. This place is famous for its fun activities and amazing views. It's almost completely surrounded by the White Mountain National Forest. When you look out from Bretton Woods, you can see Mount Washington and the Presidential Range. The only big buildings you'll spot are the Mount Washington Cog Railway and the Mount Washington Hotel.

Bretton Woods is also known for a very important meeting that happened here. In 1944, a big conference called the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference took place. This meeting led to the creation of two major international organizations: the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. These groups help countries work together on money matters. The system created at this conference was called the Bretton Woods system, and it lasted until 1971.

You can find Bretton Woods along U.S. Route 302. It's about 5 miles (8 km) east of Twin Mountain. It's also about 20 miles (32 km) northwest of Bartlett, through the scenic Crawford Notch.

The name "Bretton Woods" comes from a land grant made in 1772. King George III gave a large piece of land, about 24,640 acres (9,971 hectares), to Sir Thomas Wentworth and 82 other people. This land was meant to be a plantation in the White Mountains. The area eventually became the town of Carroll. The southeastern part of this land kept the name "Bretton Woods," named after Sir Thomas Wentworth's home, Bretton Hall.

Fun Things to Do in Bretton Woods

Bretton Woods is a great place for outdoor adventures and relaxation. It has several popular spots for visitors.

The Mount Washington Hotel

Mount washington hotel 1905
The Mount Washington Hotel in 1905

The Mount Washington Hotel and Resort is one of the last grand hotels left in New Hampshire. It's a huge place with lots to offer.

  • Golf: There are two golf courses where you can play.
  • Skiing: You can enjoy both downhill and cross-country skiing.
  • Spa: The hotel has a very large spa, perfect for relaxing.
  • Winter Fun: In winter, you can go sledding or even try dog sled rides.
  • Other Activities: There are also tennis courts and horseback riding trails.

In the early 1900s, many people traveled to this area by train from cities like Boston and New York to stay at these fancy resorts.

Bretton Woods Mountain Resort Ski Area

The Bretton Woods Mountain Resort is a popular place for skiing. It offers both downhill and cross-country skiing trails. The resort is mainly located in the Rosebrook Mountains.

  • Largest Ski Area: It's the biggest downhill ski resort in New Hampshire.
  • Many Trails: There are 101 different trails to explore, suitable for all skill levels.

The Mount Washington Cog Railway

The Mount Washington Cog Railway is a unique train ride that goes up Mount Washington. The train tracks and its buildings are located on the slope of Mount Washington, near Bretton Woods.

  • Getting There: The "Base Road" from Bretton Woods is the usual way to get to the Cog Railway's Base Station.
  • Winter Rides: Sometimes, the Cog Railway even operates in the winter. It has taken wilderness skiers partway up the mountain in the past.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Bretton Woods (Nuevo Hampshire) para niños

kids search engine
Bretton Woods, New Hampshire Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.