The Great Northern Route

Gorham

Following US‑2 through wide-open spaces is guaranteed to bring new meaning to the expression “getting away from it all.”

Gorham (pop. 2,610), incorporated in 1836, was another early tourist town. Its boom began when the railroad came through in 1851; the train’s story, and the town’s, is told at the Gorham Historical Society and Railroad Museum (25 Railroad St., Wed.-Sat. 10am-3pm May-Oct., donation), which stands in the old depot, a half block off Main Street.

Just east of Gorham, the road passes through a famous grove of birch trees, the “world-renowned Shelburne birches.” Here you find the big but pleasant Town & Country Motor Inn (603/466-3315, $129 and up) with some spa and resort facilities, such as saunas, a golf course, and a good dining room. This is also where the Appalachian Trail, which runs from Maine’s Mt. Katahdin to northern Georgia, crosses US-2.

West of Gorham, right off US-2, the summer-only Moose Brook State Park (603/466-3860) has a campground and a swimming hole built back in the 1930s by the New Deal CCC.

Related Travel Map

Map of the Great Northern through New Hampshire.
Map of the Great Northern through New Hampshire.

Related Travel Guides