You’re driving up Route 2, the White Mountains are starting to loom large, and suddenly there it is—the Town and Country Inn Shelburne NH. It’s a landmark. Honestly, if you’ve spent any time trekking through the Great North Woods or skiing Sunday River, you’ve passed this place a dozen times. But is it just a roadside stop, or is it the basecamp you actually want for a week in the Presidential Range?
Finding a place to stay in northern New Hampshire is weirdly tricky. You either get the ultra-expensive "grand hotels" that feel like museums where you can’t touch anything, or you get sketchy motels that haven't seen a vacuum since the Nixon administration. The Town and Country Inn sits in this middle ground that’s increasingly hard to find. It’s a family-owned operation—the Labnon family has been running this show since the 1950s—and that matters. It’s not a sterile corporate chain. It’s got a specific vibe. It’s a mix of old-school hospitality and that rugged, "let's go hiking" energy that defines the Androscoggin Valley.
The Location Reality Check
Let’s be real about Shelburne. It’s not North Conway.
If you want crowds, outlet malls, and three-hour waits for a pancake breakfast, go south. Shelburne is for people who actually want to be in the woods. The Town and Country Inn Shelburne NH is basically the gateway to the Wild River Wilderness. You’re minutes from the Gorham town line, which means you have access to gas and gear, but you’re far enough out that the stars actually show up at night.
The inn sits right on the edge of the White Mountain National Forest. You can see the peaks from the parking lot. On a clear day, the Presidential Range looks like it’s leaning over the roof. This is the spot for people who are planning to tackle Madison, Adams, or Jefferson. It’s also a major hub for the "Ride the Wilds" ATV trails. You’ll see trailers. Lots of them. If the sound of a motor bothers you, just know that this is a working, playing mountain community. It's lively.
Why the "Shelburne Side" is Better
Most tourists stay in Jackson or Lincoln. Those places are beautiful, sure, but they’re packed. Staying at the Town and Country Inn gives you a strategic advantage. You’re on the "quiet" side of the mountains. You can get to the Mt. Washington Auto Road in about ten minutes. You can hit the Great Glen Trails for cross-country skiing without fighting the traffic on 16.
And then there's the Appalachian Trail. The AT crosses Route 2 right near here. You’ll often see "thru-hikers" coming off the trail for a "zero day"—a day of rest. They come here for the same reason you probably should: the food is solid, the beds are soft, and there’s a massive pool to soak sore muscles.
🔗 Read more: Entry Into Dominican Republic: What Most People Get Wrong
Rooms, Renovations, and the "Vintage" Vibe
Okay, let's talk about the rooms. I’ve stayed in enough New England inns to know that "charming" is often code for "the heater makes a screaming noise and the carpet is from 1974."
The Town and Country Inn isn't like that, but it isn't a Ritz-Carlton either. It’s clean. It’s functional. It’s comfortable. They have 160 rooms, which is actually pretty huge for this area. Some sections of the inn feel more modern than others because they’ve been doing rolling renovations over the years. You’ve got your standard kings and double queens, but they also have suites if you're bringing the kids or a group of hikers who don't want to smell each other's boots all night.
- Pet Friendly? Yes, they have designated dog-friendly rooms. This is huge because most of the high-end resorts in the Whites will look at your Golden Retriever like he’s a biohazard.
- The View Factor: Ask for a room facing the mountains. It makes a difference when you wake up.
- WiFi: It’s 2026, and yes, it works. But remember you're in a valley. Don't expect NASA-level speeds if the hotel is booked solid with a convention.
One thing people often overlook is the sheer size of the footprint. This isn't a tiny B&B where you have to whisper in the hallway. It’s a full-service resort. There’s a lounge, a dining room, and an indoor heated pool that’s actually big enough to swim laps in.
The Food: Shelburne’s Social Hub
You can't talk about the Town and Country Inn Shelburne NH without talking about the dining room. For decades, this has been the place in the Gorham/Shelburne area for a "nice" dinner.
They do a classic New England menu. Think prime rib, baked scrod, and actual mashed potatoes. It’s the kind of food that sticks to your ribs, which is exactly what you need after spending eight hours hiking the Mahoosuc Notch. The Labnon family is often seen in the dining room, checking on tables. That kind of presence is rare these days.
The lounge—officially the Shelburne Lounge—is a different beast entirely. It’s got a bit of a "Cheers" vibe for the North Country. They often have live music on weekends. Local bands, acoustic sets, that sort of thing. It’s where the locals go to grab a beer and talk about the trail conditions or how the foliage is looking. If you want the real pulse of the town, sit at the bar and order a local brew from Tuckerman Brewing Co. or Schilling Beer Co.
💡 You might also like: Novotel Perth Adelaide Terrace: What Most People Get Wrong
The Seasonal Shift
The experience here changes wildly depending on when you show up. New Hampshire isn't just one destination; it's four different worlds.
Winter is for the Skiers. You’re positioned perfectly between Sunday River in Maine and Wildcat Mountain in Pinkham Notch. It’s a 20-25 minute drive to either. The inn has a dedicated wax room for skiers. That’s a tiny detail, but it shows they know their audience. If you’re a serious skier, you know how annoying it is to try and prep your skis in a cramped hotel bathroom.
Spring is "Mud Season."
Honestly? Don't come in April unless you like gray skies and slush. But May? May is when the fly fishing starts on the Androscoggin River. The inn is a favorite for anglers. The river is literally right across the road.
Summer is Peak Hiking.
The humidity stays lower up here than it does in Manchester or Boston. The pool area at the inn becomes the center of the universe. It’s great for families. There’s a sauna, a steam room, and a hot tub.
Fall is Foliage.
This is the busiest time. Every room is booked. The tour buses roll in. Why? Because the drive from Shelburne through Evans Notch is arguably the most beautiful stretch of road in the Northeast. The colors are violent—bright oranges and deep purples. If you're planning a fall trip, you need to book the Town and Country Inn months in advance. No joke.
What Most People Get Wrong About Shelburne
People often think they’re "stuck" out in the middle of nowhere if they stay in Shelburne.
📖 Related: Magnolia Fort Worth Texas: Why This Street Still Defines the Near Southside
They aren't.
Actually, Shelburne is a tactical masterpiece for a vacation. You can jump over the border into Bethel, Maine, for a different food scene in 20 minutes. You can hit the Great Glen Trails for an afternoon. You can explore the "hidden" swimming holes in the Peabody River. Most people stay in the "congested" parts of the White Mountains and spend half their vacation sitting in traffic on the Kancamagus Highway. From the Town and Country Inn, you’re moving against the traffic. You’re smarter than the average tourist.
Practical Advice for Your Stay
If you’re heading to the Town and Country Inn Shelburne NH, keep these things in mind to make the trip actually work.
- Check the Event Calendar. They host a lot of weddings and snowmobile club meetings. If you want peace and quiet, check if there’s a large event happening during your dates. On the flip side, if you want a party, those are the weekends to be there.
- The Breakfast is Worth It. Don't bother driving into Gorham for a fast-food breakfast. The inn does a full breakfast service that’ll keep you full until dinner.
- Explore the Property. There are walking trails right on the grounds. You don't always have to drive to a trailhead to see some greenery.
- Ask the Staff. Most of the people working here have lived in the valley their whole lives. They know which trails are washed out and which local spots are actually worth the hype.
The Bottom Line
The Town and Country Inn Shelburne NH is a survivor. In an era where every hotel is being bought by a massive private equity firm and stripped of its character, this place remains stubbornly itself. It’s a family-run, mountain-loving, prime-rib-serving institution.
It’s not trendy. It’s not "minimalist." It’s comfortable. It’s the kind of place where you can show up with mud on your boots and nobody gives you a second look. If you’re looking for a basecamp that feels like the real New Hampshire, this is it.
Actionable Next Steps
- Verify Peak Dates: If you're eyeing a fall foliage trip, check their availability now. October 1st through 15th usually sells out a year in advance.
- Coordinate Gear: If you're bringing an ATV or snowmobile, call ahead to confirm trailer parking space; while they have a large lot, it fills up during the peak of "Ride the Wilds" season.
- Map Your Routes: Download offline maps (like Gaia GPS or AllTrails) before you arrive. Cell service is spotty once you head north or east from the inn into the deeper woods.
- Book Direct: While third-party sites work, calling the inn directly often gets you better info on which wing of the building has been most recently updated.
The White Mountains are waiting. Don't overthink it—just get up here.