The oddly shaped town of Carroll is located northeast of Franconia Notch on US Route 3. To say "the town of Carroll" is a bit misleading, as it includes the villages of Bretton Woods and Twin Mountain. The impressive scenery of the White Mountains has made Carroll one of the state's most important destinations in the travel and tourism industry.

Bretton Woods

The historic village of Bretton Woods within the town of Carroll is home to the world-famous resort of the same name. Bretton is a derivation of the word Breton, a region in France occupied by Celtic peoples. The advent of train travel in the late 1800s fostered the growth of Bretton Woods as a fashionable resort.

Students of politics and economic will recognize Bretton Woods as it was the site of the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference in 1944. This historic meeting led to the establishment of both the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in 1945. The world economy was stabilized through "the Bretton Woods System" throughout the post-war era until 1971.

Bretton Woods thrives as New Hampshire's largest resort, with skiing, dog sled rides summer activities including golf and a zip-line tour above the forest. The most notable property, The Omni Mount Washington Hotel, was built in 1900-1902 by Joseph Stickney, a coal tycoon who had amassed a fortune before age 30. His hotel is an artifact of the Industrial Revolution (and the days before Wilson-Gorman tariff [income tax]). Stickney secured the talents of 250 Italian craftsmen to complete their magic in stucco and granite. The hotel was revitalized in the late 1990s, and offers two golf courses, spa and meeting facilities. It remained open for its first winter season in 1999.

Bretton Woods is also the 'entrance point' to the Cog Railroad, the world's first Mountain Climbing train. Rides to the summit are still offered and the trains can be seen climbing the mountain from great distances. It's a three hour round-trip.

Twin Mountain

The Village of Twin Mountain rests on the Ammonoosic River at the junction of U.S. Highways 3 and 302, acquiring its name from the twin mountains that surround it. Often overshadowed by Bretton Woods, the other village in the town of Carroll, Twin Mountain offers numerous amenities for locals and travelers. Twin Mountain originated from a King's grant from King George III to the royal Governor John Wentworth in 1772, who in turn offered smaller parcels of land to friends, relatives and political associates. The first settlers worked hard to develop a community based principally on a forest economy. By the beginning of the Civil War there were six privately owned sawmills in town.

Around 1830 Twin Mountain's economy began to broaden. The area's natural beauty prompted significant tourism accelerated by the arrival of the railroads. Several grand hotels were built and remained until the automobile began to replace trains.

Today the town's economy is firmly rooted in tourism. Lodging in Twin Mountain offers family & independently owned cabins and motels, such as the Seven Dwarfs and the Boulder Motor Court. There are also a variety of privately-owned, state and federal campgrounds in the village or nearby, such as Tarry-Ho, Beechhill Campground & Cabins and Twin Mountain Motor Court & RV Park. Local dining options are limited, and often seasonal, but include the Munroe Place Restaurant at 633 Profile Road for a hearty breakfast or lunch and Pizza Pub, 181 Route 3, famous for its deep-fried vegetables and Italian fare. There are however, several dining options within a 5-15 minute ride.