EXPLORE
The Lancaster Motel anchors the center of Downtown Lancaster. Everything cool to eat, drink or do is only a few hundred feet from the motel. You don’t need a car once you’re parked in front of your motel room. You can walk to The Polish Princess bakery for the tastiest bread and watch it being prepared and baked in an open kitchen. Cross the street to The Granite Grind and help yourself to a hearty American breakfast of bacon, eggs, toast and pancakes. Scorpio’s Pizza & Sports Bar is a great place for lunch with a full menu of terrific wraps, burgers, soups and sandwiches. Later in the day, the award-winning Copper Pig Brewery is a great place to sample a flight or grab a growler of some of the best brews in the state. Smoking’ T’s is great if you’re hankering for BBQ. Just across the parking lot, the restored Rialto movie theatre shows the latest movies if you brought children or rain with you! Colonel Town Recreation has a playground and pool in the summer. Or if you’re all settled in for the evening, barbecue (grills available!) and have a picnic on the private green at the motel. You’ll be all set for the short drive to Santa’s Village tomorrow!
IN TOWN
Shop LocalLancaster has its fair share of great shops like Simon the Tanner, or New to You Consignment if you’re looking for a bargain. We've also stumbled across some great finds at the local antique shops. If you have a keen eye for treasure, there are also some good old fashioned junk shops nearby to meander though. On weekends in the Summer, the Lancaster Historical Society hosts a flea market and there’s a weekly Farmer’s Market is packed with fresh food and fresh handmade jewelry, textiles and woodwork among other things next door on the Weeks Library common. In town for Valentine’s Day, a wedding, or family occasion? Riff’s Flower Shop is the town staple and where you’ll want to go for the freshest and most creative arrangements.
Lancaster plays host to a vibrant art community. At the center of the scene is the Wm. Rugh Gallery which anchors the main floor at 1 Middle Street above the Copper Pig Brewery. It holds an extensive collection of Ed Widmayer a noted area painter, weavers, quilters and many other acclaimed local artists. Fine furniture by Cherry Pond and Garland Mill, one of the last working water-powered sawmills.
Take a portrait in front of any number of scenic sites close by. The Mechanic Street covered bridge, Israel’s River raging or wading waters (but most famous for her ice jams!), Mt. Prospect’s 360-degree views, or any number of historic sites in Lancaster or the surrounding towns. Stop by The Welcome Center behind the motel to plan your day.
The children’s library at Weeks Memorial Library is a lifesaver on a rainy day! Great programming and fun environment of Santa’s Village is closed for the day. Its architecture and history make it fun for grownups too!
Lancaster has some great studios with reasonable drop-in rates. The Northern Roots Yoga Studio on Elm Street is within walking distance. Get the lowdown at the Front Desk.
Watch one of the latest films showing at the restored Rialto Theatre less than a block away. Great for the kiddos or a rainy day date as you can grab a glass of wine or a beer with your popcorn.
Lancaster is a dog-friendly town, but unfortunately, many of our guests are NOT from Lancaster. So while pets are not able to stay the night at the motel, we highly recommend having your furry friend stay where we keep our own: Riverside Boarding & Grooming just across the river in Lunenburg, VT. It’s about 15 minutes away and offers absolutely wonderful care for your pet.
Take a portrait in front of any number of scenic sites close by: The Mechanic Street covered bridge, Israel’s River raging or wading waters (but most famous for her ice jams!), Mt. Prospect’s 360-degree views or any number of historic sites in Lancaster or the surrounding towns. Stop by The Welcome Center behind the motel to plan your day.
OUTDOORS IN THE SUMMER & FALL
Take an AMC guided hike or venture solo to the summit of one of the forty-eight 4000 footers of New Hampshire. The nearby Presidential Range boasts several.
There is a reason you see so many bikes and motorcycles here—we have tons of amazing scenic rides in the summer and the Fall colors are world-class. Park in front of your motel door and launch your day trip right from right there.
Free float lazy river style down Israel’s River. Or just hang out at The Copper Pig Brewery and watch the river go by over some award-winning craft suds.
Deep and wide. Smooth sailing on the water that starts near Canada and ends in the Long Island Sound. Just cool!
Fly-fishing on well-stocked New Hampshire rivers is available down the street from The Lancaster Motel. The Welcome Center located behind the motel has info on seasonal guides and trips.
Hike or drive up Mt. Prospect (5 minutes away). Easy day trip for the family. 360-degree view from the Fire Tower is worth the effort.
The Colonel Town Recreation Center pool is a great place to cool off with the family during the summer months. Just a couple of blocks from the property. Pick up a day pass and a towel and dive right in!
OUTDOORS IN THE WINTER
Just 25 minutes to Bretton Woods you'll ski where Olympian Bode Miller began his dream. The more challenging Cannon Mountain is just 40 minutes away. Of course, you could just ski or tube the little slope at the Mt. Prospect Ski Tow right up the road.
Dog sledding is a unique outdoor adventure! Heed the call of the wild and book a ride with Muddy Paw Dog Sleds.
If you want to burn a little oil and feel a little more speed, you can hop on a snowmobile and ride right from your door. Snowmobile rentals and tours available. We heartily support the Snow Drifters snowmobile club! Be a fan and buy a poster!
While you are in town visiting, try out the local ice skating rink!
Crane’s Snowmobile Museum is a place where visitors can see the evolution of riding through the years – from Ski-Doo machines first introduced in the 1960s, to the newer sleds of today.
DAY TRIPS
Drive through your very own postcard when you take a trip through one of the scenic mountain passes or “notches” as we call them up here. Or if you have a decent car or your rental is up to it, drive up the Mount Washington Auto Road. A once in a lifetime experience for the adventurous driver or just enjoy the ride and let one of the professional auto road drivers do the driving for you.
Grab a trail map and head out on a short hike or picnic to Glen Falls or one of the many scenic falls, lakes or rivers in the vast recreational area of the White Mountains. Easily accessible parking. Well maintained and clean trails.
Pamper yourself at Carlisle Place or The Mountain View Grand Spa in Lancaster.
Where all the action is for kids young and old. Just 10 minutes down the road, it’s an amusement park that’s actually worth the price of admission.
A Few Other Ideas
- Geocache! Find some SWAG in the White Mountains
- Two covered bridges to walk or drive. One in town just a short walk. One on the NH/VT border.
- Tour the museums in town: Crane Snowmobile museum, Holton-Wilder House, Weeks State Park
- Go to church. Yep! Some of the most beautiful and historical buildings in Lancaster are its Main Street churches. Some are open during the day. For sure on Sunday...
FOOD & DRINK
While you can grab a pretty good cup of coffee in our lobby (local Wayfarer brew) if you need something at 5 am there are steeping packets of the coffee in your room.
While we have coffee, tea, and orange juice in the lobby starting at 7:30 am, sometimes you need a little more to get you going. For that, we suggest The Granite Grind. They have a real American breakfast of bacon, eggs & toast. Pancakes too. If you are looking for a bakery/bistro experience, The Polish Princess is the go-to. They bake phenomenal bread and pastries right before your very eyes and their soups and sandwiches are top-notch.
For a small town, Lancaster has some great spots to refuel after a day in the woods or on the trails. Most guests make at least one visit to Scorpio’s Pizza and Sports Bar as their menu and reputation is tried and true. If you’re craving barbecue, head down to Smokin’ T’s two blocks from the motel. Across the way in the old Lancaster Bank Building, you’ll find The Copper Pig Brewery which offers some delicious and more adventurous food options along with award-winning craft beer. Nearby, The Whitefield Inn Restaurant (5 miles) serves excellent comfort food and is a place where the owner regularly breaks out into song. It’s right next to the Weathervane summer stock theatre.
The Copper Pig Brewery offers some delicious and more adventurous options for food along with award-winning craft beer. Nearby, The Whitefield Inn Restaurant (5 miles) offers excellent comfort food and a place where the owner regularly breaks out into song. Next to the Weathervane summer stock theatre.
For a small town, we definitely have our fair share of locally crafted booze. As mentioned, The Copper Pig is our go-to for award-winning brews, location (2 min walk from the motel) and cool local vibe. Other great brew spots are Schillings and The Freehouse in Littleton, NH (20 mins) and Reklis Brewery in Bethlehem, NH (20 mins).
