Tip-Top House
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 Summit of New England — Historic 1853 stone hotel at the summit of Mount Washington (6,288 ft) — the HIGHEST peak in the northeastern US and home of the WORST WEATHER IN THE WORLD
Tip-Top House is a historic 1853 stone hotel perched at the summit of Mount Washington (6,288 ft) — the highest peak in the northeastern United States. Mount Washington holds the world record for the highest wind speed ever recorded by a human: 231 mph on April 12, 1934. The summit averages 60+ mph winds, 300+ inches of snow, temperatures below freezing 60% of the year, and visibility under a quarter mile 55% of the time. Tip-Top House was built from stone specifically to withstand these extreme conditions and served summit visitors for decades.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Mount Washington Summit, Coos, NH |
| Elevation | 6,288 ft — HIGHEST in NE! |
| Entry Fee | Access via Auto Road or Cog Railway ($) |
| Wind Record | 231 mph (April 12, 1934)! |
| Built | 1853 — stone to survive worst weather! |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Mount Washington have such extreme weather?
Mount Washington sits at the intersection of three major storm tracks — the St. Lawrence, the Gulf, and the Coastal. Cold air from Canada, warm air from the Gulf of Mexico, and maritime air from the Atlantic all collide here, creating conditions rivaling the worst weather on Earth. The summit has recorded temperatures of -47°F and sustained wind gusts exceeding 200 mph.
Why does Mt. Washington have such extreme weather?
Mount Washington sits at the convergence of three major storm tracks — weather systems from the Great Lakes, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Ocean collide at the summit. The mountain’s prominence (it stands alone above the surrounding terrain) funnels wind through natural acceleration zones. The result: 231 mph winds (1934 record), average annual temperature of 27°F, and 280+ inches of snow. Over 160 people have died on the mountain.
Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Mount Washington State Park (a short drive away) or Crawford Notch State Park (a short drive away).
🌬️ Visit Tip-Top House
Summit of Mount Washington — 231 mph winds, worst weather in the world!
Insider Tips
Summit shelter: Tip-Top House (1853) is a stone building on the summit of Mount Washington (6,288 ft) — the highest peak in the Northeast. Pro tip: Mount Washington holds the world record for directly measured wind speed — 231 mph on April 12, 1934. Worst weather: The summit experiences hurricane-force winds 110+ days per year — the intersection of three major storm tracks creates the “World’s Worst Weather.”
Best Time to Visit
Summer: Summit accessible via Auto Road, Cog Railway, or hiking. Fall: Clear days with 100+ mile views. Winter: Extreme conditions — for experienced mountaineers only. Spring: Still winter on the summit.
Wildlife & Nature
Tip-Top House — at the summit of Mount Washington (6,288 ft) — is a historic stone hotel built in 1853, making it the oldest surviving building on the summit. The building — constructed of mortared stone to withstand winds exceeding 200 mph — served as a summit hotel until the 1915 construction of the Summit House. Alpine plants — including dwarf cinquefoil, mountain sandwort, and Bigelow’s sedge — cling to the summit rocks. American pipits nest on the summit in summer.
Nearby Attractions
Mount Washington Observatory — adjacent at the summit — records weather year-round (former world wind record: 231 mph). Sherman Adams Summit Building — has exhibits, food service, and the highest post office in the Northeast. Mount Washington Auto Road and Cog Railway provide summit access. Tuckerman Ravine — on the southeast face — has spring skiing.
