Adair Country Inn & Restaurant: A Quaint Destination for Dates, Getaways, and Weddings

The Short Version: The Adair Country Inn & Restaurant in Bethlehem, New Hampshire, is an idyllic country getaway for couples seeking day dates or longer vacations. Many choose the Adair Inn for its classic guestrooms, 200 acres of undeveloped nature, and proximity to the White Mountains and the Franconia Notch. Specials and seasonal packages ensure guests get the most out of their trips. Couples can also host indoor and outdoor weddings on the inn’s beautiful grounds.

The Adair Country Inn & Restaurant in New Hampshire’s White Mountains is what most people would envision when they think of a quaint New England lodging. The white colonial-style inn with green shutters is a picturesque getaway for couples wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

The inn is located in Bethlehem, a town on the foothills of New Hampshire’s White Mountains. The Adair was built in 1927 by Frank Hogan, a native son and successful trial lawyer, as a wedding gift to his daughter, Dorothy Adair Hogan. Today, birch and pine trees and stone walls surround the inn, and couples can appreciate the graceful knolls of the mountains from each room.

The property is just as impressive with gardens and walking trails for couples to enjoy during day dates in warm or cold weather. The landscape was designed by the Olmsted Brothers, the sons of famous landscape architect Frederick Law Olstead, who designed Central Park in Manhattan.

“Stately white birches, rambling stonewalls, perennial gardens that attract butterflies and songbirds, and walking trails throughout the 200-acre Adair property are worth exploring,” according to the inn’s website.

Couples can use trail maps in the summer to plan their day hikes. In winter, the inn offers snowshoes for snowy exploration.

Guests who want warmer activities for their dates can visit local art galleries and shops in the nearby villages of Littleton, Sugar Hill, and Franconia, New Hampshire. They can also warm up in the Adair Inn’s fireside restaurant with a glass of brandy and a three-course dinner.

Many couples also enjoy lighter fare in the library pub, and they can eat outside on the inn’s garden patio during the summer months.

Eventually, Dorothy Adair Hogan and her family sold the estate, and its new owners transformed it into a modern yet classic property. Today, owners Joel and Cathy Bedor work alongside innkeeper Stacey Rachdorf to maintain the inn’s original character and provide couples with unique experiences.

Rooms at the Adair Inn preserve the property’s legacy while adding modern comforts. Most rooms offer four-poster feather beds, private bathrooms, and views of the gardens and lawn through original dormer windows.

Couples celebrating special occasions and who want to plan dates and getaways may wish to book one of the inn’s private houses. These small houses, which were once the carriage house and the innkeeper’s quarters, offer couples a more private setting.

Couples can also take advantage of inn specials — and summer and winter packages — to plan their visits. On occasion during the winter months, couples can book two midweek nights for the price of one. And if they stay for two weekend nights, they may receive a third night for free.

Couples often opt for the Adair Inn’s Romantic Getaway any time of the year. The package ensures a stay in a fireplace room decorated with flowers and candles. Couples receive bathrobes, champagne, gourmet cupcakes, and salted pecans. The package also includes breakfast.

“Enjoy a quiet and romantic evening meal in the comfort and convenience of your own room, or join us in our cozy restaurant with a view of the fireplace from your table. After breakfast, enjoy a nice walk on the gorgeous wooded trails meandering throughout the estate,” reads the hotel website.

One guest described her experience at the Adair Inn.

“Adair Country Inn has done an excellent job of maintaining the historical integrity of the property and Inn while providing all the modern amenities in their rooms. We had the Lincoln Room and Kinsman Suite, which had a lovely deck and beautiful view from the second floor of the main house. The staff was very friendly and we wished we had more time to enjoy the basement which resembles a Speakeasy from the days of Prohibition. We will definitely be back,” she writes.

Some couples who enjoyed dates at the Adair Inn choose to say, “I do” at the property. Many others searching for a classic New England setting also host their special days on the grounds.

The inn can accommodate larger weddings of up to 120 people. Ceremonies take place in the Adair garden. Afterward, couples and their guests can move to the outdoor tented reception area, complete with a banquet, string lights, and a dance floor. Tents are handicapped-accessible, and provide indoor restrooms next to the venue.

Some couples with wedding parties of up to 40 guests may want to hold the ceremony in the inn’s restaurant, tearoom, or recreation den. One or more guest rooms can be outfitted for ceremonies, cocktail hours, or receptions.

The inn offers in-house catering, too, and can put together banquets, plated dinner services, and cocktail hours.

One of the most appealing aspects of a wedding at the Adair Inn is that guests can return to one of the inn’s 11 rooms after the ceremony. A three-course breakfast and coffee are included in the wedding package.

Couples who married at the Adair Inn also frequently share their experiences in online testimonials.

“Overall, we could not be happier with our choice to get married at this special place. The staff went above and beyond to make our wedding weekend and day absolutely perfect and memorable!” one bride said.

“We had a wonderful intimate summer wedding at The Adair. It has a perfect historic charm with beautiful grounds. We got married next to the lily pond and we were able to take many great pictures outdoors throughout the perfectly maintained property. They were very kind and accommodating. Dinner and breakfast were both delicious,” said another couple.

The Adair Inn offers couples many opportunities to spend time with each other. Couples who like an active lifestyle can experience a unique date on the Adair’s Dog Sled Adventure in January, February, or March.

“This is an introductory dog sledding adventure where guests will meet and greet the sled dogs and help their musher prepare the sled. Once the sled is ready, guests will embark on a ride (ride time varies and is based on the weights of the participants, trail conditions and the doggies pulling the sled). The mushers try to leave some time at the end for guests to say thank you to the sled dogs by giving belly rubs and sharing treats,” according to the inn.

Couples can plan a truly memorable date experience during the winter months: a Sleigh Ride Getaway. Couples travel through the wintery peaks of the mountains on a sleigh ride drawn by horses from the nearby Franconia Notch Stables. They can snuggle under blankets and bring along hot cocoa or tea for the 30-minute trip.

The Romantic Picnic package is also a memorable way to celebrate.

“We’ll send you off with directions to our favorite picnic spots and a picnic backpack bursting with chilled juice and bottled water, a hearty lunch for two including sandwiches on fresh focaccia bread, gourmet pasta salad, fresh fruits and pastries for dessert,” according to the inn website.

Guests often choose to ride on the Mount Washington Cog Railway — the first mountain-climbing railway. Couples can ride to the top of New England’s tallest mountain and hike, fish, or watch birds at one of the area’s many state parks.

Whether couples seek a cozy winter getaway or an active summer vacation, the Adair Inn offers plenty of opportunities for them to unwind and connect.