East Hill Farm, Troy, NH

At the foot of Mount Monadnock, where the hills roll gently through the quiet countryside of southwestern New Hampshire, East Hill Farm has been welcoming families for generations. Part working farm, part country inn, and part old-fashioned family retreat, it is the sort of place where mornings might begin with a trip to the barn and end with homemade cookies and stories from the day.

Farm life is at the heart of the experience. Guests can lend a hand milking a cow, gather fresh eggs, feed and visit the animals, or climb aboard for a seasonal hay or sleigh ride. There are plenty of ways to explore beyond the barn, too. Depending on the season, families may find themselves hiking, swimming, boating, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, making crafts, or simply enjoying the view of Grand Monadnock.

And then there is the food. Three home-cooked, family-style meals are part of the East Hill Farm tradition, with fresh breads and baked treats coming from the kitchen and a famously well-stocked cookie jar never too far away. It is hearty country cooking meant to bring everyone back around the same table after a busy day outdoors.

The story of this land stretches back centuries. East Hill Farm's earliest roots reach to the 1700s, when the property was cleared for farming and a large family made its home here. By the 1800s, travelers and farmers were already staying overnight while cattle grazed the surrounding pastures. The property continued to evolve through barn raisings, additions, cottages, and new recreational facilities, eventually becoming the family vacation destination known today. The Inn at East Hill Farm was established in 1947 and has since welcomed generation after generation of returning guests.

That long tradition of gathering makes East Hill Farm a natural setting for more than vacations. The inn hosts retreats, conferences, reunions, and other group getaways, combining lodging, meeting spaces, meals, recreation, and farm activities in one relaxed country setting.

Couples looking for a New Hampshire farm wedding can celebrate here as well, with Mount Monadnock providing a memorable backdrop. A lawn ceremony can be followed by an old-fashioned, home-cooked gathering complete with the sort of fresh breads, fritters, maple syrup, and warm hospitality that suit a country wedding beautifully.

For families, however, East Hill Farm's charm may be simplest to describe through the little moments: a child carrying a freshly gathered egg, the sound of animals waiting for breakfast, flour on someone's hands after a baking activity, or a family settling in together after a full day outside. In a world where vacations can sometimes feel hurried, East Hill Farm keeps alive a gentler tradition: good food, fresh air, farm chores, mountain scenery, and time spent together.

Primary Season: Farm-to-school program, inn

Farm Experiences: Farm animal visits and feeding, cow milking, egg collecting, hay and sleigh rides, horseback riding, family recreation, seasonal outdoor activities, swimming, hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing

Also Welcomes: Overnight guests, families, groups, retreats, conferences, meetings, reunions, and weddings