Riverhouse by Weekender
80 Concord St
Peterborough, NH
On the Contoocook River in the town that inspired 'Our Town,' a short walk from the theater company that has performed the play more times than any other in the world.
About Riverhouse by Weekender
The property at 80 Concord Street operated for years as the Jack Daniels Motor Inn. Weekender Hotels, a boutique hospitality company founded by Keir Weimer in 2021, acquired it and renovated it as Riverhouse, part of a portfolio of renovated motor inns spanning the Adirondacks and New England. Thornton Wilder wrote Our Town while in residence at the MacDowell Colony, the historic artists' residency a mile up the road and the oldest continuously operating artists' community in the United States. The Peterborough Players theater company, in operation since 1933, has produced the play more times than any other company in the world. A street sign in downtown marks the intersection at Grover's Corners. The Contoocook River runs directly behind the Riverhouse.
What Riverhouse by Weekender Is Known For
The Contoocook River runs behind the Riverhouse, and the riverside fire-pit seating sits directly above the water. This is not a landscaping decision: the river was here before the motor inn was. What the Weekender renovation did was preserve the motel bones that make it work as a base: exterior-facing room access, parking at the door, a compact footprint that keeps arrivals simple and departures direct. Peterborough fills in the rest without requiring anything from the hotel. The MacDowell Colony, the Peterborough Players, the Monadnock trails, and a working downtown arts scene are all within a mile or two. The hotel is the access point; the town is the destination.
Amenities
- Pets Welcome
- Breakfast Included
- WiFi
- Riverside seating area along the Contoocook River with fire pit
- Exterior motor-inn rooms with at-door parking
- River View King rooms overlooking the Contoocook
- Pet-friendly rooms available (advance phone reservation required)
- Complimentary breakfast daily
- Contoocook River access for kayaking and canoeing
- Alexa-enabled rooms
- ADA-accessible rooms with full accessibility hardware
- Dedicated workspace in every room
What Guests Love
- River View King rooms with direct views of the Contoocook River make this one of the only properties in the Monadnock region where the water is the room feature. The riverside fire-pit seating is accessible to all guests and sits above the river rather than beside a parking lot.
- Peterborough is a working arts town with the MacDowell Colony one mile away, the Peterborough Players theater within walking distance, and galleries and independent restaurants in a downtown that has not been converted to chains. The Riverhouse sits at the walking edge of all of it.
- Guests consistently note clean rooms, comfortable beds, and the ease of being walking distance from downtown and steps from the river.
Worth Knowing
- Check-in is self-guided via a smartphone access code; there is no staffed front desk on-site. Contact Weekender Hotels before arrival with room-specific requests or if you need assistance at check-in. A contact number is on the property website.
- Rooms facing Concord Street carry some traffic noise in the early morning. River View King rooms face the Contoocook River on the rear side of the property and tend to be quieter. Request a river-facing room when booking if noise is a concern.
- Mount Monadnock, Miller State Park, and most hiking trailheads require a short drive from the property. A car is useful for day trips; Peterborough's downtown is walkable.
- Pets are welcome. A pet fee applies; contact the property directly to confirm current amounts and any restrictions before booking.
The Room
Rooms are arranged in the original motor-inn footprint with exterior-facing access and parking at the door. Room types include River View King rooms with direct views of the Contoocook River, Deluxe King rooms, and two-bed rooms. Guesthouse B has two king beds; Guesthouse C has a king bed, twin beds, and a sofa bed. All rooms include 55-inch TVs with Disney and ESPN streaming, high-speed Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, microwaves, in-room coffee makers stocked with Starbucks K-cups, USB charging stations, and Alexa devices. Kassatex linens and Beekman 1802 bath products are standard throughout. Pet-friendly rooms are available and require advance phone confirmation rather than online booking. ADA-accessible rooms are available with designated parking, ramps, accessibility bars, and slanted sink bases. Dedicated work desks are in every room.
The Grounds
The Riverhouse sits on Concord Street at the edge of Peterborough's downtown, within walking distance of Depot Square shops, galleries, and the Peterborough Players theater. A riverside seating area along the Contoocook River is the property's most distinctive outdoor space: fire-pit seating above the water with picnic areas and a covered portico. Free parking is on-site. The Contoocook River is accessible from the property for kayaking and canoeing. Downtown Peterborough's independent restaurants and galleries are a short walk along Concord Street.
The Experience
Peterborough delivers what most small New England towns promise: a genuinely walkable downtown with working businesses, arts institutions that have been in operation for decades, and a natural setting that arrives complete. The MacDowell Colony, one mile away, has hosted Thornton Wilder, Aaron Copland, Willa Cather, Virgil Thomson, and hundreds of other writers, composers, and artists since 1907. The Peterborough Players present professional theater each summer within walking distance of the property. Mount Monadnock, consistently cited among the most-climbed peaks in North America, is 10 miles by car. The Riverhouse holds a across 284 guest reviews reviews, ranked first among Peterborough hotels. Check-in is self-guided via a smartphone access code. There is no staffed front desk, so contact the property before arrival with any specific requests. Complimentary breakfast is served on-site. Guests consistently cite the riverside setting, the beds, and the walkable access to Peterborough as the reasons they return.
Details
Peterborough, NH 03458
The Boutel designation is earned, not purchased. Boutels is editorially independent and has no financial relationship with any listed property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Riverhouse by Weekender have EV charging?
No, Riverhouse by Weekender does not have EV charging.
Does Riverhouse by Weekender have WiFi?
Yes, Riverhouse by Weekender has WiFi.
What is there to do near Riverhouse by Weekender?
MacDowell Colony: 1 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can walk. Mount Monadnock State Park: 10 miles, about a 20 minute drive. Miller State Park and Pack Monadnock: 8 miles, about a 15 minute drive.
How far is Riverhouse by Weekender from MacDowell Colony?
1 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can walk.
How far is Riverhouse by Weekender from Mount Monadnock State Park?
10 miles, about a 20 minute drive.
How far is Riverhouse by Weekender from Miller State Park and Pack Monadnock?
8 miles, about a 15 minute drive.
Is Riverhouse by Weekender pet friendly?
Yes. Riverhouse by Weekender welcomes pets. A pet fee applies; contact the property directly to confirm current amounts and any restrictions before booking.
How does check-in work at the Riverhouse?
Check-in at the Riverhouse is self-guided via a smartphone access code. There is no staffed front desk on-site. The property recommends contacting Weekender Hotels ahead of arrival with any room-specific requests or special needs. Contact information is available on the property website.
How far is the Riverhouse from Mount Monadnock?
Mount Monadnock State Park is approximately 10 miles from the Riverhouse, a short drive via Route 101 West and NH-124. The mountain is one of the most frequently climbed peaks in North America and accessible via multiple trail systems from the state park trailhead.
Is breakfast included at the Riverhouse?
Yes. Complimentary breakfast is included with every stay at the Riverhouse.
What outdoor activities are available from the Riverhouse?
The Contoocook River runs directly behind the property and is accessible for kayaking and canoeing. Mount Monadnock State Park and Miller State Park with Pack Monadnock are within 10 miles. The MacDowell Colony grounds include walking trails accessible by the public on certain days. Downtown Peterborough is walkable from the property.
Does the Riverhouse have river views?
Yes. River View King rooms look directly out at the Contoocook River. A riverside seating area with a fire pit above the water is available to all guests. The river is also accessible for kayaking and canoeing.
Does Riverhouse by Weekender have a pool?
Riverhouse by Weekender does not have a pool. The property has a communal fire pit area.
Is parking available at Riverhouse by Weekender?
Yes. Free on-site parking is available at Riverhouse by Weekender.
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Things to Do Near the Monadnock Region
MacDowell Colony
1 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can walk.
MacDowell is the oldest artists' residency in the United States, established in 1907 on the former farm of composer Edward MacDowell in Peterborough. Thornton Wilder wrote 'Our Town' here while in residence, modeling the fictional Grover's Corners on Peterborough. The Colony has hosted Aaron Copland, Willa Cather, Alice Walker, and hundreds of other writers, composers, and visual artists over more than a century.
Mount Monadnock State Park
10 miles, about a 20 minute drive.
Mount Monadnock rises to 3,165 feet above the surrounding southern New Hampshire terrain with unusual isolation, making it one of the most frequently climbed mountains in North America. The summit is above tree line and accessible via multiple trail systems from the state park trailhead on Dublin Road. The White Dot and White Cross trails are the most direct; the more gradual Marlboro Trail approaches from the west.
Miller State Park and Pack Monadnock
8 miles, about a 15 minute drive.
Miller State Park, established in 1891 as the oldest state park in New Hampshire, encompasses Pack Monadnock Mountain at 2,290 feet. A paved auto road reaches near the summit, making the views accessible without a full hike. The summit offers clear sightlines to both Mount Washington to the north and Boston to the south on favorable days. Multiple hiking trails also connect to the summit from the park base.