55 GREAT ATTRACTIONS IN THE
WHITE MOUNTAINS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
Very few places in the United States offer as good a combination of natural beauty and tourist attractions as the White Mountains of New Hampshire. If you've enjoyed places like the Black Hills of South Dakota or the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, then you'll definitely love this region. The White Mountains truly have something for everyone: 1,000 miles of well-marked hiking trails, several amusement parks, nearly a dozen ski areas, outlet shopping, swimming holes, hundreds of waterfalls, scenic railways, attractive small towns, covered bridges, scenic drives, and so much more. I've been coming here regularly for more than 30 years, and I'm delighted to share 55 great attractions in the White Mountains with you.
I hope you enjoy this travel list. Please let me know if I missed any of the great or classic attractions in the White Mountains.
✪ = A FAMILY FRIENDLY ATTRACTION!
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Location: Kancamagus Highway (NH-112) in downtown Lincoln, NH | Duration: 1-2 hours | Cost: $$$
This 'adventure destination' offers several thrill experiences, including an aerial adventure park, guided offroad driving tours in a 6-wheel Austrian military transport vehicle, and zip-lining tours that can reach speeds of up to 60mph.
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Location: 8 backcountry huts scattered across the White Mountains | Duration: one or more nights | Cost: $$$$$
The non-profit Appalachian Mountain Club manages eight backcountry huts along the Appalachian Trail within the White Mountain National Forest. These huts provide bunk-bed style overnight accommodations and two meals a day (dinner/breakfast) during their regular operating season. The huts are an excellent (although expensive) way to spend a comfortable night deep in the great outdoors. Day hikers are also welcome to stop by during the day for a quick break (a few snacks are often for sale, and its bathrooms can be used).
Here are the AMC huts listed in order from west to east:
✮ Lonesome Lake Hut ✪ - typically accessed from the Lafayette Place Campground trailhead on the west side of I-93
✮ Greenleaf Hut - typically accessed from the Falling Waters trailhead on the east side of I-93
✮ Galehead Hut - typically accessed from one of two trailheads on Gale River Loop Road off US-3
✮ Zealand Falls Hut ✪ - typically accessed from a trailhead at the very end of Zealand Road off US-302
✮ Mizpah Spring Hut - typically accessed from the Crawford Path trailhead on the west side of Mt. Clinton Road off US-302
✮ Lakes of the Clouds Hut - typically accessed from the Ammonoosuc Ravine trailhead on the south side of Base Station Rd off US-302
✮ Madison Spring Hut - typically accessed from the Appalachia trailhead on the south side of US-2
✮ Carter Notch Hut - typically accessed from the Nineteen Mile Brook trailhead on the east side of NH-16
The two easiest huts to reach (and therefore also the most family-friendly) are Lonesome Lake Hut and Zealand Falls Hut.
Although it probably depends on the child, I recommend that children be at least 6 to stay at one of these two huts. More information about these huts can be found on the Appalachian Mountain Club website. |

Lonesome Lake Hut in the winter (with the Franconia Ridge in the background)
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Location: trailhead on Arethusa Falls Road off the west side of US-302 | Duration: 2-3 hours | Cost: $ to park (bring cash)
Many would argue that Arethusa Falls is New Hampshire's most dramatic waterfall. Depending on the source, its height is anywhere from 155-160 feet tall. In the right water conditions, it takes on a heavenly look. The hike to the falls is 3.0 miles round-trip with about 900 feet of elevation gain and 100 feet of elevation loss. The trail is rated moderately difficult but it's generally still considered family-friendly. Altogether, this is one of New Hampshire's best day hikes.
Other nearby waterfalls: Beecher/Pearl Cascades (3.5/5 stars), Flume Cascade (3.5/5 stars), Ripley Falls (5/5 stars), Silver Cascade (5/5 stars) |

Arethusa Falls
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Location: signed parking areas on both sides of I-93 between Lincoln and Franconia | Duration: 1-2 hours | Cost: FREE
The Basin is one of the key attractions of Franconia Notch State Park. A fascinating geologic site, the Basin is an easy walk from trailheads found on both sides of I-93. Although only a few feet tall, the pothole and whirlpool that the falls dump into is impressive. The scenery doesn't end there though - you should explore a few hundred feet both up and downstream to see more small waterfalls and pools, including the Baby Flume.
Another good hike also starts from here. Look for signs to the Basin-Cascades Trail and hike that as it climbs alongside Cascade Brook. You'll pass several waterfalls, slides, and swimming holes. It's a very pretty brook, and I recommend going all the way to Rocky Glen Falls and back for a total of about 2.2 miles round-trip.
Other nearby waterfalls: The Flume (5/5 stars), Falls on the Falling Waters Trail (5/5 stars but limited parking), Georgiana Falls (3.5/5.0 stars) |

The Basin
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Location: US-302 near Twin Mountain | Duration: depends on the activity | Cost: depends on the activity
Bretton Woods is the largest ski area in New Hampshire, and it consistently receives 'best snow' and 'best grooming' for the state awards. The mountain has a reputation as being best for intermediate-level skiers, but there many challenging trails and glades as well. The resort also offers cross country skiing, scenic gondola rides, canopy tours, snow tubing, carriage and sleigh rides, and more.
The ski area is located very close to the world-famous (and very expensive) Omni Mount Washington Resort. |

skiing at Bretton Woods with Mount Washington in the background
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Location: several locations | Duration: 1-2 hours | Cost: $$
While not really known as a brewery destination, there are several good-to-great breweries in the White Mountain region. This includes the following:
Western White Mountains
✮ Iron Furnace Brewing, Franconia - this is a great place to stop after hiking Bridal Veil Falls or anything in Franconia Notch State Park
✮ Rek-Lis Brewing Company, Bethlehem
✮ Schilling Beer Co., Littleton
✮ Twin Barns Brewing Co, North Woodstock
✮ Woodstock Inn Brewery, North Woodstock - this restaurant and brewery has a huge and diverse menu; it can get very busy
Eastern White Mountains
✮ Big Day Brewing, Gorham
✮ Ledge Brewing Company, Intervale
✮ Moat Mountain Smokehouse & Brewing Co., Conway - this brewery has great bar food (I love the wings, burgers, nachos, and brisket)
✮ Saco River Brewing, Fryeburg
✮ Sea Dog Brewing Company, Conway - the food and beer is mediocre in my opinion
✮ Tuckerman Brewing, Conway |
Location: Coppermine Road off NH-116 (south of Franconia) | Duration: 3-4 hours | Cost: FREE
One of the best moderately-difficult day hikes in the White Mountains is the 5.0-mile round-trip hike to Bridal Veil Falls. The hike is straightforward and although it's a bit long and there's about 1,100 feet of total elevation gain, it never feels difficult. For about half of the hike, you'll parallel Coppermine Brook, one of my favorite watercourses in the mountains.
The main falls drop 35-foot like a bride's veil, but the entire series of waterfalls is roughly 80 feet tall. There's a lean-to shelter about 0.2 mile below the falls which makes a great break or lunch spot (and also an overnight backpacking destination if that's your thing). Although it's 5.0 miles long, this is a very family-friendly hike. My daughter was able to hike the entire thing at age four or five.
For a fantastic all-day experience, have an amazing breakfast at nearby Polly's Pancake Parlor in Sugar Hill and then follow up the hike with some brews and food at Iron Furnace Brewing in Franconia. My wife and I actually maintain this hiking trail for the U.S. Forest Service, and that's exactly what we do on our annual day of trail work. |

Bridal Veil Falls
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Cannon Mountain / Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway ✪ |
Location: exit 34B off I-93 north of Lincoln | Duration: 2-3 hours | Cost: $$ for aerial tramway, $$$$ for skiing
Cannon Mountain is a popular place in both winter and summer. In winter, there are 97 ski trails with a vertical drop of 2,180 feet. The views are amongst the best of any ski area in New Hampshire. The mountain has a strong reputation for being frequently windy and icy though.
In summer, you can take an aerial tramway to a station near the top of the 4,080-foot mountain. There's a restaurant and bar to go along with great scenic views from a nearby 360-degree observation deck. You can also hike the entire mountain from several different trailheads (the most popular of which is the Lonesome Lake Trail trailhead near the Lafayette Place Campground). |

Cannon Mountain in the fall
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Cathedral Ledge State Park / Cathedral Ledge Road ✪ |
Location: off West Side Road (west of downtown North Conway) | Duration: 1-2 hours | Cost: $ (bring cash)
700-foot tall Cathedral Ledge offers great scenic views of the Saco River Valley. A mecca for rock climbers, non-climbers can also enjoy Cathedral Ledge by either hiking or driving to the top. The Bryce Path trail from nearby Echo Lake is steep and challenging, and makes for a good hike. The auto road is also fairly steep, but thankfully it's paved. A short walk is required from the parking area at the top to bring you the fenced-in views.
The auto road is closed in winter. To reach the top, you can either snowshoe or snowmobile about 1.4 miles up the closed road. If snow conditions are favorable and you have a well-controlled sled (e.g. a Zipfy), you can hike up and then sled down almost the entirety of the road. This is great fun when conditions are prime, but there is definitely an element of danger to this. I recommend wearing a helmet and heavily controlling your speed. Don't even think about using a snow tube since you need a sled that is fully controllable. |

Cathedral Ledge
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Chocorua Lake / Narrows Bridge ✪ |
Location: Chocorua Lake Road off NH-16 (south of North Conway) | Duration: 10 minutes | Cost: FREE
One of the prettiest bodies of water in the White Mountains is Chocorua Lake. While most of the lake's shoreline is reserved for private owners and town residents, visitors can enjoy very pretty views from the Narrows Bridge on Chocorua Lake Road. While most will be looking north towards the horn-like appearance of Mount Chocorua, if you turn south you might see some great reflections from the other side of the lake. |

Chocorua Lake (looking the opposite way from Mount Chocorua)
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Location: NH-16/US-302 just south of downtown North Conway | Duration: 1 hour | Cost: FREE
The North Conway location of The Christmas Loft is New England's largest Christmas-themed store.
Full of holiday decorations and containing more than 10,000 ornaments, the store is a lot of fun for holiday lovers.
There is also a smaller store in North Woodstock on the western side of the White Mountains as well. |
Location: US-3 in Lincoln, NH | Duration: 2-3 hours | Cost: $$
While I personally disagree with what they are doing here (animals probably shouldn't be manipulated for our own personal entertainment), Clark's Bears is undeniably a legendary New Hampshire attraction. The show has been going on since 1928. On top of watching bears perform circus tricks, you'll find a variety of other attractions here, including a water raft ride, blaster boats, a climbing tower, Segway tours, train rides, and more. This place is absolutely packed on weekends during the summer. |
Location: NH-16/US-302 in downtown North Conway | Duration: up to 6 hours | Cost: $$-$$$$ (depends on the excursion)
The Conway Scenic Railroad in downtown North Conway offers several train excursions. Their finest trip is the 'Mountaineer' to Crawford Notch. This 4-6 hour round-trip ride provides excellent views and is arguably the best scenic train ride in New England.
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Conway Scenic Railroad
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Covered bridges in the White Mountains ✪ |
Location: various locations | Duration: n/a | Cost: FREE (for most)
There are more than 50 historic covered bridges in the state of New Hampshire, and the White Mountains region is home to many of them. Here are the most notable ones:
Western White Mountains
✮ Bath Covered Bridge, Bath
✮ Blair Covered Bridge, Campton
✮ Bump Covered Bridge, Campton
✮ Flume Covered Bridge, Lincoln - within 'The Flume' attraction (paid admission required)
✮ Riverwalk Covered Bridge, Littleton
✮ Sentinel Pine Covered Bridge, Lincoln - a pedestrian bridge within 'The Flume' attraction (paid admission required)
✮ Swiftwater Covered Bridge, Bath - this has a great swimming hole below it
Eastern White Mountains
✮ Albany Covered Bridge, Albany - Passaconaway Road off NH-112 (Kancamagus Highway)
✮ Bartlett Covered Bridge, Bartlett - US-302 west of Glen (a gift shop is within the bridge)
✮ Durgin Covered Bridge, Sandwich
✮ Ellis River Covered Bridge, Jackson - visible from NH-16
✮ Honeymoon Covered Bridge, Jackson - Main Street/NH-16A (this is probably the most famous and photographed covered bridge in NH)
✮ Saco River Covered Bridge, Conway - East Side Road
✮ Swift River Covered Bridge, Conway - visible from West Side Road |

Swiftwater Covered Bridge in Bath, NH
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Cranmore Mountain Resort ✪ |
Location: Skimobile Road just east of downtown North Conway | Duration: depends on activity | Cost: depends on activity
Cranmore Mountain Resort is the closest ski mountain to North Conway.
In winter, there's lift-serviced snow tubing and downhill skiing on 56 trails with a vertical drop of 1,200 feet. In summer, there's downhill mountain biking and the Mountain Adventure Park (which includes a mountain coaster, zip line, scenic chairlift, and a giant swing). |

Mountain Coaster at Cranmore Mountain Resort
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Crawford Notch State Park ✪ |
Location: US-302 between Twin Mountain and Glen | Duration: half to full day | Cost: some trailheads cost $ to park (bring cash)
Crawford Notch State Park boasts fantastic mountain views, several excellent waterfalls, and access to some of the best hikes in New England. Hikes range in difficulty from easy to very difficult, and so there's something for everyone. The park is absolutely glorious during fall foliage (which is typically the first two weeks of October).
Here are the main attractions and landmarks of Crawford Notch State Park, listed in order from north to south as you travel along US-302:
✮ AMC Highland Center - there are several trailheads nearby (with hikes to Mount Jackson, Mount Pierce, and Mount Willard)
✮ Webster-Jackson Trailhead - take a short day hike to Elephant Rock or a challenging day hike to Mount Jackson
✮ Flume Cascade - a roadside waterfall that is only a few hundred feet north of Silver Cascade
✮ Silver Cascade - a spectacular roadside waterfall that you can partially explore along its edges (watch your step!)
✮ Willey House Historic Site
✮ Appalachian Trail crossing - a challenging but great hike up the Webster Cliffs can be done from here
✮ Ripley Falls - a 5-star waterfall that requires a short and fairly easy 1.2 mile round-trip hike
✮ Dry River Campground
✮ Arethusa Falls - take a moderately-difficult, 3.2 mile round-trip hike to NH's best waterfall
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Silver Cascade, visible from US-302 in Crawford Notch State Park
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Location: West Side Road (west of downtown North Conway) | Duration: 1-2 hours | Cost: $ to park (bring cash)
Diana's Baths is the most popular hike in the North Conway area.
A 1.2-mile very easy round-trip hike will bring you to a long series of waterfalls, potholes, and shallow swimming holes. On a nice day, there will be a hundred-plus people here, but it's large enough that you can always find yourself a private little spot. Some of the pools and falls are great for kids, and you'll often see many of them splashing around.
Parking is a serious problem here, and if you attempt to visit on a weekend between 9am-5pm in summer, odds are high you won't be able to easily snag a spot. Expect to keep driving around until a spot opens up for you. In recent years, nearby residents have offered paid parking areas on their private lots. |

a small portion of Diana's Baths
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Location: Kancamagus Highway (NH-112) | Duration: 2-3 hours | Cost: FREE
Located at the western end of the Kancamagus Highway on NH-112, Lincoln is a great base town to explore the great outdoors. There's access to literally hundreds of miles of hiking trails within a 30-minute drive of town. The town has a few dozen restaurants and shops as well.
Instead of having a compact downtown, the town's restaurants and shops are spread across a 1.3 mile long stretch of road. This road is walkable, but most people seem to drive and make several stops instead. Among other attractions, you'll find a few ski shops, a mini-golfing course, and the excellent Mountain Wanderer travel guidebook store.
You could stay in Lincoln for an entire week and only scratch the surface of attractions in the area. My favorite places to eat in or near town include: Woodstock Inn & Station (American), Black Mountain Burger Company (burgers), Gypsy Cafe (eclectic), and The Common Man (American). |
Location: NH-16 / US-302 (put Zeb's or Schouler Park into your GPS) | Duration: 2-3 hours | Cost: FREE
Downtown North Conway is a quaint village with a few dozen shops, several restaurants, and a public park with scenic views of nearby mountains. The famous Zeb's General Store is here, as is the Conway Scenic Railroad. Cranmore Mountain Resort and the outlet shops of Conway are both just a short drive away as well.
My favorite places to eat in this area include: Peaches (breakfast), Vito's (Italian), Flatbread (pizza), Delaney's Hole in the Wall (American), and Moat Mountain Smokehouse & Brewery (American/BBQ). |

mural at the Settlers Green shopping outlets
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Location: Franconia Notch State Park | Duration: half day | Cost: $ (reserve online well in advance)
Not to be confused with the Echo Lake near North Conway, this Echo Lake is within Franconia Notch State Park on the western side of the White Mountains. The swimming here is excellent, and there's a trailhead across the street to hike up to Artists Bluff (of recent Instagram-fame). Make parking reservations online well in advance as they often sell out. |
Location: Echo Lake Road in North Conway (west of downtown) | Duration: half day | Cost: $ (bring cash)
Located only 5 minutes west of downtown North Conway, Echo Lake State Park is a great place to swim and hike. The water is clear, there's good picnic facilities, and you can't beat the beautiful view of the towering Whitehorse Ledge on the western side of the lake.
You can walk around the lake or you can take a challenge hike on the Bryce Path up to Cathedral Ledge for great scenic views of the Saco River Valley. |
Location: signed trailhead off I-93 between Lincoln and Franconia | Duration: 2-3 hours | Cost: $$ (reserve online in advance)
A trip to the The Flume has long been a favorite for families and photographers. This is no surprise considering the variety of features offered on the 2-mile loop trail. Along the way, you'll take a boardwalk trail through a long, narrow, and pretty gorge. You'll see several impressive waterfalls, covered bridges, and glacial boulders on the walk as well. Although many don't,
I highly recommend hiking the entire 2.0-mile loop, which takes about 90 minutes. Many people turn back after reaching the end of the gorge, but they are missing some of the highlights here (including the attractive Liberty Cascade).
The Flume is one of New Hampshire's biggest tourist attractions, and timed-entry reservations are highly recommend. You can make them online on the NH State Parks website. Take note that pets are not welcome here. |

The Flume
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Franconia Notch Bike Path (aka Recreation Path) ✪ |
Location: Franconia Notch State Park | Duration: 1-2 hours (not including stops) | Cost: FREE (or $$$ for rentals and a shuttle)
The Franconia Notch Bike Path is a scenic, 9 mile-long paved bike path that travels through Franconia Notch State Park. The bike path parallels I-93, but it feels far enough away from the highway as most of the path travels through dense woods. The path has many hills and twists-and-turns, and I feel it is not appropriate or enjoyable for young children. I recommend ages 10 or higher for this ride.
The southern trailhead is at The Flume and the northern trailhead is the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway parking area off I-93 (Exit 34B). If you ride from south to north, you are going to have to climb about 750 feet to the highest point on the trail (and then the trail drops about 350 feet as it approaches the northern trailhead). If you are traveling one-way (by using two vehicles or a local shuttle service), I recommend traveling from north to south to minimize how much climbing you'll need to do. The Sport Thuma shop in Lincoln, NH offers a flat fee for bike rentals and a shuttle.
I recommend bringing a bike lock so that you can take at least one day hike from the bike path. The Flume, Lonesome Lake, the Basin-Cascades Trail, and the Falling Waters Trail to Cloudland Falls are all fantastic, relatively easy day hikes that have trailheads along the bike path.
In winter, you can snowmobile the path. |

Franconia Notch Bike Path with Cannon Cliff in the background
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Franconia Notch State Park ✪ |
Location: various trailheads off I-93 between Lincoln and Franconia | Duration: half to full day | Cost: some trailheads are $ to park (bring cash)
Franconia Notch State Park is the premier state park in New Hampshire, and a top 100 state park in the United States. One of the best mountain hikes in the country is here: the Franconia Ridge across Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette. There's also several beautiful backcountry ponds and a network of excellent hiking trails.
There are also some fascinating geologic attractions, including The Flume and The Basin.
Here are some notable attractions and landmarks as you drive north through the state park on I-93 between Lincoln and Franconia:
✮ Mile 0.0 - junction of Kancamagus Highway (NH-112) and I-93 in Lincoln
✮ Mile 3.8 - exit 34A for Flume Gorge Visitor Center (which is also the southern end of the Franconia Notch Bike Path)
✮ Mile 6.0 - exit for The Basin
✮ Mile 7.6 - exit for Falling Waters Trailhead (this is used to hike the Franconia Ridge Loop)
✮ Mile 8.3 - exit for Boise Rock parking area
✮ Mile 9.6 - exit 34B for Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway and the northern end of the Franconia Notch Bike Path
✮ Mile 10.3 - exit 34C for Echo Lake Beach, Cannon Mountain Ski Resort, and the Artists Bluff trailhead
✮ Mile 11.8 - exit for US-3 in Franconia
If you are driving south on I-93, you won't be able to access the Falling Waters Trailhead. Instead, use the hiker's trailhead in front of Lafayette Place Campground. You can hike Lonesome Lake, Cannon Mountain, and/or The Kinsmans from there. Take note that parking at both of these trailheads is VERY limited and all spots fill up early on weekends (and often early on weekdays, too). In recent years, a shuttle from Cannon Mountain has provided access to these trailheads once the main parking area is full. |

trailhead for the hike to Lonesome Lake
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Location: NH-16 north of Glen/Jackson | Duration: 1 hour | Cost: $ to park (bring cash)
64-foot Glen Ellis Falls is the most popular waterfall of the Pinkham Notch area of the White Mountains. Requiring only a short hike and always having good water-flow (it literally never dries up), the waterfall easily attracts hundreds of visitors per day. The geology here is stunning, and you'll pass several pretty pools as you climb down several staircases to reach the base of the impressive falls. If you are in the vicinity of Mount Washington, stopping here is an absolute must.
Other nearby waterfalls: Crystal Cascade (5/5 stars), Jackson Falls (4/5 stars), Thompson Falls (4.5/5 stars), Winniweta Falls (3.5/5 stars) |

Glen Ellis Falls
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Granite State Scenic Railway (aka Hobo Railroad) ✪ |
Location: Kancamagus Highway (NH-112) in downtown Lincoln | Duration: 2 hours | Cost: $$ (can be reserved online in advance)
The Granite State Scenic Railway, often referred to as the Hobo Railroad, offers an 80-minute, 15-mile round-trip scenic train ride along the Pemigewasset River. The base station is located at the western end of downtown Lincoln, within walking distance to several shops and restaurants. There's also a good mini-golf course in front of the train station. |
Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center ✪ |
Location: NH-16 north of Glen/Jackson | Duration: 2-4 hours | Cost: depends on activity
The Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center is an outdoor activity center at the base of Mount Washington that offers 28-miles of carriage roads and trails. The center offers a variety of activities in all seasons. The base lodge has a sizable gift shop and a small cafe as well.
Winter Activities
✮ Mt. Washington SnowCoach rides (which rides up to treeline on the Mount Washington Auto Road)
✮ Cross country skiing
✮ Snow tubing
✮ Snowshoeing
✮ Fat-biking
Summer Activities
✮ Mountain biking (trail pass required)
✮ Hiking (FREE - no trail pass required)
✮ Guided kayaking tours
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Hiking in the White Mountains ✪ |
Location: various locations | Duration: depends on the length of hike | Cost: the most popular trailheads are $ to park (bring cash)
There are more than 1,200 miles of (non-motorized) hiking trails in the White Mountain National Forest, making this one of the premier hiking areas of the country. There are hundreds of waterfalls and swimming holes, and plenty of scenic views. There are remote lakes and ponds, backcountry campsites, and alpine huts. Hiking here is as good or better than most of the U.S. national parks.
Here are some recommended hikes:
Easier hikes |
Moderate hikes |
✮ Artist's Bluff |
✮ Arethusa Falls |
✮ Diana's Baths |
✮ Bridal Veil Falls |
✮ Glen Ellis Falls |
✮ Mount Pemigewasset |
✮ Lonesome Lake |
✮ North & Middle Sugarloaf |
✮ Mount Willard |
✮ Thoreau Falls |
✮ West Rattlesnake |
✮ Welch & Dickey Loop |
Difficult hikes |
Very difficult hikes |
✮ Mount Chocorua - via Champney Falls Trail |
✮ Baldface Loop |
✮ Mount Eisenhower - via Edmunds Path |
✮ Bonds Traverse |
✮ Mount Garfield - via Mount Garfield Trail |
✮ Franconia Ridge Loop (Mt. Lincoln / Mt. Lafayette) |
✮ Mount Moosilauke - via Gorge Brook Trail |
✮ Mount Adams |
✮ Mount Osceola - via Tripoli Road |
✮ Mount Carrigain |
✮ Mount Pierce - via Crawford Path |
✮ Mount Washington |
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the very scenic trail to Thoreau Falls
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Hiking the 4000-Footers of New Hampshire |
Location: various locations | Duration: day hike or overnight backpacking | Cost: many trailheads cost $ to park (bring cash)
Tens of thousands of people have now completed the ambitious goal of hiking all 48 of New Hampshire's mountains that are over 4,000 feet tall. All of these mountains offer well-defined trails, and most offer great (or better) views. None of them are easy to hike, but many of these mountains offer an exceptional day hike or overnight journey. This is one of the premier hiking areas of the United States, and the views are very impressive from most of these mountains.
Here are some of the easier 4000-footers that offer excellent views:
✮ Eisenhower - via Edmands Path on Mount Clinton Rd.
✮ Garfield - via Mt. Garfield Trail > Garfield Ridge Trail
✮ Moosilauke - via Gorge Brook Trail > Carriage Road > Snapper Trail loop
✮ Pierce - via Crawford Path
Take note that although I state the mountains above are 'easier', they are still moderately difficult by hiking standards and they all should be avoided in poor weather conditions. Tecumseh is also fairly easy, but since the views are mostly obstructed, I no longer highly recommend that mountain.
Here are the very best 4,000-footers. In favorable weather conditions, you can expect amazing views from all of these.
✮ Adams
✮ Bonds, The - includes Bond, Bondcliff, and West Bond
✮ Carrigain
✮ Eisenhower
✮ Franconia Ridge Loop - includes Lincoln and Lafayette
✮ Garfield
✮ Jefferson
✮ Madison
✮ Monroe
✮ Moosilauke
✮ Washington |

The Franconia Ridge Trail looking north towards Mount Lincoln
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Location: NH-16B / Carter Notch Road (near downtown Jackson) | Duration: 1 hour | Cost: FREE
Residents and visitors to the small town of Jackson have been enjoying the waterfalls and swimming holes at Jackson Falls for literally hundreds of years. During the warmer months, there are always people wandering in and around the river near the upper portions of the falls. Although Jackson Falls lacks any magnificent drops, it does contain many cascades, slides, and plunges of differing sizes over a constant stretch of several hundred feet of brook. Altogether, the falls drop about 100-feet.
You can either drive or walk to the falls from downtown Jackson. I like the walk option since you see more of the river and there's a sidewalk the entire way up.
As a warning, take note that the rocks and ledges both in the river and along its banks are extremely slippery. Every time I visit this waterfall I seem to see at least one person take a slip. On one memorable visit in summer, I recall watching 5 or 6 people take a fall. You've now been warned!
Other nearby waterfalls: Crystal Cascade (5/5 stars), Glen Ellis Falls (5/5 stars), Thompson Falls (4.5/5 stars), Winniweta Falls (3.5/5 stars) |

Jackson Falls
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Jackson XC Ski Touring Foundation |
Location: near downtown Jackson (off NH-16) | Duration: 2-4 hours | Cost: $$
Jackson XC offers an outstanding 100-km long cross-country trail system. There are more than 80 trails, with a good selection of easy, moderate, and challenging trails. Altogether, it's one of the finest cross-country skiing centers in New England.
I highly recommend eating at the nearby Red Fox Bar and Grille afterwards. That's my favorite restaurant in the Jackson area (by far). Try the steak tips... |
Location: NH-16/US-302 about 1.0 mile south of downtown North Conway | Duration: half day | Cost: $$$
At 40,000 square feet, Kahuna Laguna is the largest indoor water park in New Hampshire. It's hidden behind a hotel, but you don't need to be an overnight guest there to use the water park.
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Kancamagus Highway / NH-112 ✪ |
Location: between Lincoln, NH and Conway, NH | Duration: 1 hour (not including stops) | Cost: some parking areas are $ (bring cash)
The top scenic drive in New Hampshire is the Kancamagus Highway. Traveling between the tourist towns of Lincoln and Conway, the drive is open year-round and features awesome mountain views, several easily accessible waterfalls, and about a dozen hiking trailheads. No visit to New Hampshire is complete without driving this nationally significant road.
Here are some notable attractions as you drive west on the Kancamagus Highway from Lincoln to Conway:
✮ Mile 0.0 - junction of I-93 and NH-112 in Lincoln
✮ Mile 0.5 - downtown Lincoln
✮ Mile 2.9 - Loon Mountain Resort
✮ Mile 5.4 - Lincoln Woods / Franconia Falls Trailhead
✮ Mile 10.8 - Hancock Overlook (located immediately after a hairpin turn)
✮ Mile 11.3 - Panoramic Overlook
✮ Mile 13.3 - Pemigewasset Overlook
✮ Mile 20.0 - Sabbaday Falls - short walk to a gorgeous waterfall
✮ Mile 24.8 - Champney Falls - moderate hike to a pretty but seasonal set of waterfalls
✮ Mile 26.5 - Rocky Gorge Scenic Area - short walk to a small gorge and waterfall
✮ Mile 28.5 - Lower Falls - a legendary roadside swimming hole
✮ Mile 29.2 - Passaconaway Road to Albany Covered Bridge
✮ Mile 35.4 - junction of NH-112 / NH-16 in Conway
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one of the waterfalls of Franconia Falls
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Location: Kancamagus Highway (NH-112) just east of downtown Lincoln | Duration: half to full day | Cost: depends on activity
Loon Mountain is an extremely popular ski mountain that is only minutes from downtown Lincoln. It offers
73 trails across three peaks with a vertical drop of 2,100 feet. It's notoriously crowded on weekends, and so I highly recommend mid-week skiing. There are many lodging opportunities at the resort and also nearby.
In summer, there's a slew of attractions and activities at Loon Mountain, including:
✮ A scenic gondola ride to glacial caves and an observation tower and boardwalk
✮ A ninja course
✮ An excellent downhill mountain biking park (one of the best in NH)
✮ New Hampshire's highest-elevation disc golf course
✮ An adventure center with a zipline, bungee trampoline, and climbing wall |
Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves ✪ |
Location: NH-112 in North Woodstock (west of downtown Lincoln) | Duration: 2-3 hours | Cost: $$
I'm still upset with my parents for not taking me here while I was a child. This place is so-much-fun! Along a 0.75-mile wooden boardwalk trail, you'll climb and scramble your way through many fun boulder caves. Adults will be challenged in some of them, but there are bypass routes. Along the walk you'll also see the pretty Paradise Falls waterfall.
This natural tourist attraction can get very busy, and so I suggest arriving earlier or later in the day. It's also a bit expensive, but I think it's absolutely worth it. I've been 6-7 times over the years, and I'll probably go that many times more. Take note that pets are not welcome here. |

Paradise Falls at the Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves
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Location: Kancamagus Highway (NH-112), east of Rocky Gorge | Duration: 1-2 hours | Cost: $ to park (bring cash)
Lower Falls is in all likelihood the most popular swimming hole in New England. If the weather is anywhere close to nice, you'll see dozens of people playing in the waterfalls and wide river. Although the falls only drop about 10-feet, the scenery here is excellent. You could easily spend a half day here.
While in the area, you should also try to visit nearby Rocky Gorge and Sabbaday Falls. Save your U.S. Forest Service parking ticket as it will work at those two locations as well. |

Lower Falls
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Location: trailhead on Boulder Road in Madison, NH (about 20 min south of North Conway) | Duration: 1 hour | Cost: FREE
Madison Boulder, a national natural landmark, is believed to be the largest glacial erratic in North America. At 83-feet long, 37-feet wide, and 23-feet high, this boulder is definitely big! A short, easy, and nearly flat walk along Boulder Road (a dirt/gravel road) gets you there.
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Madison Boulder
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Location: 30 minutes north of North Conway | Duration: depends on activity | Cost: $ to hike, $$$ to drive, $$$$ for cog railway
Mount Washington, originally known as Agiocochook, is a special mountain. But it's also a deadly one, with a fatality count of more than 175 people. The weather is notoriously nasty, with 231 miles per hour being the highest recorded wind speed. The top of the mountain is completely exposed to the elements, and the mountain is in the clouds/fog about 60% of the year. The typical tourist season (which generally means when the snow and ice is generally gone) is mid-June through late-September or early-October.
Mount Washington can experience a snowstorm in any month of the year, but typically the first substantial snow is in October. The snow and ice doesn't typically finish melting from the previous winter until mid-to-late June.
There are several ways to get to the top of Mount Washington. Ideally, you would attempt these if the weather is favorable:
✮ drive your own vehicle to the top via the scenic Mount Washington Auto Road ($$$)
✮ hike or backpack the Presidential Traverse from US-302 in Crawford Notch to the Appalachia trailhead on US-2 (roughly 23-miles one-way)
✮ hike the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail and return via Jewell Trail (9-mile loop)
✮ hike the Tuckerman Ravine Trail (stopping at Crystal Cascade on the way up) and return via Lions Head (8-mile loop)
✮ hike other longer trails in the area (e.g. Boott Spur Trail, Nelson Crag Trail, Davis Path, etc.)
✮ ride to the top on the Mount Washington Cog Railway ($$$$)
✮ rock-scramble a class III climbing route up Huntington Ravine and return via Lions Head (8-mile loop; extremely difficult)
There are no easy hikes up Mount Washington. All of them are difficult or very difficult, and none should be attempted in poor weather.
The best backcountry skiing in New England is on the eastern side of Mount Washington. This includes the extreme Tuckerman Ravine, which is most often skied in April and May.
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Tuckerman Ravine on Mount Washington
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Location: downtown Lincoln (NH-112) | Duration: 30 min | Cost: FREE (unless you buy something, which you should)
The Mountain Wanderer is a small travel bookstore in downtown Lincoln. It is run by one of the nicest, most helpful humans you'll ever met: Steve Smith. If you need a guidebook to the White Mountain region, he will have it. If you need a suggestion for a hike, he'll have that too.
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Location: Dinsmore Road in Jackson, NH | Duration: 1-2 hours | Cost: $$-$$$ (depends on activity)
People love Nestlenook for its charming, Victorian-styled ice skating in winter, but they also offer sleigh rides and snowshoeing trails. In the fall, they offer several horse-drawn carriage rides, including a haunted one. |

Nestlenook Farm
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Location: between Glen and Gorham, NH | Duration: 1 hour (not including stops) | Cost: some trailheads cost $ (bring cash)
The drive from Glen to Gorham on NH-16 is one of New Hampshire's finest drives. The views of Mount Washington and other big mountains is excellent. There are also many hiking trailheads along this road, leading to other big mountains and several waterfalls and swimming holes.
Here are some notable attractions and landmarks as you drive north on NH-16 from the junction of US-302 and NH-16 in Glen up to Gorham:
✮ Mile 0.0 - junction of US-302 and NH-16 in Glen
✮ Mile 0.5 - Story Land and Living Shores Aquarium
✮ Mile 2.3 - Honeymoon Covered Bridge and the southern junction of NH-16 and NH-16A (NH-16A heads east towards downtown Jackson)
✮ Mile 2.7 - northern junction of NH-16 and NH-16A (NH-16A heads east towards downtown Jackson)
✮ Mile 5.5 - Winniweta Falls trailhead - a short hike to a uncrowded waterfall; requires an ankle-to-knee deep water crossing
✮ Mile 7.8 - Rocky Branch North trailhead
✮ Mile 10.7 - scenic view from a pull-off on the eastern side of NH-16
✮ Mile 11.0 - Glen Ellis Falls trailhead - an exceptional waterfall that requires a 0.7 mile round-trip hike
✮ Mile 11.8 - AMC Pinkham Notch Visitor Center / Mount Washington & Tuckerman Ravine trailhead / Crystal Cascade trailhead
✮ Mile 12.7 - Wildcat Mountain / Thompson Falls trailhead
✮ Mile 14.6 - Mount Washington Auto Road and Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center
✮ Mile 14.7 - The Glen House
✮ Mile 15.5 - Nineteen Mile Brook trailhead
✮ Mile 16.0 - Great Gulf Wilderness trailhead
✮ Mile 18.0 - Dolly Copp Road / Dolly Copp Campground
✮ Mile 20.6 - Stony Brook trailhead
✮ Mile 22.4 - junction of NH-16 and US-2 in Gorham |

scenic views along NH-16 between Glen and Gorham
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Omni Mount Washington Hotel |
Location: visible from pullout on US-302 | Duration: 10 minutes | Cost: FREE (although $$$$$ to stay there)
One of the grandest hotels in the United States is the Omni Mount Washington Hotel. It will definitely catch your attention the first time that you see it, especially if its Mount Washington backdrop it isn't shrouded in clouds or fog. There's a good pull-off on the south side of US-302 where you can zoom in for a good photo of the hotel. Staying at the hotel is ridiculously expensive, but it's very memorable. The absurdly rich love to get married here.
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Omni Mount Washington Hotel
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Outlet shopping in Conway ✪ |
Location: off NH-16 south of downtown North Conway | Duration: 2-3 hours | Cost: FREE
Conway offers a good dose of outlet shopping, and since it's New Hampshire, there's no sales tax. Settlers Green is where most outlet stores are, and there's a great North Conway mural there. The deals can be quite good, and so my wife and I typically visit here once or twice per year.
There are many more retail stores up and down NH-16 as it heads north towards the quaint downtown area of North Conway. |
Location: Sugar Hill Road (NH-117) in Sugar Hill, NH | Duration: 1-2 hours | Cost: $$
If there's a better pancake restaurant in the United States, I'd like to know about it. Having eaten here 20 or so times over the years, this is one of my favorite breakfast places anywhere. It's a bit pricey, but the quality is top-notch and they use real maple syrup. Everything I've tried here has been good - I highly recommend the coconut pancakes.
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Polly's Pancake Parlor
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Location: trailhead on the west side of US-302 in Crawford Notch State Park | Duration: 1 hour | Cost: $ to park (bring cash)
Ripley Falls is a beautiful 100-foot sheet of whitewater flowing over a 60-degree wall of smooth rock. The water almost dances down the rock. The hike is about 1.2 miles round-trip and is fairly easy. The hike does require ascending about 300 feet of elevation gain along the route though.
Other nearby waterfalls: Arethusa Falls (5/5 stars), Beecher/Pearl Cascades (3.5/5 stars), Flume Cascade (3.5/5 stars), Silver Cascade (5/5 stars) |

Ripley Falls
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Location: Kancamagus Highway (NH-112), between Lower Falls and Sabbaday Falls | Duration: 1 hour | Cost: $ to park (bring cash)
Rocky Gorge is one of the key stops along the Kancamagus Highway. From its large and paved parking area, a short walk on a mostly paved trail will bring you to a bridge with a great view of a narrow gorge and the 15-foot waterfall that dumps into it. The area is wide open and exposed to the sun, and it's a great spot to linger and explore for a while. If water levels are low, you might see a few people swimming in a section of the river downstream of the falls. You can also take a short loop hike around Falls Pond while you are there.
While in the area, you should also check out several nearby waterfalls, including Lower Falls and Sabbaday Falls. Save your U.S. Forest Service parking ticket as it will cover you at those two trailheads as well. |

Rocky Gorge
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Location: Kancamagus Highway (NH-112), west of Lower Falls and Rocky Gorge | Duration: 1 hour | Cost: $ to park (bring cash)
Sabbaday Falls is one of the prettiest punchbowl-style waterfalls anywhere. A short, family-friendly hike will bring you to this cherished 35-foot waterfall, which drops into a narrow gorge. There's a gorgeous pool at the bottom, but unfortunately it's off-limits to swimming (it would probably be freezing anyway). Watch your feet near the edge of the brook since it's very slippery.
While in the area, you should also check out several nearby waterfalls, including Lower Falls and Rocky Gorge. Save your U.S. Forest Service parking ticket as it will cover you at those two trailheads as well. |

Sabbaday Falls
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Location: Several entry/exit points | Duration: depends on length (multi-night trips are possible) | Cost: $$ for tube or canoe rentals / shuttle
Floating the Saco River is a right of passage in New England. On a nice summer weekend, there are probably several thousand people canoeing, kayaking, and river-tubing down various sections of this scenic, meandering river. The Saco is extremely popular with 20-somethings, but you'll see people of all ages. Because this is northern New Hampshire and the river is fed by the White Mountains, the water temperature only reaches 65-70 degrees in summer (most people will swim anyways). The water depth is usually 2-4 feet, but fluctuates based on the section of river and recent rain. After an extended dry spell, there can be a fair amount of pulling your boats through shallow sections. Most people choose sections of the Saco River that are calm water and free of rapids.
There are several companies in the
area that offer boat rentals and a shuttle service. There are also several public access points (some of which charge a fee) if you have your own gear/boats and two vehicles to shuttle yourself. If you'd like to rent boats and take a shuttle, advance reservations made at least 1-2 months in advance is highly recommended (most days in July and August will sell out).
Saco Bound
The Saco Bound company offers three calm-river trips from their US-302/NH-113 location in (eastern) Conway:
✮ Float 3-miles from their rental center to Weston's Bridge, and then they shuttle you back (1-2 hours)
✮ Float 7-miles from their rental center to Swan's Falls, and then they shuttle you back (2-4 hours) - my recommendation for first-timers!
✮ Float 10-miles from their rental center to The Landing, and then they shuttle you back (5-6 hours)
Saco Canoe Rental Company
The Saco Canoe Rental Company offers several trips from their NH-16 location in Conway:
✮ Hop on their shuttle to a drop-in near the Muddy Moose Restaurant, and float 5-miles back (2-4 hours) - this is their most popular trip
✮ Hop on their shuttle to a drop-in near Echo Lake, and then float 7.8-miles back (3-5 hours) - this trip features a few small ripples and is not recommended for first-time paddlers
The Saco Canoe Rental Company also offers 1-mile and 3-mile tubing trips. The 3-mile trip features small rapids and can only be run if the river is higher than 375cfs.
Overnight camping along some of the river's beaches is also very popular. In spring, there is often some good whitewater kayaking on certain sections of the Saco River. For a great multi-night trip, float 33.2-miles from Swan's Falls to Hiram.
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Saco River
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Location: US-2 in Jefferson (about 1 hour from North Conway or 45 minutes from Lincoln) | Duration: 3-4 hours | Cost: $$$
Story Land is great, but I like Santa's Village even more. This Christmas-themed amusement park is one of the best of its kind in the country (perhaps even the best). There are more than 20 attractions here, and most are Christmas or winter-themed. It's one of the cleanest, well-maintained theme parks I've ever been to.
The rides are definitely geared towards children, but there's a good mix for children of all ages. As you'd probably expect, it's extremely busy in December. There's also a small but popular water park in summer. |

Santa's Village in December
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Skiing in the White Mountains ✪ |
Location: various locations | Duration: half to full day | Cost: $$$$-$$$$$
There are nearly a dozen ski areas in the White Mountains region. My favorite ski resort in New Hampshire is Bretton Woods, which is also the state's largest. I tend to prefer intermediate terrain, which Bretton Woods is famous for. Expert skiers seem to enjoy Cannon Mountain and Wildcat Mountain the most. Loon Mountain has the worst crowds I've ever seen at any ski resort. It should be avoided on weekends/holiday weeks. If you want to learn how to ski or snowboard, I recommend the small mountain of King Pine. They have some great easy trails there.
Lincoln and Conway/North Conway are both excellent ski towns. There are seven major ski areas near Conway/North Conway, making it one of the best ski towns in the United States. Lincoln is typically used to ski Loon Mountain or Cannon Mountain.
Northern White Mountains (including the Twin Mountain area)
✮ Bretton Woods, Carroll - 98 trails; 1,500ft vertical drop; 3,100ft summit
Western White Mountains (including the Lincoln area)
✮ Cannon Mountain, Franconia - 97 trails; 2,180ft vertical drop; 4,080ft summit
✮ Loon Mountain Resort, Lincoln - 61 trails; 2,100ft vertical drop; 3,050ft summit
✮ Waterville Valley Ski Area, Waterville Valley - 50 trails; 2,020ft vertical drop; 4,004ft summit
Eastern White Mountains (including the Conway/North Conway area)
✮ Attitash Mountain Resort, Barlett - 68 trails; 1,750ft vertical drop; 2,350ft summit
✮ Black Mountain Ski Area, Jackson - 45 trails; 1,100ft vertical drop; 2,350ft summit
✮ Cranmore Mountain Resort, North Conway - 57 trails; 1,200ft vertical drop; 2,000ft summit
✮ King Pine, Madison - 17 trails; 350ft vertical drop; 850ft summit
✮ Pleasant Mountain, Bridgeton (ME) - 40 trails; 1,350ft vertical drop; 1,900ft summit
✮ Wildcat Mountain, Gorham - 48 trails; 2,112ft vertical drop; 4,062ft summit
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Squam Lakes Natural Science Center ✪ |
Location: NH-113 in Holderness (south of Lincoln) | Duration: 2-3 hours | Cost: $$
The Squam Lakes Natural Science Center offers a 0.75-mile long gravel-based live animal exhibit trail that features many of New Hampshire's animals and birds, including black bears, white-tailed deer, bald eagles, mountain lions, and bobcats. The center also has a truly great children's playground and a small but attractive garden. 90-minute boat cruises on Squam Lake from mid-May through mid-October are also offered by the center.
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the fun children's playground at the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
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Location: NH-16 in Glen (10 minutes north of downtown North Conway) | Duration: half to full day | Cost: $$$
There are two major theme parks geared towards children in the White Mountains, and both of them are great. Story Land is the closest to North Conway and features more than 50 attractions. While the attractions are primarily geared towards ages 4-7, there are a few rides that younger and older children (and adults) can go on. I first brought my daughter when she was 2 or 3 and there were several fun rides for her. Just about every child that grows up within 100-200 miles of Story Land will be taken there at some point; it's pretty much a rite of passage.
There is also a medium-sized aquarium next to Story Land (an additional fee is charged). |

Story Land
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Location: from Twin Mountain to North Conway | Duration: 1 hour (not including stops) | Cost: some parking areas are $ (bring cash)
The Kancamagus Highway is the more famous scenic drive in the White Mountains, but I think US-302 between Twin Mountain and North Conway is just as good.
The views from the road are excellent, and its hiking trailheads and parking areas serve many of the best hikes in New England. It takes about an hour to drive the road from Twin Mountain to North Conway (or vice-versa), but you should plan on exploring it for an entire day.
Here are some notable attractions and landmarks as you drive east on US-302 from the junction of US-302 and US-3 in Twin Mountain to North Conway:
✮ Mile 0.0 - junction of US-302 and US-3 in Twin Mountain
✮ Mile 2.2 - Zealand Road - leads to various trailheads, including North & Middle Sugarloaf, Mount Hale (no views), and Zealand Falls Hut
✮ Mile 4.5 - Base Station Road - leads to the Mount Washington Cog Railway, Upper Ammonoosuc Falls, and Ammonoosuc Ravine trailhead
✮ Mile 4.6 - Bretton Woods resort
✮ Mile 5.2 - pull-off on the south side of US-302 - look north to see the Omni Mount Washington Hotel (and Mount Washington behind it)
✮ Mile 8.2 - Mt. Clinton Road - leads to various hiking trailheads, including Mount Pierce and Mount Eisenhower
✮ Mile 8.4 - AMC Highland Center at Crawford Notch - lodging (intended audience = outdoors-loving people)
✮ Mile 8.6 - Saco Lake - roadside lake
✮ Mile 9.2 - Crawford Notch Scenic Area pull-off
✮ Mile 9.25 - Flume Cascade - roadside waterfall
✮ Mile 9.4 - Silver Cascade - roadside waterfall (this is the more impressive of the two)
✮ Mile 11.2 - Willey House
✮ Mile 12.2 - Appalachian Trail crossing / Webster Cliff trailhead / Willey House Station Road (which leads to Ripley Falls trailhead)
✮ Mile 13.7 - Dry River Campground / Dry River Trail
✮ Mile 14.4 - Arethusa Falls Road - leads to two trailheads: Frankenstein Cliff and Arethusa Falls
✮ Mile 16.7 - Davis Path trailhead - leads to Mount Crawford and eventually Mount Washington
✮ Mile 17.7 - Nancy Pond trailhead - leads to Nancy Cascades, Nancy Pond, and Norcross Pond
✮ Mile 19.0 - Sawyer River Rd - leads to Mount Carrigain trailhead and Sawyer Pond trailhead
✮ Mile 22.9 - Albany Ave / Bear Notch Road - heads south to the Kancamagus Highway (NH-112)
✮ Mile 25.4 - Attitash Mountain Resort
✮ Mile 29.1 - junction of US-302 and NH-16 in Glen |
Location: US-3 in Lincoln, NH (north of downtown) | Duration: half to full day | Cost: $$$
Whale's Tale is a beloved, medium-sized outdoor waterpark. The have more than a dozen rides, several large pools, and an (always fun and challenging) flow-boarding station. The views of nearby mountains add to the enjoyment of this family-friendly park. It's also worth noting that some of their best rides can't be found at any other water park in the state, including the (much larger) Water Country in Portsmouth. |
Location: NH-16/US-302 in downtown North Conway | Duration: 1 hour | Cost: FREE
Featuring mostly New England-produced goods, Zeb's is the heart of downtown North Conway. The store is almost always packed with tourists, many of which have eyes fixated on their extra-long candy counter. The 2-floor store oozes with nostalgia, and it's my favorite general store in New England. The first floor is mostly food and candy, and the second floor is primarily focused on toys, gifts, and books. If you enjoy antiques, make sure to look at everything hanging from its walls and ceiling.
I've probably been here more than 100 times over the years, and I can't pass through the area without making another stop. |

1st floor of Zeb's General Store
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Looking for even more attractions in the White Mountains of New Hampshire? |
If the 55 attractions described above aren't enough to satisfy you, here are more great White Mountains attractions:
Northern White Mountains
✮ ATVing in Berlin, NH / Jericho Mountain State Park - one of the largest and best ATV trail networks in the country is here
✮ Chutters, Littleton - a large candy store that boasts the 'longest candy counter in the world'
✮ Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge, Whitefield - a lovely and peaceful wildlife refuge with scenic views of the northern White Mountains
Western White Mountains
✮ Boise Rock, Lincoln - a large glacial erratic (aka large rock/boulder) off the east side of I-93 (north of Lincoln)
✮ Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train & Depot, Lincoln - enjoy a meal on a scenic train ride
✮ Hobo Hills Adventure Golf, Lincoln - mini-golfing in downtown Lincoln
✮ Ice Castles, North Woodstock - annual winter tourist attraction featuring giant ice sculptures and several ice tunnels
✮ New England Ski Museum, Franconia and North Conway - two small, winter sports-focused museums
✮ Pemi Valley Moose Tours, Lincoln - while not guaranteed, you have a very good chance of spotting a moose on this guided tour
✮ Seven Birches Winery, Lincoln - this is currently the best winery in the White Mountains
Eastern White Mountains
✮ Downtown Jackson - this is small but attractive downtown center with a few shops and restaurants; you can also walk up to Jackson Falls
✮ Living Shores Aquarium, Glen - a medium-sized, relatively new aquarium
✮ New England Ski Museum, Franconia and North Conway - two small, winter sports-focused museums
✮ Pirates Cove Adventure Golf, Conway - mini-golfing just south of downtown North Conway
Southern White Mountains (Note - some of these are a little south of the White Mountains)
✮ Barnstormers Theatre, Tamworth - arguably the best live performance theatre in the region
✮ Castle in the Clouds, Moltonborough - tour a mansion and/or walk the grounds of this large estate (an hour south of the White Mountains)
✮ Funspot, Laconia - a huge, nostalgic/retro arcade located about 1 hour south of the White Mountains
✮ Polar Caves Park, Rumney - similar to the Lost River Gorge,, children and adults will have a blast climbing through various boulder caves
There are also hundreds of rock climbing routes, waterfalls, and swimming holes scattered across the White Mountains. There are also hundreds of miles of snowmobiling trails. There are also many backcountry skiing trails and several firetowers to climb too.
A little internet research will help you find these places. Highly-rated and scenic public golf courses are also scattered across the region.
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