White Mountains Activities

Attractions

Storyland (>1mi) - A well-liked theme park for children that’s only a few minutes away. Open May-October, see operating dates & info.
Mount Washington Auto Road (15mi) - A winding 8 mile trip to the highest point in the northeast. Drive yourself or take a guided shuttle (May-October.) In winter, take a guided Snow Coach ride.
Great Glen Trails (15mi) - Outdoor activities at the base of Mount Washington. Biking, kayaking, walking trails in summer, XC skiing in winter.
Kancamagus Highway Drive (90mi round trip) - Arguably one of the most scenic drives in the northeast with viewpoints, rivers, and interesting stops along the way. Year round.
Conway Scenic Railroad (5mi) - A year round rail tour operator with several experiences to choose from including onboard dining.
Cannon Mountain Tram (40mi, scenic) - A scenic tram ride outside of ski season.
Cog Railway (32mi) - Ride to the top of Mount Washington on a historic train. May-October.
Pool & spa at Christmas Farm Inn (2mi) - A nearby inn that offers spa services, and reasonably priced paid day passes to the pool facilities for non-guests. (Outdoor pool in summer, indoor pool in winter.)

Restaurants

Thompson House Eatery (photo) (<1mi, $$$) - This award winning spot is just down the road, and is one of our favorite spots for a special night out. The menu is always changing, and many ingredients are grown on the property or sourced locally. Reservations typically needed.
White Mountain Cider (3mi, $$$) - Another great spot for a nice night out that’s just down the road in Bartlett. Reservations are recommended, or grab a spot at the bar.
Red Parka Pub (2mi, $$) - A long-standing casual ski pub with a lively atmosphere and live music many nights of the week.
Red Fox Bar & Grille (<1mi, $$) - A large, popular local spot that’s great for lunch or dinner. Easy spot to pick up takeout (also carries a selection of beer, wine, and snacks to go.)
The Shovel Handle (3mi, $$) - A restored barn serving casual pub fare at the base of Black Mountain that often has live music on weekends. Check the website to confirm hours.
Tuckerman’s Restaurant & Tavern (4mi, $$) - Very lively/popular local tavern that is typically busy as soon as they open. Great outdoor space during the warmer months.
Ledge Brewing (3mi, $$) - Popular spot serving local craft beers and tacos with a large outdoor space and lots of local mountain & alpine sport photography.
Cathedral Ledge Distillery (5mi, $$) - Distillery & tasting room in a post & beam barn. A great place to stop in for a flight or cocktail and a snack.
Table + Tonic at The Local Grocer (5mi, $) - Made to order sandwiches & salads inside this local natural grocery store.
Moat Mountain Smokehouse & Brewing (5mi, $$) - Lively restaurant & bar on route 302 in Conway with an expansive casual menu (sandwiches & burgers, BBQ, nachos, pizza, etc.)
Flatbread Company (6mi, $$) - A great eclectic spot for pizzas & salads with an open hearth oven. Local beers, and a full bar.
Frontside Coffee Roasters (6mi, $) - Our go-to spot for coffee and breakfast. Some seating indoors, large patio right on main street in North Conway.
Black Cap Grille (7mi, $$) - Reliable spot for lunch or dinner if you are down by the outlets in North Conway. Indoor & outdoor seating.

Shopping

Local shopping in North Conway Village (7-10mi) - There’s a fun selection of local shops in North Conway Village worth checking out.
Outlet shopping at Settlers Green (7mi)- 30+ major outlets at one spot in North Conway.
Zeb’s General Store - A large, well stocked old fashioned general store carrying everything from candy to specialty grocery to home goods and stuffed animals.
League of New Hampshire Craftsmen - Unique, artisanal pieces from local craftspeople.
Outdoor gear at REI, L.L. Bean, Eastern Mountain Sports, IME (7-10mi) - Essential spots if you are planning on getting outside.

Skiing & Riding

Wildcat (13mi) - Classic New England skiing facing Mount Washington.
Attitash (5mi) - A large ski area consisting of two mountains with terrain of all levels.
Cranmore (8mi) - A family friendly ski area just outside of North Conway village.
Black Mountain (4mi) - Rustic, smaller local mountain just down the road in Jackson.
Bretton Woods (26mi) - Largest ski resort in New Hampshire, family friendly terrain.
Great Glen Trails (15mi) - XC skiing and other outdoor activities.
Loon Mountain Resort (35mi) - Large, modern resort with varied terrain.
Cannon Mountain (40mi) - Large, rustic ski area with a tram to the summit.
Sunday River (49mi) - One of the largest ski resorts in the northeast. ~1hr away.

Outdoor Activities

Easy Walks & Outdoor Attractions

Jackson Falls (<1mi) - Fantastic spot to swim on a hot day or cool off post-hike. Summer.
Glen Ellis Falls (8mi) - A short walk from the road to a picturesque waterfall. Spring-Fall.
Diana’s Baths (5mi) - Popular swimming hole down the road in North Conway. Summer.

Other Outdoor Activities

Climb with EMS Climbing School - The premier guiding service in the White Mountains. Structured classes and private guided experiences available. Year-round.
Float the Saco River - Rent a tube and float down the gentle waters of the Saco River. A bus picks you up and takes you back to your starting point. 4-6 hours, summer.
Golf - There are several nearby courses with public tee times including Wentworth Golf Club (<1mi away), Eagle Mountain Golf Club (<2mi), and Hale’s Location Golf Club (<7mi.)

Hikes

You are only a few miles away from the highest mountains in the northeast and hundreds of miles of hiking trails. Be sure you are aware of the conditions, difficulty, and have the necessary skills and gear for whatever you take on. If you aren’t sure about your abilities, hire a guide. These are just a few hikes we enjoy, all within a few miles. Figures shown are roundtrip distances and the vertical gain.

Tin Mountain (easy-moderate, 2.8mi hike, 700ft) - Wooded conservation land ideal for short hikes & trail running. Abandoned mine you can peer inside.
Arethusa Falls (moderate, 2.8mi, 750ft) - This is an out & back hike that follows a river and ends at a dramatic waterfall.
Lowe’s Bald Spot (moderate, 3.9mi, 900ft) - A moderate out & back hike on the shoulder of Mt. Washington. Mostly wooded, but ends at a clear spot with great views.
Kearsarge North (hard, 6.4mi, 2500ft) - Challenging, scenic hike that ends at a fire tower which is open to the public.
Glen Boulder (hard, 5.4mi, 3000ft) - A direct hike to treeline where you’ll find a large boulder seemingly perched on the mountainside. Check weather and have the right gear.
Mount Washington via Tuckerman Ravine Trail (hard, 7.4mi, 4242ft) - One of the most classic New England hikes. Very challenging - be prepared, fit, and check current conditions. Winter route requires technical climbing experience. Hike to the AMC hut at Hermit Lake (2.5mi) for a more mellow experience that still offers some great views.