Things To Do
Summer Activities
North Conway, New Hampshire, is a fantastic summer destination, especially if you enjoy outdoor activities, scenic beauty, and charming small-town experiences. Here are some of the top things to do:
1. Hiking and Nature Walks
Mount Washington: You can hike the Tuckerman Ravine Trail or take the Mount Washington Auto Road to the summit.
Diana's Baths: A series of small waterfalls and pools, perfect for a leisurely hike and a cool dip.
Cathedral Ledge: Offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area; you can drive or hike to the top.
Mount Willard: A relatively easy hike with a big payoff in terms of views. The summit offers sweeping views of Crawford Notch, especially stunning with the fall colors.
Black Cap Mountain: A shorter hike with a rewarding view at the top, perfect for a family outing.
2. Water Activities
Saco River: Perfect for kayaking, canoeing, or tubing. It's a great way to spend a hot summer day.
Echo Lake State Park: Ideal for swimming, picnicking, and enjoying views of the White Mountains.
3. Scenic Drives
Kancamagus Highway: This scenic byway is famous for its stunning views, covered bridges, and opportunities to stop for short hikes or picnics.
Conway Scenic Railroad: Enjoy a leisurely train ride through the picturesque landscape, with different routes to choose from.
4. Adventure Parks
Cranmore Mountain Adventure Park: Features summer activities like zip-lining, mountain coasters, ropes courses, and scenic chairlift rides.
Attitash Mountain Resort: Offers mountain biking, zip lines, alpine slides, and a water park.
5. Shopping and Dining
Settlers Green Outlet Village: A popular spot for outlet shopping with a variety of stores.
Local Shops and Restaurants: Explore the charming downtown area with its unique shops, cafes, and restaurants.
6. Museums and Attractions
Conway Scenic Railroad Museum: Learn about the history of the railroad in the area.
Mount Washington Observatory Weather Discovery Center: A fun and educational stop to learn about the weather and climate.
Story Land: A fairy-tale-themed amusement park designed specifically for young children. Features rides, shows, and attractions based on popular stories and nursery rhymes.
Santa’s Village: A Christmas-themed amusement park where the magic of the holiday season is alive year-round. Includes festive rides, a reindeer petting area, and opportunities to meet Santa Claus. Features the "HO HO H2O" water park, with splash pads and slides, open during the summer months.
7. Golfing
North Conway Country Club: Offers a beautiful golf course with views of the mountains.
8. Events and Festivals
Check out local events and festivals happening in the area during the summer, such as craft fairs, music festivals, or farmers' markets.
Fall Activities
Fall in North Conway is a beautiful time of year, with the vibrant colors of the changing leaves and a crisp, cool atmosphere. Here’s a list of activities you can enjoy during the fall:
1. Leaf Peeping
Kancamagus Highway: One of the most famous scenic drives in New England, offering incredible views of the fall foliage. There are plenty of pull-offs where you can stop and take in the scenery or go for a short hike.
Cathedral Ledge: Drive or hike to the top for a panoramic view of the surrounding area, which is particularly stunning when the leaves are at their peak.
Conway Scenic Railroad: Take a fall foliage train ride through the scenic White Mountains. The train rides are especially popular in autumn.
2. Hiking
Mount Willard: A relatively easy hike with a big payoff in terms of views. The summit offers sweeping views of Crawford Notch, especially stunning with the fall colors.
Black Cap Mountain: A shorter hike with a rewarding view at the top, perfect for a family outing.
Diana’s Baths: While the waterfalls are beautiful in any season, the surrounding fall foliage adds an extra layer of beauty to this easy hike.
3. Apple Picking and Pumpkin Patches
Schartner Farms Offers apple picking, pumpkins, and other fall activities.
Deer Meadow Homestead: A charming spot to pick pumpkins and enjoy other seasonal activities.
4. Festivals and Events
Fryeburg Fair (early October): Located just over the border in Maine, this is one of the largest agricultural fairs in the region and features everything from livestock shows to carnival rides.
Return of the Pumpkin People: A fun, family-friendly event where businesses and homeowners create whimsical pumpkin displays around North Conway and nearby Jackson.
5. Scenic Drives
Bear Notch Road: A lesser-known but incredibly scenic route connecting the Kancamagus Highway to Bartlett, offering stunning foliage views.
Pinkham Notch: Another great drive through the White Mountains, with plenty of opportunities for stops and short hikes.
6. Outdoor Adventure
Zip-lining at Cranmore Mountain Resort: Enjoy the thrill of zip-lining with the backdrop of colorful fall foliage.
Mountain Biking: Explore the numerous trails in the area, like those at Cranmore or Great Glen Trails.
7. Canoeing and Kayaking
Saco River: The river is calm in the fall, and paddling down it offers a peaceful way to enjoy the fall colors reflected in the water.
8. Golf
North Conway Country Club: The cooler temperatures and stunning views make fall an ideal time for a round of golf.
9. Shopping and Dining
Settlers Green Outlet Village: Enjoy some fall shopping with the added bonus of special seasonal sales and promotions.
Local Cafes and Bakeries: Many local spots offer seasonal treats like apple cider donuts, pumpkin spice everything, and hearty autumn meals.
10. Photography
Fall is the perfect time for photography, with the vibrant colors, misty mornings, and golden sunsets creating ideal conditions for capturing the beauty of the season.
11. Horseback Riding
Farm by the River Bed and Breakfast with Stables: Offers horseback riding through scenic trails that are especially beautiful in the fall.
12. Wine Tasting
White Mountain Winery: A cozy spot to sample local wines, many of which have seasonal flavors perfect for fall.
Winter Activities
North Conway transforms into a winter wonderland with plenty of activities to enjoy. Here are some of the best things to do in North Conway during the winter:
1.Skiing and Snowboarding
Cranmore Mountain Resort: Offers skiing, snowboarding, and a variety of snow sports. It's family-friendly with options for all skill levels.
Attitash Mountain Resort: Another excellent option for skiing and snowboarding, with more advanced terrain and a variety of trails.
Wildcat Mountain: Known for its challenging runs and stunning views of Mount Washington.
2. Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
Jackson Ski Touring Center: Just a short drive from North Conway, this area has over 150 km of cross-country ski trails.
Great Glen Trails: Offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and even fat biking trails with views of the Presidential Range.
3. Snowmobiling
Bear Notch Snowmobile Trails: Access miles of well-groomed trails that take you through the beautiful White Mountains.
Rentals and guided tours are available in the area for those new to snowmobiling.
4. Ice Skating
Hamel Recreation Complex: Offers an outdoor ice skating rink that’s great for a fun winter activity.
Nestlenook Farm (in nearby Jackson): A picturesque outdoor skating rink surrounded by Victorian-style buildings and horse-drawn sleigh rides.
5. Tubing and Sledding
Cranmore Mountain: Has a tubing park with multiple lanes, lift service, and a warming area.
King Pine Ski Area: Another option for tubing, with a family-friendly atmosphere.
6. Winter Hiking and Snowshoeing
Diana’s Baths: Though more challenging in winter, you can hike to see the frozen waterfalls.
Cathedral Ledge: Offers winter hiking opportunities with panoramic views (be cautious of ice).
7. Scenic Drives and Rides
Kancamagus Highway: While it’s beautiful in all seasons, the winter landscape along this scenic drive is particularly stunning.
Conway Scenic Railroad: Offers special winter train rides, including holiday-themed trips.
8. Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides
Nestlenook Farm: Experience a traditional sleigh ride through snow-covered landscapes, a perfect winter activity for couples or families.
9. Shopping and Dining
Settlers Green Outlet Village: Open year-round, it's a great place to do some shopping.
Downtown North Conway: Explore cozy cafes, local shops, and restaurants offering hearty winter meals.
10. Indoor Activities
Mount Washington Observatory Weather Discovery Center: Learn about the extreme weather conditions on Mount Washington.
Local Spas: Enjoy a relaxing massage or spa treatment to warm up after a day outdoors.
11. Holiday Events
Journey to the North Pole: A magical holiday-themed train ride for families, usually running from late November through December.
Tree Lighting and Holiday Festivals: Check out local holiday events that add to the winter charm of North Conway.
Santa’s Village: A Christmas-themed amusement park where the magic of the holiday season is alive year-round. offering a festive experience with holiday lights, Christmas-themed attractions, and the chance to meet Santa Claus himself. Enjoy winter rides, warm up with hot cocoa, and experience the magical atmosphere of the park decorated with twinkling lights and holiday cheer.