This town is a haven for nature lovers tucked in the heart of the White Mountains. Read on to learn about the best things to do in North Conway, NH!
Read:10 Best Restaurants in North Conway, NH
Introduction to North Conway, NH
History of North Conway, NH
North Conway was first settled by the native Pequawket, a subdivision of the Abenaki (known as the People of the Dawn Land).
In 1765, colonial Governor Benning Wentworth chartered it and named it for Henry Seymour Conway, a British general who fought at the Battle of Culloden in Scotland.
With the advent of snow trains in the 1930s, it became “the birthplace of American skiing” and a vacation destination.
How much time do you need in North Conway, NH?
It depends on what you want to do!
A full weekend is good for most people, but a long weekend is better to take your time and explore in depth.
I recommend reading about the best things to do in North Conway, NH first so you know how many sights you plan to hit.
How do you get to North Conway, NH?
The easiest way to get to North Conway is to drive or take a bus. They redeveloped the airport into the North Conway outlets at Settlers Green decades ago.
Length of time from:
- Portland, ME – 1.5 hours
- Burlington, VT – 3 hours
- Manchester, NH – 2 hours
- Boston, MA – 2.5 hours
- Hartford, CT – 4 hours
- Providence, RI – 3.5 hours
Where do you stay in North Conway, NH?
The best place to stay in North Conway is downtown. For a bed and breakfast, I recommend the Cranmore Inn. A hotel will be further out, but I recommend the Residence Inn by Marriott.
For a bit more fun, you can stay at the Adventure Suites, where each room has a theme (like jungle, haunted castle, or deserted island).
Best Things to Do in North Conway, NH
Conway Scenic Railroad
The Crawford Notch excursion on the Conway Scenic Railroad is a fun way to view the splendor of the White Mountains. You get to step back in time on a trip that showcases lofty peaks, tranquil forests, and winding rivers.
Trains depart from a cheery yellow 1874 Victorian station, and you can buy either coach, first class, or premium tickets on 1950s-era passenger cars. You can also have lunch for an extra fee.
The 4 to 5.5-hour journey is most incredible from late September to mid-October, when the foliage blazes with the bright colors of autumn (we booked months in advance).
The Sawyer River excursion (2 hours 10 minutes) and the Conway Valley excursion (55 minutes) are much less scenic with 1920s-era passenger cars.
Helpful Information
Operates seasonally from late May to mid-November
| Age | Ticket Price Coach | Ticket Price First Class (with Dining) | Ticket Price Dome Dining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children (under 3) | $15 | $28 ($48) | $95 |
| Youth (under 12) | $47 | $58 ($78) | $130 |
| Adults | $69 | $95 ($125) | $165 |
Explore Downtown
North Conway has a charming downtown with some very cute shops.
My favorite place is Zeb’s General Store, which truly embodies the magic of yesteryear. It has an old-fashioned counter and plenty of antiques that give everything a nostalgic feel.
You can get sodas like root beer or lime rickey, and they have tons of specialty food made in New England. We love the novelty candy and the penny candy (you mix and match) and last time left with some homemade maple fudge!
Another amazing spot is the North Conway 5&10, which is a living piece of history. It opened in 1939 but still has the original tin ceiling and wood floors. The variety of products is astounding, from wind-up toys and board games to dollhouse furniture and ship models.
We also always make sure to stop at the Bavarian Chocolate Haus, where all of the confections are made by hand. They have tons of treats, like caramels, truffles, and nut clusters. The location is adorable, and sometimes you even get to see the chocolatiers at work!
Diana’s Baths
Diana’s Baths is an absolute gem and definitely one of the best things to do in North Conway, NH.
Found along Lucy Brook, the series of cascades and pools is an ideal spot for nature lovers. You can get to them easily with a 0.5-mile walk through a forest on a flat gravel path, and they are great in every season.
In the spring, the water is rushing, and in the summer, you can go for a refreshing dip. In the autumn, the foliage is breathtaking, and in the winter, they turn into a frozen wonderland.
Just make sure to plan your visit around potential crowds at peak times (mid-week and early in the morning are better).
League of New Hampshire Craftsmen
The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen is an esteemed organization that applauds and supports excellence in craft. They have educated and enriched communities for over 90 years and even host the oldest continuous fine craft fair in the United States.
The store in North Conway is full of handmade items, and you can find everything from baskets to jewelry (we once got a set of lovely blown glass bowls in seafoam). You can also purchase scarves, quilts, and wood carvings.
Lastly, they have an onsite pottery studio with demonstrations and classes for those brave enough to take a stab at it themselves!
Cathedral Ledge
Cathedral Ledge is absolutely breathtaking and one of the best free things to do in North Conway, NH.
It rises majestically above the landscape, a soaring crag of granite with panoramic views. The gorgeous Saco River Valley lies below and the formidable White Mountains dot the sky, a truly incredible sight.
The scenery is stunning no matter what time of year, with lush greenery in the spring and summer, vivid foliage in the autumn, and sparkly snowfall in the winter.
You can drive up to Cathedral Ledge or you can hike. The area is also legendary for trad climbing, so you might get to watch people scale the 700-foot wall!
New England Ski Museum
The North Conway branch of the New England Ski Museum is a fun visit for those who enjoy skiing. The sport is a beloved pastime in New Hampshire, with a very deep-rooted connection here.
At the permanent exhibit, you can learn about the evolution of skiing in New England, and they have everything from prehistoric skis (made by tribesmen in Central Asia) and shaped skis (popularized by Bode Miller, an Olympian).
They also have a section on the 10th Mountain Division, a part of the army specifically trained for wintery conditions. They were first deployed in Northern Italy during World War II and helped the Allies win the war.
The collection of artifacts showcases the rich heritage of the sport, and the display ends with a large photomural of the Tuckerman Ravine on Mount Washington.
Helpful Information
Open seasonally from late May to late March, 7 days a week from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Admission is free
Echo Lake
Echo Lake will captivate you with its serene beauty. Here, the water is a vivid shade of turquoise and set beneath the soaring rock face of White Horse Ledge. If you like photography, then you should bring a camera.
The sandy shore is perfect for a beach day, and kids will love swimming in the shallows. You can even bring a kayak or a canoe.
We once came for a picnic in the autumn, when the surrounding forest burned with red, orange, and yellow leaves. We took a nice walk around the lake, but you can also hike on trails that originate here.
Just remember that parking is limited, so make a reservation in advance.
Madison Boulder
The Madison Boulder is a remarkable geological feature and one of the best things to do in North Conway, NH.
The colossal monolith is 14,000 years old and was stripped from a ledge and moved a couple of miles by glacial ice. It is the largest known glacial erratic in North America and weighs almost 6,000 tons.
The hunk of steely granite is covered in patches of lichen and stands at 23 feet high (the base is also buried up to 10 feet). The actual makeup of the rock consists of quartz crystals and feldspar.
You can reach it with an easy 0.5-mile walk and marvel at the extraordinary forces of nature.
Visit a Brewery
There are a few breweries in North Conway, perfect for sipping a cold one at the end of a long day. Here, the burgeoning craft beer scene has a diverse range of flavors.
At Moat Mountain, we were able to sample an 8-pour flight. I loved the Clockwork Mandarina, a seasonal New England pale ale with tangerine and grapefruit aromas, a hint of sweetness, and a malty finish. They also have a smokehouse, and we tried the Long Horn nachos, the Texas-style brisket, and the pulled pork slider trio.
Tuckerman Brewing Company has a tasting room inside and a beer garden outside (with fire pits). I loved the Kolsch, a crisp German style with a subtle malt, a slight toast, and a refreshing finish. They often have live music and even cornhole tournaments on Wednesday nights in the summer!
Cranmore Mountain
Cranmore Mountain is a treasure and one of the best family things to do in North Conway, NH.
The skiing school opened in 1937, and the famous Hannes Schneider joined as an instructor a few years later. Originally from Austria, he spurned the Nazis and was imprisoned until Harvey Gibson, the founder of the resort, appealed for his release.
With 170 acres and 56 trails for skiing, you will have a ton of fun on the slopes. A scenic lift ride can also drop you at the 2,000-foot summit to admire views of Mount Washington and the Presidential Range.
The adventure continues with tubing or things like a coaster, zipline, giant swing, bungee trampoline, climbing wall, and inflatable obstacle course. In the summer, you can go mountain biking as well.
Saco River
The Saco River flows through North Conway, offering up a serene escape into nature.
Here, you are surrounded by pristine beauty and gentle currents (with the occasional spate of small rapids). You can go tubing, with options like a 1-mile, 3-mile, or 5-mile float, and canoeing, kayaking, or paddleboarding (you may even spot a bald eagle)!
The water is clear and the shore is sandy, perfect for stopping and swimming. There are rope swings and plenty of places for a picnic too.
You can also fish since the river is full of trout (March to October is prime). A visit to a campground along the banks is especially fun, where you can watch the sunset before sharing stories (or even s’mores) around a roaring campfire.
Kancamagus Highway
Kancamagus Highway is a 35-mile scenic drive in the heart of the White Mountains that can begin or end in North Conway. It climbs to an altitude of 2,855 feet, offering up gorgeous views along the way.
Kancamagus was the third and final chief of the native Pennacooks, and his name means ‘The Fearless One.’ He used to rule over part of New Hampshire but eventually moved to Canada.
You can stop at Lower Falls, which is perfect for a refreshing dip on a hot summer day, or Rocky Gorge, a highly photogenic spot. Sabbaday Falls is particularly stunning, with a 45-foot drop that has three tiers and vanishes into a clear emerald pool below.
We have been lucky enough to experience the Kancamagus Highway in both the summer, when the foliage is lush, and the autumn, when the foliage bursts with colors.
Moose Safari
A moose safari is a memorable experience and one of the best things to do in North Conway, NH at night.
They take you into the White Mountains, and the success rate is over 90 percent from late May through August. The odds are lower in September and October, but you might spot a moose with full antlers!
Moose are part of the deer family. On average, they weigh 1,000 pounds and stand 6 feet at the shoulders, making them the largest mammal in New Hampshire. They are browsing herbivores and will eat 25 to 45 pounds of vegetation a day.
Mating season is in the autumn, when the males will often fight each other. The females are more likely to bear twins if food is plentiful.
Moose can be aggressive when frightened or provoked, so use caution if you encounter one in the wild. Furthermore, you should look out for them if driving at night.
Visit a Distillery
If you are at all curious about the world of spirits, then definitely stop at Cathedral Ledge Distillery. Here, they craft organic spirits in a timber-framed barn, going from grain to glass.
You can order a 5-pour flight, and I loved the vodka in particular. They make it with crisp, clean water from the White Mountains and have flavors like ginger (perfect for a Moscow Mule) and horseradish (perfect for a Bloody Mary).
The whiskey is either New Make (rested for just one day) or Rye (aged in charred oak barrels), and the gin is made in the London Dry tradition but with the addition of cardamom pods. They also have bourbon and a delicious maple liqueur.
Story Land
Story Land is a magical place where beloved fairy tales come to life. It opened in 1954, and my own family has experienced it over multiple generations.
For kids, each enchanting attraction is full of wonder, from a pirate ship to a dinosaur safari. A visit with Cinderella is always a must, and you can even have tea with her!
You will find other timeless characters as well, like Humpty Dumpty, the Old Woman in the Shoe, and the Three Little Pigs. In terms of rides, you can hop in a swan boat or on a wooden roller coaster (though I favored the bamboo chutes).
The food options hit the spot, like ice cream, popcorn, and fried dough. They also have Nostalgia Nights, when the park is 21 and older because they sell alcohol!
I hope this post convinced you that North Conway, NH is worth visiting! If you want to go shopping in North Conway, NH, then head over to Settlers Green.
In my opinion, the most fun things to do in North Conway, NH with kids are Saco River and Story Land.
The most fun things to do in North Conway, NH with adults are Kancamagus Highway or visiting a brewery or a distillery.
Enjoy!