Things to Do in NH's Lakes & Mountains Region

A popular ski and adventure resort offering skiing, mountain biking, and scenic views, Cranmore has been a fixture of North Conway Village since it first opened in 1937. In winter, the mountain offers 56 trails and glades covering a range of difficulty levels, a state-of-the-art ski school, and New Hampshire's top-rated snow tubing park with ten lift-served lanes. The south-facing slopes and reliable snowmaking make it one of the most consistent ski experiences in the region, and the resort sits less than a mile from Main Street, making it easy to combine a ski day with dining or shopping. When the snow melts, Cranmore shifts into a full summer lineup. The Mountain Adventure Park includes a mountain coaster, a giant swing, a zipline, and summer tubing, while the lift-served bike park covers more than six miles of singletrack designed for all skill levels. Scenic chairlift rides to the summit run throughout the summer with sweeping views over the Mount Washington Valley and the Presidential Range. On select Thursday evenings in July and August, the resort hosts a free outdoor concert series at the base, covering everything from tribute acts to Americana and rock.

Explore miles of hiking trails, waterfalls, and scenic overlooks across one of the most celebrated natural landscapes in the Northeast. The White Mountain National Forest spans over 750,000 acres across New Hampshire and Maine, with North Conway serving as the eastern gateway to the range. The trail network covers every ability level, from short family-friendly walks to challenging summit routes among the 48 peaks above 4,000 feet. For families and first-time visitors, Diana's Baths near West Side Road is one of the most beloved easy hikes in the area, a relatively flat 1.1-mile round trip to a series of cascading rock pools and natural swimming holes on Lucy Brook. Cathedral Ledge in Echo Lake State Park offers dramatic cliff-top views over the Saco River Valley with minimal effort. More experienced hikers gravitate toward peaks like Black Cap Mountain, Kearsarge North, and the longer routes into the Presidential Range. Waterfalls are scattered throughout the forest year-round, with Sabbaday Falls along the Kancamagus Highway, Arethusa Falls in Crawford Notch, and Glen Ellis Falls in Pinkham Notch among the most visited. A White Mountain National Forest parking pass is required at most trailheads and can be purchased daily or annually.

One of the most famous scenic drives in New England, especially during fall foliage season, the Kancamagus Highway runs 34.5 miles through the heart of the White Mountain National Forest, connecting Conway in the east with Lincoln in the west. Known locally as "The Kanc," this stretch of New Hampshire Route 112 has no gas stations, restaurants, or commercial development along the route, just uninterrupted mountain forest, river views, waterfalls, and scenic overlooks. The road crests at Kancamagus Pass at roughly 2,855 feet and offers several well-marked pull-offs worth building into any drive. Pemigewasset Overlook and Hancock Overlook are among the most dramatic stops, with wide panoramic views across the surrounding White Mountains. The Albany Covered Bridge is a short detour off the highway and one of the most photographed spots in the valley. For those who want to stretch their legs, Sabbaday Falls is a quick and rewarding waterfall hike directly off the highway, while Rocky Gorge and Lower Falls offer easy access to the Swift River for wading and picnicking. Fall foliage typically peaks in early to mid October, when the maples, birches, and beeches light up in deep reds, oranges, and yellows across the entire ridgeline. A full drive with stops takes two to three hours, though it's easy to spend a full day if you add hiking.

Enjoy shopping, dining, and classic New England charm in the heart of the White Mountains. The village stretches along Main Street with a walkable mix of locally owned boutiques, outdoor outfitters, restaurants, breweries, and specialty shops that give it a genuinely distinct character. The White Mountain Independents, a collective of locally owned shops clustered in and around the village, is a great starting point for finding handmade goods, regional art, and gifts you won't find anywhere else. North Conway is also one of New England's top shopping destinations thanks to New Hampshire's lack of a sales tax. Settlers Green Outlet Village, located just south of the village center on Route 16, hosts over 70 national brand name stores including Gap, Kate Spade, Levi's, Adidas, and J.Crew, with outdoor common spaces and seasonal events throughout the year. The Conway Scenic Railroad departs from the historic North Conway depot and offers excursions through the valley ranging from a short scenic loop to a longer mountain journey through Crawford Notch. After a day on the trails or the slopes, the village dining scene delivers well, with options ranging from casual après-ski spots to local breweries and sit-down restaurants.