100+ Things to Do in the White Mountains
Shopping, Hiking, Skiing, Dining, Story Land and so much more!
Mount Washington Valley is the perfect place for relaxation or adventure, complete with scenic drives, locomotives, zip lines, natural wonders, theme parks and more. There’s plenty to do, see, and savor and we have included below a list of 100+ things you can do in the White Mountains to highlight the many activities available to guests at the Cranmore Inn. Read on for some of our favorite ways to spend time in North Conway and the White Mountains (organized by season).
100+ Things to Do in the White Mountains – For Every Season a Reason to Stay @ the Cranmore Inn
Year Round
- Enjoy daily cooked to order breakfasts while staying at the Cranmore Inn
- Take a scenic drive through the central scenic loop of the area and see Mt. Washington, the Flume Gorge and the Kancamagus Highway
- Plan a picnic lunch while you are out and about or enjoy lunch at one of the more than 100 restaurants in the White Mountains
- Swim all year round at one of our area indoor waterparks
- Learn about the White Mountain School of Art and visit some of the artists’ favorite places
- Visit one of the local breweries and enjoy their makings
- Get tickets to see a theatre performance at one of our local venues
- Take the kids to the Mt. Washington Valley Children’s museum
- Visit the North Conway 5 & 10 to see where the locals shopped 100 years ago (and still do today)
- Seek out and see a moose
- Tour the historic Mount Washington Hotel and enjoy the view from their veranda facing the mountain
- Spend some time shopping and getting deals at Settler’s Green Outlet shops
- Do a scavenger hunt and see what surprises you might find (Cranmore Inn has some you can do!)
- Spend some time and money in North Conway at the local area shops
- Take advantage of the local music scene and see a concert
- Relax in the evening with a meal at one of the local eateries
- Take the time to take a hike at one of the more than 200 hikes in the White Mountains
- Take a scenic drive to the Lakes region and enjoy Lake Winnipesaukee or Squam lake
- Enjoy sweets and treats at one of our chocolate makers or bakeries
- Visit the Hazel and Owen Currier doll museum in Fryeburg, ME
- Enjoy a Mystery Room where you can hopefully find your way out
- Visit the local Winery and taste some of their creations
- Visit the New England Ski museum to learn how it all began
- Visit Zeb’s and enjoy the atmosphere and get some candy
- Take the kids to Santa’s village in the summer or around Christmas
- Take a tour of the many covered bridges in the area
- Visit the Old Man in the Mountain (or where he used to be) in Franconia Notch
- Take a scenic drive to the Great North Woods region to see Gorham and Berlin and escape the tourist traffic
- Visit the longest candy counter at Chutters in Littleton, NH
- Treat yourself to a relaxing massage
- Grab a coffee or a drink at one of the local bars or coffee shops
- Play some tennis – indoors or out
- Take time out to see a movie at one of the local area theaters or outside venues
- Stop by the Robert Frost museum in Franconia, NH
- Take time to work out at one the local area gyms
Spring, Summer & Fall
- Drive to the top of Mt. Washington and enjoy the breathtaking views and extreme weather
- Enjoy one of the over 200 trails in the area and take a hike – to a waterfall, a mountain summit or a secluded hideaway
- Take a dip in a river or at one of our swimming holes
- Hang out while taking a course in rock climbing
- Take the Canopy Tour at Bretton Woods for an entirely new perspective on the Presidential Range.
- Hang out in the trees at one of the area ropes courses
- Take the Scenic area dinner train (or the Mystery train) into the mountains
- Hike the Appalachian Trail (or at least part of it – so you can say you’ve been there!)
- Float away a day with a kayak or canoe ride on the Androscoggin or the Saco rivers
- Plan a picnic beside a waterfall or at the top of a mountain
- Experience the sun rise from the top of Mt. Washington – the auto road is open for this special event only two or three times each summer
- See the Pumpkin People every October
- View the Mount Washington Valley’s spectacular fall foliage.
- See the livestock and enjoy the rides on the midway at the Fryeburg fair every fall
- Spend some time playing mini-golf
- Challenge yourself and hike to the top of Mt. Washington
- Relax while taking a scenic train ride
- Fly above the trees at one of the longest zip lines on the east coast at Attitash
- Enjoy a horseback or carriage ride
- Experience the cog railway on your ride to the top of Mt. Washington
- Take the kids to Storyland and enjoy the rides
- Lounge by one of the local lakes
- Visit one of the local farmers markets
- Play a round of golf at one of the 8 area golf courses
- Take a tour of the Mt. Washington Observatory or visit the Weather Discovery Center
- Take in the sights on an Aerial tramway or mountain chair lift
- Visit the Flume gorge and be amazed
- Feel the rush when you ride on the area mountain coasters
- Spend an afternoon lounging by the pool at the Cranmore Inn
- Try to get to the top of one of the area climbing walls
- Get wet at one of the area outdoor water parks
- Zoom down the mountain on the Alpine slide at Attitash Mountain
- Experience bike week in the white mountains each June
- While away the time while you go fishing
- Go to the fields and pick your own strawberries every June
- Take a dinner cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee
- Grab your binoculars and go bird watching
- Cool off a bit while you grab some ice cream
- See the bears at Clark’s Trading Post
- Take a break and relax on the porch or on the back yard patio at the Cranmore Inn
- See a professional theatre company show at Barnstomers
- Climb to the top of Kearsarge North and enjoy the views and fire tower
- Visit the Willey House and decide for yourself whether you might get a case of the willies
- Drive through one of the local area notches and be impressed by the majesty of the area
- Drive (or hike) to the top of Cathedral Ledge and enjoy the views
- Visit Squam Lake where On Golden Pond was filmed
- Experience the area Corn Mazes every fall
- Go back in time and take in a Drive-in Movie
- Visit the Castle in the Clouds and enjoy the views
- Grab a bike and experience the mountains a different way
Colder Weather / Winter
- Snowshoe through the winter woods
- Take a romantic sleigh ride for two or a family sleigh ride for the whole family
- Take to the ski slopes at one of more than 7 local mountains
- Practice your spins as you ice skate
- Learn to Snowboard (or ski) – it’s never too late!
- Experience the mountains with a dogsled ride
- Take to the mountains on your cross country skis
- See maple syrup being made at a local sugaring house (March-April)
- Sign up for ice climbing and scale the cliffs
- Ski Tuckerman’s Ravine at Mt. Washington – a once in a lifetime experience
- Relive the experience of sledding or tubing at one of the many hills in the area
- Let out your inner speed demon while you snowmobile through the area
- Enjoy the annual Inn to Inn Holiday Cookie Tour the second weekend in December and stay at the Cranmore Inn
- Cut down your own holiday tree (regulated by the US Forest Service, permit required)
- Enjoy the tree lighting during the holiday season
- Go Ice fishing and catch your own dinner
- Visit the Ice castles display in Lincoln
- Take the Snowcoach to the tree line on Mt. Washington
- Learn what all the fuss is about and try some curling
- Relive your youth and build a snowman in the yard at the Cranmore Inn
