Being a small publisher of New Hampshire tourist maps and guides I am always asked by travelers from all over the world for information about New Hampshire’s White Mountains, Mt. Washington Valley, North Conway, or New Hampshire in general. “Where should a family of 10 stay for Christmas?” What’s a great family restaurant near where we are staying?” Do you know of any coupons for Ziplining, horseback riding, sleigh rides?” How far is the “Old Man of the Mountain” from the Kanc?” (Kancamagus Highway). What’s the closest golf course to where we are staying?” Where are the Outlets located?” I love what I do so I am usually thrilled to hear people’s plans for traveling to the areas and regions I promote. In the past year, I have spoken with people from Japan, China, Russia, The Netherlands, Newfoundland, Great Britain, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand and hundreds from Canada. All want a locals’ perspective and really want to hear my opinion. I am careful to not steer anyone to any particular place unless they know exactly what they are looking for, as did the 12 people coming up a few years ago for Christmas Eve.
Let me start with suggestions for your first day or two in the White Mountains. If you are staying in the North Conway area, a morning walk around North Conway Village is a must. Some of the stores open at 9am. (Zebs General Store) #LargestCandyCounter #NewEnglandMade. There are some great family restaurants that welcome kids and serve awesome breakfast. (Peaches). If you come to the Village a little later that morning and just want a cool vibe coffee shop with local art displayed inside, The Met is where it’s at and they serve breakfast, salads, and sandwiches into the night. The lil’ neighborhood village library is always a fun stop if you need free Wifi or want to relax with a good book. And their architecture is as iconic as the Conway Scenic Railroad in the center of the village by Schouler Park. For more on reading and relaxation, White Birch Book Store is by far my most favorite bookstore anywhere and for many reasons…..the staff knows what they are talking about and they have the largest selection of cards of any store I have been in. (Yes, people still send cards). Headlines probably has the most eclectic selection of gifts in the Valley. The Shops of the Eastern Slope Inn (ESI) is a group of tenant shops located in many of the ESI related properties throughout the Village.
After an authentic, old school, train ride up to Bartlett and back, check out the unique shops of the Village. April Cornell, Beggars Pouch, the League of NH Craftsman are all high end but have affordable quality products, some made right here in the Valley. If you’ve worked up an appetite for lunch, there are so many unique places to go, from the best burgers at McGrath’s Tavern, or the best Pizza at Elvio’s Pizzaria, to organic and all natural at the Local Grocer cafe, deli and bakery. Be Well Studios is also known for their awesome Yoga classes #Yoga #Organic. There are so many great lunch places in the Valley starting with Peaches in North Conway Village and Brandli’s at Settlers’ Green. The Lobster Trap is on West Side Rd and Sea Dog Brewing Co, is on the Rt. 16 strip. Yesterday’s and Kringles in Jackson and Glen, NH rock the lunch menu, too. Chef’s Bistro located in the center of the Village has the best seats in the Village to watch what’s happening on Main Street. And for a side street bistro vibe with outdoor dining there’s renowned Vito Marcello’s in the Village. It’s also a romantic place for an uptown urban feel as is Black Cap Grille. Christmas Farm Inn, Jackson, NH, and Tuckerman’s Tavern in Intervale have fun pubs and fantastic food. Check out FoodintheMountains.com for all of the best places to eat while in NH’s Tourism Capital.
Speaking of romance,The Stonehurst Manor is as renowned for their setting overlooking Mt. Washington as they are their menu and martini lounge, all set in a magical manor. The Oxford House in Fryeburg, Maine also has fabulous views and a romantic setting. For another view of the Valley, head up to The White Mountain Hotel off of West Side Road for breathtaking views of Cranmore, Rattlesnake Ridge, and Mt. Kearsarge. Pretty much all are nestled into the backdrop of the awesome Moat Mountain Range, Humphries and Cathedral Ledges. #EchoLake – The White Mountain Hotel has fabulous lodging and is located on the Hales Location Golf Course – Even the North Conway Country Club in the center of North Conway Village is renowned for their breakfasts and luncheon menu. See all the great golf courses in the White Mountains at: GolfintheWhiteMountains.Com
For more lodging choices there’s the Eastern Slope Inn in North Conway Village, The Colonial Motel, and Briarcliff on the southern end of Main Street, and the Eastern Inn on the northern end of Main Street. The Golden Gables Inn, the Residence Inn by Marriott, Comfort Inn and Hampton Inn are all in the center of the Valley’s Factory Outlet shops. For a B&B experience, I’d suggest the Red Elephant Inn, Cranmore Inn, Christmas Farm Inn or the Stonehurst Manor. For the animal lover or pet owner, Pet Rendezvous has daycare/playcare daily for your pet or you can bring them up to stay for the entire time you are staying in Mt. Washington Valley. For vacation rentals as in renting an entire home or condo, FourSeasonsLodge.Com as well as AttitashRealty.Com, BadgerRealty.Com and PinkhamRealEstate.Com and REMax Presidential Real Estate all have a wide range of options. Over in the Loon Mt and Lincoln, NH area the Kancamagus Lodge is centrally located and the Indian Head Resort, a classic family resort on a small lake is perfectly located near where the Old Man in the Mountain used to overlook the Western White Mountains from Franconia, NH.
Now for the really important info…..spas and chocolate! There is a spa services banner at NorthConwayVillage.Net. Click on that link for spa services info including the spa at the Bernerhof Inn near Attitash. For the best chocolate in the world, stop by the Bavarian Chocolate Haus on Main Street. SOOOOooooo Good! If you want to know more about local brewed beers, go to AleTrail.net – For the best local art in notecards, limited edition and open edition prints, paintings, and photographs go to WhiteMountainArt.Net. Or by appointment at 603-387-0886.The HandCrafters Barn also carries this artwork.
For famous outlet shopping there are more than 200 shops and boutiques to spend your time and money in. From Settlers’ Green outlets like Corningware Revere, Waterford Crystal, Lindt Chocolate Shop, and Stonewall Kitchen, to the world famous Four Your Paws Only Pet Store and Bakery, Zebs General Store, and Travel Pro, to the Christmas Loft, Lochcarron Cashmere, and the unique shops of Jackson, NH. Check out ShopMtWashingtonValley.Com for the best deals in the region.
There are awesome coupons for many of these businesses at NorthConwayCoupons.Com Check out all of our tourist maps at HospitalityMaps.com or NorthConwayVillage.Com We update those other sites each June with new stories and coupon offers. Wishing you all safe and fun travels to and from North Conway, New Hampshire