NewHampshire
3
Day Itinerary •
USA
Three days in New Hampshire gives you the essential Granite State experience, from the extraordinary White Mountains and Mount Washington, the highest peak in the northeastern United States with the most extreme weather ever recorded on earth, to the remarkable Lakes Region and the extraordinary Franconia Notch State Park. This route covers the heart of New Hampshire. The extraordinary Flume Gorge and Profile Lake at Franconia Notch, the remarkable Mount Washington Cog Railway, the finest rack railway in America, the extraordinary Kancamagus Highway fall foliage drive and the charming Wolfeboro on Lake Winnipesaukee.
Best Time To Visit
June to October. Fall foliage late September to mid-October extraordinary.
Getting There
Fly into Manchester (MHT) or Boston (BOS)
Getting Around
Rental car essential throughout New Hampshire
Budget Per Day
Approx $120 to $190 per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate, some White Mountains hiking
DAY 1
FRANCONIA NOTCH
MORNING
FLUME GORGE, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY GRANITE GORGE IN NEW ENGLAND
The Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch State Park is the most extraordinary natural gorge in New Hampshire, its extraordinary 800-foot-long granite chasm only 12 feet wide at its narrowest with walls rising 70 to 90 feet above the Flume Brook giving the finest gorge walk in New England. The extraordinary Avalanche Falls at the head of the gorge, the Liberty Gorge cascade and the covered bridge over the Pool are unmissable on the 2-mile loop trail. Entry approx $18. Drive: 2 hr drive
MIDDAY
PROFILE LAKE AND FRANCONIA NOTCH STATE PARK
Profile Lake in Franconia Notch is the most extraordinary reflective lake in New Hampshire, its extraordinary mirror surface beneath the cliff face where the Old Man of the Mountain formerly stood giving the most evocative landscape in the state. The extraordinary Echo Lake at the base of Cannon Mountain, the remarkable Basin pothole carved by glacial meltwater and the Franconia Notch Bike Path give the finest variety of experiences in the state park. Both free. Drive: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
CANNON MOUNTAIN AERIAL TRAMWAY
The Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway is the most extraordinary mountain lift in New Hampshire, its extraordinary 80-person cable car ascending to the 4,080-foot summit of Cannon Mountain giving the finest panoramic view of the Franconia Notch, the Presidential Range to the east and the Green Mountains of Vermont to the west. The New England Ski Museum at the base gives the finest ski heritage experience in the Northeast. Tram approx $28.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves in Kinsman Notch is the finest hidden gorge in New Hampshire, its extraordinary series of glacially carved granite potholes and boulder caves through which visitors scramble giving the most extraordinary geological adventure in the White Mountains. Entry approx $22.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Polly's Pancake Parlor, Sugar Hill The most legendary breakfast near Franconia. Extraordinary New Hampshire maple syrup pancakes. | Lunch: Woodstock Inn Brewery, North Woodstock The finest lunch near Franconia Notch. Extraordinary local NH ingredients and craft beer. | Dinner: Franconia Inn dining room The finest dinner in Franconia. Extraordinary local New Hampshire produce in a historic inn.
DAY 2
MOUNT WASHINGTON
MORNING
MOUNT WASHINGTON COG RAILWAY, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY RACK RAILWAY IN AMERICA
The Mount Washington Cog Railway is the most extraordinary rack railway in America, the world's first mountain-climbing cog railway built in 1869 still hauling passengers to the 6,288-foot summit of Mount Washington, the highest peak in the northeastern United States and site of the world wind speed record of 231 mph recorded in 1934. The extraordinary summit observatory, the weather museum and the 360-degree Presidential Range views are unmissable. Round trip approx $85. Drive: 1 hr drive
MIDDAY
CRAWFORD NOTCH AND THE PRESIDENTIAL RANGE VISTAS
Crawford Notch State Park is the most extraordinary mountain pass in New Hampshire, its extraordinary U-shaped glacial valley carved between the Presidential Range and the Willey Range giving the finest mountain scenery in the White Mountains outside Franconia Notch. The extraordinary Arethusa Falls trail at 2.6 miles round trip leads to the highest waterfall in New Hampshire at 140 feet. The Willey House historic site is unmissable. Arethusa Falls free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
OMNI MOUNT WASHINGTON RESORT AND BRETTON WOODS
The Omni Mount Washington Resort at Bretton Woods is the most extraordinary historic resort in New Hampshire, its extraordinary 1902 Spanish Renaissance hotel with its 900-foot veranda overlooking the Presidential Range being the site of the 1944 Bretton Woods Conference that established the post-war international monetary system. The extraordinary resort grounds, the Bretton Woods ski area and the remarkable Crawford Notch scenic railroad give the finest mountain resort experience. Grounds free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Tuckerman Ravine spring skiing on Mount Washington is the finest hidden ski experience in New Hampshire, its extraordinary headwall of 50-plus degree slope attracting extreme skiers to ski on snow that persists until July in the most extraordinary non-lift ski experience in the eastern United States. Free to access, but expert skiers only.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Omni Mount Washington Resort dining room The finest breakfast in New Hampshire. Extraordinary local NH produce overlooking the Presidential Range. | Lunch: Cog Railway summit cafe Outstanding summit lunch at 6,288 feet. The most extraordinary cafeteria view in New Hampshire. | Dinner: Cave, Omni Mount Washington Resort The most extraordinary dinner in New Hampshire. Local NH produce in a historic mountain resort.
DAY 3
KANCAMAGUS AND LAKES REGION
MORNING
KANCAMAGUS HIGHWAY, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY SCENIC DRIVE IN NEW ENGLAND
The Kancamagus Highway is the most extraordinary scenic drive in New England, its extraordinary 34-mile route through the White Mountain National Forest between Lincoln and Conway following the Swift River through the Kancamagus Pass giving the finest foliage drive in America in late September and early October. The Lower Falls, Rocky Gorge, the Sabbaday Falls trail and the extraordinary Russell-Colbath farmstead are unmissable stops. Entry free. Drive: 1 hr drive
MIDDAY
NORTH CONWAY VILLAGE AND MOUNT WASHINGTON VALLEY
North Conway is the most extraordinary mountain gateway town in New Hampshire, its extraordinary Victorian train station, the remarkable Echo Lake State Park with Cathedral Ledge and the extraordinary outlet shopping district giving the finest mountain town experience in the state. The Conway Scenic Railroad gives the finest vintage train ride in New England through Crawford Notch. Cathedral Ledge gives the finest free rock climbing view in New Hampshire. Train approx $25. Drive: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE AND WOLFEBORO
Lake Winnipesaukee is the most extraordinary lake in New Hampshire, the largest lake in the state with its extraordinary 72-square-mile surface surrounded by mountain peaks and its charming island-studded shores giving the finest lake landscape in New England. Wolfeboro on the eastern shore, which claims to be the oldest summer resort in America since 1769, gives the finest lakeside town experience in New Hampshire. The MS Mount Washington cruise gives the finest lake panorama. Cruise approx $38.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Castle in the Clouds above Lake Winnipesaukee is the finest hidden mansion in New Hampshire, its extraordinary 1914 arts and crafts hilltop estate with extraordinary views of Lake Winnipesaukee and the Ossipee Mountains giving the most extraordinary hidden estate experience in the Lakes Region. Entry approx $22.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Peach's Restaurant, North Conway The finest breakfast in North Conway. Extraordinary local New Hampshire ingredients. | Lunch: Ledge Brewing Company, North Conway Outstanding North Conway lunch. Extraordinary local NH ingredients and craft beer. | Dinner: Wolfeboro Inn, Wolfeboro The finest dinner on Lake Winnipesaukee. Extraordinary local New Hampshire produce.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Franconia, Night 1 Franconia Inn or Lovetts Inn. Approx $120 to $220 per night. Bretton Woods, Night 2 Omni Mount Washington Resort. Approx $200 to $500 per night. Wolfeboro, Night 3 The Wolfeboro Inn or Tuc Me Inn. Approx $100 to $200 per night.
Top Tips
1. Kancamagus Highway in peak fall foliage (late September to mid-October) is the finest drive in New England.
2. Mount Washington weather changes extremely fast. Bring warm layers even in summer. Wind record is 231mph.
3. Flume Gorge is best early morning before crowds arrive. The gorge walls close to within 12 feet at the narrowest.
4. Book the Omni Mount Washington Resort for at least one night. The Grand Dining Room is extraordinary.
5. New Hampshire has no sales tax. The outlet shopping at North Conway is the finest in New England.
6. Lake Winnipesaukee in summer from the MS Mount Washington cruise gives the finest Lakes Region view.
Total Budget
$120 to $190/day