NewHampshire
5
Day Itinerary •
USA
Five days in New Hampshire lets you explore the full extraordinary breadth of the Granite State, from the spectacular White Mountains and the world-record-wind summit of Mount Washington to the magnificent Kancamagus Highway fall foliage, the remarkable Lakes Region and the extraordinary Seacoast. This route covers the complete New Hampshire experience. The extraordinary Flume Gorge and Cannon Mountain of Franconia Notch, the magnificent Cog Railway and Presidential Range, the extraordinary Kancamagus Highway and the remarkable Seacoast at Portsmouth and Hampton Beach.
Best Time To Visit
June to October. Fall foliage late September to mid-October peak.
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 AND FRANCONIA NOTCH STATE PARK
The Flume Gorge is the most extraordinary natural gorge in New Hampshire, its extraordinary 800-foot granite chasm only 12 feet wide at its narrowest point with walls rising 90 feet above Flume Brook giving the finest gorge walk in New England. The extraordinary Avalanche Falls, Liberty Gorge cascade and the covered bridge over the Pool are unmissable on the 2-mile loop. Profile Lake below the cliff where the Old Man of the Mountain once stood and Echo Lake at Cannon Mountain base are free. Flume entry approx $18. Drive: 2 hr drive
MIDDAY
CANNON MOUNTAIN AERIAL TRAMWAY AND THE BASIN
The Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway ascends to the 4,080-foot summit giving the finest panoramic view of the White Mountains, Franconia Notch and the Green Mountains of Vermont. The extraordinary Basin glacial pothole below the tramway base, a perfectly smoothed granite bowl 30 feet wide carved by meltwater, and the Franconia Notch Bike Path give the finest variety of free experiences in the notch. Tram approx $28. Drive: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
FRANCONIA VILLAGE AND SUGAR HILL MAPLE COUNTRY
Sugar Hill above Franconia is the most extraordinary maple syrup country in New Hampshire, its extraordinary hilltop meadows with the finest view of the Franconia Ridge and the Presidential Range in the state giving the finest vista road in New Hampshire. The extraordinary Polly's Pancake Parlor, the most legendary New Hampshire breakfast, and the Sunset Hill House views are unmissable. The remarkable Robert Frost Farm in Franconia is the finest literary heritage site in the White Mountains. Frost Farm free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves in Kinsman Notch is the finest hidden geological adventure in New Hampshire, its extraordinary series of glacially carved potholes and boulder cave passages through which visitors scramble giving the most extraordinary adventure in the White Mountains. Entry approx $22.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Polly's Pancake Parlor, Sugar Hill The most legendary breakfast in New Hampshire. Extraordinary local maple syrup pancakes. | Lunch: Woodstock Inn Brewery, North Woodstock The finest lunch near Franconia Notch. Local NH ingredients and craft beer. | Dinner: Franconia Inn dining room The finest dinner in Franconia. Extraordinary local New Hampshire produce.
DAY 2
MOUNT WASHINGTON
MORNING
MOUNT WASHINGTON COG RAILWAY
The Mount Washington Cog Railway built in 1869 is the most extraordinary rack railway in America, its extraordinary 3-mile ascent at gradients up to 37 percent using a central cog rack to the 6,288-foot summit of Mount Washington giving the finest mountain railway experience in New England. The summit observatory, the weather museum and the site of the 1934 wind speed record of 231 mph give the most extraordinary summit experience in the Northeast. Round trip approx $85. Drive: 1 hr drive
MIDDAY
MOUNT WASHINGTON SUMMIT AND PRESIDENTIAL RANGE
The Mount Washington summit is the most extraordinary mountain top in the northeastern United States, its extraordinary 360-degree view of the Presidential Range, the Appalachian Trail ridgeline stretching in both directions and the Atlantic Ocean visible on clear days giving the finest panorama in New England. The extraordinary weather station and the Sherman Adams building give the finest high-altitude visitor experience. The summit road gives an alternative car approach. Summit free once at top. Drive: 30 min at summit
AFTERNOON
CRAWFORD NOTCH AND ARETHUSA FALLS
Crawford Notch State Park is the most extraordinary glacial valley in New Hampshire, its extraordinary U-shaped notch between the Presidential Range and the Willey Range giving the finest mountain scenery outside Franconia. Arethusa Falls at 140 feet is the highest waterfall in New Hampshire, accessible by a 2.6-mile round trip trail. The Willey House historic site where the entire Willey family perished in an 1826 landslide while fleeing their house is extraordinary. Both free. Drive: 45 min drive
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Tuckerman Ravine headwall on Mount Washington is the finest hidden ski experience in New Hampshire, attracting extreme skiers to its 50-degree slopes until July in the most extraordinary non-lift ski descent in the eastern United States. Free to access via the Tuckerman Ravine Trail. Expert skiers only.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Omni Mount Washington Resort 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 England. | Dinner: Cave, Omni Mount Washington Resort The most extraordinary dinner in the White Mountains. Local NH produce in a legendary resort.
DAY 3
KANCAMAGUS HIGHWAY
MORNING
KANCAMAGUS HIGHWAY, THE FINEST FOLIAGE DRIVE IN NEW ENGLAND
The Kancamagus Highway between Lincoln and Conway is the most extraordinary scenic drive in New England, its extraordinary 34-mile route through the White Mountain National Forest following the Swift River through spruce and birch forest past the Kancamagus Pass giving the finest fall foliage drive in America in late September and October. The extraordinary Sabbaday Falls trail at 0.6 miles, the Rocky Gorge swim hole and the Lower Falls picnic area are unmissable. Entry free. Drive: 1 hr drive
MIDDAY
NORTH CONWAY AND CATHEDRAL LEDGE
North Conway is the most extraordinary mountain gateway town in New Hampshire, its extraordinary Echo Lake State Park and Cathedral Ledge giving the finest rock climbing and free summit view in the Mount Washington Valley. The extraordinary Conway Scenic Railroad through Crawford Notch gives the finest vintage train experience in New England. The remarkable outlet shopping in North Conway, the finest in New England with no sales tax, gives the most extraordinary bargain shopping in the Northeast. Cathedral Ledge free. Drive: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
SWIFT RIVER SWIMMING HOLES AND COVERED BRIDGES
The Swift River swimming holes along the Kancamagus Highway give the most extraordinary mountain swimming in New Hampshire, their extraordinary cold granite pools fed by White Mountain streams giving the finest natural swimming in the state. The extraordinary covered bridges of Albany and Passaconaway give the finest covered bridge scenery in New Hampshire. The Champney Falls trail at 3.4 miles gives the finest waterfall hike along the Kancamagus. All free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Diana's Baths near North Conway is the finest hidden swimming spot in the White Mountains, its extraordinary series of smooth granite ledges and pools on Lucy Brook giving the most extraordinary free waterfall swimming experience in New Hampshire. Free. 20-minute walk from the parking area.
🍽 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: Bellini's, North Conway The finest restaurant in North Conway. Extraordinary Italian-inspired local NH produce.
DAY 4
LAKES REGION
MORNING
CASTLE IN THE CLOUDS AND LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE VIEWS
Castle in the Clouds above Moultonborough is the most extraordinary historic estate in New Hampshire, its extraordinary 1914 arts and crafts hilltop mansion with 360-degree views of Lake Winnipesaukee and the Ossipee Mountains giving the finest elevated lake view in New England. The extraordinary Bridal Veil Falls on the estate trail and the Ossipee Mountains hiking network give the finest estate walking experience in the state. Entry approx $22. Drive: 1 hr drive
MIDDAY
LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE AND WOLFEBORO
Lake Winnipesaukee is the most extraordinary lake in New Hampshire, the largest lake in the state with its extraordinary 182 miles of shoreline and 258 islands 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 extraordinary MS Mount Washington cruise gives the finest full-lake panorama. Cruise approx $38. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
WEIRS BEACH AND LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE SUNSET
Weirs Beach on the western shore of Lake Winnipesaukee is the most extraordinary traditional lakeside resort in New Hampshire, its extraordinary boardwalk, the remarkable Funspot family entertainment center and the finest lake swimming beach in New Hampshire giving the finest traditional family resort experience in the Lakes Region. The extraordinary Laconia Motorcycle Week in June is the largest motorcycle rally in America. Beach free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Squam Lake near Holderness is the finest hidden lake in New Hampshire, its extraordinary 6,791-acre pristine lake used as the filming location for On Golden Pond giving the most extraordinary undeveloped lake experience in the state. Squam Lake Science Center nearby is extraordinary. Entry approx $10.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Castle in the Clouds cafe The finest breakfast above Lake Winnipesaukee. Extraordinary views and local NH produce. | Lunch: Wolfeboro Inn, Wolfeboro Outstanding lakeside lunch in the oldest summer resort in America. Extraordinary local NH produce. | Dinner: Canoe Restaurant, Center Harbor The finest restaurant on Lake Winnipesaukee. Extraordinary local NH seafood with lake views.
DAY 5
PORTSMOUTH AND SEACOAST
MORNING
PORTSMOUTH HISTORIC DISTRICT, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY SEACOAST CITY IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
Portsmouth is the most extraordinary historic city in New Hampshire, its extraordinary Market Street of 17th and 18th-century merchant houses, the remarkable Strawbery Banke Museum of 10 historic houses, the extraordinary Prescott Park waterfront garden and the magnificent Piscataqua River giving the finest small coastal city experience in New England. The extraordinary Moffatt-Ladd House, the Warner House and the John Paul Jones House give the finest colonial architecture in New Hampshire. Strawbery Banke entry approx $22. Drive: 1.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
ISLES OF SHOALS FERRY AND SEACOAST VIEWS
The Isles of Shoals are the most extraordinary offshore islands in New Hampshire, their extraordinary group of nine small rocky islands 6 miles offshore in the Gulf of Maine giving the finest seabird colony, the remarkable Star Island conference center and the historic Shoals Marine Laboratory accessible by ferry from Portsmouth. The extraordinary Smuttynose Island where the 1873 murders inspired Anita Shreve's novel The Weight of Water is unmissable. Ferry approx $40 return. Drive: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
HAMPTON BEACH STATE PARK AND THE NEW HAMPSHIRE SEACOAST
Hampton Beach is the most extraordinary traditional seaside resort on the New Hampshire coast, its extraordinary 1-mile state beach with the finest sand on the 18-mile New Hampshire coastline, the remarkable Hampton Beach State Park and the extraordinary summer concert series on the state beach bandstand giving the finest beach resort experience in the state. The extraordinary Odiorne Point State Park to the north gives the finest coastal ecology in the seacoast. Beach free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Odiorne Point State Park in Rye is the finest hidden coastal park in New Hampshire, its extraordinary rocky tidal pools and WWII bunker ruins giving the most extraordinary coastal ecology and military heritage experience on the New Hampshire seacoast. Free. The most extraordinary hidden gem on the NH coast.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Breaking New Grounds, Portsmouth The finest coffee shop in New Hampshire. Extraordinary local NH ingredients and strong espresso. | Lunch: Row 34, Portsmouth The finest oyster bar in Portsmouth. Extraordinary local New England oysters and clam chowder. | Dinner: Black Trumpet, Portsmouth The most celebrated restaurant in Portsmouth. Extraordinary local NH produce and craft cocktails.
Where To Stay
Franconia and Bretton Woods, Nights 1 to 2 Franconia Inn or Omni Mount Washington. Approx $150 to $400. North Conway and Wolfeboro, Nights 3 to 4 North Conway Grand or Wolfeboro Inn. Approx $120 to $220. Portsmouth, Night 5 The Ale House Inn or Hilton Garden Inn. Approx $140 to $260 per night.
Top Tips
1. Kancamagus Highway peak foliage usually peaks the first two weeks of October. Check foliagetracker.com.
2. Mount Washington weather can change within minutes. Pack warm layers and waterproofs year-round.
3. Portsmouth is the finest small city in New Hampshire. Market Street and Prescott Park are extraordinary.
4. New Hampshire has no sales tax or income tax. Outlet shopping in North Conway is the finest in the region.
5. The Omni Mount Washington Resort Grand Dining Room dinner is the finest experience in the White Mountains.
6. Polly's Pancake Parlor in Sugar Hill is the most extraordinary breakfast in New Hampshire. NH maple syrup.
Total Budget
$120 to $190/day