FRANCONIA NOTCH Off Route 93 near Littleton
1) The Flume - boardwalked Waterfalls and cataracts - easy walk about a mile circle.
2) The Basin - nice pools, VERY easy Walk
3) Cannon Mountain - take the gondola for the view (Wild Black Bears up there too)
BRETON WOODS on 302
Mount Washington Hotel / Breton Woods Ski Area - Good hotels in the area. Upper crust.
CRAWFORD NOTCH on 302
Some of best views and short hikes. Hike Mt Willard about 1/2 hour for a breathtaking view of the Crawford Notch Valley.
Appalachian Mountain Club - Highland Center at Crawford Notch - BIG facility, free activities, Nature walks, guided tours. This is the Southern branch of what happens at the the main facility in Pinkham Notch. Mount Washington lies in between the two facilities. Maybe they are an hour apart by car.
- The pond in the back is a great sunset walk, takes about an hour.
- Starting point for Mount Willard a 45 minute hike to see one of the BIGGEST BANG FOR THE BUCK VIEWS in the White Mountains.
Arathusa Falls Crawford Notch
- 2.5 hour hike one way to GORGEOUS 200' waterfall. Medium difficulty trail, medium steepness, some small streams to cross. Tip toe on a few rocks. Climb over branches.
BARTLETT / Attitash Ski Area - 302, South End of Crawford Notch
Hotels and condos here good base of operations - should have reasonable prices.
White Mountain Cider Co - New Restaurant / Shop and deli. Restaurant looks REALLY good have not tried yet. Not Upper Crust stuffy, but looks like hip Greenwich Village Innovative.
Grant's Food market at the intersection of 16 & 302 - good selection & quality for a small market.
PINKHAM NOTCH / MT WASHINGTON Valley
BASE CAMP at Applachian Mountain CLUB Route 16
Mount Washinton is a big deal and dominates the area. Major Facility. Get your bearings here at the Base Camp. Go here on your first day of activity to get a good orientation to the area. Guidebooks for sale and maps / Weather / Safety info. Courses in all kinds of outdoor stuff. Plan activities around the weather. It always rains some days. Base for the hike to the summit of Mount Washington - 4 hour up, 4 hours down. Not a beginner hike - over a mile high.
GLEN ELLIS FALLS
Short, easy hike with FABULOUS Waterfalls. Across the street from AMC Base Camp.
DRIVING TO THE SUMMIT OF Mount Washington.
Take the Auto road for a difficult and BREATHTAKING "white knuckle" drive. Narrow, no guardrails.
Alternates - take the Guide bus. Bring camera and lots of film and jackets and pray for clear weather. Temperature drops quickly up there. Highest winds on earth - ever - were recorded there.
You could also take the Cog Railway back in Breton Woods on the other side of the Mountain near Breton Woods.
JACKSON off Route 16, South of Pinkham Notch
The Inn at Thorn Hill Have not eaten here yet but it reminds one of the Pitcher Inn in Vermont. Upper crust.
Wentworth - Inn and Restaurant and Country Club Elegant & Expensive Hot tubs / fireplaces Upper crust.
Thompson House Eatery - loud pub atmosphere, Innovative menu the way Wildcat Tavern USED TO BE.
Wildcat Tavern - Hotel and Restaurant. Used to be a great place, now serves Mac & Cheese. Used to be owned by THREE CHEFS, they sold it several years ago. New owners have made it into a "Disney Cuisine" place.
Ravenwood Curio Shoppe - Like the unusual, strange and weird. This is for you.
NORTH CONWAY
Outlet heaven/hell
Shopping and choking traffic jams on weekends plan on an hour to go 3 miles. Some OK restaurants.
Shaws Grocery shopping at the south end of town.
KANKAMANGUS HIGHWAY / LOON
Loon Ski Area should have good hotels condos
Scenic switchback highway. Great views, go slow and enjoy the views, stop at the overlooks. Not central to the rest of the area. Easy to head home from here.
Bear Notch road is an important connecting road to 302 that will cut off an hour by allowing you to bypass CONWAY.
Accomodations - Try to stay central like Bartlet / Attitash or Jackson for the Food and Inns
