Find fun and interesting Great Things to Do in White Mountains

New Hampshire > White Mountains > Things to Do and See > 70 Great Things to Do in New Hampshire

In the White Mountains some things are given like majestic scenery, year round outdoor recreation and memorable family vacations. Check out the New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival, Waterville Valley’s complete resort and Santa's Village. Great attractions include old fashioned Cog Railways like the Conway Scenic Railroad and the climb up Mount Washington. You can also drive up the mountain on the scenic auto road. There are brewery and moose viewing tours, glider flying and much more.

WREN

2011 Main Street Bethlehem, NH, 03574 Phone: 603-869-9736

Shop hand-crafted items, stroll through an ever-changing gallery and support a great cause

Have fun and support a great cause! You can do both when you visit the store and gallery at the Women's Rural Entrepreneurial Network, better know as WREN. At WREN's shop in downtown Bethlehem, NH you'll see one-of-a-kind hand crafted goods made by over 120 local artists and producers. From pottery, jewelry, candles and cards to scarves, bath & body care, artwork and home decor, there is something for every shopper. the Gallery at WREN features a new show every two months presenting the work of local and regional artists, as well as artist talks and other events. The mission of WREN is to support better lives and livelihoods through education, economic development and community engagement in the North Country. Stop in or shop online at WRENworks.org.

Ice Castles

24 Clark Farm Road North Woodstock, NH, 03262 Phone: Toll-Free: 888-407-4054

Your moment of imagination, exploration and magic awaits at Ice Castles

This immersive experience built entirely from ice enchants visitors with its captivating photogenic appeal. Escape into a world of frozen caves, maze-like tunnels, fountains and ice-carved slides. Ice Castles in North Woodstock is built by hand using hundreds of thousands of icicles that are grown, harvested, and planted every day to create the acre-sized interactive attraction. And the effect is heightened at night when LED lights frozen inside change colors in perfect synchronization to music. You don’t have to be a fan of “Frozen” to find the whole experience magical. Remember to dress warmly, but in case that's not enough there's an on-site concession stand serving up hot chocolate, apple cider, and warm treats!

Mount Washington Cog Railway

Off Route 302 Bretton Woods, NH, 03589 Phone: 603-278-5404 Toll-Free: 800-922-8825

Exciting ride aboard a cog railway culminates in breathtaking views atop Mt. Washington

Fun, educational – and thrilling – the historic Cog Railway up to the summit of majestic Mt. Washington is a great adventure for passengers of all ages. The colorful trains are powered by biodiesel or steam locomotives, traveling 5 mph past forests, ravines, wildlife (including the occasional moose or bear) and through three climate zones to reach the breathtaking summit. There, on top of the Northeast’s tallest peak, you can explore an interactive weather exhibit or look out over the mountains from the rooftop observation deck. You can also send a post card from the summit post office. Travelers will enjoy the commentary from train engineers and brakemen and brakewomen. Parking is free, and there are food courts or cafeterias at both ends of your exciting journey. Trains operate from late April through November.

Curious Kids - Mount Washington Auto Road - Gorham, NH

Mt. Washington Auto Road

Route 16, Pinkham Notch Gorham, NH, 03581 Phone: 603-466-3988

Take a trip to the top! Head up to the summit of Mt. Washington on this legendary road

It’s the height of adventure when you take the Mt. Washington Auto Road to the legendary mountain’s 6,288-foot summit, with your reward some breathtaking vistas that extend, on a good day, past several states and into Canada and beyond, to the Atlantic. Take your own vehicle up the famous road or take a two-hour guided tour – or hike! There’s an observatory museum up top as well as a cafeteria. Down below, just outside the base lodge, there’s a museum with memorabilia from the road’s history, as well as some of the early vehicles that made the 8-mile journey. There’s also an outdoors center, where you can book white-water kayak trips, hiking or biking treks and other exciting recreational adventures.

New Hampshire's Androscoggin Valley - Your Adventure Starts Here! Click here to explore.

Explore New England TV - New Episodes Coming in 2022 on NESN! See our YouTube Channel for On-Demand Content!

Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa - Casual Elegance, Stunning Views. Seasonal Promotions Available now!

Flume Gorge - Franconia Notch State Park - Franconia Notch, NH

Flume Gorge & Visitor Center

852 Daniel Webster Highway (Route 3) Franconia Notch, NH Phone: 603-745-8391

As you walk this loop trail, you’ll be awe-struck by massive gorge, waterfall – and a covered bridge

Visit Flume Gorge and prepare to be amazed. The natural gorge extends 800 feet at the base of Mt. Liberty, with 70-to-90-foot walls of Conway granite that began to form millions of years ago. Walk the 2-mile flume trail, a loop that takes about an hour and a half to complete, and view Table Rock, a massive section of granite; Avalanche Falls, a 45-foot waterfall that roars as Flume Brook enters the gorge; and glacial boulders that weigh over 300 tons. A boardwalk lets you get up close and personal with the area’s flowers, ferns and mosses, and the covered bridge across the scenic Pemigewasset River is one of the oldest in the state, built in 1886. Download a scavenger hunt list online.

Family Downhill Skiing - Twin Mountain-Bretton Woods Chamber - New Hampshire

Twin Mountain-Bretton Woods Chamber of Commerce

P.O. Box 194 Twin Mountain, NH, 03595 Phone: Toll-Free: 800-245-8946

Explore the White Mountains from your ‘base camp’ in this vibrant vacation region

Set up your White Mountains base camp in Twin Mountain-Bretton Woods and explore this vibrant vacation region. Ski in the winter, swim and kayak in the summer, and bike and hike all year long. Go fly-fishing along pristine rivers, zoom down a snow-tubing hill or through the trees on a zipline. Experience the thrills of Mount Washington on the famous Cog Railway, go for a horseback or horse-drawn sleigh ride, or play a round of golf on one of five area courses. View the Presidential mountain range as you ride the gondola to the summit of Bretton Woods. Check out the bear shows at Clark’s Bears or a movie at The Colonial Theatre, the nation’s oldest continually running theater. All the makings for a truly vibrant vacation.

Conway Scenic Railroad

38 Norcross Circle North Conway, NH, 03860 Phone: 603-356-5251 Toll-Free: 800-232-5251

Spectacular vistas, a fun journey back in time await passengers on this scenic railroad

The scenery is spectacular in New Hampshire’s White Mountains region, and what better way to see it than on an old-fashioned train ride? The Conway Scenic Railroad offers several excursions that give passengers the feel of a classic 20th-century train journey. The Mountaineer features 1950s-era streamlined passenger cars (and premium options with elevated upper dome seating) that offer vistas of rocky outcrops around Crawford Notch. The Conway and Sawyer River Valley trains consist of vintage railroad passenger cars from the 1920s. Some cars in coach (where kids under 4 ride free) have windows that open; compartment cars offer enclosed European-style seating for groups up to four. Your journey begins at the 1874 Victorian-style station in North Conway Village.

Great Glen Trails

Route 16 at Pinkham Notch Gorham, NH, 03581 Phone: 603-466-3988

Adventures await all ages and abilities at this outdoor center at mountain’s base

Are there great things to do at Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center? Of course! Here are just a few: Kayak through whitewater or take a guided tour to explore the region’s wildlife (keep an eye out for moose and bald eagles). Bike, hike, jog or just stroll through the center’s 28 scenic miles of carriage roads, single tracks and double tracks. In the winter, cross-country ski or snowshoe over those pathways or go snow-tubing down an old-fashioned walk-up hill or go fat biking. Join a ski or kayak clinic to learn about the sport or hone your skills. Travel up the Mt. Washington Auto Road and let your jaw drop at those astonishing views. At the center, you can rent or buy equipment and gear.

Trust for Public Land - Protecting Vermont's cherished trail!s one step at a time

Explore Ice Castles in North Woodstock, NH! Click here to explore.

The White Mountains of New Hampshire - Making Memories Every Day!

Brewery Tour 2019 - Woodstock Inn, Station & Brewery - North Woodstock, NH

Woodstock Inn Brewery

135 Main Street North Woodstock, NH, 03262 Phone: 603-745-3951 Toll-Free: 800-321-3985

Beers and Brewery Tour - Why Not?

Find out how Woodstock Inn Brewery evolved from a small seven-barrel brewery to a 30-barrel, state-of-the-art solar fed facility (#PoweredByNH), distributing our year round, seasonal and limited edition beers all across New England. Each tour finishes with a chance to try five selected samples, and you go home with a pint glass, plus you might even discover what we mean when we say “Now Made With 100% More New Hampshire!” Try any of our brews at one of four on-site pubs or bring some home from the gift shop! Tours can be booked online at WoodstockInnNH.com

Summer Dog Sled Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel & Raft Jefferson New Hampshire

Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel & Raft NH

32 Valley Road Jefferson, NH, 03583 Phone: 603-545-4533

The seasons change the fun remains

Enjoy rolling dog sleds and exciting raft trips on Class II to Class 4 rapids. Muddy Paw sled tours allow you to meet the sled dogs, help the musher harness and hitch the team, enjoy the dog sled ride, and reward the sled dogs for a job well done. You’ll soak in the views and have plenty of photo opportunities. Raft NH is a family-friendly, rafting outfitter offering whitewater trips for ages 6 and up with or without experience. Trips from mild to wild offer an unforgettable adventure for everyone. The “Paws & Paddles” package combines daytime whitewater rafting and evening rolling dog sledding for a great day outdoors.

Sunset over the Lake - Androscoggin Valley Chamber - Berlin, NH

Androscoggin Valley Chamber of Commerce

961 Main Street Berlin, NH, 03570 Phone: 603-228-0836

The list of fun activities and attractions is a long one in this picturesque valley area

A list of all the fun and exciting things to do in the Androscoggin Valley is a long one! It might start with scenic hiking, biking (road, mountain and fat), kayaking and canoeing, move on to exhilarating zip lines and rope courses and white-water rafting, and end up with visits to Storyland and Santa’s Village or tax-free shopping in the region’s charming towns and villages. But don’t forget alpine and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snow-tubing and snowmobiling; dogsled, ATV and moose tours; and live music and theater. And, of course, the restaurants are first-rate, to suit every taste, and there’s a comfortable room or suite waiting for you in a resort, inn or hotel. Come see why adventures start in the Androscoggin Valley.

At the Bar - Rhythm Ciders - Lincoln, NH

Rhythm Handcrafted Beverages

25 South Mountain Drive Lincoln, NH, 03251 Phone: 603-745-7550

Sample the fruits of this cider’s labors at spacious, light-filled cider studio

Enjoy the fruits of Rhythm Handcrafted Beverages’ labors at the Rhythm Studio at the Atrium Wine Bar in the Lincoln Village Shops. At this spacious, light-filled cider studio, with barrel tables, you can enjoy a variety of ciders pressed from local fruits. The original hard apple cider features dessert apples blended in the field, ultimately fermented to near dryness. It’s an off-dry, refreshing choice. Blueberry hard apple cider has blueberry accents and vibrant color. Heirloom apple cider is barrel aged, pressed from a field blend of heirloom apples. Hard blood orange cider is co-fermented with fresh blood oranges and is mouthwatering. Check the studio for other, seasonal offerings, children’s activities and tours.

River Walk Resort at Loon - New England's Newest Grand Resort! In New Hampshire's spectacular White Mountains

Town of Bethlehem

Discover Bethlehem’s breathtaking views, endless adventure and thriving arts & culture

Discover Bethlehem, N.H., a place that beckons and welcomes. Whether you’re an empty nester or a family of five, there’s something here for everyone! Spend a day on the mountains skiing and snowboarding or go hiking, fat tire biking, snowshoeing on scenic trails around town. In the summer, play golf at one of two championship courses, ride our extensive mountain bike trails or scenic roads, hike trails throughout the White Mountains, or head to a live performance, outdoor concert, movie, or local art opening. Bethlehem’s quaint Main Street offers artisan craft, vintage finds, locally-made products, and much more. Enjoy a delicious meal at local restaurants or a beer at the brewpub before relaxing at a local hotel, inn, campground or cottage. Conveniently located near iconic attractions including Bretton Woods, Franconia Notch and The Cog Railway.

White Mountains Attractions

200 Kancamagus Highway North Woodstock, NH, 03262 Phone: 603-745-8720 Toll-Free: 800-346-3687

New Hampshire's White Mountains boast a colorful array of activities for visitors of all ages

Soaring through a forest, skiing down a snowy slope, riding the rails on a vintage train, conquering a corn maze, marveling at trained bears, saying hello to Santa and his reindeer: That’s just a partial list of all the activities awaiting visitors to New Hampshire’s breathtaking White Mountains. Whether you’re taking the kids to old favorites Clark’s Bears, Santa’s Village or Storyland, or arranging a friends weekend at one of several luxurious mountain resorts, you’ll have the time of your life in this fun-filled region, one of New England’s most scenic spots. Explore a glacial cave, nature center or a gallery-dotted Main Street. Go fishing, golfing or zip lining. See live theater, take a moose safari, visit a sled-dog kennel. Your adventure awaits. To find out more, follow our link above or call us today at 1-800-346-3687.

Santa's Village

528 Presidential Highway Jefferson, NH, 03583 Phone: 603-586-4445

Pure Joy. Family Style. Every Summer & Christmastime, too.

Enjoy the only New England park named one of the Top 25 Amusement Parks in the USA and #1 in New England by TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards for seven years in a row: Santa’s Village in Jefferson, NH. It’s home to Santa and his reindeer, and dozens of amusement rides and shows and other attractions for families with young children. It’s the joy and excitement of Christmas morning, and every bit as memorable. Admission covers an entire day of memory-making for the entire family. For nearly 70 years and three generations, from our family to yours – oh, what fun it is!

Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train

3 Crossing at Riverplace North Woodstock, NH, 03262 Phone: 603-745-3500

Scenic surroundings as spectacular as your meal aboard this elegant dinner train

Take in the scenic surroundings of the Pemigewasset River Valley as you roll gently through the countryside on board the Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train. From your comfortable seat at an elegant table on meticulously restored vintage rail cars, you’ll travel through the woods, over three trestle bridges, through the “jack-o-lantern” golf course and a Christmas tree farm on your 20-mile, two-hour round trip from the station at North Woodstock. You’ll dine on a delicious five-course gourmet meal with seasonal offerings prepared by top chefs. The White Mountains area is also home to hiking trails, spectacular views, lost rivers, great shopping, world-class skiing and, in the warm weather seasons, gondolas, zip lines and other mountain adventures.

Seven Birches Winery

River Walk at Loon - 22 South Mountain Drive Lincoln, NH, 03251 Phone: 603-745-7550

Wine-lovers, experienced and novice, will love this winery’s tours, atmosphere

Seven Birches Winery is the perfect activity for wine-lovers, whether you’re a novice or just beginning your love affair with wine. Located inside the lovely Riverwalk Resort at Loon Mountain, the winery offers intimate meet-the-winemakers tours of its production facility, where you can see how local fruits and European grape varietals are handcrafted into very special wines. Or, just opt for a tasting off the wine menu. Knowledgeable staff will be happy to help you with a choice or order up a flight for true sampling. In the nearby Lincoln Village Shops, the winery’s Atrium Wine Bar offers tastings in a rustic atmosphere as well as easy access to the region’s finest shops and restaurants.

Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa

Mountain View Road Whitefield, NH, 03598 Phone: 888-260-4929

On this mountain resort and off, the list of exciting activities is almost endless

Nestled in the White Mountains, of course there are wonderful things to do at the Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa! The area is known for its great hiking, skiing, skating, snowmobiling, dog-sledding, mountain biking – and that’s just for starters. Without leaving the scenic resort’s property, you can swim in an outdoor or heated indoor pool, play nine holes of golf, take a yoga class, try your hand at axe-throwing, attend a wine and beer tasting, see a movie in the resort theater, or play tennis, bocce or disc golf. For the kids, there are campfires with s’mores, story times, coloring contests, arts and crafts and camp activities and programs. And Santa’s Village is only a 20-minute drive away!.

Mountain Club on Loon

90 Loon Mountain Road Lincoln, NH, 03251 Phone: 800-229-7829

You’ll have a hard time choosing from all the activities at, and around, this mountain resort

It’s safe to say absolutely no one leaves The Mountain Club on Loon thinking there just wasn’t enough to do! Every season is a fun season at this welcoming mountain resort. In autumn, hike to waterfalls, surrounded by spectacular foliage; in the winter, bring your skis, snowboards and skates. Spring means mountain biking, fishing, ATV riding and spring skiing. And the summer is amazing with kayaking, canoeing, swimming, rock climbing, golf, gondola rides and zip lining. Nearby attractions range from scenic railroads to Storyland, theaters and museums. At the resort, go for a spa treatment, take a yoga class, swim in the indoor or outdoor pool, enjoy delightful dining – and end your evenings relaxing in your luxurious room or suite with a mountain view.

Whitewater Rafting - Mt. Washington Valley Chamber - North Conway, NH

Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce

The seasons change, and the fun never ends, for visitors to Mt. Washington Valley

Every season is a reason to visit the mountains of New Hampshire. Surrounded by the White Mountain National Forest and home to the highest peak in the Northeast, outdoor adventure abounds with hundreds of trails to get you to a rushing waterfall or a mountain summit. Relax at a spa, museum, coffee shop, or bookstore, enjoy live theater and music, ooh and ahh at stunning vistas, and check out the great events and attractions for the whole family. When you’re hungry you be thrilled will all the options to choose from. We have cozy eateries, stylish bars, Irish pubs, elegant dining, and more. Shopping is tax-free in New Hampshire, and with over 200 name-brand outlets, boutique, and specialty stores it’s no surprise that North Conway is world renowned as a shopping destination. Click above to visit our website or call our friendly concierge at 800-337-3563 for more info on first class lodging and exciting events to plan your next adventure!

Living Shores Aquarium

850 New Hampshire Route 16 Glen, NH, 03838 Phone: 603-383-4186

Walk through this aquarium and discover, and interact with, the wonders of the ocean

Discover the wonders of the watery world year-round at the Living Shores Aquarium at Story Land. The indoor walk-through adventure includes interactive tide pools where you can get up close and personal with urchins, horseshoe crabs, snails and friendly sharks. Walk through a tropical aviary where lorikeets soar from perch to perch overhead. Watch the playful antics of five Asian small-clawed otters and check out colorful clownfish. Touch and feed sting rays as they swim by in their touch tank. There’s a drawing station and a digital sandbox for young visitors to learn about marine life. At The Bistro, settle in for coffee and donuts, ice cream, snacks and lunch items while the kids relax in the reading nook.

Moose Tours from Adventure Photography - Great Things To Do

Awake Your Inner Shooter with Adventure Photography Tours

Outdoor Escapes New Hampshire, based in the town of Freedom offers outdoor and wildlife photography tours in New Hampshire all year. Half-day and full-day guided day trips may be customized for you and your group, depending on your photographic interest. Moose? Foliage? Landscapes? Escapes can be geared for beginning photographers all the way to experts. Design your outdoor photographic objective and this company can help you make it happen. Phone: Lucie Villeneuve at 603-528-0136 or Jeff Barrie at 603-867-3778.

Polly Want a Pancake!

All people who hold an appropriate reverence for pancakes need to trek to Polly’s Pancake Parlor on Route 117 in Sugar Hill, a third-generation family business that has been making and serving pancakes since 1938. All day long, Polly's serves whole wheat, buckwheat, and cornmeal pancakes, sausage or bacon, and maple toppings. Visit the gift shop and take home the pancake mixes and maple syrup to hold you over until your next visit.

Explore the Rocks

The Rocks Estate at 4 Christmas Lane in Bethlehem is famous for its Christmas trees, but this former summer home of the wealthy Glessner family also hosts lots of other seasonal outdoor activity for visitors. This site of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, the 1,400-acre property offers guided and individual exploration and learning programs. Guests may hike and explore through the spring, summer, and fall. The property has short, easy strolls or longer hikes, past magnificent views of the Presidential Range. Northern wildlife abounds at the estate. Phone: 603-444-6228.

General Store Celebrates Inspired Nonsense

Zeb’s General Store in the mountain village of North Conway is the place to find New England products of all imaginable kinds – and some you might not easily imagine, like Nantucket Sea Clay Soap, Maine Maple Champagne Mustard, or Out on a Limb Blueberry Pie Filling. Some products are eccentric and all are worth a ride home in your shopping satchel. There are plenty of New England specialty foods and classic favorites like penny candy. You can even design your own gift basket from crates, baskets, or boxes (one of them a replica of the store itself), which you then fill with Zeb’s goodies.

Apple Cider Is Ingredient #1 at This Restaurant

Fine dining, café, market and apple pressing – apples are the thing, but not the only thing, at White Mountain Cider Co. at 207 Route 302 in Bartlett. Owner Teresa Stearns, a Culinary Institute of America-trained chef, presents fine dinners with a Cidertini cocktail, cider-braised pork and ice cream-topped cider doughnuts for dessert. Try the cider slushy and watch cider-making in progress on fall weekends. A fall pleasure, any time of the year. 603-383-9061

Arethusa Falls Near Bartlett

Arethusa Falls, near Bartlett, is the highest single drop in New Hampshire and by far the most spectacular. Bemis Brook makes a leap of 176 feet down an orange ledge of granite, capping a 1.5-mile hike along Bemis Brook. As you approach the falls, you'll see tantalizing glimpses of white falling water high through the treetops. To find it: Arethusa Falls is a well-signed side road off of Route 302 about halfway between Bartlett and the Gates of the Notch. Park in the lot and the falls are about two miles and 900 vertical feet away. Shortly after you leave the parking log, you'll see a trail junction leading towards Bemis Brook. The Arethusa Falls trail is a very steep climb over root ladders and erosion.

State

Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee

Great North Woods

Lakes

Merrimack Valley

Monadnock

Seacoast