Edge of the white mountains
Sightseeing
Great spot. Fresh local produce, a unique playground for kids, an ice cream stand, lots of animals, and events.
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Sherman Farms
2679 E Conway RdGreat spot. Fresh local produce, a unique playground for kids, an ice cream stand, lots of animals, and events.
North Conway
Tons of great shops and places to eat here.
Unique items and toys. Great spot for gifts & souvenirs.
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The Penguin Gallery
2655 White Mountain HwyUnique items and toys. Great spot for gifts & souvenirs.
Penny candy, jams & jellies, jerky, and a billion souvenirs. Everyone loves this place.
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Zeb's General Store
2675 White Mountain HwyPenny candy, jams & jellies, jerky, and a billion souvenirs. Everyone loves this place.
Heritage rail excursions and scenic train rides through Mount Washington Valley & Crawford Notch.
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Conway Scenic Railroad
38 Norcross CirHeritage rail excursions and scenic train rides through Mount Washington Valley & Crawford Notch.
Visit the highest peak in the northeast on the world's first mountain-climbing cog railway. Great for kids, but be prepared for extreme weather at the summit.
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Zahnradbahn Mount Washington
3168 Base Station RdVisit the highest peak in the northeast on the world's first mountain-climbing cog railway. Great for kids, but be prepared for extreme weather at the summit.
Great spot for souvenirs, produce and seasonal activities! Kids LOVE the hay-fort they put in in the fall.
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Weston's Farm & Market
60 River StGreat spot for souvenirs, produce and seasonal activities! Kids LOVE the hay-fort they put in in the fall.
Hikes
Great family friendly hike right between the lake-house and North Conway.
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Black Cap
Great family friendly hike right between the lake-house and North Conway.
This is an all-time favorite place. A short walk to a dozen waterfalls and pools. Expect crowds and a line of cars waiting to park on summer weekends so plan on going early or on a weekday.
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Diana’s Baths
This is an all-time favorite place. A short walk to a dozen waterfalls and pools. Expect crowds and a line of cars waiting to park on summer weekends so plan on going early or on a weekday.
Kearsarge North Trailhead
Short hike to a beautiful swimming spot complete with a small waterfall and a 10 ft ledge you can jump from.
There are a bunch of different trails you can take from the baldface parking lot and it can be a little confusing so I recommend using the AllTrails app or something similar to make sure you're on the right path.
We have kids so this and the deer path were good short hikes we were able to do, but there are others that are quite a bit longer.
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Emerald Pool
State Route 113Short hike to a beautiful swimming spot complete with a small waterfall and a 10 ft ledge you can jump from.
There are a bunch of different trails you can take from the baldface parking lot and it can be a little confusing so I recommend using the AllTrails app or something similar to make sure you're on the right path.
We have kids so this and the deer path were good short hikes we were able to do, but there are others that are quite a bit longer.
There are some hiking trails and rock climbing here but you can also just drive to the top and look out over Conway which is very pretty especially in the fall. The view of the rock face from the bottom is beautiful.
https://blog.nhstateparks.org/hiking-to-cathedral-ledge-in-winter/
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Cathedral Ledge Road
Cathedral Ledge RoadThere are some hiking trails and rock climbing here but you can also just drive to the top and look out over Conway which is very pretty especially in the fall. The view of the rock face from the bottom is beautiful.
https://blog.nhstateparks.org/hiking-to-cathedral-ledge-in-winter/
For folks looking for bigger hikes, Franconia Ridge is my favorite in the White Mountains. The whole loop is about 9 miles and the views can't be beat.
Park at the Old Bridle Path trailhead, hike up Falling Waters to Little Haystack peak, and if you're still feeling strong, continue on across to summit Mt. Lincoln and Mt. Lafayette before coming back down past the AMC Greenleaf Hut.
Start early, and keep an eye on the weather. This one's not for beginners, but even beginners should be able to make it to the waterfalls on your way up Little Haystack.
Falling Waters Trail
Falling Waters TrailFor folks looking for bigger hikes, Franconia Ridge is my favorite in the White Mountains. The whole loop is about 9 miles and the views can't be beat.
Park at the Old Bridle Path trailhead, hike up Falling Waters to Little Haystack peak, and if you're still feeling strong, continue on across to summit Mt. Lincoln and Mt. Lafayette before coming back down past the AMC Greenleaf Hut.
Start early, and keep an eye on the weather. This one's not for beginners, but even beginners should be able to make it to the waterfalls on your way up Little Haystack.
Nice little hike (< 1 mile round-trip) with surprisingly good views of the surrounding mountains from the summit. The length of the hike makes this a great one for families with little kids but do note that there are some steep slopes on the summit and an unprotected cliff facing the parking area.
Jockey Cap Northern Trailhead
Nice little hike (< 1 mile round-trip) with surprisingly good views of the surrounding mountains from the summit. The length of the hike makes this a great one for families with little kids but do note that there are some steep slopes on the summit and an unprotected cliff facing the parking area.
Coffee
Closest good coffee to the cottage. Right in the center of Fryeburg.
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Fair Grounds Coffee
627 Portland StClosest good coffee to the cottage. Right in the center of Fryeburg.
Coffee, breakfast and lunch served in an art-filled cafe with plenty indoor and sidewalk seating.
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The Metropolitan Coffeehouse
2680 White Mountain HwyCoffee, breakfast and lunch served in an art-filled cafe with plenty indoor and sidewalk seating.
Great coffee & biscuit sandwiches with a surfy vibe.
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Frontside Coffee Roasters
2697 White Mountain HwyGreat coffee & biscuit sandwiches with a surfy vibe.
Food
Fun place to eat but also a good option for take out if you understandably don't want to leave the lake. Their "Family Style BBQ Dinner" claims to serves 4-6 people, in reality it's enough for a small army.
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302 West Smokehouse & Tavern
636 Main StFun place to eat but also a good option for take out if you understandably don't want to leave the lake. Their "Family Style BBQ Dinner" claims to serves 4-6 people, in reality it's enough for a small army.
Fantastic bagel spot for breakfast or lunch. Killer breakfast burritos.
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Big Dave's Bagels & Deli
1130 Eastman RdFantastic bagel spot for breakfast or lunch. Killer breakfast burritos.
Great local lunch spot & general store with a surprisingly large menu. Just 10 minutes away, but you might want to double check their hours on social media before you go.
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Stow Corner Store
590 Stow RdGreat local lunch spot & general store with a surprisingly large menu. Just 10 minutes away, but you might want to double check their hours on social media before you go.
Outstanding Irish restaurant with gorgeous views off the back decks and a lot of fun quirks. The fish & chips here are amazing.
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May Kelly's Cottage
3002 White Mountain HwyOutstanding Irish restaurant with gorgeous views off the back decks and a lot of fun quirks. The fish & chips here are amazing.
The Island Chef
184 Old Rte 302Incredible cubano sandwiches.
We haven’t tried the restaurant yet but the deli is outstanding.
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White Mountain Cider Co
207 US-302We haven’t tried the restaurant yet but the deli is outstanding.
Essentials
Thrift Way Supermarket
111 Bridgton RdYour local grocery store
Out of beer? Here's a decent option if you don't want to drive far. They also sell pre-made sandwiches, pizza by the slice, fried food & souvenirs. Right across from Thrift Way and adjacent to the trailhead for Jockey Cap Rock.
Quinn's Jockey Cap Country Store
116 Bridgton RdOut of beer? Here's a decent option if you don't want to drive far. They also sell pre-made sandwiches, pizza by the slice, fried food & souvenirs. Right across from Thrift Way and adjacent to the trailhead for Jockey Cap Rock.
Skiing
Cranmore Mountain
Ski spot right in downtown North Conway
Shawnee Peak
119 Mountain RdDay & night skiing.
My personal favorite ski mountain. Bigger than the closer mountains, and featuring a gondola and 8-person chairlift.
This mountain is a little over an hour away at other end of the Kancamagus Highway. The drive is meandering and beautiful but I wouldn't recommend making the trip it if it's snowing heavily as it can be pretty sketchy if it's not plowed.
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Loon Mountain
My personal favorite ski mountain. Bigger than the closer mountains, and featuring a gondola and 8-person chairlift.
This mountain is a little over an hour away at other end of the Kancamagus Highway. The drive is meandering and beautiful but I wouldn't recommend making the trip it if it's snowing heavily as it can be pretty sketchy if it's not plowed.
With 8 peaks, this is the biggest ski mountain in the area, and only 55 minutes from the cottage.
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Sunday River Resort
15 S Ridge RdWith 8 peaks, this is the biggest ski mountain in the area, and only 55 minutes from the cottage.
Attitash Mountain Resort
775 US-302Another great ski spot right in Bartlett.
Water
Put your kayaks in at the beach and follow the shore to the east (left) and you'll find this sparkling gem. Perfect approaching sunset.
Kimball Brook
Put your kayaks in at the beach and follow the shore to the east (left) and you'll find this sparkling gem. Perfect approaching sunset.
Getting out on the Saco is a must if you've never done it before. There are other rental options but this place has been around since the 70s so they must be doing something right. https://www.sacobound.com
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Saco Bound Canoe & Kayak
2561 E Main StGetting out on the Saco is a must if you've never done it before. There are other rental options but this place has been around since the 70s so they must be doing something right. https://www.sacobound.com
Fantastic beach. Goes on and on so if you're willing to hoof it you can get away from the weekend crowds near the parking lot. Warm shallow backdrifts in some areas perfect for kids. Really nice sand and plenty of deep spots for swimming.
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Westons Beach
River StreetFantastic beach. Goes on and on so if you're willing to hoof it you can get away from the weekend crowds near the parking lot. Warm shallow backdrifts in some areas perfect for kids. Really nice sand and plenty of deep spots for swimming.