Destination:
The Mt. Washington Valley
New Hampshire

The Mt. Washington Valley is comprised of many separate and distinct towns surrounded by magnificent mountains and ledges which include the 780,000-acre White Mountain National Forest. This region was originally a 19th century summer resort destination for wealthy Bostonians who sought out the extraordinary mountain vistas, the picturesque Saco River, the falls and rapids in the Notch areas, and all the outdoor activities and sports that accompanied them. Today, the valley has expanded into a year-round resort community with a foliage season that adds the colors of autumn to some of New England's most attractive hamlets.

During the cold months, the area becomes a cutting edge winter resort community, featuring Alpine and downhill terrains, as well as some of the best cross-country and snowshoeing opportunities in the Eastern States. Visitors to the Mt. Washington Valley enjoy all of this, as well as 80 restaurants, 2,400 lodging rooms, and some of the best outlet shopping in America. In fact, there are over 250 stores in North Conway alone. And all of this is in a state with absolutely no sales tax.

Location:

Approximately 70 miles north of Concord, NH and 60 miles west of Portland, ME. Boston is 140 miles to the south and the Canadian border is 115 miles to the north. The valley is an excellent vacation destination hub for other touring points, all easily accessible on good state highways.

Climate & Seasons

During the spring and fall months, daytime temperatures generally range from 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Nights fluctuate between 30 and 50 degrees. Summer temperatures vary from the 70s to the mid-80s during the day. Nights are apt to be cooler; sweaters or light jackets are recommended. During the winter months of December through March, temperatures and conditions are often affected by the wind. Daytime temperatures range from 12 to 34 degrees, with nights quite a bit colder. The valley averages 100 to 112 inches of snowfall a year.

Lodging Accommodations

Lodging varies from 12 resort hotels, inns and condo/townhouses to 40 inns and B&Bs, 35 motels, hotels and cottages, 10 condominium rentals, 10 campgrounds, and even 8 huts located along the Appalachian Trail.

Restaurants

80 restaurants serve everything from world-class cuisine to "down-home" cooking. 30 lounges and watering holes provide first-class entertainment in a typically warm and inviting New England atmosphere.

Shopping

More than 250 factory outlet and specialty stores provide tax-free goods of every description at rock-bottom prices. Additionally, there are art galleries, native New Hampshire crafts shops, and antique stores, all known for their creative, and often times unusual, one-of-a-kind items.

Recreation Attractions Calendar of Events

In the winter, 35 chair lifts whisk skiers in a snap to the peaks, a winter playground of 216 ski trails on over 1,000 acres of land. More than 350 kilometers of cross-country skiing is available here, along with ice skating and snowshoeing, all in and around the mighty 780,000-acre White Mountain National Forest.

For fans of summer, there are 1,200 miles of hiking trails and 700 miles of bike trails, 90 holes of golf laid out on innovative courses that take advantage of the valley's unique terrain, and more than 100 miles of rivers and streams; all are ready for hiking, biking, play, tubing, rafting, forging, and world-class fishing. There are 14 all-day family attractions, including water and alpine slides, theme parks, miniature golf, and scenic gondola rides. 1,300 campsites are scattered throughout the area.

And if you love antique railroads, you'll need to visit the model railroad museum and take a ride on at least one of the valley's two old-fashioned railroad lines. One steams up Mt. Washington (New England's highest peak, at 6,882 feet.) The other locomotive not only makes daily round-town excursions, but takes visitors on trips through the scenic Crawford Notch and points north.

That's just the beginning for adventure seekers. Rock climbing, horseback riding, rafting, canoeing, and tennis abound, as well as fishing, kite flying, workshops, and tours conducted by the oldest conservation and recreation group in the United States.

If you're feeling tired at the end of your long day of touring and thrill seeking, relax in one of the valley's charming bed & breakfast inn, grand hotels, neighborhood lodges, or motels, just steps away from all the action. When you're feeling hungry, consider the valley's restaurants, ranging in selection from world-class cuisine to good old-fashioned country cooking. Some restaurants even grace their tables with vegetables and herbs supplied from their own gardens; "green thumb gourmet," as the locals call it. Now, add the health clubs, summer theaters, 30 lounges and watering holes, a covered bridge or two, and you've got the ultimate vacation destination - New Hampshire's Mt. Washington Valley.

Location .... Calendar ..... Lodging ..... Restaurants ..... Recreation ..... Attractions
Shops & Stores ..... Climate & Seasons ..... Introduction