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What to See & Do in North Conway NH |
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Hiking, camping, canoeing, kayaking, river-rafting and more... |
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Downhill Skiing Besides the five developed ski areas in the valley, it is possible to ski in the cirque at Tuckerman Ravine, where the shadows protect the snow long past the time when the cover on other slopes has begun to melt. More... Cross-Country Skiing Other Winter Sports Snowmobiling is also pretty big in the valley, and places in North Conway will rent you a machine by the hour or the day. Ice-skating rinks are maintained by the towns of North Conway, Conway, and Jackson. Various ponds and lakes are not bad for ice fishing—the locals will be glad to give visitors tips on the most-visited ice-fishing spots. Tennis clubs in Glen and North Conway now have indoor courts suitable for winter play, and guest memberships are available. Contact the Mount Cranmore Racquet Club (tel 603-356-6301). Ski Areas in Summer At Attitash (tel 603-374-2368), the lifts keep working to take you up to the top of the Alpine Slide, a long track which you schuss down on a little cart—an exhilarating ride intended for all ages. At Wildcat Mountain the cafeteria stays open for those wanting a snack before boarding the gondolas for the 25-minute round-trip cable car ride up the mountainside, in operation daily from late June to early September. From September 12 to October 11, it's open on weekends. The area around Wildcat Mountain and its base camp are kept tidy because they're within the national forest and subject to its regulation. Summer Activities Right in North Conway town center is the romantic old station of the Conway Scenic Railroad (tel 603-356-5251), built in 1874 and restored to its present condition in 1974. You can buy a ticket for the scenic ride through the mountain country; choose your seat from among those in the enclosed cars or the open-air "cinder collectors." A steam locomotive and a 40-year-old and a 45-year-old diesel engine are on hand to provide the power, and if you go a little early you can visit the roundhouse to see where the locomotives are turned around. The trip takes about an hour. In December, special Polar Express trips are run. A considerable part of northern New Hampshire is included in the White Mountain National Forest, which is not to be confused with a national park. The forest does have a number of developed sites, however. Camping areas (cold running water, and pit toilets only) are dotted here and there, as are very pretty picnic areas. A maze of trails, some very easy and not so easy, covers a lot of the forest's vast expanse. Signs by the roadside mark the trail's beginning. Another option is to rent a canoe for the day or the week from Saco Bound Inc, 2 miles east of North Conway on US 302 (tel 603-447-2177). The Saco River has lots of smooth and easy areas. Day-trips, overnight trips and canoe pickup service are available, as well as daily canoe rental. The season runs from April through October. Story Land (tel 603- 383-4293), a children's amusement park with rides, clowns, animals, and lots of other treats. Once you've paid the admission fee, all the rides are free; children under 4 are admitted without charge. Open daily from mid-June through early September, and then weekends only until mid-October. What to See & Do in North Conway |
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Mount Washington is a constant presence in North Conway NH.
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