My family has been going up to New Hampshire in the summer for close to 50 years. A don't miss for us is the Kancamagus Highway. This road travels over mountains through the White Mountain National Forest. There are quite a few scenic overlooks and places to park along the way. If you are a camper, there are also campgrounds here, though I hear that space is difficult to get.
Early in the day we pack a picnic lunch and drive up to Conway. Just before you arrive in town is the turn-off to Route 112 - the Kancamagus Highway. Our first stop is at a very busy parking area known as The Lower Falls. Through the trees it doesn't look like much, but this is a great area for swimming (even if the water is positively freezing). There is a deep pool with very little current at the base of the falls. At the top of the falls is an area where you can sit down and slide in the water on the wet rocks, then get out as the water becomes shallow before the falls.
Note: I do not recommend allowing children to play by themselves here, no matter how safe it seems. Conditions due vary due to conditions such as current rainfall and snowfall the previous winter. I have been there when it was closed off and no swimming was allowed!!
This area attracts quite a few visitors, so if you want to stop and swim, you need to get here early!
Back on the highway, you travel higher and higher into the mountains. There are short hiking trails & scenic overlooks along your way. We've stopped at all of them at one time or another. They make a great spot to picnic or just spend some time enjoying the beauty around you. For the serious hikers, there are an abundance of great hiking trails through the mountains.
Just as you hit the middle part of your journey between Conway and Lincoln (the town on the western side of the Highway), there is the most beautiful view of the mountains. I have always wanted to see this spot in the fall. It is so beautiful in the summer that I can just imagine its beauty in the fall with all of the colors around you.
At the western end of the highway just before you enter Lincoln is Loon Mountain. This is the one part of your day that can end up costing money, so if you're not inclined, don't stop here! There is a tramway that goes up the mountain and caves you can wander in and around at the top. There is also horseback riding, a train ride, mountain biking (rentals & tours are available), and a skate park for those into in-line skating. During the winter, this is a major ski area.
Keep in mind that the only way back to Conway is back the way you came, so if you are staying there, you'll have to drive back. The road is very dark at night and wildlife abounds.
You can pick up a free guide map/brochure in just about any tourist attraction in the area, or you can order a complete tourist guide to New Hampshire by visiting the website: http://www.visitnh.gov/
Originally posted at Epinions.com
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