Night markets in Thailand, steaming bowls of ramen down little alleys in Japan, and five-star hotels overlooking the Pitons of St. Lucia. All of these experiences have vastly impressed my husband when we travel together. But I think, honestly, If he had to choose a vacation with all his family, he’d go back to New Hampshire in the U.S. again and again.
I’ve grown to love the familiarity too, which is just slightly different from home, but feels fun like a real trip to visit.
North Conway was the first place I brought my new baby during the pandemic when there was little option to leave home. We found a hotel that had contactless check in, was dog-friendly and had lots of takeout spots still open. It felt great to be in a place that was cozy, scenic for great drives, and just a couple hours from home.
It was the first place I hung out with my future brother-in-law, where I honed my own skiing skills while young, and where I got my -three-year-old on a mountain for the first time. There’s lots of cozy, wonderful memories wrapped up in this place.
That might make me biased, but there’s always loads of happy families and friends enjoying North Conway and beyond when we visit too, making this spot a great option for a trip any time of year; especially the winter!
Skiing, boarding and winter sports in North Conway
Cranmore Mountain
Those new to East Coast skiing or who are starting out will love Cranmore Mountain. There’s seen lifts and roughly 60 trails included in your lift ticket, ranging from cute bunny slopes to more challenging glades and mogul-lines runs. The ski school offers options for new enthusiasts as young as four-years-old: my daughter can’t wait to try it out this season.
On rest days I love grabbing a tube and hitting the park for some gliding, as well as the unique winter zip line and mountain coaster. It’s a huge hit with the kids. As a bonus, you can apres ski at the bar overlooking the tube park to keep an eye on older kiddos.
As with any mountain, check the conditions before you go to ensure the best experience.
Echo Lake State Park
Gentle lake swimming in the summer, snowman making spot in the winter, this is a pretty area so simply surround yourself in nature. When we have a day off of skiing we’ll come check out the frozen lake and see how the landscape transforms every season. Parking is sparse in the winter, but it’s a quick walk to the lake.
Nearby Ski mountains to North Conway
There’s a quick way to North Conway along the highway, or you can try the Kancamagus Highway. This snaking road through the mountains is beautiful any time of year and will bring you close to some other options for skiing and boarding.
Attitash Mountain resort is only about 15 minutes from Cranmore. There’s a similar vibe to Cranmore at Attitash with a bit more space. You can ski for free with an adult if you’re seven years old or under at this mountain, although overall lift tickets are more than Cranmore. They also have a mountain coaster and other non-ski activities.
Stay at Attitash through their site or Booking.com for the best rates.
Loon Mountain lies an hour west and is another great option for more advanced skiers. It’s often preferred among the seasoned crowd, with greater vertical drop and spread out trails.
There’s three other mountains within an hour of North Conway for skiing and snowboarding, as well as a few small operations too:
- Wildcat
- Bretton Woods
- Black Mountain
North Conway, New Hampshire hotel options
There’s dozens of hotels in the North Conway area for all types of travelers.
North Conway Grand
This hotel is one of my favorites, especially for its indoor and outdoor pool areas. Rooms are updated, spacious, and there’s dining onsite as well.
Residence Inn by Marriott
Big rooms and a pet-friendly policy is what drew me to the Residence Inn the first time. It’s a great base near amenities and shops to get you started on enjoying the area.
Stonehurst Manor
Stay in one of the quaint and classic rooms at the actual manor with great mountain views, or opt for one of the holiday homes just down the road best for bigger parties. Some even offer access to the manor and its amenities, like the pool.
Nordic Village Resort
Just north of North Conway is Jackson, offering a wider reach of accommodation near all the action. I’ve stayed in several of their condo-style rooms with my family of four very comfortably.
Other options to stay in North Conway
Half the time I stay in hotels in New Hampshire, because there’s so many options to choose from right next to the mountains. However these days I’m usually with a crew: often more than my immediate family. For instance, this New Year’s Eve we spent in North Conway and needed space for six adults and five children. I find using a mix of Booking.com and VRBO show what’s available for privately owned homes and those associated with the larger hotels and mountain resorts.
Or if I’m using points and miles, I stick with places like the Residence Inn via Marriott. PS, you can actually use Marriott Bonvoy for holiday rentals too!
The North Conway New Hampshire Train Ride: Conway Scenic Railroad
The Conway Scenic train ride is an adorable and fun activity any time of year in New Hampshire. The winter snow makes it even more special. There’s different classes of coach to pick from, up to a domed car that offers 180-degree views.
The day we went it was POURING rain and a bit miserable. But luckily the cars were toasty warm and offered a nice activity to do when the weather was garbage. You can buy tickets in advance and ideally go for an early or late ride. Ours at 9AM was quiet compared to the 1030AM one that seemed to have a long line.
After the train ride, it’s worth a stop at Zebs General Store across the street for a treat or seven. They claim more than 5,000 sweets, gifts and homewares are under their roof. I usually splurge on some homemade fudge or candy buttons.
Early Bird breakfast spots in North Conway
Peach’s Restaurant
There’s often a line which is often a good sign! Make sure you savor a slice of the peaches coffee cake and a big stack of pancakes. This is the place to splurge.
Leavitt’s Country Bakery
Feel like rising at 4AM? If you do, you’ll be rewarded with the freshest, most gorgeous donuts in town made almost daily at Leavitt’s. Don’t worry though, we wandered in around 10AM and there were still a few to choose from, including coconut, red velvet, and maple. They have both yeast and cake-like varieties.
The Sunrise Shack
A few minutes north of North Conway in Glen is the Sunrise Shack, another wonderful option for early risers. They have daily specials and space for all to get the day started with a full belly.
Where to have a great brew in North Conway and beyond
Moat Mountain Smoke House & Brewing Co.
We bring the whole bunch to Moat Mountain at least once every trip. My husband gets a massive rack of perfectly smoked ribs and everyone enjoys cold IPAs to boot. It gets very busy during ski season but the sprawling property makes the wait list move swiftly.
Tuckerman Brewing
This place was jammed after 4PM on a holiday weekend, full of couples, families with young children, and big groups of buddies all enjoying some live music. They had a few lovely dry hard cider on tap and enough beer to sample in a flight.
More places to eat and activities year-round for your North Conway trip
Story Land
Is this park real or was it just a fever dream from your childhood? I grew up going to Story Land thirty years ago when it was basically a glorified petting zoo. Nowadays it’s a really interactive, nostalgic experience that my kids and my nephews love visiting all the time. Hop on classic amusement rides, see live shows and grab some old fashioned cotton candy. Don’t worry, there’s a Dunkin Donuts onsite too of course. This year, Story Land also introduced some 21+ nights if local New Englanders want to walk down memory lane sans kids. PS: They do close during the winter months, but stay open from October to May.
Cheese Louise and Breetos
Downtown we needed something quick and delicious to satisfy our large group of adults and small children. Half opted for grilled cheese sandwiches and soups at Cheese Louise, the other grabbed big, stuffed burritos at Breetos across the street. Everything was hot and tasty to-go back at our holiday home.
Fiesta Jalisco
At the very end, I’m going to give a nod to good old Fiesta Jalisco. It’s a Mexican joint that’s unassuming and honestly, just fine when it comes to food. But when we come in after skiing or a long day in the snow, the incredible staff here always accommodate our group and are so friendly to boot. The margaritas are strong and the chips are free. What more could you ask for on vacation?
