Take this historic scenic route up the Mt Washington Auto Road and breathe in the panoramic views. It is an adventure for the whole family and can be remembered through gorgeous photos, videos and an earned bumper sticker that says "This Car Climbed Mt. Washington" which you earn only if you drive yourself.

The Auto Road has been open since 1861 and starts just north of Pinkham Notch. It is a measly 7.6 miles of winding, narrow road all the way up to Mount Washington's Summit.

You can take your own car up there a jump on a guided tour and witness the beauty of the White Mountains while to traversing up this 4618 foot road. 

Usually when you think of a relaxing, pampered, vacation you immediately jump to the Caribbean, the Hampton’s, or even Los Angeles. Sometimes you don’t want to spend all that money or travel that far away, or you don’t have the time to travel that far!

North Conway can still give you all the getaway benefits that you need. You can still enjoy a change of scenery and taking a step away from the stress of your everyday life whether it's kids, work, family, or just life getting the best of you. Conway New Hampshire can provide some pampering so that you can reach the utmost amount of relaxation.

Here are some great places to go and things to do in the town of North Conway to appease your inner poodle!

You've been planning on vacationing in North Conway, NH for a long time. Your bags are packed, you got someone to house sit while you're gone, and the last thing you do is check the weather in North Conway.

Egads, rain is predicted for your family vacation!

Don't lose heart, there are lots of things to do in North Conway no matter the weather!  You can have lots of fun walking around Settlers Green outlet shopping mall, getting awesome deals, shopping for New England made creations in the specialty shops in the Village, catch a movie, and last but not least, learn some cool stuff in the Mt Washington Observatory Weather Discovery Center!

Whether your idea of a fantastic ski vacation is making fresh tracks in black diamond glades OR making sedate runs on a freshly groomed blue trail with some time in a toasty sauna after, the ski mountains in and around North Conway will fit the bill!

Even if you are traveling with someone that likes the cold, crisp mountain air but doesn't want to get too far from the niceties of city living, North Conway, NH will work!  Toasty saunas, candlelit dinner, spa afternoons, and outlet stores as far as the eye can see will satisfy those that appreciate the finer things in life.

Traveling with little ones?  Check out North Conway's kid friendly ski resorts.  If skiing doesn't tickle their fancy there's always these things to do in North Conway; tubing, skating (in Schouler Park), exploring, hiking, making snow angels and selecting their favorite candies at the North Conway 5 & 10 Cent Store.

Most vacationers drive about three hours to North Conway and vacation heaven!  The Mount Washington Valley has been a vacation destination since the early 1800's. 

North Conway abuts the 800,000 acre White Mountain National Forest which is home to 5 ski resorts, is a perfect haven for cross country skiing, winter hiking, and for the brave at heart - ice climbing.  (contact IME for ice climbing info)

North Conway originally was a one horse town with skiing being the only thing to draw folks to town.  The opening of Settlers Green in 1988 changed all that!  

​You've decided to go on vacation in North Conway.  It's winter.  You don't ski.  Hmmm...  in the past you would have spent all your free time at the outlet mall in North Conway.

Today's vacationers have a much more exciting and cheaper thing to do in North Conway, NH!

The Snowcoach at Great Glen Trails has fast become "the" thing to do.  In fact, if your heart was set on a sunrise coach ride, forget it.  They are sold out ALREADY for the season!

You're probably traveling with several families if you're vacationing at Four Seasons Lodge.  A snowcoach ride will provide you some serious bonding time as your coach careens down the snow packed Mt Washington Auto Road with everyone screaming wildly - ONLY KIDDING!  

The ride up and back is very gentle and the snowcoaches are operated by well trained and very knowledgable drivers!  Pick their brains about the snowcoach and Mt Washington.  You'll see wildlife, bond with family members you didn't even think you liked, and get great pics you can post and brag about on social media!  

Headed north for a great vacation?  Yeeehaaaa!

Your bags are packed, the kids are loaded in the car.  Toothbrushes, did anyone pack the toothbrushes?  

You've thought of everything, or at least thought you did!  North Conway coupons, did anyone do an Internet search for some good deals?

Hmmmm... don't worry about it.  I got you covered.  Just stick with me through the backstory and then you'll get the key to all the coupons you'll need!

Here are some really fun things to do in North Conway, New Hampshire during your holiday this year (or any year).
 
Sometimes, getting away for the holidays is the best way to celebrate with the whole family. You could spend your holiday down in Florida where it’s warm but then you miss out on all the coziness and things to do in North Conway that winter has to offer.
 
Trust me, no one is wrapped in a blanket, sitting by a fire and drinking hot chocolate in Florida…but they are doing it in North Conway. 

We All Ride the Family Struggle Bus.
 
Do you ever strive to have a drama free and perfect holiday with your family?
 
We all do! But it’s a struggle to stay friendly with all your family plus, you'd be one of a kind if it was perfect!

We all have them, and they can be a blessing, an annoyance, or downright frustrating. Either way, you are stuck with them…and no I’m not talking about freckles! I’m talking about families. 
 
Holidays can be a struggle and the larger your family is the more likely you are to get on each other’s nerves to some degree. Holiday season means shoving parents, step parents, siblings, girlfriends, boyfriends, crazy aunts, crazy uncles, crazy cousins, and pesky in-laws into one room and expecting a beautiful, happy holiday. What a nice dream.
 
Everyone has a messy family. No one is perfect, and no one has a perfect family no matter how hard they try to prove otherwise. 
 
It’s easy to pretend your family life is purely beautiful and functional when you’re all focusing on your own lives but once the holidays arrive all of that pretending flies right out the window. The holidays are a great time for families to get together and remind everyone how dysfunctional we truly are, sometimes in the best ways. 

Since this is the spookiest time of year, I figured I would dedicate a special blog to urban myths and legends in  our beloved North Conway area!

New England is a haven for ghost stories because it was founded so long ago and some of the houses and buildings have been standing since the 1600’s.

​Here are 5 of my favorite local legends and urban myths in the North Conway area. ​

Bike Week in Laconia, NH is a yearly tradition for many motorcyclists.  In 2019, the dates are June 8th-16th.

You can book your lodging (New Hampshire cabin rental) at Four Seasons Lodge, a New Hampshire cabin rental with 10 bedrooms and a private, heated, indoor pool that's all yours! 

​Riders of all ages and gather in New Hampshire for this World-Class Rally.

Many riders choose the June Rally in NH because the drive to get to Laconia is so beautiful in every direction plus there are many terrific New Hampshire cabin rentals where you can enjoy your stay!  Most Lodging facilities offer specials and packages and restaurants and bars welcome riders to stop and relax a bit!

In fact, NH's back roads and scenic byways make the state a beautiful and welcoming destination for riders during our non-snowy months!

​Don’t Climb a Wall – Do the Real Thing with IME!
 
Now that winter has hit, are you getting cabin fever?  How about getting out and doing something a little more adventurous this year? 
 
Have you always wondered what it felt like to be high on Mount Washington in the winter with crampons on your feet, ice axe in hand as you battle its notoriously bad weather in search of the summit?  (No?  Me neither but I digress!)
 
Ever dreamed of ice climbing?  Does the idea of being tied into the rope and swinging your tools into a vertical ribbon of ice sound fun to you?  (Yikes!)

Maybe you've been rock climbing once and always wondered what the winter equivalent was like.  Well, stop wondering and check out IME - International Mountain Equipment.

In Autumn, New England, and particularly the White Mountains is full of beautiful foliage, pumpkins, sweaters, boots, fairs, mountains, hot chocolate and everything fall. It’s easily the best time of year (hello, pumpkin spiced EVERYTHING).

Autumn in New England is astonishingly picturesque with perfect sweater weather and great activities that are fun for the whole family!

​Kids can enjoy autumn just as much as adults can. They can jump into piles of leaves, carve pumpkins, or go on haunted hayrides. Here are some family-friendly and fun, October activities that happen every year in the North Conway area. 

There are plenty of non Autumn things to do in North Conway, some that you'll have to reach for your wallet and others that  Mother Nature has provided for us!  Family friendly things to do that are low cost or free one of the wonderful side effects of vacationing in the White Mountains!

You're on vacation in the White Mountains, staying in a North Conway vacation rental (Four Seasons Lodge) and want to go out to eat with your children but have no idea what restaurants are family friendly.

In the old days you could pull out the telephone book and gaze at the advertisements to see if any mentioned being kid friendly.  I've raised my family but remember vacationing with children and not knowing which restaurants were kid friendly.  

In my not so humble opinion, one of the worst things that can happen on vacation is to go out for a bite to eat with tired, hungry kids and end up in a restaurant that caters to more mature folks!

My attempt here is to give my opinion about the best choices for kid friendly restaurants in North Conway, NH.  Boy do I have an opinion!

For more information about North Conway Restaurants check out "7 Non-Chain Restaurants with Insanely GREAT Food in North Conway"  and  "Food Allergies?  Check out these North Conway Restaurants"

I've decided against my better judgement to include chain restaurants (egads!).  I'm not sure why folks insist on eating at them but when I drive through the parking lots I notice many out of state plates.  I'll surmise that there are many families that choose to dine at chain restaurants in North Conway, NH.

One of our most favorite things to do in North Conway, when we have great weather an a day to ourselves is to jump in the car and go for one of the many scenic drives in the north country.  Our most favorite route happens to be a large circle, you can make it a quick four hour trip or you can make the drive last as long as you want!

Although we've taken this drive tens of times, until recently I never knew that the route had a name. I was chatting with a park ranger for the White Mountain National Forest who told me that our favorite route is called the White Mountain Trail.  This popular trail is a 100 mile loop and one of the most beautiful drives in the entire state!

​I've been in your shoes!  

You are in charge of finding a great North Conway Vacation Rental that will WOW everyone in your group.  You're thinking... "How will I ever please everyone?"

Relax - Take a deep breath - You found the best Vacation Rental in North Conway, NH plus you can discount your vacation at Four Seasons Lodge by $50.  

Just share our website or Facebook page and when someone confirms a booking and mentions your name, I'll send you a check for $50!
​

• Imagine the kids tuckering themselves out in our private indoor pool?
• You can relax in our large, toasty sauna
• 10 bedrooms so everyone has the privacy they deserve on vacation
• Plenty of spaces to sneak away and read a book
• Huge back patio to catch some rays or BBQ some ribs
• Giant side lot for a game of corn hole or whiffle ball
• Minutes to EVERYTHING you want to do on vacation 
• You will receive a Valley Original gift card at check-in!