North Conway: New Hampshire Hospitality
from WorldWeb.com Travel Guide

White Mountain National Forest

New Hampshire has long been known as a pleasant and picturesque destination for travelers from all over the world. There are many locales in the state that provide ideal opportunities for photos, hiking, biking and a wealth of other outdoor activities. One such destination is Mount Washington, which can be found in the heart of the White Mountain National Forest. There are several towns in the area that offer accommodations, restaurants and shopping. Intervale, Jackson and North Conway are three of the more established residential areas in the region, and many of the attractions in the Mount Washington Valley can be accessed from these towns. Visitors can rest assured that there is an abundance of friendly, inviting accommodations, amenities and services available in the Valley, and that there's never "nothing to do" in the White Mountain National Forest.

North Conway, Intervale and Jackson all sit at the southeastern edge of the White Mountain National Forest, roughly five miles west of the Maine border. The location of these towns provides visitors with a myriad of activities and attractions. From skiing and snowmobiling to hiking, biking, rock climbing and canoeing, this area provides a venue for a number of outdoor mountain activities, regardless of the season. Golf is another popular draw for visitors to this region, and there are several courses where golfers of all skill levels can test their mettle against a backdrop of scenic New England landscapes.

Mount Washington is another draw for visitors to this area of the White Mountain National Forest. Based on geological testing, this 6,288-foot mountain is reputed to be one of the oldest in the world. Carved by a mile-thick slab of ice during the last ice age, the surrounding countryside is lush and picturesque, featuring miles of rolling hills, streams and woodland. The valleys are carpeted with alpine forests and the mountain summits reveal spectacular views for photographers and sightseers alike. From the top of Mount Washington it is possible to see into Maine, New York and Vermont, as well as Canada to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.

	New Hampshire Waterfall

HISTORY

When European settlers first settled in the Mount Washington Valley they encountered the Abenakis, a Native American tribe that is part of the Algonquin family. It was the Abenakis who were instrumental in the survival of the Europeans, teaching the settlers skills such as growing corn, pumpkins and squash, as well as how to harvest maple sugar and how to build canoes and snowshoes. There are many areas in the Mount Washington Valley that retain Native American names today, such as the Saco, Ammonoosuc and Chocura Rivers, showing the extent to which the Native American past figures in the history of the state.

The Abenaki tribe never climbed the surrounding mountains for fear of antagonizing the gods that they believed lived at the summits. It is reputed that the first time anyone made it to the summit of Mount Washington was in 1642, a feat attributed to Darby Field. Despite this foray into the Mount Washington Valley, there were no land grants made in the area until Conway was established in 1765. The abundance of natural resources drew many settlers, and soon the population of Conway was high enough to warrant the construction of more permanent roads and accommodations. This construction aided the people of the Mount Washington Valley in getting their goods and services to market, and also connected them to the rest of the United States. In addition, the hostels in town established what would be a long standing commitment to hospitality and friendliness in the region.

Month Avg. Daily Temperature Average Rainfall Min Max Jan 3°F (-16 °C) 24°F (-4 °C) 105 mm Feb 10°F (-12 °C) 29°F (-2 °C) 71 mm Mar 16°F (-9 °C) 42°F (6 °C) 99 mm Apr 30°F (-1 °C) 53°F (12 °C) 103 mm May 41°F (5 °C) 66°F (19 °C) 89 mm Jun 52°F (11 °C) 77°F (25 °C) 92 mm Jul 58°F (14 °C) 83°F (28 °C) 92 mm Aug 58°F (14 °C) 80°F (27 °C) 118 mm Sep 50°F (10 °C) 70°F (21 °C) 90 mm Oct 37°F (3 °C) 54°F (12 °C) 119mm Nov 31°F (-1 °C) 46°F (8 °C) 114 mm Dec 19°F (-7 °C) 35°F (2 °C) 92 mm

Climate data from the NCDC Cooperative Stations

CLIMATE

The climate in the White Mountain National Forest is fairly standard for a mountain community. Visitors should be aware that mountain weather can change quickly, and they should therefore be prepared for shifts in temperature and precipitation. Winter brings a significant amount of snow, which in turn facilitates snowshoeing and snowmobiling as well as downhill and cross-country skiing. The summer months are relatively mild, at times yielding temperatures in the 80°F (27°C) range, allowing visitors full access to all the hiking, biking and picnic opportunities available in this area of New Hampshire.

TRANSPORTATION

North Conway lies on Routes 16 and 302 in New Hampshire. Interstate 95 outside Portsmouth intersects Route 302, giving visitors easy access to North Conway and the surrounding area. While this road provides a direct route to the Mount Washington region, visitors should be aware that the volume of traffic increases significantly during the summer and fall months when travelers set out to enjoy the mountain scenery and stunning colors of autumn leaves. Once in the North Conway area, visitors can either opt for walking to many of the area's attractions, hire a local taxi or hitch a ride on one of the historic railways.

1768 Country Inn

ATTRACTIONS

Accommodation
Accommodation is not generally thought of as an attraction, however the inns of New Hampshire are an exception. Bed and breakfast lodgings and country inns have long been associated with the friendly, welcoming atmosphere of New Hampshire, and many of the buildings that house these inns have been standing for generations. There are a number of these accommodations located in and around the North Conway area that blend history with comfort and charm. One such accommodation is the 1768 Country Inn, which is located on Artist Falls Road and is reputed to be North Conway's oldest structure. Another popular choice for lodging is the historic Mount Washington Hotel, which originally opened in 1902. Today, the Mount Washington Hotel offers luxury accommodation complete with a spa and fitness center, as well as a fine dining restaurant and a host of other amenities.

Historical Sights
There are many different types of activities and attractions available in the White Mountain National Forest and the surrounding area. For those visitors interested in the history of the region, the Remick Country Doctor Museum and Farm offers displays that re-create a doctor's office from the 1800s. There is also a house on the property featuring period antiques, and guests at this attraction can glimpse what life was like in the state's past. This museum can be found in Tamworth, roughly 12 miles south of North Conway.

Another popular historical attraction in New Hampshire is the past that can be enjoyed through the covered bridges. The Mount Washington Valley is one of the best places in the state to see some of the state's storied spanning structures of yesteryear. One of the original uses (albeit unintended) of the covered bridge has to do with romance; it is said that amorous couples would at one time take shelter from prying eyes under the bridge canopy, hence the nickname of "kissing" or "courting" bridge. Affectionate uses aside, these bridges also serve to recall a simpler time, an era when the only traffic on the bridges was horse drawn wagons.

	The Mount Washington COG Railway

Railroads
The summit of Mount Washington is a must see when in this area of New Hampshire. Those visitors with limited mobility can reach the top of the mountain via the historic Mount Washington COG Railway that leaves from a station just outside North Conway. Sylvester Marsh began to lay the railroad track up the mountain in the mid-1860s in order to reap the benefits of the natural resources available on the mountain. Some members of the State Legislature were so convinced that he wouldn't succeed that they offered him a permit to build a railway to the moon. Despite the low confidence from the Statesmen, Mr. Marsh proved the State wrong, and in 1869 the first locomotive steamed up the mountain and into history. The railway is still in use today, transporting modern day visitors in old-fashioned style up Mount Washington to enjoy the breathtaking views. There is also a traditional Victorian railway station in North Conway, which offers tours on the Conway Scenic Railway as it wends through the scenic Mount Washington Valley.

For those visitors who want to experience trains on a smaller scale, stop in at the Hartmann Model Railroad and Toy Museum in Intervale. This museum has numerous displays of working model trains, each one winding through a series of miniature town sites, bridges and tunnels. There are also several display cases full of rare or antique model trains and cars. The owner also provides service and repair to model trains, appraises trains for sale or insurance claims and will aid in designing and building new train layouts. This museum is a good destination for train lovers and model builders alike, and children will also be pleased about the Thomas the Tank Engine display.

Family Skiing

Outdoor Activities
The ski hills are another major draw for visitors to North Conway. There are several in the immediate area, offering terrain that will satisfy everyone from the bunny-slope beginner to the powder professional. Cranmore Mountain Resort is one of the ski hills in the area, and offers 34 trails with nine chair lifts and an elevation of 1,700 feet. Other ski hills nearby include Black Mountain and the Wildcat Mountain Ski Area, both located roughly 10 miles north of North Conway in Jackson, NH. Cross-country skiing is also popular in this area, and there are a number of backcountry trails and groomed tracks for the Nordic skiing enthusiast.

	Rock Climbing in North Conway

Rock climbing is yet another popular activity in the North Conway vicinity. There are a number of climbing destinations in and around the White Mountain National Forest, with topography ranging from novice to expert. Two of the more well-known and challenging climbing destinations around North Conway are the Cathedral and Whitehorse ledges. Inexperienced climbers are reminded that rock climbing can be a hazardous sport, and it is best to consult a guide when attempting any climb for the first time.

Not all the attractions in the Mount Washington Valley are earthbound. Just north of North Conway is the Mt. Washington Observatory and Weather Discovery Center, a research laboratory where visitors can explore and learn about the mysteries of weather. The center features a number of exhibits and weather mock-ups that showcase the effects of wind on the local environment and how temperatures affect the weather patterns. These displays are presented in an attempt to explain the complexities of the atmosphere and the weather, and to demonstrate the tools with which meteorologists make their predictions.