2026 Conway Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in August)

offers a variety of seasonal natural activities, from skiing in winter to world-class fall foliage viewing in autumn. Recommended Attractions (2025-2026) White Mountains & Kancamagus Highway: One of the most scenic driving routes, especially during the fall foliage season. Franconia Notch State Park: A stunning natural destination featuring Flume Gorge (a walkway along cliffs and waterfalls) and Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway (a scenic cable car ride). Note: Cannon Mountain Tramway is scheduled for temporary closure in late October 2025 for renovations. The Mount Washington Cog Railway: The world's first steam-powered mountain-climbing train, taking visitors to the highest peak in the northeastern United States. Ice Castles (North Woodstock): Spectacular ice castles with activities like ice slides and horse-drawn sleigh rides (open only in winter). Hampton Beach: A popular Atlantic Ocean beach perfect for relaxation and seafood dining during summer. Lake Winnipesaukee: A large lake in the Lakes Region offering kayaking and boat tours around its many islands. Popular Seasonal Activities Winter (Dec - Feb): Skiing at Loon Mountain Resort or marveling at the beauty of Ice Castles. Fall (Sep - Oct): Driving along Kancamagus Highway to enjoy the fall foliage and riding the historic Conway Scenic Railroad. Summer (Jun - Aug): Hiking to Diana's Baths, a natural waterfall where you can swim, or visiting family-friendly amusement parks like Story Land and Santa’s Village. Must-Visit Towns Portsmouth: A historic seaside town with charming shopping districts. Lincoln: The gateway to White Mountains, offering accommodations and resorts for adventure travelers. Concord: The state capital, home to the New Hampshire State House.

Leaf peeping on the Kancamagus Highway is legendary—seriously, New England’s got nothing else like this 🍁. If you want exploding golds and reds (autumn goals!), Conway is THE jump-off spot for this scenic drive. The fresh mountain air, wild viewpoints, and zero traffic jams if you start early = chef’s kiss. Must-See Stops on the Kancamagus Highway: 1. Sabbaday Falls (West Side Rd, Conway) – Easy parking, short hike to cascading water, lots of photo ops. 2. Rocky Gorge Scenic Area (NH-112, Albany) – Gorgeous stone bridge, perfect for a quick stretch or snack. 3. Lower Falls (NH-112, near Conway) – Chill spot for wading & leaf-spotting. 4. CL Graham Wangan Overlook – Probably THE best mountain view on the highway, especially at sunrise! Insider Tip: Hit the road before 9am to beat the crowds and get the best foggy forest shots. Bring extra layers—New Hampshire mornings can get brisk fast! Don’t rely on cell service, download your maps, and pack some snacks (there aren’t many stops for food or coffee along the route). Getting Around: Renting a car is essential—the Kancamagus is a drive, not a stroll. Fuel up in Conway before starting; gas is scarce once you head west! Food Recs: Eat a big breakfast in Conway—try The Sunrise Shack (Routes 16/302, open 7am) for locally roasted coffee and epic omelets. Pack picnic supplies for scenic stops! Key Tips: No entrance fees or permits needed. Bring cash for random farm stands and local crafts along the way. #KancamagusHighway #NewHampshireFall #LeafPeeping #RoadTripUSA

Guide to maple viewing in Baishan National Forest Park As the leading maple viewing destination in the eastern United States, Baishan Forest Park is very suitable for 🚗 self-driving one-day tour to enjoy the autumn maple leaves. Come and experience this romantic and moving autumn maple feeling🍁~ 1. Time to enjoy maple leaves - Best time: Late September to early October is the peak period, when maple leaves are at their peak. During Pre-Peak, half of the trees are still green, while during Post-Peak, half of the trees are bare. You can check the status of maple leaves on the visitwhitemountains website. 2. Departure and Transportation - It only takes 2.5 hours to get from Boston, while it takes 5.5 hours to get to New York. It is recommended to go there from Boston first, as the journey is shorter and easier. 3. Locations for viewing maple leaves 🍁 Maple-viewing highway · Kancamagus Highway (Highway 112): · Location: Lincoln to Conway. · Features: The scenery along the way is beautiful and you can stop at any time to enjoy the maple leaves. · Cost: Purchase a $5 Day Pass at the White Mountain Parking Lot. · Check-in point: Hancock Overlook is a great drone location to take photos of the U-shaped highway and maple forest. 🍁Red Leaf Valley · Flume Gorge: · Landscape: There are natural landscapes such as streams, plank roads, and waterfalls in the valley. · Experience: In autumn, maple leaves cover the mountains, and walking among them feels like being in a secret autumn forest. 🍁 Maple viewing point · Artist's Bluff Lookout: · View: Overlooking the red leaves all over the mountain and Echo Lake. · Transportation: There is a parking lot next to it, which is about 15 minutes' walk away. · Timing: Maple leaves are most stunning when they alternate between yellow, orange and red. 🍁Maple viewing cable car · Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway: · Itinerary: The cable car goes directly to the top of the mountain at an altitude of 1,244 meters, and then walks for 10 minutes to the observation tower. · Cost: USD 28 per person. · Duration: 1.5 hours for round trip and sightseeing, with maple leaves accompanying you during the cable car ride. 🍁Train for viewing maple leaves 1. Mount Washington Cog Railway: Features: Cog railway mountain train, comfortable and non-bumpy trip for viewing maple leaves. Cost: USD 90 per person round trip. Duration: 3 hours for round trip and sightseeing, during which you can enjoy the autumn scenery along the way. 2. Conway Scenic Railroad: Style: Retro maple viewing train. Route: Recommended Mountaineer - Iconic Crawford Notch Scenic Train Ride route. Cost: $75 per person. Duration: 5 hours round trip. There is a dense maple forest outside the window.

#FallTravel One of the most beautiful trips I've ever been on Official Fall destinations for your New England trip below Bucket List Here are some of my favorite places to go on my first trip to see the fall foliage in New England, so save it! Stown, Vermont 🍂 Kancamagos Highway 🍁 Cold Hollow Apple Juice 🍂 And Stow Church 🍁 Shogrosh Farm · Beehive Trail, Scenic Maine-Conway Railroad · Dixville Notch Public Park Is an East Coast fall trip on your bucket list?! Best Places to Go in New England in Fall, Vermont, New Hampshire Fall Leaves

Echo Lake is positioned amid the gorgeous Cathedral Ledge State Park. Outdoor New Hampshire attractions are a dime a dozen, but the expansive and scenic landscape of this park make it worth a place on your itinerary. Of note, a one-mile long road leads to the peak of the 700-foot Cathedral Ledge, a scenic overlook with magnificent views of Saco River Valley to the White Mountains. Cathedral Ledge is an ideal site for photography opportunities, a picnic with a view, and perhaps a wedding proposal. Echo Lake is a super cool location to enjoy watersports, sunbathing, and swimming. From Echo Lake, several hiking trails lead to Cathedral Ledge. The trails are of varying degrees of difficulty, but each provides awesome scenery to enjoy along the way. Echo Lake provides visitors with comfortable amenities like a bathhouse, picnic tables, and parking. Although camping is not permitted at Echo Lake, other nearby state parks do have campgrounds. Whether planning your visit for today, this week, or this weekend, any day is a good day to visit Echo Lake and Cathedral Ledge State Park. Address: 68 Echo Lake Rd, North Conway, NH 03860, United States