TY Dis Friends - Now what? The White Mountains, NH.. UPDATE#35

[smkiya]

We had to cancel our trip to HHI because of unexpected expenses (chimney leak, washer broke, among other things...). This is our vacation week and I've been searching for various day trip ideas. Last week a diser recommended The White Mountains, NH and I looked it up and bookmarked the site. Today as I was searching the internet for local places to visit I decided to look at The White Mountains. I mentioned it to dh and suggested it for next year, and he began to reminise about his trip there as a kid. Well 2 hours later, our hotel was booked!!!! We're going for 3 nights, and got an unbelievable rate at a highly rated hotel!!!! And.... it's going to be sunny and 80's all week!!!

It is a 7 hour drive, and we're leaving at 5am Tuesday morning and returning Friday night (leaving NH at 2 pm). It is truly a budget trip! I want to keep food, activities, souvenirs and gas expenses under $500 (even less if possible, that is the max). This is where you come in. Where do we eat inexpensively (we'll have a mini fridge so all meals out)? What shouldn't we miss?

TIA! So excited!

ETA: TRIP REPORT #35

 

[Jacoby 46]

Where are you staying? We stayed at Attitash Grand Summit a couple of weeks ago and it was fabulous!

 

[abmitch01]

the town of North Conway has an LL Bean outlet

 

[abmitch01]

trip advisor has lots of helpful info. We were going to do a train ride but then didn't based on the horrible reviews on Tripadvisor. It's expensive and has not so hot views

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

Alot of pretty things to see along Franconia Notch. Some are free. Clark's bears, I believe is alot cheaper to visit than Storyland. We have some beautiful wooden covered bridges. There is alot to do up here. The Science Center in Holderness, NH is really nice. All the animals there are rescued. They have a boarwalk to walk on.

 

[abmitch01]

I liked Delaney's Hole in the Wall for lunch, very reasonable

 

[happily single]

We love Glen Junction for breakfast. It's at the intersection of Route 16 maybe (right near Storyland).

THe last time we went to Merlino's we didn't care for it. There is a Friendly's, 99, Dunkin and McDonald's right next to the outlets.

Most of the parks allow you to bring your own coolers with no problems at all!

I'm pretty sure AAA sells discount Storyland tickets.

Have fun! We love love love the White Mountains

 

[DreadpiratK]

One nice thing about the Whites is that it's all about the scenery, wich is free! Definitely drive the Kanc one day (Kankamangus Hwy) from North Conway to Lincoln. It a National scenic highway, with incredible views.

North Conway has tons of factory outlets if you like shopping (not necessarily budget!) I personally like Lincoln NH better, it's less commercial, more like old NH used to be. Drive north out of Lincoln up to Franconia Notch where the Old Man in the Mountain used to be. The Flume trail down in the notch is worth the hike, it's easy and really beautiful. You can also ride the Cannon tram way up Cannon Mtn, well worth the price, and it's not expensive. If you want a more challenging hike, head up out of the notch to Lonesome Lake Hut and eat lunch up there, it's about 2.5 miles and an absolutely gorgeous spot,that few non-backpackers ever get to see.

The Hobo railroad excursion out of Lincoln is really fun also, but I don't know how much it costs.

There is also of course Mt Washington, highest point in the northeast, boasting the worst recorded weather in the world. Believe me, it lives up to it's name. the forecast for the area may be sunny, but don't rule out rain, or even snow if you head up there. You can drive the auto road, or take the cog railway, but both are pricey. You can also of course hike, but don't attempt it if you don't have some experience hiking, and are really prepared. An average of 6-8 people a year die in the whites from not respecting the mountains. The approach hike to Tuckermans ravine is worth it though, easy and very scenic. There's a ski lodge at the base of the ravine a lot of people hike in to see the mountain and watch hikers attempting the ravine ascent. It leaves out at the AMC Pinkham Notch base-camp below Mt Washington.

Just west of North Conway is Whitehorse and Cathedral ledges, you can see them from the highway. There is a road that leads up to the scenic overlook at the top that's worth driving up. If you do, offer a climber a drink and a ride down for me OK? Many happy days climbing that cliff, and hitting the tourists up for rides down instead of walking. If nothing else, You'll get some great stories from them about their climb.

If you do like to hike, and would like some suggestions for short or medium day hikes, let me know, I spent several summers up there as a guide.

 

[caitty13]

If you like train rides this might be an option. http://www.hoborr.com/ My DS loved it and they serve lunch.

 

[Sammy]

Welcome to our little corner of the world! I would definitely plan to drive the Kancamaugus highway....lots of great scenery! What area are you staying in?

 

[smkiya]

Thanks for all of the great replies. We're staying in Lincoln, at the InnSeasons South Mountain Resort. From your responses it seems I have a lot of planning to do... Wish we had more time!

 

[abmitch01]

we went to North Conway this summer, most of the outlets are gone

 

[DreadpiratK]

we went to North Conway this summer, most of the outlets are gone

Really?? wow, it's been a few years since i was there, longer than I would like to think about. It's kind of been going down hill for several years now, it's nothing like it was 20 years ago when I spent a lot of time out there on Cathedral and Whitehorse.

 

[deb24k]

We enjoy staying in Lincoln! I did not check the ages of your children but if you drive the Kangamangus you can stop at the Lower Falls for some wading, splashing, and picnicking.

Loon Mountain is a nice place to spend the afternoon. It would also be enroute to the Kangamangus. You can take the lift to the summit. There is a cafe, some caves to explore, a walkway, and observatory, and a small playground for little ones.

Accross the street from Wet n Wild water park there is a great pizza joint that is not pricy but I can't remember the name of the joint.

Clark's Trading Post is a small, but nice and cost friendly place to spend a day. The family has raised and trained Bears for several generations.

Get a few free pamphlets at any local establishment and you will be thrilled with the free (well $3.00 daily parking pass) options for touring and enjoying the natural surroundings of the many waterfalls, scenic paths, etc in the area.

Have a great time! We always try to sqeeze in a Mountain Trip between larger splurge vacation years.

 

[deedeetoo]

We were just there a week ago. If you are staying in Lincoln, you should definintely see the Flume and go up Cannon. Franconia Notch is very pretty and there are lots of places to hike.

Also drive along the Kancamangas as many have mentioned. There are several places to stop, hike a little or swim in the river.

North Conway is at the other end of the Kancamangas. I'm not sure what people mean by the outlets being gone. They are still there. But they weren't very crowded and we were not impressed by the prices or selection. We were especially disappointed in the LL Bean outlet. We really like LL Bean and shop from the website a lot (mostly the sale items). The store had seconds and returns, nothing really good or in season. And the prices were really high, much higher than you would find on the website for the same type of stuff. I expected to buy a lot in there and we didn't buy a thing.

We did the autoroad up Mount Washington and caught a beautiful day. You probably won't be so lucky. It was 60 degrees at the top and completely clear. The drive is a bit scary so you need to think about whether you want to do that. We also did a kayak trip that was great but that probably isn't in your budget.

 

[Lynne1]

There is so much to do in the white mountains! We love it! And we live in NH!! There is hiking, tons of natural waterfalls and swimming holes, outlets, great scenic rides. There are also lots of attractions that require a fee.../the lost river, the flume gorge, Cannon Tram, Loon Mt. and so much more!! You will have a blast.

 

[3kidsfordis]

Check out Storylandnh website. I believe under three is free admission. If you go one day after 3PM you get the next day or any other day that season free. Fun place for young kids!

 

[caitty13]

You can even eat at Earl of Sandwich http://www.menubrowser.com/pages/earl.html

 

[Paticake]

We just returned from the North Woodstock/ Lincoln area. We enioyed eating at the Woodstock Inn, giant portions and Elvio's pizza. There is a Price Chopper grocery store right down the street from you to pick up supplies for your mini frig. You can swim at the Cascades, We did the Tram at Mt Cannon, You will be right near Loon Mt so you can do the Gondolas there as well and they have a Zip line. We did Storyland about $25/PP and Clarks Bears 18/PP.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

We went North Conway 4th of July week and had a blast!

1. There is a Hannaford supermarket right near the outlets, we bought lunchmeat, rolls, fruit, drinks and made lunch all week. We also brought tons of snack food.

2. Storyland is actually very cheap when compared to other parks (i.e Six Flags). Free parking, they let you bring in coolers and it is $27 per person, ages 3 and up. If you arrive in the last 3 hours, you can go another day for free.

3. Look on Restaurant.com for discount certificates. Right now 80% off using code CLEARANCE which expires Tuesday.

4. Not a bargain, but Peach's is great for breakfast.