- Franconia Ridge via Falling Waters trail - One of New England's best hikes for a reason. This challenging 8.9 loop features a breathtaking exposed ridgeline with panoramic views of the White Mountains. Take Falling Waters trail up to view waterfalls on your ascent.
- The Basin - Flat hiking area with unique water features and swimming holes. There is an adjacent trail to hike as well. Great for kids and dogs.
- Arethusa Falls - Quick hike to a large waterfall. Add the Frankenstein Cliffs hike for even more views.
- Artist Bluff - Short, easier hike with an iconic view of Franconia Notch.
- Bridalveil Falls - Gradual hike with a large waterfall at the end
- Cannon Mountain - Relatively short but steep, a great "bang for your buck" NH 4000 footer.
Ultimate White Mountains Summer Bucket List: 50 Must-Do Activities
July 1, 2026
If you’re planning a summer trip to New Hampshire, the White Mountains should be at the top of your list. With iconic hikes, charming towns, unique activities, waterfalls, lakes, and endless fresh air, this is one of the best places in New England to spend the season.
Whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway or a longer vacation, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the mountains. From outdoor adventures to relaxing moments in small-town New Hampshire, here are our 50 favorite things to do in the White Mountains this summer.
Hikes & Waterfalls
More Outdoor Adventures
- Mountain Biking - Franconia Area Trails, Bethehem Trails Association, and PRKR Mountain in Littleton. All three locations have a gear library where you can borrow free mountain or gravel bikes.
- Horseback Riding at the Franconia Inn - Hour-long guided walking tours with great views. Inn guests get a discount! Click here to learn more.
- Franconia Notch Bike Path
- Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail - 83 miles of connected rail trails, gravel paths, and quiet backroads.
- Glider Rides - visit the Franconia Soaring Association across the street from the Franconia Inn for a completely unique and exhillerating experience.
Theatre & Arts
- Franconia Artwalk - Franconia - relaxing stroll by the Gale River featuring locally curated art pieces
- Colonial Theatre - Bethlehem
- Loading Dock - Littleton - live music, comedy, and more
- Weatervane Theatre - Whitefield
- Jean's Playhouse - Lincoln
Family Fun
- Pony Rides at the Franconia Notch Stables
- Echo Lake Beach - rent a kayak or paddle boat!
- Clark's Bears - bear shows, train rides, gift shop
- Whale's Tale Water Park
- Cog Railway - train ride up Mount Washington (you can also drive up on the Auto Road).
- Flume Gorge - boarded walkways with incredible waterfalls. Buy tickets in advance.
- Conway Scenic Railroad
- Attitash Mountain - mountain coasters, waterslides, and more
- Loon Mountain - gondola rides, downhill mountain biking, ziplining, caves, and more
- Alpine Adventures - ziplining, aerial coures, offroading
- Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves
- Polar Caves
- Story Land - kid's amusement park
- Santa's Village - Christmas themed amusement park
Food & Drink Stops
- Franconia Inn Pub & Restaurant - Franconia - outdoor dining, Open Mic Night, live music
- Chef Joe's - Franconia
- Polly's Pancake Parlor - Sugar Hill
- Rek Lis Brewing - Bethlehem
- Cold Mountain Cafe - Bethlehem
- Super Secret Ice Cream - Bethlehem
- Maia Papaya - Bethlehem
- Schilling Beer Co. - Littleton
- Freehouse Taproom & Eatery - Littleton
- Littleton Diner - Littleton
- Tall Provisions - Littleton
- Gypsy Cafe - Lincoln
- Flapjacks - Lincoln
Local Favorites
- Lupines - blooming throughout June, take a bike ride up to Sugar Hill for some incredible photos
- Robert Frost Museum - Franconia
- Doogan's - Bethlehem
- Lonesome Woods - Bethlehem
- Chutter's - Littleton - World's longest candy counter, fudge, and more
- White Mountains Canning Company - Littleton
- Shaun Terhune Fine Art Photography - Littleton
With so many things to see and do in the White Mountains, you’ll want a comfortable place to rest, recharge, and plan tomorrow’s adventure. The Franconia Inn is the perfect home base for your summer escape, giving you easy access to everything from scenic drives and mountain hikes to local gems and small-town exploring. Our team is here to help you have an unforgettable summer vacation.
About The Franconia Inn
Since 1863, The Franconia Inn has welcomed guests to the heart of New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Set on 65 acres with sweeping views of Mount Lafayette, Franconia Notch, and the Kinsman Range, the Inn offers year-round recreation, comfortable accommodations, and on-site dining. Located just minutes from Lincoln, New Hampshire and within a short drive of Cannon Mountain, Loon Mountain, and Bretton Woods, The Franconia Inn is an ideal destination for those seeking an authentic New England experience.
When it comes to romantic getaways in the White Mountains, we believe that love deserves a beautiful setting — and here at The Franconia Inn , that’s exactly what we’ve been offering for more than a century. Our historic country Inn sits on 107 acres of peaceful meadowland surrounded by breathtaking mountain views, timeless charm, and a sense of calm that feels like it belongs only to you.
This winter, The Franconia Inn invites guests to experience the best of New England’s snowy season with a full lineup of classic winter activities.
How Long Does It Take to Drive Up Mount Washington? Plus 3 Other Ways to Reach the Summit
Winter in the White Mountains of New Hampshire is more than a season — it’s an experience. From world-class skiing and snowshoeing to scenic train rides, cozy pubs, and unforgettable adventures like dog sledding and fat-tire biking, this region transforms into a playground for every type of traveler. Whether you’re a family planning school-vacation fun, a couple looking for a romantic escape, or an outdoor enthusiast chasing your next challenge, the White Mountains deliver. If you’re looking for the perfect homebase, the Franconia Inn sits at the heart of it all. Surrounded by 65 acres of open fields, snow-covered woods, and sweeping mountain views, the Inn offers a peaceful retreat between activities — with access to on-site cross-country skiing, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and après-ski cocktails at Peaks Pub. This guide breaks down the top winter activities in the White Mountains, NH , giving you everything you need to plan your getaway.
When I am on vacation, my ideal day is to NOT feel like a tourist but rather immerse myself in a new place and put myself in a local’s shoes, imagining how it might feel to actually live somewhere else, even if it’s just for a day.
Discover one of the best White Mountain resort restaurants at the Franconia Inn. Enjoy seasonal dishes and a cozy dining experience in the heart of New Hampshire.
A beginner's guide to hiking your first 4000 foot peaks in New Hampshire
The winter of 2023/2024 in Franconia was marked by unseasonably warm temperatures, more rain than snow, and it left us wondering: "What is the future for cross-country skiing at the Franconia Inn?" With very little snow to work with, we were only able to be open for a handful of decent ski days which was a major disappointment for our Nordic ski enthusiasts. This season's winter put a lot of that uncertainty in the rearview mirror. With over 5 feet of snow and consistently cold temperatures, the cross-country ski conditions were some of the best we've ever experienced here at the Franconia Inn. Here's a look at how this incredible ski season played out in the North Country.
Our Favorite Things to do North of the Notch this Winter
New Hampshire's Most Unique and Charming Getaway
