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North Conway

North Conway.
Photo: AlexiusHoratius, CC BY-SA 3.0

Base here 2–3 nights if you want outlet shopping plus easy access to Cathedral Ledge and Diana's Baths; skip it if you came only for Mount Washington hiking.

North Conway is a valley town in New Hampshire's White Mountains, about two hours north of Boston by car. It works as a base for Cathedral Ledge, Diana's Baths and Echo Lake, and as a rainy-day stop for the outlet strip on Route 16. Most visitors come for 2–3 nights, often paired with skiing at Cranmore or Attitash in winter. A car is the practical way to get here and to move between sights.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
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More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
Jun–Oct for hiking and foliage; Jan–Mar for skiing
avoid Nov (mud season, many closures); peak foliage weekends in early Oct for crowds
Airports
Portland International Jetport (PWM) · Manchester-Boston Regional (MHT) · Boston Logan International (BOS)
Nights
2–3

About North Conway

North Conway sits in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire, roughly two hours north of Boston, Massachusetts. It is a year-round vacation destination, drawing visitors for outdoor activity in every season and for a long strip of shopping areas that includes factory outlet stores, antique shops and country stores.

The town is surrounded by White Mountain National Forest land around Mt. Washington, the biggest mountain in the northeast, and counts more than 250 alpine ski trails. Hiking, fishing, swimming, biking, skiing, sledding and canoeing are common pastimes. Route 16 runs through the town and holds many of the shops and less interactive attractions; a car is more convenient in winter and for sights beyond walking distance.

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for North Conway: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices

See

What is worth your time in North Conway.

  • Conway Scenic Railroad — Trains leave from a station in operation for more than 130 years, and passengers can take in New Hampshire scenery with a meal.
  • Mt. Washington Children's Museum — It runs activities for children and families, including playgroups and birthday parties.
  • Mt. Washington Observatory — It offers overnight educational trips, guided snow tractor day trips up to the summit of Mt. Washington, and views of the surrounding mountains.
  • Foliage and Covered Bridges — Route 112 has old-style wooden bridges and the Kancamagus Highway through the White Mountains.
  • Cathedral Ledge — A steep road off West Side Road climbs to the top of the 1000-foot rock ledge, where a short trail leads to a fenced viewing area over the Mount Washington Valley.

Do

  • Rock climbing and hiking, with Cathedral Ledge and Diana's Baths the most popular spots
  • Skiing and snowboarding at Attitash Ski Resort, which has 74 trails and a terrain park in winter
  • Canoeing, kayaking or rafting with Saco Bound on Route 302
  • Swimming and picnics at Echo Lake State Park, where a trail around the lake gives close-up views of Cathedral Ledge and White Horse Ledge

Events

  • Mt. Washington Valley Winter Carnival — Various events are held around Mt. Washington Valley; the week-long carnival typically runs from mid-February into early March.February
  • Race to Beat Cancer — Held annually at Mt. Cranmore Resort to benefit the American Cancer Society.February
Emergency numbers for North Conway911 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance911

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about North Conway, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee$3–6
  • Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$10–18
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
  • Museum or sight ticketEcho Lake State Park entry, adultcheck$4
  • Budget bedHostel or motel bed, a night, per personUS$45
  • Mid-range bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$190
  • High-end bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$380

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$170 · High US$320

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Cathedral LedgeDiana's BathsConway Scenic RailroadOutlet shopping on Route 16
Airports
PWM Portland International Jetport (About 1 h 30 min by car; rental cars at the airport) · MHT Manchester-Boston Regional (About 2 h by car; rental cars at the airport) · BOS Boston Logan International (About 2 h 30 min by car; the usual long-haul gateway)

Map of North Conway

Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.

GlenConwayJacksonFryeburgChocoruaWaterville ValleyBridgtonBretton Woods

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

  • North Conway
  • Basic guide

Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps

Guides nearby

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

    −1°C (30°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    1°C (34°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    6°C (43°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    13°C (55°F)

  5. May

    not flagged

    20°C (68°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    24°C (75°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    27°C (81°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  10. Oct

    Care*

    14°C (57°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    7°C (45°F)

  12. Dec

    not flagged

    1°C (34°F)

Best: Jan–Mar, Jun–Sep. Mixed: Oct. Avoid: Nov. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)), coolest Jan (−13°C (9°F) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.

* only part of the month (early, mid or late).

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

North Conway: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

−1°C (30°F)

−13°C (9°F)

10 rd

Feb

1°C (34°F)

−12°C (10°F)

9 rd

Mar

6°C (43°F)

−7°C (19°F)

10 rd

Apr

13°C (55°F)

0°C (32°F)

11 rd

May

20°C (68°F)

6°C (43°F)

12 rd

Jun

24°C (75°F)

11°C (52°F)

12 rd

Jul

27°C (81°F)

13°C (55°F)

11 rd

Aug

26°C (79°F)

12°C (54°F)

10 rd

Sep

21°C (70°F)

8°C (46°F)

9 rd

Oct

14°C (57°F)

2°C (36°F)

10 rd

Nov

7°C (45°F)

−3°C (27°F)

11 rd

Dec

1°C (34°F)

−9°C (16°F)

11 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

A car is the practical choice: sights sit 5–15 min apart on Route 16 and West Side Road, and there is no useful local bus. Taxis and rideshare exist but are thin in the evening. In winter, snow tyres or all-wheel drive help on the side roads.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Jackson, New Hampshire

go

Door to door: About 20 min

Drive Route 16 north, about 15 min

Covered bridge and a short walk; easy half-day add-on.

Glen

go

Door to door: About 20 min

Drive Route 302 east, about 15 min

Base for the Mount Washington Auto Road and Glen Ellis Falls.

Bretton Woods

go

Door to door: About 45 min

Drive Route 302 north, about 40 min

Historic resort and ski area; a full day if you add the cog railway.

Franconia

go

Door to door: About 1 h 10 min

Drive Route 302 west then I-93 north, about 1 h

Flume Gorge and Cannon Mountain; start early.

Lincoln, New Hampshire

go

Door to door: About 1 h 15 min

Drive the Kancamagus Highway (Route 112) west, about 1 h

The drive itself is the attraction; allow stops for overlooks.

Littleton, New Hampshire

caution

Door to door: About 1 h 30 min

Drive Route 302 west then I-93 north, about 1 h 15 min

Long for a return day; better as a stop on a loop.

Waterville Valley

go

Door to door: About 1 h 10 min

Drive Route 16 south then Route 49 west, about 1 h

Skiing in winter, hiking and a small village in summer.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

North Conway Village

Walkable to the Conway Scenic Railroad and restaurants; quietest for a car-free evening.

Route 16 strip (White Mountain Highway)

Motels and chain hotels next to the outlets; you need a car for everything.

West Side Road

Closest to Cathedral Ledge, Diana's Baths and Echo Lake; quieter, still needs a car.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$90–150 excl. bed
Mid
$150–260 excl. bed
High
$260+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel or hotel double room1 × 2 nights × US$190US$380
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$170US$680
Rental car, one day1 × US$70 · checkUS$70
Echo Lake State Park entry, adult2 × US$4 · checkUS$8
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15US$30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$117
Trip total≈ US$321 per person per day, bed includedUS$1,285

2026 estimate in US dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee$3–6
Diner breakfast$10–18
Casual lunch or pub meal$15–28
Ski lift ticket, daycheck$80–130
Echo Lake State Park entry, adultcheck$4
eSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Low-crime resort town; the real risks are mountain weather, icy trails and wildlife on the roads at dusk. Tell someone your hiking plan and carry layers.
  • Mount Washington's summit weather changes fast; carry layers even on a warm valley day.
  • Diana's Baths and Echo Lake parking fills by mid-morning in summer and on foliage weekends.
  • Many shops on the strip close early in the evening; plan shopping before dinner.
  • Cell signal drops on parts of the Kancamagus Highway and the side roads.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

North ConwayNorth Conway

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911

Embassy

No embassies here; most countries' consulates are in Boston or New York.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Taxi, in-town hop: $10–20 (check)
  • Rental car, one day: from about $70 (check)
  • Echo Lake State Park entry, adult: $4 (check)

Say or show

  • Thank you — Thank you
  • Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • Is the road open? — Is the road open?

Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for North Conway. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Jun–Oct for hiking and foliage; Jan–Mar for skiing · avoid Nov (mud season, many closures); peak foliage weekends in early Oct for crowds · month by month →
  2. 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 7 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for PWM, MHT and BOS: rental-car desk hours, last sensible arrival, taxi fallback.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Village, Route 16 strip, West Side Road, Echo Lake.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (Cathedral Ledge, Diana's Baths, Echo Lake, Conway Scenic Railroad) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Foliage and winter-storm fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources

Ask about North Conway

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