Time to Spend in White Mountains

We are planning to go to the White Mountains are for a few days in July. How much time is needed to get a good feel for the area?

We don%26#39;t need to do everything exhaustively, but don%26#39;t want to be rushed either.

Thanks.

Time to Spend in White Mountains

If all you want to do is drive and look, then 2-3 days will be sufficient. But if you want to get out of your car and get to places that will give you views and insight beyond what you can see from the highways and roadsides, then you%26#39;ll need more time. A ride up and down Mt Washington on the auto road or the Cog railway will take a few hours. A ride up Wildcat on the gondola will take a few hours too. Just getting off the main roads to explore back roads and mountain roads means hours and days. If you want to do some hikes you need several hours to enjoy them. If you wish to climb to the summit of any of the mountains, then you%26#39;re talking about full day hikes or longer.

So decide what you think you want to do and plan accordingly. The region is beautiful and people spend years there without seeing everything they want to see.

Time to Spend in White Mountains

We spent a week in the White Mountains in 2007. Make sure to get out of the car and go for a hike (or two or three...). If you%26#39;re not claustrophobic, try one of the boulder caves (Polar Caves, Lost River Canyon and Boulder Caves, or the caves up the top of Loon Mt (take a tram up)). There are watering holes all over and it%26#39;s fun to dip in your feet. It%26#39;s pretty chilly though. If you have young kids, Santa%26#39;s Village makes for a nice day trip. If you love pancakes, I highly recommend Polly%26#39;s Pancake Parlour. The White Mountains are a beautiful area, you%26#39;re sure to enjoy it.

I was trying to decided how to answer your question. No one who has spent any time in the WM (or Green Mountains or Yellowstone, etc) will ever say that 2-3 days is enough. That being said, you can have a great time over 3 days if you plan your trip before you go, maybe have some alternatives for a rainy day, etc.

For instance, you will want to go to the summit of MW, but you do want to know that you can see something. Clear days are best, but sometimes the summit is clear even if the valley is cloudy which is quite neat to see. So some flexibility is necessary. If the ';we'; includes kids then swimming for an afternoon at Diana%26#39;s bath is a great leisurely activity which will give you a better feel than driving past alot of trees.

Personally, I prefer to eat breakfast and lunch (pack sandwiches to eat on a hike maybe) on the go to avoid wasting time and have a late dinner after spending the day out to maximize the experience and not feel like I am eating my way thru a vacation.

Have a great trip!!!

Thanks for all the great advice. Right now, we are planning on spending 4 days/three nights in the area. I was thinking about adding on another day.

Dear Blar22,

In concert with the other contributors, it all boils down to what you are into doing or want to see while your here to narrow down the ';list.';

Each region of the state offers something the others do not, and that is want make NH so special. Even the time of year can change things up as well.

White Water rafting will be in full swing up here, hiking for the begginer and experienced hiker is abundant state wide, mountain biking viewing wildlife etc... Kids(?) you need to keep them engaged during the visit as well and that also depends on their age(s) and what they like to do.

Narrow it down a bit for us and I am sure we can provide some great experiences for you to enjoy the state.

Travel Well!

Be sure to check out the White Mountain Attractions website, very good source of information for things to do in the area..from covered bridges, waterfalls, to some of the tourist attractions in the area. Some of the better tourist traps are Clark%26#39;s Trading Post, Lost River Gorge, Mt. Washington Auto Road, Drive across the Kancamaugus Hwy., Flume Gorge, Cannon Mt. Aerial Tramway, and don%26#39;t forget a Moose Tour...