My wife and I are considering a vacation to New Hampshire this coming August. We would fly into Manchester (great rates) but from there the slate in clean. I%26#39;d love some ideas and tips, including nice B%26amp;B%26#39;s, for exploring NH.....never been there. We enjoy small town shopping, light hiking, beautiful scenery, and local culture.
thanks for any suggestions,
Doug
First time visitor in August
What about heading up to the White Mountains and Franconia Notch. The Old Man is gone now but it%26#39;s still pretty country. Head over to Conway through the Kangamangus Pass. Hit Mount Washington and, depending upon which side you are on, take the Cog Railway or the Toll Road to the top. From there you can head to the coast and come down the coast road through Maine and finally Portsmouth where you can catch a boat to the Isles of Shoals. There is plenty of to do, see and shop along this route.
First time visitor in August
I%26#39;ve been going to NH since I was little. It %26#39;s carried over to adulthood. We rented camps on Lake Winnipesaukee for 8 summers and enjoyed every minute of it. We would go to Lincoln and Woodstock in the fall, before Columbus Day. Visit Lost River!
We like Meredith, Centre Harbor and Moultonborough on the northern part of Winni. Meredith has a nice but pricey place to stay Inn at Mills Falls (check the website)-stayed in the Boathouse last August, it was looking a little rundown but I believe they were fixing it up. Church Point Landing opened last spring - beautiful and it has a little beach on the lake.
If you go to Meredith you must go to Moultonborough to visit The Old Country Store it%26#39;s original, touristy but neat. Our favorite restaurant of all time The Woodshed is nearby! Never had a bad meal in the 25 years we%26#39;ve been going there! Ask for the hayloft against the rail. You can check them out on the web too! Good luck!
Oh my God Teacher, I was going to recommend all the same things you did.... The Woodshed is my #1 favorite restaurant, Inn at Mills falls is around $200 a night but nice if you want a treat and the general store in Moultonborough is delighful. Also don%26#39;t miss Castle in the Clouds if you are going to be at Winnepesauke (which I highly suggest). It%26#39;s a tour of an old castle and grounds, breathtaking views and worth the trip.
I would suggest staying in Wolfeboro NH, which is a quaint town on the lake with many shops and good restaraunts within walking distance. Castle in the Clouds, the Woodshed %26amp; the country store are a 20 minute drive from here. Fancy but beautiful is the Wolfeboro Inn and there are real nice more affordable B%26amp; B%26#39;s there too but are small so require early reservations. After a few days there, I would take the scenic route to the White Mountains and enjoy the shops %26amp; sites in North Conway, doing some antiquing along the way. The train In North Conway offers scenic tours and dinner trains as well. In the White Mountains....
%26gt;Take the gondola to the top of the Mountain at Wild Cat ski area or drive up Mount washington on the Auto Road
%26gt; A short hike to the Flume in Franconia Notch is beautiful
%26gt; and don%26#39;t forget Glenn Eliis Falls which I mentioned in my previous post
Lodging in Jackson is classy and serene. Eagle Mountain house, the Dana Place Inn and the Christmas Tree Farm are all really nice B%26amp; B%26#39;s in that area. I%26#39;m a native so if I can be of further help, don%26#39;t hesitate to ask!
J
Also forgot to Mention that the earlier suggestion about Porsmouth and the Isle of Shoals Cruise is also an excellent idea and a nice finish to your trip. Porstmouth is beautiful if you haven%26#39;t been there, nice shops %26amp; coastline, beautiful gardens %26amp; lots of historic sites. You could take in an outdoor theatre presentation at the Park, excellent theatre right on the sea. Lodging is more expensive here, as it is a top tourist area but there are some nice B%26amp;B%26#39;s in Portsmouth %26amp; Rye and the Sheraton Harborside is beautiful. As you further your plan don%26#39;t hesitate to ask if you have more questions, need web sites or want more help.
After landing in Manchester you can hop on Rte 93N and be in the mountains in no time (about 2 hours tops). You could make a stop in Franconia Notch, and then head east on the Kanc. The Kancamagus Highway is a great scenic trip and brings you to the ';Conway side'; in Mt washington Valley. North Conway is definitely the shopping strip, but still a nice town with some great resaurants. For pub atmosphere and Buffalo Wings that will set your lips on fire try the Red Parka Pub in Glen. Fine Dining I would recommend the Bernerhof- fabulous! Check out the recommendations on this website for more. Jackson is a perfect little mountain town, not commercial, unbelievable scenery. Hiking in the Pinkham Notch area is superb. Great day hikes include Glen boulder or Pine Mountain for views. Definitely stop into the Appalachian Mountain Club in Pinkham Notch at the base on Mount Washington for more info.
Since the Man in the Mountian is no longer there- there in only 1 place you absolutly but see- the Flume. Simply drive through the White Mountians you will see signs for it. Definatly wear hiking boots and bring a camera!!!!! It is simply breathtaking. Also nearby in the Mtns. is the Basin- not quite as impressive but very cool.
I%26#39;ve fallen in love with a small town called Wolfeboro- ';The oldest Vacation town in America'; On lake Wentworth, a smaller lake slightly below Winnapaski, Wolfeboro is the most perfect little town. The center has plenty of small shops to check out and places to eat. I don%26#39;t know of many hotels- i stay with family- but I%26#39;ve seen the Strawberry Inn right on Main St and the Allan A is right on the beach of Wentworth. Lake Wentworth is one of the 10 cleanest leakes in America. It is perfect- especially in August. If you buy a permit you can fish the lake. It is so clean and refreshing to simply breath the air.
Hope you enjoy your trip- if you like nature you will love NH.
p.s.- It%26#39;s not called the misquito state for no reason- I go up almost every weekend in the summer and it does live up to the name!
Doug,
About an hour from Manchester is Keene, New Hampshire in the Monadnock Mountains region. A good website for the area is www.monadnocktravel.com. I recommend the Carriage Barn Bed %26amp; Breakfast in Keene. It%26#39;s small (4 guest rooms w/ private bath) and the owners are very personable. It%26#39;s within walking distance of several restaurants and shops, also Keene State College which has a pretty campus and a nice art museum. Since it%26#39;s in a ';mountain'; region, there are plenty of hiking trails nearby.
I also recommend a visit in the other direction to Portsmouth, NH. This seacoast town is full of history. There%26#39;s plenty of hotels, motels and b%26amp;b%26#39;s here (although expect higher prices and harder-to-get reservations in the summer). There%26#39;s a great downtown area loaded with shops and eateries. In the evening they have ';ghost tours'; where you walk around with a guide and hear all the folk lore. Also some nice local theatre in Portsmouth, and Strawbery Banke which is an indoor/outdoor museum of historic homes, etc. One helpful website is www.portsmouthnh.com
Have fun!
Thanks to all of your suggestions and expertise, I think that I have a good itinerary for a great vacation in NH this August.
-land in Manchester
-head north to Jackson (Jackson House B%26amp;B for 3 nights)
-head south to Wolfeboro (Afton Inn for 2 nights)
-head southeast to Portsmouth (Martin Hill Inn for 2 nights)
As I researched the various regions and landscapes, it seems like my wife and I will experience 3 different venues from mountains to lakes to coastal town. We%26#39;ll certain visit all scenic suggestions %26amp; attractions from our new friends at TripAdvisor like Franconia Notch, Castle in the Clouds, The Woodshed, etc.
If anyone out there has stayed at any of the above accomodations, I%26#39;d appreciate feedback. I love knowing that these 3 separate destinations, Jackson, Wolfeboro, and Portsmouth, were so positively recommended by several of you.
I%26#39;m very grateful for all of the assistance.
Doug
Doug,
Excellent itinerary! You and your wife will have a blast!
Jenna
Doug-
Woodshed is closed on Mondays. When you go, tell Lynn the girl from NY who framed her summer and winter watercolor menus told you about The Woodshed. While in Wolfboro you may want to take a cruise on the Mt. Washington. It takes you around Winnipesaukee. you can check them out on line. The Flume is great, again Lost River and don%26#39;t forget to drive up Mt. Washinton. Have a great trip!
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