jeterray

Oct 1 We will be in the Franconia area to look at some leaves and see sights. Any recommendations where to stay, eat and look ? Thanks.

tomfuller

Take your pick from these lodgings. http://www.franconianotch.org/lodging/inns-and-bbs.aspx
The innkeepers can guide you on what is good to see in the area.
Where are you coming from and do you have a rental car?

jeterray

Manchester airport, and we will have a rental car. thanks

relademann

Lucky you, it's so beautiful in the White Mountains, especially in October! If you have time, take a breath-taking scenic drive to North Conway. While there, Moat Mountain Brewery has awesome food and,of course, beer. You can drive to the top of Mount Washington on the way. If you have kids, they'll love Clarks Trading Post in Lincoln. There is so much to do there, visit
http://www.visitnh.gov/ for a free guidebook.

Have a great time.....

dfrostnh

How long is your visit? The White Mountains area is not my favorite part of NH (I live here). I would consider staying in Meredith NH on Lake Winnipesaukee. The Inn at Mill Falls looks great (haven't stayed there) and gives you a nice downtown area on the lake for evening strolls.

You will probably take the Kancamagus Hwy over to Conway/North Conway and it is indeed very pretty. You can then do a loop by going south on Rt 16 and then head to Tamworth NH and Center Sandwich (eat at Corner House) and Holderness. We've done that loop without spending much time in N Conway and been able to have lunch at the Red Hill Dairy (might not be open that time of year since it's a drive in place but serves a good lobster roll and fried clams).

The Flume is a beautiful and somewhat strenuous walk (pricey) thru a gorge. You can also do a loop heading further north from Franconia to Littleton and then west to Vermont. The Great Vermont Corn Maze in Danville VT is fun.

We did not care for staying at the Mountain View Grand although it's a beautiful hotel. That far north has less choices for restaurants if you don't eat at the hotel.

There's lots to see and do if the weather is good and it usually is that time of year but if you get bad weather, you might want to have more options. Meredith has a movie theater and small shopping area. It's right off I93 exit 23. At exit 20 there's the Tilton Outlet Mall (also outlet malls in Conway) and a movie theater.

They've changed the road (again) so exiting the airport is easier. You'll head to Everett Turnpike (go north). When you get the choice between I93 and I293, if you choose I293 you will drive along the west bank of the Merrimack River and see the wonderful old mills on the east bank (now changed to restaurants etc). Both sections of the hwy end up in the same place just south of the Hooksett Toll Booth. If there is heavy traffic, you can get off just before the toll booth onto Rt 3A. (there's a smaller toll booth where you pay less) Rt 3A will give you the opportunity to re-connect with I93 at exit 12 or you can keep going into downtown Concord. Keep this in mind because Friday traffic northbound is extremely heavy and if you are coming south on a Sunday, traffic will slow down to a stop. I89 from VT feeds into I93 north of the toll booth so you have lots of cars funneling into a small area. Get a good map. It's quite easy to travel on secondary roads from Exit 20 (Tilton) to the north side of Manchester if I93 is clogged.

Ackislander

dfrostnh and I seldom disagree, but I do love the White Mountains and don't like Winnepesaukee at all. But the rest of her post is spot on.

Instead, I love all that country between the top of Franconia Notch and the Connecticut Lakes.

reladman suggests that the Mt Washington Auto Road is on the way from Franconia to North Conway, but it is north of Pinkham Notch on NH 16.

You can, however, take the world's oldest cog railway to the summit from near Bretton Woods or you can hike to the summit from near there. I wouldn't drive, ride or walk to the summit except on a clear day because there is little pleasure in being in the clouds. Actually, I have never riden or driven to the summit, though I have walked/climbed up there a number of times. It isn't easy and is positively dangerous without appropriate gear and clothing.

There is a wonderful easy trail in Crawford Notch called the Mt Willard trail, leaving from the area near the Appalachian Mountain Club. It is an old logging road, I presume, and it delivers you right to the top of the notch with fantastic views.

North Conway has a fairly nice center, but otherwise it has been taken over by discount stores.

If I were coming from Manchester (agree on the mills) I would take 93 up through Franconia to wherever, then down through Crawford Notch whenever to North Conway, then south to the Kancamagus Hwy and back to Manchester on 933 OR if you have more time, head on over to the Lake Sunapee-Dartmouth area and into mid Vermont.

It will be beautiful, and there may well be snow on the summits.

gailw

Go to Polly's Pancake Parlor in Sugar Hill (part of Franconia) for great pancakes, made to order and served 3 at a time, so they don't get soggy from all the real maple syrup they serve, along with other maple products on your table; cob smoked bacon; and a fabulous view of the Presidential range. Small place; could be lines. Call when you're on the way; they don't take reservations but will put you on a call list so you won't have to wait as long when you get there. Very funky atmosphere and a fun place for breakfast.

jeterray

thanks a lot. we booked at the Franconia Inn. The next day we will be headed for Auburn, Me. We can go the north route via Gorham, the center route via Crawford Notch,or the southern route on the Kancamagus Hy.to n Conway. Looks like we have lots of time to make a couple of stops. Any recommendation on which route ?