Use this document filled with local referrals from Granite State Ambassadors & State Welcome Center attendants as an informational starting point for guest referrals. For business referrals, please reference your local brochures & guides.
Hidden Gems | Covered Bridges | Swimming Holes | Places to Paddle | Hikes and Nature Walks | Bike Trails | Picnic Area Favorites | Historical Sites | Other Favorites | Local Information Resources & Welcome Centers
Hidden Gems
Pollyanna Statue, 92 Main Street, Littleton – Tribute to hometown author Eleanor H. Porter, creator of the optimistic Character Pollyanna. Official Pollyanna Glad Day held in June. (http://www.golittleton.com/pollyanna.php)
The Rocks, Bethlehem – The Rocks is the North Country Conservation & Education Center for the Society for the Protection of NH Forests. NH Christmas tree farm, and much more including family friendly hikes year-round, maple-sugaring in Spring and picnic area in the formal gardens. Great views. (https://therocks.org/)
Wren Arts Community, 2011 Main St., Bethlehem – Women’s Rural Entrepreneurial Network; gallery serves as a cultural outlet for creative expression; new shows monthly highlighting the work of local and regional artists in a variety of mediums. (http://wrenworks.org/gallery/)
Redstone Rocket, Town Common, Warren (just off NH 25) – The only town that has its own Redstone Missile, which is a remnant the Cold War. Small kiosk has Missile Information and the Warren Historical Museum is nearby. Moved to Warren in 1971 from the U. S. Army’s Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville Alabama. (http://www.moosescoopsicecream.com/warren–nh-s-redstone-missile.html)
Covered Bridges
Bath Bridge, Pettyboro Road, Bath – west of US 302, near junction with NH 10. Bridge is 375’ long, built in 1832, and listed on National Register of Historic Places. There is a sidewalk on one side of the bridge; only passenger cars are allowed. This is the 5th bridge to be at this site: the first 3 were demolished by floods, and the 4th was destroyed by fire in 1830. At one time, trotting horses were not allowed on the bridge for fear the impact of trotting would cause the bridge to fall apart.
Bath-Haverhill Bridge, 60 Woodsville Rd (NH 135), Bath/Haverhill (Woodsville Village) – ¼ mile north of US 302. Bridge is 256’ long, built in 1829, and listed on National Register of Historic Places. There is a sidewalk on one side of the bridge; only passenger cars are allowed. This bridge is the oldest covered bridge still in use in NH. It is the 1st and only bridge built at this site.
Blair Bridge, Blair Road, Campton – east of US 3, 2 miles north of Livermore Falls. Bridge is 292’ long and built in 1869. The bridge which connects US 3 on the west to NH 175 on the east was heavily damaged by Tropical Storm Irene in 2011 and then had significant structural repairs. It reopened in 2015 with a weight limit of six tons which is twice as much as the old limit of three tons.
Bump Bridge (aka Webber Bridge), Bump Road, Campton Hollow – 1 mile east of NH 175 at Campton Hollow. Bridge is 68’ long and built in 1972 in a manner replicating the traditional style of covered bridges. Only passenger cars are allowed.
Clark’s Bridge, Clark’s Trading Post, US 3, North Woodstock – Bridge is 116’ long and built in 1904. This railroad bridge crosses the Pemigewasset River. The bridge was built in Barre, VT as part of the Barre Railroad, but abandoned in 1960. It was dismantled and brought to its current location piece-by-piece, reassembled on dry land next to the river and pulled into position in 1965.
Flume Bridge, Flume Gorge, Lincoln – east of US 3 at junction with NH 175. Bridge is 50’ long and built in 1873. This bridge is used by buses shuttling visitors to the Flume.
Sentinel Pine Bridge, Flume Gorge, Lincoln – east of US 3. Bridge is 61’ long and built in 1939. The bridge was built by the Society for the Protection of NH Forests, who also maintained it until it was transferred to the state in 1948.
Smith Bridge (aka Millennial Bridge), Smith Bridge Road, Plymouth – ½ mile north of NH 25. Bridge is 171’ long, was originally built in 1850, destroyed by fire in 1993, and completely rebuilt in 2000.
Swiftwater Bridge, Valley Road, Bath – north of NH 112. Bridge is 158’ long, built in 1849, and listed on National Register of Historic Places. It was rebuilt in 1977. This part of the river was used to float logs to the sawmill, and log jams sometimes presented a hazard to the bridge. One Story is that dynamite was used to break up a log jam. The blast was successful, but logs had to be removed from the roof of the bridge which was not damaged.
Turkey Jim Bridge, Branch Brook Campground, Campton – ½ mile east of US 3 and north of NH 49. A bridge was originally built at this site in 1874, but deteriorated to the point of needing to be completely replaced in 1958. That bridge washed downstream in 1964, but was set back on its abutments. In 2011, it was destroyed and swept away during Tropical Storm Irene. A new bridge has since been built privately on the site by the Graton family that built the original bridge.
Swimming Holes
Mirror Lake, Mirror Lake Rd., Thornton
The Eddy on Mad River, NH 49, Thornton – East of Campton, beach. White Mountain National Forest day use area, need parking pass.
Baker River, off NH 118, Warren – (https://seeswim.com/location/baker-river-bridge/)
Smith Millennium Bridge, Smith Bridge Rd., Plymouth – ½ mile north of NH 25. Swimming is below bridge, tubing when the water is high. (https://seeswim.com/location/smith-covered-bridge/)
Places to Paddle
Mirror Lake, Mirror Lake Rd., Thornton – beach, raft, kayak launch, no dogs allowed. (https://wildlife.state.nh.us/maps/bathymetry/mirror_woodstock.pdf)
Echo Lake, I-93 Exit 34C, Franconia – Canoes, Kayaks, and Pedal Boats are available for rent at Echo Lake. Beach and concessions. (https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/franconia-notch-state-park)
Moore Reservoir, Moore Reservoir, Littleton – various locations to put in boats, see map at https://wildlife.state.nh.us/maps/bathymetry/moore_littleton.pdf
Baker River, multiple locations – Rentals and shuttles available through Plymouth Ski & Sports.
Pemigewassett River, multiple locations – Rentals and shuttles available through Ski Fanatics in Campton, Outback Kayaks and Outdoor Outfitters, both in Lincoln.
Hikes and Nature Walks
Lincoln Woods, Kancamagus Highway (NH 112) – about 5 miles east of Lincoln. About 6 – 8 miles round trip depending on destination on trail. Old rail bed, mostly along the river. Can be difficult.
Discovery Trail, Kancamagus Highway (NH 112) – about 6.2 miles east of Lincoln. Family friendly 1.4 mile loop trail offers a living classroom in forest ecology. This trail includes interpretative panels featuring both natural and managed forest ecology. Interpretive brochures are available at the trailhead. (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recreation/recarea/?recid=74613&actid=119)
The Basin, I-93 special ‘Basin’ exit, Franconia Notch – short walk through the woods, dog friendly. Waterfall at the end of the trail is full and great to see in spring when snow is completely melted. At the base of the beautiful waterfall at this site is a granite pothole 20 feet in diameter. It is believed to have been eroded 15,000 years ago while the North American ice sheet was melting. The Basin has been smoothed by small stones and sand, whirled around by the Pemigewasset River. Below the Basin is a water-eroded rock formation called the Old Man’s Foot. Picnic tables and walking paths.
NH Flume Gorge, NH 3 off I-93 exit 34A, Franconia Notch – The Flume is a natural gorge extending 800 feet at the base of Mt. Liberty. Walls of Conway granite rise to a height of 70 to 90 feet. May walk through just the Gorge or do a 2 mile loop. Both include uphill walking and lots of stairs. Covered bridges, waterfalls. (https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/park-sites/flume-gorge)
White Mountains National Forest Information, 200 Kancamagus Highway (NH 112), North Woodstock – right off I-93, exit 32. Best resource in area for hiking information about the numerous trails throughout this region.
Bike Trails
Franconia Notch Bike Path from Cannon Mountain – Paved trail parallels the I-93 Parkway, and is almost 20 miles round-trip. Is within easy reach of park attractions, including Flume Gorge, The Old Main of the Mountain Profile, Profile Lake, Boise Rock, The Basin, Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway, and Echo Lake. There’s no fee for the use of the bike path, but fees are charged at some attractions. (https://www.traillink.com/trail/franconia-notch-recreation-path/)
Waterville Valley Resort, NH 49, Waterville Valley – Offers lots of biking options, with nearly 209 miles of trails to explore on their cross-country trail system. Rentals available.
Picnic Area Favorites
Moore Reservoir, Littleton – various picnic locations, see map at https://wildlife.state.nh.us/maps/bathymetry/moore_littleton.pdf
Cascade Park, 130 Main Street, North Woodstock
Echo Lake, I-93 Exit 34C, Franconia – Swimming, beach, paddling and concessions. Entrance fees to park. (https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/franconia-notch-state-park)
Scenic overlooks throughout the area
Historical Sites
Old Man of the Mountain Museum, I-93 Exit 34B, Franconia – Historic memorabilia and photos relative to the care, repair and promotion of the state’s official symbol. (https://www.visitwhitemountains.com/attractions/old-man-of-the-mountain-museum)
Robert Frost House, 158 Ridge Rd., Franconia – museum and educational center for poetry located at Robert Frost’s former summer. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Museum is opened seasonally, but the property, front porch and poetry trail are opened year round. (https://frostplace.org/)
New England Ski Museum, 135 Tramway Drive, I-93 Exit 34B, Franconia – permanent exhibition presents a timeline of the development of skiing from its prehistoric roots up until the 1990s; includes local aspects of ski history with national implications. Additional location in North Conway; see Mt. Washington Valley Guide. (http://newenglandskimuseum.org/)
Museum of the White Mountains, 34 Highland St., Plymouth – Plymouth State University museum with exhibits on regional history, culture & environmental legacy. (https://www.plymouth.edu/mwm/)
Curious George Cottage (learning center), 7 Noon Peak Rd, Waterville Valley – Summer home of H.A. Rey and Margret Rey, creators of the Curious George series of children’s books. Children and adult programs, snowshoeing. (www.thereycenter.org/)
Besaw Iron Furnace Interpretive Center, Jct. of NH 18 and 117 by the Sugar Hill Bridge, Franconia – I-93 exit 38, only Blast Furnace still standing in NH. Octagonal stone stack that is visible on the far bank of the Gale River is all that remains of a 200-year-old iron smelter shown on an 1805 map of Franconia. (http://www.franconianh.org/iron-furnace.html)
Visit our GSA White Mountains Museum and Heritage Site List
Other Favorites
Coffee Pot Restaurant, 30 Main Street, Littleton – Cute little Mom and Pop restaurant, wonderful stop to grab something fast, cheap, and good while shopping on Main St. Locals are greeted by name by the owners, making everyone feel a part of this charming town.
Littleton Coin Company, 1309 Mt Eustis Rd, Littleton – (800) 645-3122, M-F 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
NH Highland Games, Loon Mountain Resort, Lincoln – One of the largest and most diverse Highland Games held in North America and the largest cultural event. This celebration of Scottish heritage is held the third Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of September each year. (https://nhscot.org/festival/events-details)
LOCAL INFORMATION RESOURCES AND WELCOME CENTERS TO SEND GUESTS TO WHEN THEY ARRIVE IN THAT AREA
Bethlehem Visitor Center, 2182 Main St (NH302), Bethlehem
(603) 869-3409 or http://bethlehemwhitemtns.com/visitorscenter.php
Western White Mountains Chamber of Commerce, 159C Main Street, North Woodstock
(603) 745-6621 or http://westernwhitemtns.com/
White Mountains National Forest Visitor Center at Lincoln Woods, 200 Kancamagus Highway (5 miles east of Lincoln)
(603) 630-5190
White Mountains Visitors Center, 200 Kancamagus Highway, North Woodstock (Also location of White Mountain National Forest information.)
(800) 346-3687 or (603) 745-8720 or https://www.visitwhitemountains.com/
Littleton Area Chamber of Commerce
(603) 444-6561 or https://littletonareachamber.com/
Flume Gorge & Visitor Center, 852 Daniel Webster Highway (Route 3), Lincoln
(603) 745-8391
Whitefield Chamber of Commerce, 70 Kings Sq., Whitefield
(603) 837-2609
Twin Mountain, 92 School Street, Twin Mountain
(800) 245-8946
Franconia Notch Chamber of Commerce, 421 Main St., Franconia
(603) 823-5661
State Welcome Center and Scenic Vista, I-93 Exit 44, Littleton
(603) 444-0125
October 9, 2020