Relaxing
Craft Beverages in the Western White Mountains
New Hampshire is home to over 90 breweries with three in the Lincoln-North Woodstock area. This includes one of the original craft breweries that led the way for many of the newer ones across the White Mountains and beyond. With three breweries and a cidery, there is sure to be at least one drink on the menu that will tickle your taste buds.
Woodstock Inn Brewery
In 2020, the Woodstock Inn Brewery celebrated its 25th anniversary. Founded in 1995, it was the third brewery to open in New Hampshire. The popular brewery had a humble beginning as a 7-barrel brewpub and has since grown into a multi-million dollar 30-barrel production facility with as many as 15 beers rotating on tap.
Woodstock Inn Brewery creates a variety of craft beers that are “uniquely Woodstock.” Brewing approximately 25 year-round and seasonal beers, there is always something delicious on tap to enjoy after a long hike or a day of powder skiing at Cannon. Pig’s Ear Brown Ale and the 4000 Footer IPA are two of the most popular beers that are always available on tap and in stores. With the change of weather comes a change in the tap lines. Instead of the lighter summer beers, you’ll now find the Autumn Brew Ale, which has hints of apple and cinnamon, and the Clan Scottish Ale, in honor of the New Hampshire Highland Games and Festival held at Loon Mountain every September.
In addition to drinking some tasty pints at the bar, the Brewery Tour, which typically occurs daily, is a great way to learn more about the brewery and their unique beverages. For more information about the Woodstock Inn Brewery, please visit https://www.woodstockinnbrewery.com/brewery/.
Rhythm Handcrafted Beverages
Rhythm Handcrafted Beverages is one of the “new kids on the block” in the Lincoln-North Woodstock area found by Seven Birches Winery’s Mark LaClair. For 12 years, LaClair had perfected his wine while experimenting with fermenting other unique beverages such as ciders and meads. All that tinkering paid off as Rhythm Handcrafted Beverages was launched in 2020.
Rhythm, named after the beautiful flow of music and nature, offers a variety of craft ciders, mead, hard seltzer, and fruit wine right at the Lincoln Village Shops in downtown Lincoln. The brand launched with its line of original ciders, including the ever-popular Rhythm Original, Rhythm Blood Orange, and Rhythm Heirloom, but has since expanded into other fruit-based fermented drinks. All the ciders are made like fine wine is made, with plenty of time for aging to develop unique flavors, aromas, and textures.
Mead is the oldest alcoholic beverage in the world and a favorite of many ancient civilizations like the Vikings and Romans. With four different flavors, you’ll be sure to find something that tastes delicious from the Classic Mead to the Blackberry-Blueberry-Raspberry Mead. Completing the trifecta of alcoholic beverages is the newly added Hard Seltzer. With three different fruity flavors, you can experience summer throughout the year.
Stop by Rhythm Studio in the Lincoln Village Shops for a tour and tasting. The fruits used in the beverages are all locally sourced to carefully craft unique liquid magic right in the heart of the White Mountains. Art of all kinds created by local artists is incorporated into the labels and the Studio will be hosting trivia, game nights, and crafting workshops throughout the year. For more information about Rhythm Handcrafted Beverages, please visit https://rhythmbeverages.com/.
One Love Brewery
Inspired by German beer halls, One Love Brewery, located in the Lincoln Village Shops, is a great place to enjoy après ski on a cold winter day or just relax after a day wandering near the Pemigewasset River. Known for its delicious and creative food menu, its beer menu is also brag-worthy. Featuring primarily European-style brews, the beer menu changes frequently based on the season. On a cool fall day in the mountains, you can’t go wrong with the Al’s Still Here Oktoberfest or the Marzen Festival.
During the warmer months, One Love Brewery is dog-friendly with seating available on the patio. Fido even has his own menu featuring his own Good Boy/Girl Dog Beer. And in true pub fashion, One Love Brewery offers its own Mug Club. For more information about One Love Brewery, please visit https://www.onelovebrewery.com/.
Twin Barns Brewing Company
Twins Barns Brewing Company is a wonderful new addition to North Woodstock Main Street! The NH business made its debut brewing handcrafted beer in the Lakes Region in 2018. Founders Dave Picarillo and Bruce Walton were traveling consultants who turned their love of beer and brewing into phenomenal craft beverages for all to enjoy.
Join their mug club for discounts and more at both locations. The taproom often features live, local music. Details for these events can be found on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TwinBarnsNorth. Make sure you check out all they have to offer. Crafting IPAs, Lagers, Sours, Ciders and lots more in between, there’s surely something for everyone! For more information about Twin Barns Brewing Company, please visit https://www.twinbarnsbrewing.com/.
Cheers!
Plan Your Next Snow Day
Experience the White Mountains from every perspective this Winter. Glide above the powdery landscape ziplining in the tree tops. Defy Mother Nature and traverse icy heights or hike through freshly fallen snow. Zip through some of the best snowmobiling trails in the Northeast and go off roading in a Pinzgauer. Lastly, and most importantly, be adventurous.
Some Tips to Help You Plan Your Next Adventure
Outdoor Fun in the White Mountains
The Western White Mountains are known for year-round breathtaking views and outdoor adventure. There’s no shortage of fun for whatever adventure you’d like to take.
10 Reasons to Make Your Ski Day a Ski Weekend
The ski conditions are amazing up here, but it’s the not only thing. Here are the reasons why you should make a ski day a ski weekend. Never miss the chance to enjoy a powder day or cover more terrain. Loon Mountain and Cannon Mountain are within 15 minutes of each other and the trails to explore are endless!
Seasonal Activities for the Winter
One of the best things to do in the White Mountains region is ski and snowboard, but there’s also snowmobiling, snowshoeing and more. We put together a Winter itinerary for some of the best things to do this season in the Western White Mountains.
Vacation like a local in the spectacular Western White Mountains of New
Hampshire. We know just where to get the best gear, and find the best food and drinks around town. And, we know just the right accommodations for our guests. Don’t believe us? Ask the people who call the White Mountains home. They’ll give you the insider scoop on where to go, what to do and where to stay.
Check out our destination lodging partners below!
| Holiday Inn Express & Suites 603-745-6700 |
Quality Inn & Suites 603-745-3661 |
| Indian Head Resort 800-343-8000 |
Riverbank Motel & Cabins 800-633-5624 |
| Inn 32 800-822-7666 |
Rivergreen Resort Hotel & Condominiums 888-784-7829 |
| Inn Seasons Resorts Pollard Brook 800-228-2968 |
RiverWalk Resort at Loon Mountain 603-745-7500 |
| Kancamagus Lodge 800-346-4205 |
Sugar Hill Inn 800-548-4748 |
| Mittersill Alpine Resort 603-823-5511 |
Wilderness Inn Bed & Breakfast 603-745-3890 |
| Mountain Club on Loon 800-229-7829 |
Woodstock Inn Brewery 603-745-3951 |
| Nordic Inn 603-745-2230 |
Fall Foliage Hikes in the Western White Mountains
Looking to experience the majestic Western White Mountain’s fall foliage up close and personal?
Western White Mountains Scavenger Hunt
Welcome to the Western White Mountains Scavenger Hunt!
Discover out of this world pieces of history, unique attractions, mouth-watering dining experiences and welcome lodging hosts during your time as a Western White Mountains Scavenger Hunt player. This free activity is open to all individuals and families who wish to participate!
Playing is easy – just follow these 3 simple steps!
- Download the GooseChase App
- Once downloaded, open the GooseChase App and enter Game Code: J56WG3
- Complete Missions, Earn Points! Missions may be completed in any order.
Prizes will be awarded on 10/11/22 to those who received the MOST amount of points from completed missions.
Winners will be notified via the Goosechase App.
In the event of a tie, a winner will be drawn at random.
2022 PRIZE PACKAGES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1ST PLACE: 1-Night Stay in 1-Bedroom Suite at RiverWalk Resort at Loon Mountain, $25 Gift Card to Seven Birches Winery, $100 Gift Card to Burgeon Outdoor, Family 4-Pack to Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves, 30 Minutes of Kid’s Studio Play, and McDonalds – Lincoln, NH Gift Cards!
2ND PLACE: $75 Gift Card to Burgeon Outdoor, $25 Gift Card to Seven Birches Winery, Family 4-Pack to Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves, $10 Gift Card to The Christmas Loft, and McDonalds – Lincoln, NH Gift Cards!
3RD PLACE: $50 Gift Card to Burgeon Outdoor, $25 Gift Card to Seven Birches Winery, Family 4-Pack to Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves, and McDonalds – Lincoln, NH Gift Cards!
4TH PLACE: Family 4-Pack to Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves, $25 Gift Card to Seven Birches Winery, $10 Gift Card to The Christmas Loft
5TH PLACE: $10 Gift Card to The Christmas Loft, New England Ski Museum Poster & Tales of the 10th Book
Terms of Service:
All photos taken during the Western White Mountains Scavenger Hunt on the Goose Chase App become property of Western White Mountains Chamber of Commerce and may be used for marketing purposes including, but not limited to, print and electronic media.
All text submitted during the Western White Mountains Scavenger Hunt on the Goose Chase App become property of the Western White Mountains Chamber of Commerce and may be used for marketing purposes including, but not limited to, print and electronic media.
Fishing in the Western White Mountains
Whether you’re looking for a day of exciting river fishing or a laid back day on a mountain pond, the Western White Mountains have got you covered. There are numerous options for both fly-fisherman and traditional fisherman alike. Dust off your flies, lures and rods and head to the Western Whites for some of the best fishing in the East!
Profile Lake
Profile Lake is a 13 acre fly-fishing only mountain lake situated at nearly 2,000 feet elevation within Franconia Notch State Park, nestled under the home of the “Old Man of the Mountain”. The Cannon cliffs hang high above the lake, giving it a Rocky Mountain feel just minutes from the highway. Profile Lake can be enjoyed by both wading or non-motorized boats. Take a walk on the Franconia Bike Path from the Cannon parking area to experience the history of Franconia Notch on your way to lake. Want to stretch your legs after a day of fly-fishing? Take the 1 mile Echo Lake loop trail around the lake to experience it from all sides. New Hampshire Fish & Game stocks Profile Lake with trout each year, so start practicing your casts and get out there! The parking area is on the west side of I-93 just past Exit 34B heading southbound.
Restrictions:
- Fly-fishing only
- No person shall take brook trout 12-16 inches in length. All brook trout 12-16 inches in length must be released immediately unharmed. The daily limit for brook trout shall be 2 fish, of which only one may be over 16 inches.
Echo Lake
Echo Lake is just a short drive or walk away from Profile Lake and offers 38 acres of trout-stocked waters for both fly-fisherman and traditional anglers. The lake is accessible by beach or by boat, which you can rent (canoe, kayak, pedal-boats) at on-site. No personal boats allowed. Reservations are necessary for Echo Lake, which fills up fast with visitors during the summer months. Additional fishing supplies can be purchased at the Lakeside General Store at Echo Lake Beach.
Beaver Pond
A hidden gem on the West side of White Mountain National Forest, Beaver Pond is easily accessed by following Route 112 over Kinsman Notch from the town of Woodstock. The parking area is located right off 112 and acts as both a viewing area and pond access for those brave enough to enter it’s cool waters. Beaver Pond is stocked with Eastern Brown Trout and can be enjoyed with non-motorized boats or by shore. Note that the wind can pick up at any time at Beaver Pond due to it’s height-of-land location.
Mirror Lake
Mirror Lake hosts a public beach and small boat launch (non-motorized only) off Mirror Lake Rd. in the town of Woodstock. A favorite spot for locals, the 38 acre lake is stocked with trout by NH Fish & Game. Come early on weekends if you plan to grab a picnic table for lunch – it gets busy!
Stinson Lake
Stinson Lake is located near the town of Rumney and is best accessible by boat (motorized or non-motorized) as it encompasses 342 acres and has homes built on much of the shoreline. There is a small shore bank for foot access. Various trout can be found here so plan to spend the day!
Perch Pond
Perch Pond, found off Perch Pond Road in Campton is idea for a kayaker or canoer looking to test their angling skills or catch a glimpse of numerous wildlife species. There is both shore access and a small boat ramp (non-motorized only). Don’t let the backroads to get here fool you – this spot is literally “jumping” with fish!
Elbow Pond
Elbow Pond is located off Route 118 west of Woodstock and offers both walk-in and boat (non-motorized) access for great mountain pond fishing. There are also a few dispersed campsites on the side of the pond if you are looking to make this a multi-day visit. Be aware that there is a shooting pit located on the road to access Elbow Pond so it may get noisy from time to time.
Three Ponds (Hiking Access Only)
The Three Ponds area is accessed by the 2.3 mile Three Ponds Trail near the towns of Warren and Ellsworth, and hosts a backcountry shelter onsite, making a backpacking trip an option for visiting these beautiful ponds. Stocked with trout by air, they are only accessible by foot. Upper Three Ponds boasts 11 acres of nearly untouched waters and is well worth the moderate hike in.
Pemigewasset River
A fisherman’s paradise, the Pemigewasset River flows through the Western White Mountains from its headwaters at Profile Lake through Franconia Notch to our small mountain communities before meeting with the Winnepesaukee River to form the Merrimack River. There are numerous pull offs along Route 112 within the towns of Lincoln and Woodstock that offer ample shoreline fishing and non-motorized boat access. Spend a day or a week exploring the beautiful “Pemi”, as locals call it.
Ammonoosuc River
The Ammonoosuc River, or “Ammo”, begins at the Lake of the Clouds just below the summit of Mount Washington and flows through Bethlehem, to Littleton, and then southwest to Bath where it meets with the Connecticut River in Woodsville. A less visited area of the Western White Mountains, the Ammonoosuc hosts wild populations of trout along with other species including salmon. There are various pull offs along the river to access it’s waters by shore or by non-motorized boat.
We hope you enjoy your fishing getaway in the Western White Mountains! However, before you go – plan ahead. Below are some must-read resources prior to your visit.
Licenses Online: https://www.nhfishandgame.com/
Licenses In Person (By town): https://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/licensing/agents.html
Learn More: https://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/licensing/3ways.html
Guides: https://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/fishing/guides.html
Stocking: https://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/fishing/trout-stocking.html
Leave No Trace Ethics: https://www.visitnh.gov/leavenotrace
Franconia Notch Recreational Path: Four Season Fun – Summer
Explore the best of Franconia by bike or foot this summer. Running the length of Franconia Notch State Park, the 8.7-mile paved Franconia Notch Recreation Path passes by several of the Western White Mountain’s best attractions. Break a sweat, dip your toes in the cool waters of Echo Lake, and visit some of New Hampshire’s most iconic spots on the Franconia Notch Recreational Path.
Summer
During the warm summer days, strap on your helmet or lace up your walking shoes and hit up the Franconia Notch Recreation Path by bike or foot. Take Exit 35 on I-93 N and park your car in the Skookumchuck trailhead parking lot. Head south along the paved trail to take in the stunning views of Kinsman and Franconia mountain ranges in the distance.
At the two-mile marker, you’ll arrive at Echo Lake Beach, where you can grab a snack to refuel and take a dip in the 39-acre lake at the foot of Cannon Mountain. Enjoy a few hours out on the water with a canoe, kayak, and pedal boat rentals. It’s a great way to take in the incredible views of the Notch while working on your summer tan.
From the lake, take a short detour to the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway. The legendary 80-passenger cable care is America’s first aerial tramway and brings passengers to the 4,080-foot summit of Cannon Mountain under 10 minutes. Don’t forget your camera as the views from the 360-degree observation deck is out of this world. On a perfect blue-bird summer day, you can see all the way across New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, New York, and Quebec.
Don’t forget to check out the New England Ski Museum next to the Tramway on your way back to the path. The small museum is packed with tons of great information on skiing from its prehistoric roots over 8,000 years ago up to modern times. You’ll get a chance to get up close and person with Bode Miller’s five Olympic medals on display plus other items from the local world champion.
If you’re looking for a great view of Cannon Mountain and Franconia Notch, Artist Bluff and Bald Mountain is a short 1.5 mile loop hike with rewarding views that are well worth the effort.
Head back to the Recreation Path and get ready to view one of New Hampshire’s most iconic sites – the Old Man of the Mountain. Unfortunately, the Old Man’s face fell in 2003, but you can still see where the Great Stone Face once resided. The famous landmark dates back to the 19th-century literary works of Daniel Webster and Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Once you pass the Old Man of the Mountain, the Recreation Path starts to descend into the Mt. Pemigewasset trailhead and parking lot. While you might be tempted to speed through the 3.3 miles to The Basin, there is a 20 mile per hour speed limit on the trail. Franconia Notch is home to tons of natural geological features, like The Basin. The Basin is a 30-foot-wide, 15-foot-deep granite pothole in the middle of the Pemigewasset River. Henry David Thoreau once said The Basin is “perhaps the most remarkable curiosity of its kind in New England.” If Thoreau likes it, then you will, too.
Just like a rainbow, you’ll find a “pot of gold” at the end of the Franconia Notch Recreation Path. The Flume Gorge and Visitor Center is one of New Hampshire’s most visited state parks. Extending 800 feet at the base of Mount Liberty, the Flume is a natural geological feature first discovered in 1808 by 93-year-old “Aunt” Jess Guernsey. At the time of her discovery, a giant boulder was suspended between the 90-foot granite walls, but a massive rainstorm washed it away in 1883.
Start your journey at the Flume Visitor’s Center before walking through the iconic Gorge or walk the two-mile loop where you can see all the natural features of the park, including the Glacial Boulders, Bear’s Cave, and Liberty Gorge. They’ve even got a scavenger hunt!
Bike rentals and shuttles are available at the Aerial Tramway. If you prefer the ease of someone else planning everything for you, Rodger’s Ski and Sport offers a that includes your bike rental, shuttle services, helmet, and bike lock.
Parking
Parking, especially during the busy summer and fall months, can be difficult. Be prepared to get to the trailheads early in the morning or in the late afternoon for the best chance at scoring a spot a parking lot. Parking on I-93 is strictly prohibited, and your car will be towed at your expense. Remember, many rental shops and lodgings offer shuttle buses to and from many of the trailheads in the area! Here’s a great resource on Franconia Notch parking and the hiker shuttle.
Rhythm Handcrafted Beverages
Rhythm Handcrafted Beverages are fermented in Lincoln, NH with only premium fruits, sourced locally, to create a delicious, fresh, natural cider. Creativity and the arts are the central focus for the brand and will be celebrated in every way.
The Western White Mountain Beverage Trail
Known for its hiking trails and ski mountains, the Western White Mountains is also home to a growing number of breweries, wineries, and restaurants. After a long day of skiing or hiking, nothing tastes better than a cold beer. Or maybe you’re celebrating a special anniversary and you are looking for the perfect bottle of wine to celebrate. With a variety of places with many just walking distance away from each other, there’s no shortage of beverages to taste test in the Western White Mountains.
Woodstock Inn Brewery
Visit one of New Hampshire’s original microbreweries located in the heart of the Western White Mountains. Started over 20 years ago with a seven-barrel system, the Woodstock Inn Brewery nestled on Main Street in North Woodstock has now grown to a 30-barrel production facility and lab. The Brewery offers eight year-round brews, including their 4000-Footer IPA, Old Man Oatmeal Stout, and Pig’s Ear Brown Ale. Each season, they also brew special seasonal flavors to be enjoyed on the patio after a long day of hiking or by the fireplace after an epic powder day. No matter what your tastebuds like, there is a beer on tap or in cans waiting for you at the Woodstock Inn Brewery.
One Love Brewery
Located in downtown Lincoln in the historic Henry Paper Mill, One Love Brewery is a German-style beer pub. Brewed in-house and featuring creative names, the beers at One Love are typically German lagers, but you’ll also find some hoppy varieties on tap. Make sure you pair your pint with something delicious from the menu. The starters menu is eccentric featuring items such as Ravioli Tikki Masala, Empanadas, and Poutine. And, don’t miss the burgers! If beer isn’t your drink of choice, then you’ll want to try a cocktail. From White Peach Sangria to Pain Killers, you’ll find something to quench the thirst on a hot day. Did we mention that the deck at One Love Brewery is dog-friendly?
Seven Birches Winery
It is not every day you find a winery in the mountains of New England. Seven Birches Winery is a boutique winery with two locations in Lincoln – the Lincoln Village Shops and RiverWalk Resort at Loon Mountain. Using grapes grown around the world and locally in New Hampshire, you’ll find a large variety of white, red, and everything in between wines. Sign up for a wine tour or taste testing or both and discover delicious wine in the Western White Mountains. Seven Birches also offers a weekly ‘Vineyard Talk’. Join their vineyard manager at 2pm on Saturdays (weather permitting) for a 30-minute Vineyard Talk in the RiverWalk Resort Vineyard. Meet at the RiverWalk Winery Tasting Room at 2pm and you’ll be taken out to the vineyard to discuss vines and future plans. The talk is complimentary and does not require reservations. It’s the perfect thing to do before or after a tour or wine tasting.
Rhythm Handcrafted Beverages
If making wine was not enough, Seven Birches Winery started dipping their toes into making hard cider as well in 2020. Fermented naturally using locally sourced apples, Rhythm Handcrafted Beverages currently offers a variety of flavors including the recently released Blood Orange and Lemon-Lime. The Blueberry Hard Apple Cider is fermented with fresh-press apple juice along with fresh whole blueberries. The Heirloom Cider is barrel-aged, done dry, almost champagne-like, and seasonal so get it before it is gone. Rhythm Studio is located next to the Atrium Wine Bar in the Lincoln Village Shops and has expanded their offerings! Try their locally sourced and produced hard seltzers, fruit wines and more.
Gypsy Café
The Gypsy Café on Main Street in Lincoln is a favorite amongst the locals. Co-owned by award-winning chef, Dan Duris, the Gypsy features food from around the world. While the food is delicious, many people come to the Gypsy just for the drinks as they are some of the best in the Western White Mountains. Their margaritas made with fresh, homemade lemon and lime sour mix are legendary. The drink menu also includes a variety of specialty martinis and other cocktails.
Twin Barns North Taproom
Located right on Main Street N. Woodstock, the North Taproom is Twin Barns Brewing Co’s Northern outpost for proper beer, raised in a barn. Delicious beers, cider, and non-alcoholic beverages will surely delight both locals and visitors alike. The Twin Barns North Taproom welcomes patrons to bring their own food, encouraging the support of other local Main Street restaurants. However, if you get a little hungry while enjoying their beverages, they’ve got a great assortment of snacks for purchase. Enjoy live music, community events, year-round patio seating and even a shuffleboard table!
Drink Responsibility!
If you plan on indulging in a few alcoholic beverages in the Western White Mountains, remember to drink responsibly and don’t drink and drive. One of the beauties of the Lincoln/Woodstock area is the closeness of many of the breweries, wineries, and restaurants. You can walk or ride your bike to many of the places. If you are staying at one of the many resorts in the area, they also may have a shuttle that can pick you up at the end of the night.
Discover the delicious beers, wines, and cocktails in the Western White Mountains. And don’t forget to cheers!
What To Do After Skiing in the Western White Mountains
During the winter months, the population explodes with skiers and snowboarders looking for first trackers on a powder day. Loon Mountain and Cannon Mountain draw thousands of people to the region every year for their awesome family-friendly skiing. After a long day on the slopes, there is still tons to do in the area to keep the whole family busy, while safely adhering to health regulations. Don’t let the fun end with the last chair, just make sure you know before you go! Each business has specific protocols in place to ensure everyone is kept safe. Please familiarize yourself with these safety measures so you are fully prepared. Head to granitestatesafe.com to learn more.
Burn Some Calories
Still have some energy to burn after skiing? Or, maybe you need a good stretch from a yoga class to feel ready to hit the powder stashes the next day. Live a Little Fitness is a fitness studio for all ages in the heart of Lincoln. The studio offers a variety of in-person studio classes and digital classes. Classes range from gentle yoga to barre to spin and just about everything in between. But, Live a Little Fitness isn’t your regular fitness studio, they specialize in kids’ activities! Kids need to play! Head over to Live a Little Fitness with the kiddos for the BEAM Playzone, which is an interactive video playground for kids of all ages. There’s also Kid’s Yoga Play and the new Studio Play. It’s fun for the whole family.
Indoor Pool
Staying at one of the many resorts, hotels, and condos in town? Then you likely have access to an indoor or outdoor heated swimming pool! Nothing feels better after a long day of craving the freshly groomed trails at Loon or Cannon. Bonus points if the resort has a hot tub! Deer Park Resort, Indian Head Resort, InnSeason Resorts Pollard Brook, and the RiverWalk Resort at the Loon Mountain are a few of the local resorts that all have a heated indoor pool (or maybe a heated outdoor pool!) and hot tubs for your enjoyment. Don’t forget to pack your swimsuit!
Wine Tasting
Located in the heart of the RiverWalk Resort, the Seven Birches Winery has two tasting rooms for all your wine tasting. Serving red, white, and a few other colored (hello blueberry!) wines made right in Lincoln, you find a wine that tickles your taste buds just right. Sip at the bar and grab a wine flight or choose from two different wine tasting tours. Whatever you choose, you’ll leave warmer than you arrived.
Beer Tasting
For more adult fun, enjoy all the locally brewed beer in the Western White Mountains. The Woodstock Inn Brewery is one of the original craft breweries in New Hampshire. Growing from a small seven-barrel system to 30 barrels in over 20 years, the Wood Stock Inn brews a variety of brews with clever White Mountains names like 4000 Footer IPA, Pemi Pale Ale, and Lost River Light Ale.
Swing by the Twin Barns North Taproom for refreshing beers, cider, and non-alcoholic beverages. They welcome guests to bring their own food, encouraging the support of other local Main Street restaurants. However, if you get a little hungry while enjoying their beverages, they’ve got a great assortment of snacks for purchase.
Located in the Village Shops, One Love Brewery brews some delicious German-style beers. Not only are the beers, like Czech Your Head and Hoppoptomus Pale, great, but so is the food. You can order both take out food and beer!
Massage
Soothe your sore muscles and relax at the spa. The Solstice North Day Spa in the RiverWalk Resort is a full-service spa that specializes in massage treatments. With seven licensed massage therapists, there is someone seven days a week to provide you with the perfect massage. The Mountain Club on Loon offers a luxurious menu of spa services such as massage, facials, and more. Add a little color to your nails with a manicure or pedicure! Curious about Reiki, call Stacey at Balanced Rock Bodyworks to help focus your energy.
Après Ski
There is tons to do in the Lincoln-Woodstock area for the whole family or just the adults. Enjoy the many opportunities to break a sweat, relax, or enjoy delicious food and drink.
Explore the White Mountains with your camera and win prizes!
Here’s your chance to explore White Mountain back roads and small towns, support local businesses and win prizes with the White Mountains 100-Mile Challenge.
The six chambers and associations of the White Mountains region have collaborated to create the White Mountains 100-Mile Challenge, an exhilarating new way to explore the White Mountains, take photos and win prizes. Offering the ultimate reason to explore the back roads, beautiful vistas, and local businesses throughout the White Mountains region of New Hampshire, the White Mountain 100-Mile Challenge offers the ideal socially distanced itinerary for a day trip, overnight, or longer vacation. Simply explore the historic markers, attractions, shops, restaurants, lodging, recreation businesses on the list, take photos, and upload them to your own social media and WhiteMts100milechallenge.com, and you may just win one of 100 prizes including a future vacation to the Whites.
Here’s how it works: Download the challenge list of stops, ranging from locations like breweries, local historic markers, shops, ski areas, B&Bs, hotels, spas and more in any of the White Mountain communities listed. Take a selfie or group photo at each one of the stops. Then upload your photo to your social media channels with the hashtag #WhiteMts100Miles. Once you’ve visited ten of the business categories on the list anytime between Oct 13-Dec 6, 2020, upload your photos to WhteMts100milechallenge.com here and enter to win prizes. Enter as often as you want, as long as you upload ten photos at a time.
The White Mountains 100-Mile Challenge started on Tuesday, October 13th, and ends at midnight on Sunday, December 6th, 2020. All photos submitted should be taken on site during this time period in order to be eligible. Weekly winners will be announced every Friday beginning October 23rd. The grand prize winners will be chosen Monday, December 7th. All winners will be notified by email.
More than 100 prizes will be awarded over the duration of the challenge along with one grand prize – an Omni Mt Washington Hotel getaway and a White Mountains Attractions Pass for the summer or fall of 2021. Other prizes include items from participating businesses.
“The White Mountains 100-Mile Challenge offers a fun way to discover the communities in the White Mountains between fall and winter,” said Kim Pickering, Executive Director of the Western White Mountains Chamber of Commerce and program co-coordinator. “With interest high in getting outside to explore in a socially distanced way, this program will encourage visitors and residents to safely visit and engage with businesses in the White Mountain region through a scavenger hunt style itinerary,” she added.
Communities participating in the White Mountain 100-Mile Challenge are represented by the newly formed consortium of the White Mountains Collaborative including the six chambers of commerce in the White Mountains region, White Mountain Attractions Association and Ski New Hampshire. The communities included in the White Mountain 100-Mile Challenge include Plymouth, Waterville Valley, Campton, Thornton, Lincoln/Woodstock, Woodsville, Bath, Littleton, Lisbon, Franconia, Sugar Hill, Bethlehem, Twin Mountain, Bretton Woods , Whitefield, Jefferson, Jackson, Bartlett, Glen, North Conway, Conway, Chocorua and Tamworth.
Funds for development and promotion of the White Mountain 100-Mile Challenge were made possible by a special program called the Chamber of Commerce Partnership Assistance Fund, created by the NH Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery (GOFERR) to support collaborative efforts among chambers that were ineligible for CARES Act funding through other programs.
To learn more about the program and each chambers’ involvement, contact any of the participating members listed below.
White Mountains Attractions Association
Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce
Franconia Notch Regional Chamber of Commerce
Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce
Littleton Area Chamber of Commerce
Delicious & Unique Dining Options in the Western White Mountains
A trip to the western White Mountains is a culinary delight. While the area might not be a foodie destination like other cities in New England, we’re spoiled with many delicious and unique dining options. From organic, locally sourced farm fresh ingredients to a gourmet five-course dinner on the Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train, you certainly won’t go hungry in the western White Mountains.
Woodstock Inn
Voted favorite restaurant in the White Mountains for the past eight years, the Woodstock Inn is a local legend. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the Woodstock Inn menu is extensive as the dining room. You’ll find everything from nachos to pretzels to meatloaf and fish and chips. The Woodstock Inn burgers are the best in town. Made with locally raised New Hampshire and Vermont beef, each burger is flavorful and fresh. If you’re up for the challenge, try the Death by Burger, which is an 18 oz. cheeseburger on the bottom with a BLT and onions on top. Want to make it on the wall of fame? Try the Double the Death Burger! Thirty-six ounces of beef? No problem!
Gypsy Cafe
For a taste around the world, head to the Gypsy Café for a fun and casual evening with an eccentric menu. With a unique art created by local artists on the wall, you’ll be inspired to choose something colorful from the menu. From Enchiladas Rojas to Thai Red Curry Duck to Malai Kofta, each dish is authentic and full of flavor and a little spice. If you’re a margarita fan, then you’ve come to the right place! The Gypsy Cafe’s margaritas are famous around these parts. Made with fresh homemade lemon and lime sour mix, you can’t go wrong with whatever one you choose.
One Love Brewery
On a hot summer day, there is nothing better than a cold beer. Head over to One Love Brewery for some German-style beers on the dog-friendly patio. Their diverse menu is filled with delicious comfort food-style pub favorites, like soft pretzels, nachos, and poutine! Many of the many dishes are cooked using their locally brewed beer and many locally sourced ingredients. Visit Tuesday for Trivia Night or Friday and Saturday nights for live music.
Mountain Club on Loon
The Mountain Club on Loon offers two dining options – Black Diamond Pub and Seasons Restaurant. Both restaurants source their ingredients locally from farmers, producers, bakers and brewers, and distillers. The restaurants serve up traditional New England pub fare with a local twist for both kids and adults. Each dining option is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train
For a truly unique experience, book a ticket aboard the Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train. For two hours, you’ll ride along the Pemigewasset River through the beautiful western White Mountains while eating a gourmet five-course dinner. Each 1950’s vintage train car has been restored to its former glory making the whole dinner train a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The menu changes regularly and features delicious seasonal dishes made with local flavors. A trip on the Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train is a perfect idea for a special occasion like an anniversary or engagement.
Geological Family Attractions
Geological Family Attractions
The western White Mountains are home to some of the best natural geological features in New England. When the glaciers melted during the last Ice Age over 50,000 years ago, they carved out much of the White Mountains as we know it today.
As the glaciers receded, they deposited granite boulders creating caves in many places across the Lincoln and Woodstock area. Today, you can discover the natural beauty that Mother Nature created during the last Ice Age at places like the Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves, and the Flume Gorge.
Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves
Located in the heart of Kinsman Notch in North Woodstock, the Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves is a popular natural geological attraction for all ages to enjoy. Formed over 300 million years ago during the last Ice Age, Lost River Gorge is filled with blocks of granite, boulder caves, and waterfalls. Open daily from May through October; there are tons of things to see and do at Lost River Gorge.
While visiting the Gorge and caves during the day is pretty cool, discovering them by night is a whole new experience! During the summer months, you can take a Guided Lantern Tour through the caves. The two-hour tour begins at dusk, and you’ll be guided through the lantern-lit caves and boardwalks ending around the campfire complete with s’mores.
If you’re more of a morning person, consider an 8am Yoga in the Woods in the Forest Treehouse.
The Basin
After seeing the Basin for the first time in 1839, Henry David Thoreau said it was “perhaps the most remarkable curiosity of its kind in New England.” Located conveniently at Exit 34A off I-93, the Basin is a geological masterpiece. Formed approximately 15,000 years ago, the 30-foot-wide, 15-foot-deep granite bowl is a pool of cold blue water that cascades down several granite cliffs in a dramatic effect.
Just a short walk through the woods along a well maintained path, there’s no reason to miss this gem.
Loon Mountain Caves
Catch a ride on New Hampshire’s longest scenic gondola ride with the Loon Mountain Gondola Skyride to the summit of Loon Mountain. First, take in the 360-degree panoramic views of the White Mountain National Forest from the 50-foot Hebert’s Observation Tower. Next, explore the glacial caves that were deposited on top of the summit during the last ice age. Follow the signs and weave and wander through the caves at your own pace. While you’re there, enjoy an adventure in their Aerial Forest or enjoy yoga on the mountain top!
Flume Gorge
Next to the Old Man of the Mountain, the Flume Gorge is one of the western White Mountain’s most iconic attractions. First discovered in 1808 by “Aunt” Jess Guernsey, the Flume Gorge has been a destination for millions of visitors over the past centuries. While the famous hanging boulder was washed away in a landslide in 1883, the 90-foot granite walls and other natural features are worth the visit to see with your own eyes.
Open from May through October; the Flume Gorge is perfect for the whole family to enjoy. Kids will love the Flume Gorge Scavenger Hunt while grandma will love the picturesque Flume Covered Bridge. Spanning over the Pemigewasset River, the Covered Bridge is one of the oldest in the state. Other natural wonders in the park include Table Rock, Avalanche Falls, and Liberty Gorge.
Discover the natural beauty of the western White Mountains with the many natural geological wonders of the area.
Relax and Meditate with Mountain Top Yoga
Whether you’ve come to the mountains to climb New Hampshire’s highest peaks or to just rest and relax, you can stretch your tired muscles and escape the daily grind with a little yoga. Recent research suggests that practicing yoga outside has many benefits for your mind, body, and spiritual health. The Western White Mountains are home to many mountaintops for you to find your own personal zen. Margarita of Live a Little Fitness in Lincoln offers a variety of guided outdoor yoga sessions during the warm summer months and can work with you to create your own custom mountaintop yoga experience.
Throughout the summer, you have three different opportunities to practice yoga outside with Live a Little Fitness. Loon Peak Yoga is perfect for anyone who wants to practice their Down Dog with epic mountaintop views. You’ll ride the Loon Mountain Gondola Skyride to the top of the mountain where you’ll take an hour-long yoga class surrounded by panoramic views of the White Mountains. After class, you welcome to explore the summit at your leisure before riding the gondola back down the mountain. If you prefer to get your blood flowing before your Sun Salutations, then the True North Peak Yoga Session might be for you. You’ll take the Gondola Skyride to the summit of Loon Peak and then you’ll hike the quarter mile to the 3,100-foot summit of North Peak where you’ll take a 60-minute yoga class. After you say “Namaste,” you can hike back to Loon Peak and enjoy the 360-degree views from the observation tower. You can either ride the gondola or hike back down the mountain to continue your workout. Consider hiking right into Viaggio Spa, located in the Mountain Club on Loon for a relaxing massage or facial.
If you’re a beginner or intermediate yogi, Yoga in the Woods at the Lost River Gorge is probably the perfect class for you. You’ll start with a short and easy stroll through the woods into the Gorge. Once you’ve passed the giant birds nest and crossed a suspension bridge, you’ll set up your mats by a babbling brook. The class is designed to be a gentle stretch with a little bit of flow to wake up your body and then relax it with some restorative poses.
If you can’t make any outdoor yoga classes, then check out the special events Live a Little Fitness is offering for all ages. Live a Little Fitness offers a dance program with Ballet, Tap, and Hip Hop/Break Dancing classes for kids of all ages. They also offer after-school kid’s yoga classes during the school year. Each class is themed for ultimate fun. Who doesn’t want to take a Star Wars themed yoga class?
During the summer, you can join in on “Recess-style Boot Camp!”. The coaches create fun and challenging workouts that focus on strength, endurance, and agility. Of course, you’ll play plenty of games along the way. Sign up a for class and play Margarita’s favorite “Zombie Apocalypse” game. Who said kids were the only ones allowed to have fun?
When the weather gets cold or the sun goes down, classes return back to the studio. In addition to many yoga classes, Live a Little Fitness also offers Barre and Strong classes. Nikki’s Saturday morning Barre class is one of the most popular places to be in Lincoln on a Saturday! Strong classes are high-intensity interval classes that are designed to get your heart rate up and your muscles pumping. Offered only during the Fall through Spring months, the once a month Yin Yoga Bliss is a great way to relax after a long week. Combining Yin Yoga, massage, and aromatherapy, it’s the perfect class to melt away your stress.
Create your own yoga retreat in the White Mountains by taking a few classes at Live a Little Fitness or just enjoy the incredible panoramic views of the mountains in your warrior pose from atop Loon Peak. Whatever you choose, you’ll leave the Western White Mountains feeling more relaxed and centered.
Everything is Sweet at Fadden’s Maple Syrup
For over 120 years, Fadden’s General Store has been producing award-winning maple syrup for the western White Mountains. Like most early settlers in the White Mountains, the Fadden Family harvested maple sap and sugar to consume and trade for supplies. James H. Fadden and his wife, Ida, opened Fadden’s General Store in 1896.
It wasn’t until James and his son, Norman, purchased a stand of maple trees and built a large sugarhouse that Fadden’s launched into the commercial maple syrup industry. Norman ran the store until 1983 when his son, James H. Fadden Sr., took over and ran it until James (Jim) H. Fadden Jr. purchased and restored the store back to its original beauty in the summer of 2008. Jim ran the store until his passing in December 2018. His son, James, and his mother are continuing the Fadden legacy with the sixth generation.
The Fadden maple stand is located just three miles up the street from the General Store. While the maple grove is home to the old sugarhouse, today the maple syrup is produced in the modern state-of-the-art sugarhouse right behind the General Store on Main Street in North Woodstock. With over 7,500 taps and 17 miles of pipeline, Fadden’s produces approximately 2,000 to 2,500 gallons of maple syrup every year. That’s a lot of pancakes!
Over the decades, Fadden’s has won many awards, including eight Carlisle awards, which is presented annually for the best maple syrup in New Hampshire. Fadden’s most recently won the award in 2018. In 1957, Norman won an award for the best maple syrup in the world. That’s one big title!
When asked what makes Fadden’s maple syrup special, James was modest and said, “I would love to say it’s the cook who makes our syrup unique, but that would be a fib. I would have to say our syrup is good because of the environment where it comes from in our grove. It also may have to do with our cleaning habitats, but it is most likely due to the fact we don’t let our maple sap sit around.”
Fadden’s Maple Syrup is available for purchase year-round, seven days a week at Fadden’s General Store. Maple syrup can be purchased in just about every size jug you can imagine. Bring home a gallon for yourself and lots of smaller jugs for all your friends! Maple syrup isn’t the only thing you’ll find at Fadden’s General Store. “We also carry a lot of locally made things like jellies and jams, honey, maple-scented hand lotions, and chapstick. We also have locally made beers, wines, and meads along with a small grocery section. For our outdoors people, we have a wide range of things from camping and fishing supplies,” said James. Of course, you can find all your favorite gifts like magnets, postcards, and stuffed animals to remember your favorite vacation.
Lace Up: Hiking the Western White Mountains
Every year, millions of people discover the beauty of the western White Mountains by foot. With incredible panoramic views, classic New England hiking trails, and beautiful native wildlife, the area has become a popular year-round destination.
Ask the Locals – Spring Edition
Spring in the White Mountains is a beautiful time of the year. The temperature starts to rise, the flowers start blooming, but you’ll still be able to find some snow left for the last turns of the ski season. The summer crowds have yet to arrive, so you’ll have much of the area to yourself.
