2 days of high peaks, notches and a big lake

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1. 1
   Morning

   Mount Washington

   The highest peak in the northeastern United States, in the Presidential Range, and known for its erratic weather. It can be dangerous: the summit is far colder and windier than the valley, and conditions change fast. Check the summit forecast and the road before you go. A cog railway, an auto road and trails reach the summit, so check ahead on what is running, and be ready to turn back.

   Go when Morning, on a clear day, once you have read the summit forecast.

   Local tip A mountain with extreme weather that changes fast, and it can be dangerous at any time of year. Check the summit forecast and the road, bring warm layers and be ready to turn back. A cog railway, an auto road and trails reach the summit, so check ahead.

   

   About 45 min by car21.7 mi
2. 2
   MorningBook ahead

   Flume Gorge

   A natural gorge in Franconia Notch State Park that visitors walk through, with rock walls on either side and a boardwalk and steps along the water. The attraction is seasonal and needs a ticket, so check ahead on when it is open and whether you need a timed entry. Wear shoes with grip, since the boards can be wet.

   Go when Morning, as early as you can in the season.

   Local tip The gorge is a seasonal walk that needs a ticket, so check ahead on when it is open and whether you need a timed entry. The boardwalk and steps are damp, so wear shoes with grip.

   

3. Lunch

   Clam chowder

   A creamy chowder of clams, potatoes and onion, served with oyster crackers, a New England bowl for a cool day.

   Local tip Add the crackers at the end, so they stay crisp.

   

   About 16 min by car or transit3.5 mi
4. 3
   Midday

   Franconia Notch State Park

   A state park and nature preserve that stretches along the highway through the notch, with Cannon Mountain, Echo and Profile Lakes, Lonesome Lake and the Flume Gorge. This stop is the middle of the park. Pull into a viewpoint, walk a short trail and look at the walls of the notch.

   Go when Midday, between the gorge and the mountain.

   Local tip Use the pull-outs and the visitor areas, and pick one short trail rather than trying them all. The notch is narrow and the highway runs through it, so watch for traffic at the crossings.

   

   About 37 min by car or transit14.4 mi
5. 4
   Midday

   Crawford Notch

   A pass through the White Mountains, with steep walls on both sides and the Saco River running south through it on U.S. Route 302. Pull off at a viewpoint, walk a short way and look at the cliffs. The pass sits within Crawford Notch State Park.

   Go when Midday, with the sun high on the cliffs.

   Local tip Pull off at a viewpoint rather than stopping on the road. The pass is narrow with traffic, so use the pull-outs, walk a little way and look up at the walls. Check ahead on the road in bad weather.

   

   About 38 min by car15.5 mi
6. 5
   Midday

   Sabbaday Falls

   A waterfall a short walk from the Kancamagus Highway, in the national forest. Stretch your legs on the trail, look over the falls and take your time on the steps. Keep to the paths and the rails, and check ahead on the trail.

   Go when Midday, in dry weather.

   Local tip A short walk from the road to a waterfall. Take your time on the steps and keep to the paths and the rails, since the rock near the water is slick. Check ahead on the trail and the parking.

   About 21 min by car or transit5.2 mi
7. 6
   Afternoon

   Kancamagus Highway

   The byway itself, the eastern part of New Hampshire Route 112 from Lincoln to Conway, running through the White Mountain National Forest. This stop is at Kancamagus Pass, the high point of the road, where you can pull over at the overlooks. It is a mountain road: check the weather, fill the tank before you start and expect no services along it.

   Go when Afternoon, with time for the overlooks.

   Local tip A mountain road with no services along it, so fill the tank and carry water and a snack. Pull into the overlooks rather than stopping on the road. It is busy in the leaf season, and winter storms can close it, so check ahead.

   

   About 31 min by car or transit10.0 mi
8. 7
   Afternoon

   Arethusa Falls

   A waterfall in Crawford Notch State Park where Bemis Brook drops over a granite cliff. It is said to be the tallest single-drop waterfall in New Hampshire. The trail from Route 302 is a hike, not a stroll, with roots and rocks, so wear good shoes and check ahead on conditions.

   Go when Afternoon, in dry weather.

   Local tip The trail is a hike, with roots and rocks, and it is slick after rain. Wear good shoes, carry water and turn back if the weather turns. Check ahead on the trail before you set off.

   

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1. Drive from Arethusa FallsAbout 1 h 5 min by car38.0 mi

   Where Day 1 ended.
2. 1
   Evening

   Lake Winnipesaukee

   The largest lake in New Hampshire, in the Lakes Region at the foothills of the White Mountains, with hundreds of islands and a long, indented shoreline. The pin sits in the middle of the lake, so look at it from the shore at Meredith or Weirs Beach. Swim only where it is allowed, and check the weather before you head out on the water.

   Go when Evening (about 6:55 PM), from the shore.

   Local tip The biggest lake in the state, with hundreds of islands. Look at it from the shore at Meredith or Weirs Beach, swim only where it is allowed and check the weather before you go out on the water.

   

3. Dinner

   Fried dough and maple soft serve

   A round of fried dough dusted with cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar, then a cone of soft serve ice cream flavored with maple, a boardwalk treat.

   Local tip The dough is good eaten hot and shared, and a cone of soft serve cools it down.