Anbody got any beta for the N. Conway area of New Hampster? We’re going up there next week for a family va-ca, and then down to Lake Winne for Timberman the following weekend.
I’ve never been there in summer (and was only there once in winter to go skiing, back when skis were straight and longer than a man, although some men are longer than others, but I digress… ;-), so I have no idea what to expect in terms of things to do, places to go and see, etc.
Oh, and more to my point, the best places where I can swim, bike, and run during my taper week before Timberman.
Are there any open water options? That would be ideal.
Or at least a nice outdoor pool, I’d really really prefer not to hafta swim indoors if it can be avoided.
Biking and running options aren’t really as important, since I’ll only be doing nominal workouts anyway, just trying to keep sharp.
Some nice trails to run on would be sweet.
Good places to eat? Get a beer? Preferably a nice microbrew?
Must-do touristy stuff? Great hikes? Fun for the family? (we have a feisty 4 year old).
I’m thinking of trying to bribe the Mrs to let me go climbing at Cathedral for a day, although since I only have one day on rock (ok, so it was only actually 2 hours :-p) this season, that might be kinda a waste.
Any suggestions and input are greatly appreciated!! THX in advance!
-M
Bring the 4 yr old to Story Land for the day…its a clean, fun park.
Drive to the top of Mt. Washington (hiking Tucks would be awesome but not taper-wise)
Echo lake is a great place to do some swimming
Bike to the top of Cathedral Ledge near Echo lake if you are early in the week. I personally think it is the steepest climb of ten minutes or less around
Drive to the top of Catherdral Ledge if you dont want to bike
Flatbread Pizza is a good place to bring the family for dinner and a beer.
Go to Eastern Mountain Sports and ask them about anything outside as they have lots of local experts
Definately ask where Bear Notch is and do the bike loop from EMS (about 40 miles)
Drive the Kancamangus Highway and take a dip in the Swift river.
My FAVORITE thing to do which is kinda a local tip. Go to Glen Ellis Campground and rent a innertube for 5 bucks and float to the bridge in N.Conway…friend did it last week in about 5 hours. Crystal clear mellow ride.
Wow…ten things, that was fun. Can you tell I like going up there.
I don’t fall for the cutesie pub/steakhouses named after wildlife (usually with the word moose somewhere in there), but try a restaurant called Flatbread. As far as running, I usually stay around glen and run north on rt 16 as I’m afraid of meeting bears on the back roads. Cathedral rock is gorgeous; Echo lake, not so much (you may be able to get some OW swimming in there, but I doubt it’s more than .2mi across. The red jacket resort has a decent sized outdoor pool, but we’ve been renting chalets for the last few years and I either didn’t swim or got a pass for the country club. Now that I think about it, you should be able to get some good running in right out of N Conway towards echo lake park. North out of town and take a left at the last light (river road) follow it out to west side and loop back around to town. about 13 miles by mapmyrun. I usually don’t bring my bike so I can’t help you there, you can take 16 towards gorham though; but between you and glen will be some pretty ugly (bad traffic) roads.
oh, and about storyland. If you enter after 3, after paying full admission you can enter any other day, even the next one, free. It’s a nice way to split up the visit. I think it’s only open until 6pm.
i’ll give a 3rd vote for Storyland - we just got back from there yesterday (kids 6/4/ and 2)
The 2 oldest had the most to do.
btw…I also learned that beyond the after 3pm program, if it rains for over 30 mins, they’ll give you passes to come back AGAIN.
we unfortunately had to take them up on that after splashing through 2 hours of rain yesterday.
Microbrews, def. hit up the Moat Mtn Brewery. (also fairly kid friendly outside of the bar area)
If your looking to get on the rock (guided I assume?) Al Hospers is a local guide and avid roadie. He guides out of IME, so your best bet would be to call them and see if he is available. He also is the moderator for neclimbs.com and nebikes.com
There is also a new L.G. factory store downtown with 20-30% off everything.
Wildcat mtn has a new zipline setup this summer (not sure if it’s up and running yet), cruise down the mtn above the tree tops looking back at Tucks and Washington.
I’m torn between Met and Frontside. Frontside I think has better coffee, but Met has nicer seating and cool hand made mugs, of which, we have three. I’ll be throwing some back shortly after finishing the Mt Wash hillclimb next weekend, no doubt. Followed by a nice Couer d’filet of beef at the 1785 Inn and a good bottle of wine.
Great Glen Trails has nice wide groomed trails to run on. It’s right by the Mt Washington Auto Road so you could combine the two and get in a nice run before driving to the top.
Not sure if it is still there, but there was an excellent breakfast place in Jackson Village called Yesterday’s. Haven’t been there in a while but the blueberry pancakes were awesome.
Driving the Kanc is fun as well. When you get to the other end, go about a mile or two further to the Woodstock Pub and Brewery. Very good food and the beer is excellent.
I swam in Echo this spring and I’d guess it’s longer than .2 miles length-wise. We were there before the lifeguards so swam outside the defined swim beach area and found it really nice.
Also some great riding around there, but I don’t know what you’re up to right before Timberman. Pinkham Notch or Evans Notch are both climbs that aren’t terribly steep. One direction of Evans is easier than the other, so look that up, if you go.
Great Glen Trails will be crazy this weekend with the 24 hour mountain bike race. It is fun to watch people coming down the “plunge” though. There is also a biathlon on Saturday morning, Wildman Biathlon. I’ve done that race before Timberman a couple times. Fun race! Fast 10k on rolling hills, 22.5 mile bike to Wildcat Mountain, then 3 mile run to the top. Your family can ride the gondola to the top while you run up. West Side Road (parellel to rte 16) is nice to ride on. Not much traffic (no crazy outlet shoppers) and wide shoulders.
