Things to Do in the White Mountains of New Hampshire: Where to Eat, Stay, and Play
Discover the best things to do in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, a region known for its stunning scenery and opportunities for adventure.
By Yankee Magazine|Oct 23 2025|
Downtown Littleton, with its scenic Riverwalk Covered Bridge and picturesque Schilling Beer HQ.
Photo Credit: Cait BourgaultOne of the most storied regions in New England, the beautiful White Mountains of New Hampshire offer hundreds of thousands of acres of fun. The vast area stretches across the northern part of the state from its western border with Vermont to its eastern side, abutting Maine, and encompasses a U.S. National Forest. At its heart lies Mount Washington and the Presidential Range, including nine peaks above 4,000 feet, most of which are named for former U.S. presidents. The region has been shaped by a long history of outdoor recreation, tourism, and the logging and timber industry. Discover each town’s unique personality and find plenty of things to do, from visiting craft breweries to shopping for goods by New England makers, as well as hiking and skiing and luxuriating in fine hotels, with our picks for the best things to do in the White Mountains featured below.
Things to Do in the White Mountains of NH
Where to Eat & Drink in the White Mountains
The Place Above the Notch, Bethlehem: Welcoming café and coworking space roasting shade-grown, fair-trade beans weekly. theplaceabovethenotch.com
Rek-Lis Brewing Company, Bethlehem: Relaxed brewpub with 15 craft beers on tap, loaded smashburgers, and a slate of vegetarian options. reklisbrewing.com
Schilling Beer Co., Littleton: Sip outstanding European-style beers in the contemporary tasting room, the adjacent historic pub, or the warming huts in the beer gardens. schillingbeer.com
The Sunrise Shack, Glen: Fuel up for a day in the mountains or shops with robust breakfast bowls in this funky, cheery roadside cabin. sunriseshack.com
Photo Credit : Cait Bourgault
Super Secret Ice Cream, Bethlehem: Indecisive types can order a flight of flavors at this innovative, sustainability-focused scoop shop, a 2025 James Beard Award finalist. supersecreticecream.com
Where to Stay in the White Mountains
Adair Country Inn, Bethlehem: The Christmas Tree Package at this century-old inn on 180 wooded acres includes an outing to nearby historic estate The Rocks to pick out the perfect tree and wreath. adairinn.com
The Inn at Thorn Hill, Jackson: At this luxury retreat just for grown-ups, you can right-size your stay with a room, suite, or cottage—or the six-bedroom Carriage House for a group getaway. Spa and fine-dining restaurant on-site. innatthornhill.com
Photo Credit : Cait Bourgault
Photo Credit : Cait Bourgault
Omni Mount Washington Resort & Spa, Bretton Woods: This elegant mountain view outpost offers cross-country skiing, casual and upscale dining, plus special family-oriented holiday activities every December weekend. omnihotels.com/hotels/bretton-woods-mount-washington
Villa Hygge, North Conway: Serene Scandinavian design—think blond wood and sheepskin throws—and a Nordic spa set this in-town boutique hotel apart. villahyggehotel.com
Photo Credit : Cait Bourgault
The Wentworth, Jackson: If you can pull yourself away from your suite’s country-elegant furnishings and gas fireplace, the romantic 1869 Room restaurant and snug Alpine tavern await. thewentworth.com
What to Do in the White Mountains
Bretton Woods Ski Area, Bretton Woods: New Hampshire’s largest ski area also has one of the state’s most beautiful summit eateries, the soaring timber-and-glass Rosebrook Lodge. brettonwoods.com
Photo Credit : Cait Bourgault
Conway Scenic Railroad, North Conway: All aboard for two Christmastime journeys departing from North Conway’s historic station: the family-favorite Santa’s Holiday Express, and the Winter Mountaineer through spectacular Crawford Notch. conwayscenic.com
Cranmore Mountain Resort, North Conway: Opened in 1937, this sunny, south-facing family favorite has 56 trails and a tubing park. cranmore.com
Photo Credit : Cait Bourgault
Jackson Ski Touring Center, Jackson: Strike out from the village center onto nearly 100 miles of trails for skiers of all abilities, with rentals and lessons available. jacksonxc.org
Photo Credit : Cait Bourgault
Nestlenook Farm, Jackson: Come for ice skating (weather permitting) on a magical three-acre Victorian skating park, stay for bonfire s’mores. nestlenookfarmnh.com
New England Ski Museum, North Conway: Showcasing the White Mountains’ extraordinary ski history through art and exhibits. newenglandskimuseum.org
Where to Shop in the White Mountains
Bella Funk, Littleton: Of-the-moment women’s apparel and accessories in a landmark 19th-century brick building. bellafunkboutique.com
Brown Paper Packages, Bethlehem: Specializing in goods from small New England makers, plus shippable curated gift boxes. Facebook
Just L, Littleton: Find gifts for retro-loving friends at this purveyor of midcentury modern decor. Facebook
League of NH Craftsmen, Littleton: One of six galleries statewide run by this nearly 100-year-old nonprofit champion of fine craft. nhcrafts.org
Little Village Toy & Book Shop, Littleton: Classic toys and games, and a highly browsable selection of bestsellers and local-interest books. littlevillagetoy.com
Photo Credit : Cait Bourgault
Lonesome Woods, Bethlehem: Mountain-themed antiques, vintage apparel, and more, in a brimming barn-like shop. lonesomewoods.com
North Conway 5 and 10 Cent Store, North Conway: 1930s general store selling penny candy and souvenirs behind a distinctive boomtown false front. Facebook
The Store & Gallery at WREN, Bethlehem: Showcasing local and regional artists to benefit the Women’s Rural Entrepreneurial Network. wrenworks.org
White Mountain Puzzles, Jackson: Nostalgia-leaning American-made jigsaw puzzles to help while away the long New England winter. whitemountainpuzzles.com
Photo Credit : Cait Bourgault
Zeb’s General Store, North Conway: Crafts, toys, books, New England specialty foods, and the sweet nostalgia of a soda fountain. zebs.com
What are your favorite things to do in the White Mountains? Let us know below!
This feature was originally published as part of “Peak Holidays: A Christmas Visit to the White Mountains of New Hampshire” in the November/December 2025 issue of Yankee.
My husband and I found fantastic bagels and cream cheese at Big Dave’s Deli in North Conway, and then we found out afterwards that Guy Fieri loves the place. Dave is from the NY Catskill area and was making bagels in NY for years before he moved to New Hampshire. He’s a super guy if you’re lucky enough to catch him while you’re there. Everything is extremely tasty in this place. I was happy to see they sell Jamaican meat/beef pies, but they’re on the spicy side and I like them mild, but they were really good anyway. Still, the bagels are worth the 2 hr 15 min drive from the coast of Maine that we make several times a year. Yes, just for bagels and cream cheese!