North Conway, NH Recs?

[cjcouple]

Me again! You all were so helpful in the spring when we had an overnight excursion over spring break and stayed in southern NH. We had a great time.

We decided to go back to NH but further up. Staying in North Conway. We have been up there a few times but boys were younger so we did the whole kiddie stuff. "Storyland, Santa's village" type stuff. Now my boys are 14 and 12.

So we are looking at possibly Cranmore for a day, hiking up black cap trial, driving to Lost river gorge one day and back on Kanagmangus and possibly finding a stop off to explore, etc.

But one thing I'm struggling with narrowing down is: My husband really wants to do a scenic train ride. But I'm struggling to find a decent one. I'm looking at Conway Scenic Railway the 2hr ride. the one hour seems like its not enough (7 mins out an back and not great reviews). There's also the Hobo Railroad in Lincoln but again, iffy reviews.

Then there's a Lake Winnepisaukee Scenic railroad. 2 hours around lake. Leaning toward this.

Then I saw there's a riding rail thing (where you pedal x 4 person) in laconia which looks cool (if its not raining). lol

Anyone know about any of these? Or even a rail adventure I didn't mention?

There's so much to do uup there, I'm probably missing opportunities. Thoughts?

[oregonpachey]

I think the Cog railway is super fun. You go to the top of Mt. Washington which is fascinating in of itself.

[cjcouple]

Jul 19, 2021 15:01:51 GMT -5 oregonpachey said:

I think the Cog railway is super fun. You go to the top of Mt. Washington which is fascinating in of itself.

I should've mentioned, not this one. lol. It's so expensive $76 each before taxes and with the weather we have been having (so much rain!!!) I'd rather not risk it this trip. The other rails are about $22 each. except the pedal one is $145 for all 4 of us.

[bcv513]

Attitash and Cranmore both have adventure parks that I bet your kids would love. Mountain coasters and zip lines and stuff.

You can go tubing in the Saco river too. They have a bunch of different types of rides.

[bcv513]

It’s been awhile since I did the trains but I think the Hobo would be better for your kids. They used to have a dinner train. And there’s a mini golf course there too

[cjcouple]

Jul 19, 2021 15:41:27 GMT -5 bcv513 said:

Attitash and Cranmore both have adventure parks that I bet your kids would love. Mountain coasters and zip lines and stuff.

You can go tubing in the Saco river too. They have a bunch of different types of rides.

thanks! we need to book stuff soon. I've been bombarding my husband with links all day 🤣 I had tubing the Saco and Cranmore on my possible list. I've been mapping and pricing everything and writing it all down. lol

[starburst604]

We just did the Hobo train ride last week, honestly the kids were bored except for the 3 year old who just loves trains. It wasn’t very scenic at all, just riding through the woods out and back really. I suppose it would be ok if you packed a lunch and enjoyed a meal during it. I put my head down on the table and slept for a lot of it lol.

We did a the 1 hour Saco River float out of Conway and that was great! We’ve done it 2 years in a row. Just nice and chill riding along with river. We rented the cooler float and brought adult beverages and snacks for the kids. Great for all ages.

[starburst604]

Also at Loon Moutain in Lincoln (maybe a little far but was right near our condo) you can ride the gondola up to the mountaintop and explore caves, hike and do other activities. There’s a restaurant and scenic outlook.

[cjcouple]

Jul 19, 2021 19:57:58 GMT -5 starburst604 said:

We just did the Hobo train ride last week, honestly the kids were bored except for the 3 year old who just loves trains. It wasn’t very scenic at all, just riding through the woods out and back really. I suppose it would be ok if you packed a lunch and enjoyed a meal during it. I put my head down on the table and slept for a lot of it lol.

We did a the 1 hour Saco River float out of Conway and that was great! We’ve done it 2 years in a row. Just nice and chill riding along with river. We rented the cooler float and brought adult beverages and snacks for the kids. Great for all ages.

thats what i had been reading about hobo. I'm going to try and sell my husband on the rail trail in laconia.

Did you do the float recently? Today there is a note saying high water. 12yo+ swimmers only. I was wondering how current was.

Sadly 2 teens went missing on Farmington river here in CT days ago, and their bodies were just found :-( I think its much bigger than Saco and they didn't appear to have life jackets. Awful situation.

ETA: my youngest just turned 12 in June and while I consider him a good swimmer and have no doubt about his abilities in a pool. rushing currents are different situation.

[starburst604]

Jul 19, 2021 20:06:03 GMT -5 cjcouple said:

Jul 19, 2021 19:57:58 GMT -5 starburst604 said:

We just did the Hobo train ride last week, honestly the kids were bored except for the 3 year old who just loves trains. It wasn’t very scenic at all, just riding through the woods out and back really. I suppose it would be ok if you packed a lunch and enjoyed a meal during it. I put my head down on the table and slept for a lot of it lol.

We did a the 1 hour Saco River float out of Conway and that was great! We’ve done it 2 years in a row. Just nice and chill riding along with river. We rented the cooler float and brought adult beverages and snacks for the kids. Great for all ages.

thats what i had been reading about hobo. I'm going to try and sell my husband on the rail trail in laconia.

Did you do the float recently? Today there is a note saying high water. 12yo+ swimmers only. I was wondering how current was.

Sadly 2 teens went missing on Farmington river here in CT days ago, and their bodies were just found :-( I think its much bigger than Saco and they didn't appear to have life jackets. Awful situation.

Oh god that is awful. Yes we did the river float last Wed and that section of the river was very gentle. We had the 3 yr old and two 6 year olds (in vests at all times) and it was totally appropriate for them. Things could have changed since then though.

[starburst604]

Not sure which company you checked into, but this is the one we used for the first one listed, the 1 mile. It may depend what section of the river a company is on.

www.sacocanoerental.com/tubing-river-trips/

[dancingnancy]

I live in Laconia and the rail trail is new. Are there a lot of reviews? It leaves from the old train station downtown and I’m curious what route it takes.

[cjcouple]

Jul 19, 2021 20:52:41 GMT -5 dancingnancy said:

I live in Laconia and the rail trail is new. Are there a lot of reviews? It leaves from the old train station downtown and I’m curious what route it takes.

I haven't seen any reviews but if we do it, I will come back.  lol  It looks really fun anyway.  FB comments seem good 

[cjcouple]

Jul 19, 2021 20:15:04 GMT -5 starburst604 said:

Not sure which company you checked into, but this is the one we used for the first one listed, the 1 mile. It may depend what section of the river a company is on.

www.sacocanoerental.com/tubing-river-trips/

We were looking at Saco river tubing

[twinmomma]

The Conway Scenic Rail ride is pretty boring - just a ride through the woods and back. We've done it as the Polar Express and as a Thomas's Day Out and those were great because other things were involved. Just the ride is nothing special.

[bardenbellas]

There is an easy walk/hike to Diana's Baths (waterfalls) that everyone in my family enjoyed. We also like to have at least one breakfast/brunch at Peaches. If you like wood-fire pizza, then Flatbread is in the Eastern Mountain Slope in- there are a few franchises scattered about New England.

[marie]

I also agree that the scenic rail is boring. I recommend Diana's bath, saco river tubing (a must!), Cathedral Ledge and Echo lake.

[charteroakstate]

Sadly 2 teens went missing on Farmington river here in CT days ago, and their bodies were just found :-( I think its much bigger than Saco and they didn't appear to have life jackets. Awful situation.

ETA: my youngest just turned 12 in June and while I consider him a good swimmer and have no doubt about his abilities in a pool. rushing currents are different situation. [/quote]


This is a tragic situation, for sure, but has nothing to do with tubing. The tubing company that operates on the river in that area has been closed for over a week because of water levels and current. DEEP and local officials have issued daily warnings to stay out of the river as well. The teens went swimming in a spot that is not a designated area, and were told by a local resident not to go because the river was unsafe. This is local to me, and unfortunately, seems to be an annual disaster.

[cjcouple]

Jul 21, 2021 8:08:27 GMT -5 charteroakstate said:

Sadly 2 teens went missing on Farmington river here in CT days ago, and their bodies were just found :-( I think its much bigger than Saco and they didn't appear to have life jackets. Awful situation.

ETA: my youngest just turned 12 in June and while I consider him a good swimmer and have no doubt about his abilities in a pool. rushing currents are different situation.

This is a tragic situation, for sure, but has nothing to do with tubing. The tubing company that operates on the river in that area has been closed for over a week because of water levels and current. DEEP and local officials have issued daily warnings to stay out of the river as well. The teens went swimming in a spot that is not a designated area, and were told by a local resident not to go because the river was unsafe. This is local to me, and unfortunately, seems to be an annual disaster. [/quote]


Thanks. I actually saw water level dropped to 600+ csf and it is now saying age 6+ today with little rain in the forecast before our trip so tubing is on. Deciding today which day to book. :-)

When I posted this the tubing company did say 12+ swimmers only and "high water" so it had me nervous. All good.

[marie]

Also - Cranmore has awesome summer activities. If your kids like tree top adventures (ropes course & zip line), this would be great. You can also take a ski lift to the top of the mountain and have lunch at the mountaintop restaurant. The mountain coaster is fun too.

[outnumbered]

Keep in mind that the drive from Conway to Laconia is not short and summer traffic is hell. If you want to make it to Winnipesaukee drive to Wolfeboro and take a boat trip around the lake on The Mount Washington. cruisenh.com/.

[cjcouple]

Jul 21, 2021 11:28:17 GMT -5 outnumbered said:

Keep in mind that the drive from Conway to Laconia is not short and summer traffic is hell. If you want to make it to Winnipesaukee drive to Wolfeboro and take a boat trip around the lake on The Mount Washington. cruisenh.com/.

Ohhh, we already booked the bike rail. It said an hour 15 mins but we plan to leave early and allow extra time.

ETA: Also, not sure if it matters but we are not there for the weekend much. We arrive late Sunday and stay until Thursday. I know it's all high tourist area anyway but other than rail bike and tubing, nothing else is timed right now.

[mswax]

A few ideas...

Hikes: Diana's baths are cool, but parking is a nightmare. Some shorter, but still cool hikes I recommend are Arethusa Falls (waterfall) & Mt. Willard (great views of Crawford Notch).

Tubing on the Saco is fun, and there are really no rapids. We go ourselves with our own tubes, but it requires 2 cars or someone with a bike to get cars from start to finish.

Rock climbing: you can hire a guide to take you climbing on Cathedral Ledge. Super fun, not too scary, and very safe.

Food: Moat Mountain is amazing casual food

[bugmeetsworld]

Jul 19, 2021 15:40:08 GMT -5 cjcouple said:

Jul 19, 2021 15:01:51 GMT -5 oregonpachey said:

I think the Cog railway is super fun. You go to the top of Mt. Washington which is fascinating in of itself.

I should've mentioned, not this one. lol. It's so expensive $76 each before taxes and with the weather we have been having (so much rain!!!) I'd rather not risk it this trip. The other rails are about $22 each. except the pedal one is $145 for all 4 of us.

We drove up the Mt. Washington Auto Road last summer and enjoyed it. You can listen to an audio tour and the views are amazing!

[cjcouple]

Jul 19, 2021 20:52:41 GMT -5 dancingnancy said:

I live in Laconia and the rail trail is new. Are there a lot of reviews? It leaves from the old train station downtown and I’m curious what route it takes.

Update: We did the laconia bike rail. It was more work than I expected but a good workout. lol. It was neat though. Workers were all super nice.

It left veterans square and over the Lake Winnipesaukee river bridge and then rode along Lake Winnisquam for 2.5 miles. The trek out seemed like it inclined a lot but the 2.5 miles back were much easier since it was more decline. I mean it was fine, I would go again. Probably not there (been there done that) but I'd do a rail bike elsewhere.

[dancingnancy]

Jul 29, 2021 16:49:54 GMT -5 cjcouple said:

Jul 19, 2021 20:52:41 GMT -5 dancingnancy said:

I live in Laconia and the rail trail is new. Are there a lot of reviews? It leaves from the old train station downtown and I’m curious what route it takes.

Update: We did the laconia bike rail. It was more work than I expected but a good workout. lol. It was neat though. Workers were all super nice.

It left veterans square and over the Lake Winnipesaukee river bridge and then rode along Lake Winnisquam for 2.5 miles. The trek out seemed like it inclined a lot but the 2.5 miles back were much easier since it was more decline. I mean it was fine, I would go again. Probably not there (been there done that) but I'd do a rail bike elsewhere.

Thank you! This is all good info cause my friends and I have been curious.