I had always dreamed of visiting the White Mountains of New Hampshire. But, somehow, it had remained unchecked on my list of dream travel opportunities. So, when I recently got the itch to explore and my boyfriend had some time off from work, we knew it was the perfect time for a spontaneous road trip.
Filled with curiosity and a longing to immerse ourselves in nature’s wonders, we embarked on an adventure that promised stunning scenery, charming towns, and the fulfillment of a long-held desire to explore a place that had captured our hearts from afar.
Here’s the 36-hour breakdown of our itinerary from our fall road trip to the White Mountains of New Hampshire:
Day 1 in the White Mountains
Pit Stop in Vermont
After 3.5 hours on the road from New Jersey, we first stopped at the Guilford Welcome Center in Southern Vermont.
Located in the idyllic countryside and boasting a well-curated selection of Vermont-made products, including maple syrup and artisan crafts, we found it to be quite warm and hospitable, even if we were just stopping through.
We took a few photos at the welcome center and stopped at a nearby Subway for a bite to eat. Then, we continued driving before the daylight escaped us. We didn’t want to end up traversing the White Mountains’ windy roads in the dark.
Hiking Artist’s Bluff and Bald Mountain – Franconia Notch State Park
We made pretty good time, finally landing in the Franconia region of New Hampshire around 4:30pm.
Before we checked into our hotel for the night, we chose to savor the day’s final moments of sunlight by doing the Artist’s Bluff and Bald Mountain loop hike in Franconia Notch State Park (~1.5mi).
Besides, after all that sitting in the car, our legs could use a stretch.
It took us a minute to find the beginning of the hiking trail, but once we saw where the few other cars were parked, we were well on our way. (There’s a large dirt parking lot just north of the Cannon Mountain RV Park on Route 18.)
The moderately challenging hike took us meandering through the woods of New Hampshire before leading to an excellent viewpoint of Echo Lake and the notch. Our trip aligned with the beginning of the fall foliage, so, the colors of the leaves were just starting to change, making the view from the summit especially scenic.
Hotel Check-In/Dinner Pt 1
It was around 7pm by the time we got back to the car. By then, it was definitely time to freshen up and grab dinner before clocking in for the night.
I had booked our hotel room at The Chandler at White Mountains seamlessly on the Booking.com mobile app while we were on the road.
The hotel was easy to find and located in a quiet neighborhood.
However, we ended up getting stuck in line in the lobby behind a family that had lost their credit card between booking and arrival, which made for a lengthy check-in. But, I chalk that hotel problem up to bad luck and poor timing on our end. We did, eventually, end up getting to skip ahead of them.
Aside from the light eavesdropping opportunity, the lobby had a variety of local maps to look at and these fun, electric, “floating” fireplaces that kept us entertained in the meantime. I mean, have you ever seen these before?!
Once we arrived, our room itself was comfortable, clean and spacious.
Fortunately, it was also just a minute down the road from Rek-Lis Brewing Company, our stop for dinner.
As I’d expect most weekend nights to be, the brewpub was quite busy. We found ourselves sitting on the heated deck away from most of the hustle and bustle. The staff was friendly, we were hungry, and Leon Bridges’ smooth voice playing in the background was all the more reason to stay.
(My boyfriend had never heard of Leon Bridges before this trip. Now? He’s a lifelong fan!)
Day 2 in the White Mountains
In the morning, we took advantage of the continental breakfast complementary to our hotel stay. We knew we’d be busy and could use fuel for the next few hours.
After packing our weekend bags up, we were on the road once again. (After all, a road trip to the White Mountains wouldn’t be a road trip without some driving!)
The Kancamagus Highway
Of course, not visiting the famous Kancamagus Highway “the Kanc” during a fall road trip to the White Mountains would be a disservice. So, that was first on the agenda for Day 2 of our road trip to the White Mountains.
We had a shaky start to the 34.5-mile scenic drive, getting stuck behind various construction vehicles for about eight miles. Thankfully, we were some of the lucky ones who were able to pass around them, once we saw an opportunity. One upside to this was that because everyone else was held up, we were able to beat traffic and had many of the initial viewpoints to ourselves.
However, even accounting for our luck, it took us about 3-hours to go from one end of the Kancamagus Highway to the other. The road, only covering a total distance of roughly 34.5 miles, had many scenic viewpoints that beckoned us to stop and enjoy.
Some highlights of the Kancamagus Highway include:
Sabbaday Falls
Sabbaday Falls is a captivating multi-level waterfall that ranks among the top attractions along the Kancamagus Highway.
The waterfall itself is located in the forest a short distance, but it took less than a 15-minute walk to get to from the parking lot where we parked our car. The path itself is wide, well-maintained, and mostly flat, making it particularly popular amongst older adults and families with young children.
Rocky Gorge
We stumbled upon the Rocky Gorge by accident and were so glad we did! This area of the Swift River is made up of stacks of flat rocks as far as the eye can see. You can choose to walk the path along the river, or make yourself at home at the picnic tables and nearby restrooms.
But, make sure you get up close and take in the views from the bridge that crosses the river, too. The views of the Rocky Gorge from the bridge are a real photographer’s dream. Especially during peak leaf-peeping season!
Lower Falls
The Lower Falls area was easily the most popular destination we stopped at along the Kancamagus Highway throughout the day. Similar to the Rocky Gorge, this area of the Swift River is loaded with large boulders and small waterfalls. On a hot day, you can bring your kids or pets here to swim and cool off. For parties looking to spend a relaxing afternoon outdoors, grills and restrooms are also available for use.
Albany Covered Bridge
The Albany Covered Bridge is a charming historic bridge located in Albany, New Hampshire. Measuring 120-feet in length, the Albany Covered Bridge spans the Swift River and stands as a testament to the region’s rich heritage and architectural beauty. Its construction dates back to 1858. As of 2023, it’s only one of 54 covered bridges scattered throughout New Hampshire.
If your vehicle is under 7’9”, you can drive across the bridge for a truly unique experience. In fact, it’s the only way to get to the Covered Bridge Campground, if you choose to stay there.
At this point, it was about 2pm and we knew we didn’t have much daylight left. So, we chose to forgo lunch and just eat some snacks in the car instead. This saved time and let us squeeze in another activity for the day. Had we stopped in the town of Conway, we would have eaten lunch at either Almost There (American) or Banners (home cooking).
Mount Washington (A Road Trip to the White Mountains Must Do!)
Our road trip to the White Mountains wouldn’t be complete without a drive up Mount Washington. So, that’s where we headed to next.
Mount Washington is the highest peak in the northeastern United States, standing at an impressive 6,388 feet (1,917 meters). Aside from its height, Mount Washington is known for its breathtaking panoramic views and its unpredictable weather conditions.
Luckily, during our road trip to the White Mountains, skies were sunny.
Once we paid the admission fee ($30-45, depending on vehicle type) and got our complementary bumper sticker at the entrance, it took about 45-minutes to drive the 7.6 miles or so to the summit. The road up, Mount Washington Auto Road, features an average gradient of about 12 degrees, making it one of the steepest and challenging roads to drive in the United States. So, the drive is not for the faint at heart!
Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or choose to face your fear of heights on Mount Washington, like I did, however, I’m sure you’ll find the views from the summit well-worth the trip.
After getting a few photos in, be sure to check out the Mount Washington Observatory. Here, you can explore the Weather Discover Center, gift shop, and send a postcard with a special Mount Washington postmark. You may even get the chance to see Nimbus, the gray shorthair cat, who lives at the observatory, before making the drive back down the mountain.
Dinner/Hotel
We had no Wi-Fi nor cell reception on the top of Mount Washington. So, once we got to the bottom again, we pulled over to figure out our next move. This is where better trip planning could have come into play. It was already past 5pm and most restaurants and hotels in the area were either closing soon or booked.
For dinner, we ended up getting takeout Thai at Bangkok Cafe in North Conway. They wouldn’t seat us since we came in so late. I think the owner felt bad for turning us away, though. Once he saw our tip and our appreciation for making us a tasty meal, he wouldn’t let us leave without a few complementary sodas in our bag.
With our food in tow, we headed to the Attitash Mountain Village in Bartlett, New Hampshire (not to confuse it with their sister site Attitash Motel, which we initially did). Here, we rented a cute condo for the night.
Truthfully, I wish we had more time to explore the Attitash Mountain Village. During the summer, the resort offers hiking trails, mountain biking routes, and opportunities for fishing in the nearby rivers and lakes. Plus, there are a few on-site restaurants, an outdoor pool and playground for those looking for a more family-friendly adventure. In the winter, guests can hit the slopes at the nearby Attitash Mountain Resort for skiing and snowboarding.
The End of Our Road Trip
Our road trip to the White Mountains of New Hampshire came to a close once we checked out of the resort in the morning. (We actually headed to Portland, Maine for a brief detour before going home to see the lighthouses along the coast.) It was bittersweet saying goodbye to the scenic landscapes, charming towns, and unforgettable experiences we had encountered during our visit. But, we’re grateful for having experienced the beauty of New Hampshire and hope to see the state again soon!
Would You Road Trip to the White Mountains of New Hampshire?
Would you, or have you ever, taken a road trip to the White Mountains of New Hampshire? Let me know what you did and how it went in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you and trade travel stories!
