Major city · United States
North Conway
Base here 2–3 nights if you want outlet shopping plus easy access to Cathedral Ledge and Diana's Baths; skip it if you came only for Mount Washington hiking.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Oct for hiking and foliage; Jan–Mar for skiing
- avoid Nov (mud season, many closures); peak foliage weekends in early Oct for crowds
- Airports
- PWM · MHT · BOS
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
North Conway is a valley town in New Hampshire's White Mountains, about two hours north of Boston by car. It works as a base for Cathedral Ledge, Diana's Baths and Echo Lake, and as a rainy-day stop for the outlet strip on Route 16. Most visitors come for 2–3 nights, often paired with skiing at Cranmore or Attitash in winter. A car is the practical way to get here and to move between sights.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about North Conway, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyLow-crime resort town; the real risks are mountain weather, icy trails and wildlife on the roads at dusk.
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPWM Portland International Jetport (About 1 h 30 min by car; rental cars at the airport).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: sights sit 5–15 min apart on Route 16 and West Side Road, and there is no useful local bus.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$10–18
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
- Museum or sight ticketEcho Lake State Park entry, adultcheck$4
- Budget bedHostel or motel bed, a night, per personUS$45
- Mid-range bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$190
- High-end bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$380
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$170 · High US$320
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PWM Portland International Jetport (About 1 h 30 min by car; rental cars at the airport) · MHT Manchester-Boston Regional (About 2 h by car; rental cars at the airport) · BOS Boston Logan International (About 2 h 30 min by car; the usual long-haul gateway)
Weather and climate
North Conway: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−1°C30°F
−13°C9°F
10 rd
Feb
1°C34°F
−12°C10°F
9 rd
Mar
6°C43°F
−7°C19°F
10 rd
Apr
13°C55°F
0°C32°F
11 rd
May
20°C68°F
6°C43°F
12 rd
Jun
24°C75°F
11°C52°F
12 rd
Jul
27°C81°F
13°C55°F
11 rd
Aug
26°C79°F
12°C54°F
10 rd
Sep
21°C70°F
8°C46°F
9 rd
Oct
14°C57°F
2°C36°F
10 rd
Nov
7°C45°F
−3°C27°F
11 rd
Dec
1°C34°F
−9°C16°F
11 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical choice: sights sit 5–15 min apart on Route 16 and West Side Road, and there is no useful local bus. Taxis and rideshare exist but are thin in the evening. In winter, snow tyres or all-wheel drive help on the side roads.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Jackson, New Hampshire
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Drive Route 16 north, about 15 min
Covered bridge and a short walk; easy half-day add-on.
Glen
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Drive Route 302 east, about 15 min
Base for the Mount Washington Auto Road and Glen Ellis Falls.
Bretton Woods
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Drive Route 302 north, about 40 min
Historic resort and ski area; a full day if you add the cog railway.
Franconia
goDoor to door: About 1 h 10 min
Drive Route 302 west then I-93 north, about 1 h
Flume Gorge and Cannon Mountain; start early.
Lincoln, New Hampshire
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Drive the Kancamagus Highway (Route 112) west, about 1 h
The drive itself is the attraction; allow stops for overlooks.
Littleton, New Hampshire
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
Drive Route 302 west then I-93 north, about 1 h 15 min
Long for a return day; better as a stop on a loop.
Waterville Valley
goDoor to door: About 1 h 10 min
Drive Route 16 south then Route 49 west, about 1 h
Skiing in winter, hiking and a small village in summer.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
North Conway Village
Walkable to the Conway Scenic Railroad and restaurants; quietest for a car-free evening.
Route 16 strip (White Mountain Highway)
Motels and chain hotels next to the outlets; you need a car for everything.
West Side Road
Closest to Cathedral Ledge, Diana's Baths and Echo Lake; quieter, still needs a car.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $90–150 excl. bed
- Mid
- $150–260 excl. bed
- High
- $260+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or hotel double room1 × 2 nights × US$190 | US$380 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$170 | US$680 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$70 · check | US$70 |
| Echo Lake State Park entry, adult2 × US$4 · check | US$8 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$117 |
| Trip total≈ US$321 per person per day, bed included | US$1,285 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Diner breakfast | $10–18 |
| Casual lunch or pub meal | $15–28 |
| Ski lift ticket, daycheck | $80–130 |
| Echo Lake State Park entry, adultcheck | $4 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Mount Washington's summit weather changes fast; carry layers even on a warm valley day.
- Diana's Baths and Echo Lake parking fills by mid-morning in summer and on foliage weekends.
- Many shops on the strip close early in the evening; plan shopping before dinner.
- Cell signal drops on parts of the Kancamagus Highway and the side roads.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
North ConwayNorth Conway
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies here; most countries' consulates are in Boston or New York.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi, in-town hop: $10–20 (check)
- Rental car, one day: from about $70 (check)
- Echo Lake State Park entry, adult: $4 (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is the road open? — Is the road open?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for North Conway. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Oct for hiking and foliage; Jan–Mar for skiing · avoid Nov (mud season, many closures); peak foliage weekends in early Oct for crowds · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for PWM, MHT and BOS: rental-car desk hours, last sensible arrival, taxi fallback.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Village, Route 16 strip, West Side Road, Echo Lake.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Cathedral Ledge, Diana's Baths, Echo Lake, Conway Scenic Railroad) and eat pages with last orders.
- Foliage and winter-storm fixtures so gates A–D can go green.