Major city · United States
Lincoln, New HampshireLincoln
Base here 2 nights for Franconia Notch and Loon; skip it as a standalone stop — it is a 1,600-person town, not a city.
Lincoln is a small White Mountains town (population about 1,660) on I-93 at the western edge of Franconia Notch State Park. It works as a base for the Flume Gorge, the Kancamagus Highway and Loon Mountain skiing, and as a stop on the drive between Boston and northern New Hampshire. Two nights covers the notch and one scenic drive; add a night for skiing or a full Kancamagus crossing.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Oct (hiking, foliage); Dec–Mar for skiing
- avoid Apr–May (mud season, some attractions closed); peak fall weekends for traffic
- Airports
- MHT · BOS
- Nights
- 2
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.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Lincoln, New Hampshire911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Lincoln, New Hampshire, 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
- SafetyA low-crime small town; the real risks are mountain weather, slippery trails and wildlife, not crime.
Show all 12 answers
- 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.
- AirportMHT Manchester-Boston Regional (About 1 h 45 min by car via I-93 north; nearest larger airport.).
- Getting aroundA car is effectively required: attractions are spread along I-93, US-3 and Route 112 with no useful local transit.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–5
- Sit-down mealDinner main$18–35
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
- Budget bedBudget motel or cabin, a night, per roomUS$90
- Mid-range bedBudget motel or cabin, a night, per roomUS$150
- High-end bedBudget motel or cabin, a night, per roomUS$260
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$160 · High US$300
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
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
- MHT Manchester-Boston Regional (About 1 h 45 min by car via I-93 north; nearest larger airport.) · BOS Boston Logan International (About 2 h 30 min by car; more flights but a longer drive.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Feb
Best
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Mar
Best
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Apr
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Oct
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Dec
Best
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Best: Jun–Oct, Dec–Mar. Avoid: Apr–May. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C) low), wettest Dec (13 rain days), driest Feb (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Lincoln, New Hampshire: 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
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
12 rd
Feb
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
10 rd
Mar
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
11 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
11 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
12 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Sep
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
Nov
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
12 rd
Dec
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is effectively required: attractions are spread along I-93, US-3 and Route 112 with no useful local transit. I-93 Exit 32 leads straight to Main Street. Gas up before the Kancamagus Highway — there are no services along its 34.5 miles.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Franconia Notch and the Flume Gorge
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Drive I-93 north from Lincoln, about 10–15 min to the Flume and notch attractions
The Flume is a 2-mile self-guided walk through the chasm; wear shoes with grip.
Kancamagus Highway to Conway
goDoor to door: About 1 h without stops
Drive Route 112 east, 34.5 miles
Scenic overlooks the whole way; no gas or services on the route.
North Conway
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Drive Route 112 (Kancamagus) or US-302
See things to do in North Conway.
Bretton Woods
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Drive US-302 north via Twin Mountain
See things to do in Bretton Woods.
Waterville Valley
goDoor to door: About 35 min
Drive Route 49 east off I-93
See the Waterville Valley guide.
Littleton
goDoor to door: About 35 min
Drive I-93 north to Exit 41/42
See the Littleton, New Hampshire guide.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Main Street / Route 112 (Lincoln Center)
Walkable strip of motels, restaurants and shops; closest to the Kancamagus Highway start.
Route 3 / Loon Mountain Road
Resorts and slopeside lodging near Loon Mountain; a short drive from the centre.
Pemi River cabins
Riverside motels and cabins along US-3; quieter, still close to the notch.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
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
| Mid-range hotel or resort room1 × 2 nights × US$220 | US$440 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$160 | US$640 |
| Flume Gorge entry, adult2 × US$20 · check | US$40 |
| Loon Mountain lift ticket, one day2 × US$100 · check | US$200 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$135 |
| Trip total≈ US$371 per person per day, bed included | US$1,485 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; prices shown before sales tax. Flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–5 |
| Casual lunch or burger | $12–20 |
| Dinner main | $18–35 |
| Ice cream | $5–8 |
| Gallon of gascheck | $3–4 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No gas stations or services on the Kancamagus Highway (Route 112): fill up before you start.
- Mud season (roughly April–May) closes or limits some attractions and trails.
- Fall-foliage weekends bring heavy traffic and full lodging; book ahead.
- Mountain weather changes fast: carry layers and traction for wet, slippery trails.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Lincoln, New HampshireLincoln
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Lincoln; most are in Washington, DC, with consulates in Boston.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Flume Gorge entry, adult: about $20 (check)
- Loon Mountain day lift ticket: about $100 (check)
- Hobo Railroad round trip, adult: about $13 (check)
Say or show
- Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
- Is the road open? — Is the road open?
- How far to the next gas station? — How far to the next gas station?
- Do you take cards? — Do you take cards?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
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 Lincoln, New Hampshire. 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 (hiking, foliage); Dec–Mar for skiing · avoid Apr–May (mud season, some attractions closed); peak fall weekends for traffic · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for MHT and BOS: drive times, rental-car desks, last sensible arrival hour.
- Walking clusters on Main Street with rescue anchors for rain days.
- Place pages with verified hours and prices (Flume Gorge, Loon Mountain, Clark's Trading Post, Whale's Tale) and eat pages with last orders.
- Seasonal fixtures: foliage weekends, ski-season shuttles, mud-season closures.