North Conway, NH

House-brewed beer and a smokehouse menu in a converted 1840s farmhouse on the north end of the village. It's the valley's default brewpub — barbecue, burgers, and flights, busy year-round.

A ski-town tavern that's been the valley's all-around crowd-pleaser for decades — pub fare, seafood, and a surprisingly serious sushi menu under the same roof. Walls covered in vintage ski and rail memorabilia.

An Irish pub and restaurant on a hillside south of the village with valley views from the deck. Boxty, shepherd's pie, and a pour of Guinness, with live trad music on weekend afternoons.

A small white-tablecloth Italian room tucked off Seavey Street, doing classic red-sauce and veal-and-marsala cooking with a real wine list. The village's go-to for a sit-down Italian dinner.

A family-run Indian kitchen on the south end of the strip — biryanis, vindaloos, and tandoor breads, dependably the only proper Indian food for an hour in any direction. Low-key room, warm service.

A hacienda-style Mexican spot off the main highway with a deep tequila list and a big patio. Sizeable portions, strong margaritas, and the valley's most reliable Mexican sit-down.

A tiny family-run breakfast-and-lunch room on the south end of the highway that locals rate as the valley's best morning meal. Hearty plates, scratch cooking, no frills, plain exterior.

A farm-to-table cafe inside a natural-foods grocer, sourcing from its own permaculture farm. Build-your-own grain and farm-salad bowls, organic baked bread, and the valley's strongest plant-forward menu.

An artisan grilled-cheese shop with a full bar at the south end of town. A short menu of stacked melts plus tomato soup, with vegan and gluten-free breads at no upcharge — a fast, kid-proof lunch.

A long-running owner-run coffeehouse on Main Street with local roasts, scratch baked goods, and rotating local art on the walls. The village's sit-and-stay cafe, soups and sandwiches at lunch.

The valley's serious coffee roaster, with a relaxed village shop, espresso program, and breakfast sandwiches. The pre-hike fuel stop for locals and the highest-rated coffee in the area.

The dining room at the White Mountain Hotel on the quiet Hales Location side, with big windows on the Moats and a New England menu. The valley's special-occasion seat, live piano on weekends.

A locally owned ice cream stand in Intervale known for outsized scoops at honest prices, across the road from the Intervale scenic vista. The valley's post-hike reward stop.

A long-running Irish pub at the Jackson village junction known as much for live music as for its bar-room pizza and comfort plates. The valley's go-to casual night with a band.

A 3.2-mile out-and-back in Crawford Notch climbing a steady old carriage grade to a cliff-edge ledge looking straight down the U-shaped notch. The valley's best view-for-effort hike.

A roughly 3-mile out-and-back through forest to New Hampshire's tallest waterfall, a 140-plus-foot ribbon at the trail's end. Moderate with a steady grade and a few brook crossings.

A 6.2-mile out-and-back to a restored 1951 fire tower with a full 360 of the Presidentials, the Moats, and into Maine. The valley's marquee bigger-effort summit close to town.

A roughly 3-mile out-and-back from the Echo Lake beach up to the top of Cathedral Ledge, the hiking alternative to driving the auto road. Moderate climb with the same clifftop payoff.

An easy-to-moderate brook hike off the Kancamagus to a 70-foot tiered cascade, with the option to push on up Mount Chocorua. The falls alone make a relaxed half-day.

A roughly 7.5-mile round trip up the most photographed peak in the region, ending on a bare rocky cone with a full panorama. The valley's classic harder day hike.

A 3.4-mile loop off the Kancamagus near the Albany covered bridge, climbing through boulders to open ledges over the Swift River valley. A solid moderate half-day with a quick payoff.

A roughly 5-mile loop in Crawford Notch linking the cliff-top views over the railroad trestle with the state's tallest waterfall. The harder, more rewarding way to do Arethusa.

An easy, mostly flat forest loop to a quiet pond on the edge of North Conway village. The valley's low-key leg-stretcher when the big trails are mobbed or the weather's poor.

A network of flat, well-marked woods trails right off North Conway village, used for walking, running, and Nordic skiing. The in-town option that needs no drive or trailhead fee.

A wide ledge cascade and swimming area on the Swift River right off the Kancamagus, reached in a two-minute walk from the lot. Less a hike than a roadside water stop with smooth granite to lounge on.

A roughly 2.4-mile out-and-back from a high trailhead on Hurricane Mountain Road to an open granite summit with valley and Presidential views. Short effort for a wide payoff close to town.

Heritage train rides from the 1874 North Conway station — a short valley loop or the dramatic Mountaineer run through Crawford Notch past the Frankenstein Trestle. The village's signature attraction.

A ski hill in the village that flips to a summer adventure park with a mountain coaster, zip line, giant swing, and tubing. The valley's all-ages active day, walkable from town.

An independent Conway brewery with a big indoor-outdoor taproom, brick-oven pizza, and frequent live music. The valley's adult evening default that isn't a restaurant.

A storybook-themed amusement park in Glen built for younger kids — gentle rides, fairy-tale sets, and a couple of bigger coasters. The valley's marquee family attraction for the under-10 set.

A long-running Conway outfitter renting canoes, kayaks, tubes, and paddleboards on the gentle Saco River. The valley's easy on-water afternoon, with a self-return float past the launch.

A free, compact interactive science museum on Main Street about the extreme weather of Mount Washington, with a wind room, flow tank, and a daily live link to the summit station.

Sheer 700-foot granite cliff above Echo Lake with a paved auto road to a railed summit overlook. The view sweeps the Saco River valley, Mount Washington, and the Moats, and you'll often see rock climbers working the face below you.

Small glacial lake tucked under Cathedral Ledge with a sandy swimming beach, picnic grounds, and a flat shoreline loop. It's the valley's family swim spot and the trailhead for the walk-up to the ledge.

A staircase of small waterfalls, potholes, and granite ledges on Lucy Brook reached by a flat half-mile gravel path. It's the most-walked short trail in the valley and a wading spot for kids in summer.

A roadside series of tiered cascades and pools on the Wildcat River right above Jackson village. You can park near the top and pick your way down the ledges to a swimming hole, no hike required.

A 34-mile mountain pass road (NH-112) running west from Conway through the White Mountain National Forest with no gas, no services, and a string of overlooks, waterfalls, and trailheads. The valley's signature scenic drive.

An 1858 wooden covered bridge over the Swift River just off the Kancamagus Highway, still open to one lane of traffic. A quick photogenic stop with river access on both banks.

An 1876 covered bridge over the Ellis River that serves as the entrance to Jackson village. It's a working one-lane bridge and the town's signature landmark, lit at night in winter.

A recreated old-time general store on Main Street stocked floor-to-ceiling with New England-made foods, candy, and sundries. More browsing destination than grocery, and a reliable rainy-afternoon stop in the village.