A Complete Summer Guide to North Conway, NH: Shops, Hikes, Attractions & Where to Stay

North Conway sits at the center of everything the White Mountains offer in summer. Within a 30-minute drive in any direction from the village, you can reach some of the best hiking in the Northeast, one of the most beloved family theme parks in New England, New Hampshire’s only aquarium, a tax-free outlet village, scenic train rides through mountain passes, and Echo Lake, a swimming beach at the foot of a 500-foot granite cliff. Most families who plan one activity here end up staying three days longer than they intended.

This guide covers what to do in North Conway in summer 2026, organized by category, with verified operating details and practical tips for families, couples, and multi-generational groups.

WHY NORTH CONWAY IS THE SUMMER HUB OF THE MOUNT WASHINGTON VALLEY

North Conway is not just a shopping stop between hikes. It is the commercial, cultural, and logistical center of the Mount Washington Valley, a basin formed by the Saco River that runs between the Presidential Range to the north and the Ossipee Mountains to the south. The town has been a summer destination since the late nineteenth century, when landscape painters discovered the light here and the grand hotels followed.

For families and groups visiting the White Mountains today, North Conway works as both a destination and a base. It is the region’s best concentration of family-friendly attractions, outdoor activity access, and varied dining. New Hampshire’s lack of a sales tax makes Settlers Green, the outlet village at the south end of town, a genuine shopping draw rather than just an incidental stop. North Conway’s central location puts it within 45 minutes of Bretton Woods to the northwest, Franconia Notch to the west, and the Kancamagus Highway directly to the south.

At a Glance: Top Summer Things to Do in North Conway, NH

FAMILY ATTRACTIONS

Story Land, Glen

Story Land in Glen, NH opened in 1954 and remains one of the most popular family destinations in the White Mountains. The 35-acre park is built around fairy tale and storybook themes with over 50 attractions, including rides, play areas, shows, and character meet-and-greets. 2026 is the park’s longest season ever, with operating hours extended to 6:00 PM throughout the summer. New for 2026, Turtle Twirl and Crazy Barn return after a hiatus, joining Moo Lagoon, the water play area that debuted in 2024. Children ages 3 and up need a paid ticket; ages 1 and 2 are admitted free.

The park is 15 minutes north of North Conway Village on Route 302 in Glen. Tickets are purchased online at storylandnh.com; advance purchase is strongly recommended, as popular summer dates sell out. Summer season runs through September 13, 2026.

Living Shores Aquarium, Glen

Living Shores is New Hampshire’s first and only aquarium, located next door to Story Land on the same property in Glen. The indoor walk-through aquarium features touch pools, Atlantic stingrays, bamboo sharks, clown fish, otters, and other marine species across more than 32 exhibits. It operates year-round, which makes it a reliable option on a rainy day or as a shorter second stop after Story Land.

Combination tickets for Story Land and Living Shores are available at storylandnh.com at a discounted rate. The Living Shores portion of combination tickets is valid through December 31, 2026.

Cranmore Mountain Resort

Cranmore Mountain Resort, one mile from the center of North Conway, runs a full summer season alongside its winter ski operation. The Mountain Adventure Park includes a mountain coaster, giant swing, zip ride, bouncy houses, and a climbing wall. A scenic chairlift ride to the Summit Meister Hut at the top of Cranmore gives views across the valley and the surrounding peaks, and the hut serves food at the summit. Lift-accessed downhill mountain biking is also available for experienced riders.

Cranmore’s summer operation runs through the fall. Check their website directly for current pricing and operating hours; summer ticket prices for the Mountain Adventure Park are sold separately from the chairlift ride.

Conway Scenic Railroad

The Conway Scenic Railroad departs from a restored 1874 station in North Conway Village. The Valley Train runs scenic trips through the Mount Washington Valley to Conway or Bartlett. The Mountaineer is the signature longer excursion, running through Crawford Notch on a four-hour round trip with mountain and waterfall views not accessible by road. In July, the Murder on the Rails evening excursion runs on July 11, 18, and 25, with a 55-minute mystery show performed by actors aboard the train. Check the Conway Scenic Railroad website directly for 2026 schedules, pricing, and reservations.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES CLOSE TO NORTH CONWAY

Diana’s Baths

Diana’s Baths is a 1.1-mile easy out-and-back trail off West Side Road in Bartlett, about 10 minutes from North Conway Village. The path follows Lucy Brook through mixed forest to a series of cascading rock pools and waterfalls. The pools are shallow enough for safe wading in summer, and the total elevation gain is minimal, making it accessible to all ages and abilities. Arrive by 9:00 AM in summer; the small parking lot fills quickly and stays full through July and August. No fee for the trail itself, though parking may require a White Mountain National Forest recreation pass depending on where you park.

Echo Lake State Park

Echo Lake State Park sits directly below Cathedral Ledge, a 500-foot granite cliff that defines the western edge of the Saco River valley. The park has a swimming beach on Echo Lake with mountain views, kayak and paddleboat rentals, and picnic areas. The short drive to the Cathedral Ledge overlook from the park is one of the most dramatic vantage points in the White Mountains, looking out over the full breadth of the valley with the Presidential Range in the distance. There is a small per-person entrance fee at the state park.

Note: Echo Lake State Park does not allow pets. Guests traveling with dogs can use Diana’s Baths instead; the trail and Lucy Brook wading pools are pet-friendly, and the Saco River access points in Conway also welcome leashed dogs along the banks.

Hiking Trails Near North Conway

North Conway sits at the eastern edge of White Mountain National Forest, with trail access ranging from beginner-friendly walks to serious summit hikes. Beyond Diana’s Baths, Black Cap Mountain is a moderate 2.4-mile hike with an open summit and panoramic valley views. The Welch-Dickey Loop in nearby Thornton is a 4.2-mile loop with exposed ledge walking and excellent ridge views. The NH-hikes guide organizes the best family-accessible trails by difficulty with trailhead details, and the White Mountains summer activities page covers the full range of outdoor options across the region.

SHOPPING AND TAX-FREE SAVINGS

Settlers Green Outlet Village

Settlers Green is an outdoor outlet center at the southern entrance to North Conway with approximately 60 factory stores. Anchors include Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Banana Republic, Under Armour, and Eddie Bauer, alongside locally owned shops and restaurants. New Hampshire has no sales tax, which means purchases here carry real savings compared to shopping in Massachusetts, Connecticut, or New York. The savings compound quickly on shoes, outerwear, or children’s clothing.

The Settlers Green property also includes an arcade and a trampoline park, useful as a rainy-afternoon option for families. Living Shores Aquarium is also located on the property, making the two easy to combine in a single afternoon.

From July 1 through July 5, 2026, Settlers Green is running America 250 celebrations with sidewalk sales, free American flags, family events including Bubbles and Beats and a T-Shirt Cannon launch, and a $250 gift card giveaway. See the Settlers Green events calendar for the full July 4th week program.

North Conway Village and Main Street

North Conway’s Main Street is worth time beyond the outlet village. The walkable commercial strip has outdoor gear shops, local boutiques, galleries, ice cream, and independent restaurants. Zeb’s General Store, a two-story independent shop carrying New England-made products, food items, and gifts, is worth a stop for anyone looking for regional souvenirs that go beyond the generic. The village has a covered pedestrian area and a town green that fills with activity on summer weekends.

SCENIC DRIVES FROM NORTH CONWAY

Kancamagus Highway

The Kancamagus Highway runs 34.5 miles west from Conway through White Mountain National Forest to Lincoln, with no commercial development along its length. It is one of the most celebrated scenic drives in the Northeast, passing through the Swift River Valley with pull-offs at waterfalls, swimming holes, and overlooks. Summer is the best season for the Kanc: the full length is dry, the river levels are comfortable for swimming, and the long daylight hours give you time to stop at multiple points. The highway is free to drive; parking at USFS pull-offs may require a recreation pass.

Mount Washington Auto Road

The Mount Washington Auto Road in Gorham, accessible from Route 16 north of North Conway, runs 7.6 miles to the 6,288-foot summit of Mount Washington. The guided drive or self-drive option takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes each way, and the summit offers a visitor center, museum, and panoramic views that extend into Maine, Vermont, and Canada on clear days. Summit conditions average around 35°F with wind even in summer; bring layers regardless of what the valley weather looks like. Check the Mount Washington Observatory website for the daily summit forecast before going.

DAY TRIPS FROM A NORTH CONWAY BASE

North Conway’s location puts three distinct day trips within easy range. Here is how they stack up:

Jackson Village is a quieter village with covered bridges and historic inns. Glen Ellis Falls, a 64-foot waterfall, is accessible via a short walk from a Route 16 pull-off. Worth a slow lunch and walk rather than a full day; pairs well with a morning hike or an afternoon at Echo Lake.

Crawford Notch: Route 302 west from North Conway passes through Bartlett and into Crawford Notch State Park, a dramatic mountain pass with roadside waterfall pull-offs including Flume Cascade and Silver Cascade, both directly accessible from the road. The AMC Highland Center is a useful trailhead and visitor hub for anyone heading into the Presidential Range from the east. The drive itself takes about 40 minutes from North Conway to Bretton Woods and passes through some of the most scenic terrain in the state.

Franconia Notch: An hour west of North Conway, Franconia Notch State Park contains the Flume Gorge, the Cannon Mountain tramway, Echo Lake (a different Echo Lake from the North Conway one), and the trailhead for the Franconia Ridge Loop. It is a full day: combine a morning at the Flume with an afternoon at the tramway and Echo Lake beach.

JULY 4TH IN NORTH CONWAY

North Conway hosts one of the most organized Fourth of July celebrations in the White Mountains. The July 4, 2026 program runs from afternoon through evening: the parade steps off in Conway Village at 1:15 PM, entertainment and vendors including the NH National Guard 39th Army Band run in Schouler Park from 3:55 PM to 7:45 PM, and fireworks go up over Schouler Park at 9:45 PM. For the full confirmed schedule across the wider region, the best White Mountains fireworks guide covers viewing spots throughout the valley. Arrive early; Schouler Park fills well before 9:00 PM.

WHERE TO STAY NEAR NORTH CONWAY

North Conway vacation rentals from Bretton Woods Vacations span the Mount Washington Valley from Conway Village north through Bartlett and Intervale. Properties in this area place guests within 10 to 15 minutes of Diana’s Baths, Echo Lake State Park, Settlers Green, Cranmore Mountain, and the Conway Scenic Railroad station.

The North Conway vacation homes available through BWV include options for smaller groups, families with pets, and larger multi-generational groups who need multiple bedrooms and communal space. All properties come with full kitchens, keyless entry, and a digital guidebook delivered before arrival.

For multi-generational groups that need one property sleeping 10 or more guests, the homes for large groups page lists the largest available properties across the region. Groups that want to be within range of North Conway while also having access to Bretton Woods and the Presidential Range should consider properties in Bartlett or Conway, which split the difference between the two corridors.

For a full day-by-day plan that incorporates North Conway with the broader region, the 3-day White Mountains summer itinerary and 5-day summer itinerary both build in activity sequences that work well from a North Conway base. Bretton Woods Vacations has managed properties across this region since 2017, with a 33% repeat guest rate and 24/7 guest support throughout every stay. Browse vacation homes by dates and group size to see current availability.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is there to do in North Conway NH in the summer? 

North Conway offers hiking at Diana’s Baths and Echo Lake, Story Land and Living Shores Aquarium in nearby Glen, Cranmore Mountain Resort’s summer adventure park, scenic train rides on the Conway Scenic Railroad, tax-free shopping at Settlers Green, and access to the Kancamagus Highway and Mount Washington Auto Road. It is the activity hub of the eastern White Mountains.

Is North Conway NH worth visiting in July? 

July is one of the best months to visit. All outdoor trails and attractions are fully open, Story Land is running its longest season ever in 2026 with hours until 6:00 PM, and the 4th of July week brings a parade, entertainment at Schouler Park, and fireworks. The main practical note: Diana’s Baths parking fills by mid-morning on summer weekends, so plan an early start.

Is there a beach or swimming near North Conway NH? 

Echo Lake State Park has a swimming beach with mountain views, roughly 10 minutes from North Conway Village. Diana’s Baths has shallow rock pools and waterfalls where wading is popular in summer. Note that Echo Lake State Park does not allow pets; Diana’s Baths is pet-friendly.

What family attractions are near North Conway in summer 2026? 

Story Land in Glen is the signature family attraction, open through September 13, 2026, with over 50 rides and attractions including the Moo Lagoon water play area and the returning Turtle Twirl and Crazy Barn. Living Shores Aquarium is adjacent. Cranmore Mountain Resort runs a summer Mountain Adventure Park with a mountain coaster, zip ride, and scenic chairlift. The Conway Scenic Railroad runs year-round.

How far is North Conway from Bretton Woods? 

Approximately 45 minutes to an hour by car. Route 302 west through Crawford Notch to Bretton Woods is the scenic option at about 50 minutes. The drive through Crawford Notch is itself worthwhile, with roadside waterfall stops at Flume Cascade and Silver Cascade.

What vacation rentals are available near North Conway for summer? 

Bretton Woods Vacations manages vacation homes throughout the Mount Washington Valley including North Conway, Bartlett, and Intervale. Options range from two-bedroom homes for smaller groups to properties sleeping 10 or more guests for multi-generational families. All properties include full kitchens, keyless entry, and 24/7 guest support. Browse current availability at brettonwoodsvacations.com/north-conway/ or filter by group size and dates at brettonwoodsvacations.com/search-results/.