Winter lunch at the Castle was so fun! Tables located in historic converted stable at the carriage…read morehouse. Set menu including starter and entree with n/a drink and gratuity at a reasonable cost. Food was excellent as was the service. Highly recommend- note reservations are required

This was a disappointing stop. I drove specifically out of my way to visit too…read more There is hiking on the grounds and I little ice cream/sandwich stand. The ice cream was good and they offered pup cups. I got a grilled cheese and it was simple and didn't have much flavor for $14+. You can go into the carriage house for restrooms and more food options. To see or get anywhere near the castle you have to purchase a $23 ticket and take a trolley to the castle. I had my dog with me and they do not allow pets. The do allow service animals. I wasn't even allowed to go take a picture or peak at the castle. LAME! There is a gift shop that is okay. I was going to get an ornament but didn't want to pay an exorbant amount for a place I never really got to see. Definitely didn't want to support them that way. Maybe it would have been different without my dog, but as a traveler from out of state I didn't have many options and was only passing through the state.

Beautiful waterfall with a really nice hike to get there. There are plenty of rocks and steps along…read morethe way, but it's not too difficult and it feels like you actually worked for the view. Lots of people were there enjoying it, sitting by the falls and doing the hike, and kids were able to make it without much trouble.

If you're in the White Mountains, be sure to stop at Arethusa Falls! We paired it on with…read moreFrankenstein Cliff, making for a perfect half day hike. If you choose to pair it on with the cliff, make sure to do that trail first and it will lead into the falls trail. The cliff trail is MUCH more challenging and is not recommended unless you are experienced with hiking. For the falls trail, I would recommend allotting 2-3 hours. It's a quick and easy trail that will take you maybe 45-1 hour each way depending on your experience, but you'll want to spend some time at the falls. Highly recommend!

An excellent swimming hole on the edge of the Pemigewasset Wilderness. Access is limited so be sure…read moreto get there early and check in with the Rangers at the parking lot to get a day pass. Fun for rockhopping, picnicing, lounging in the sun and two natural waterslides. Take the kids and teach them how awesome erosion is as the flume launches them down a ten foot drop into a near bottomless pool of sparkling mountain water.

Franconia Fall is one of New Hampshire's many great swimming holes. Watch the weather and rain…read morefall. Great place to take the family. Wear water shoes (protect those toes when rock hopping) Pick a place to hangout in the sun or shade. Bring a diving mask and explore the pools. If the water is high use caution and consult with the ranger. Have fun exploring and please leave the glass bottles/containers at home! This is a great spot to explore and learn whey New Hampshire is the granite mountain state!

What better place to write my 500th review about (whoohoo!) than somewhere I love so much... the…read moreWhite Mountains in New Hampshire. My quest to hike the forty-eight 4000-footers in NH brought me to Mount Tecumseh this past weekend (#7 out of 48 for me). Having had knee surgery in January, I was excited to put my hard work and training to the test in the mountains. Not wanting to overdo it... Mount Tecumseh, the shortest official 4000 footer on the Appalachian Mountain Club's list, fell into my sights. This is a great mountain for easing back into alpine hiking... or to ease into it for you newcomers! A short hike distance-wise when it comes to the mountains (5.2 miles round trip), the Mount Tecumseh/Sosman Trail that delivers you to the summit is devoid of anything considered to be very steep and drives a consistent and moderate grade up to the top. The trail is well-maintained and offers a few sights along the way. Three stream crossings early on put you at the bottom of what used to be an old logging road (hence the straight-shot upwards with few switchbacks to the top). At the halfway mark up the mountain, you get your first glimpse of the beauty that is Waterville Valley. There is a sign directing you to "View" and about 30 feet off the trail you reach one of the ski trails from the Waterville Valley Resort that resides on this mountain (this view is pictured in the photo of me sitting on a rock with my purple backpack). Soak in this view because it is the last you will see before reaching the summit. The trek up after this point is a bit monotonous. Just lots of climbing in a relatively straight line. As you get closer to the top there are less random rocky outcroppings and more established "stairs" to scramble up. This trail meets up with the Sosman and its not long before you reach the summit. There is a cairn at the top to mark the peak with a decent view of the Osceola's, the Tripyramids, and Washington way off in the distance. Parking for the trailhead can be found in the Waterville Valley Resort, Lot 1. The actual trailhead can be found just across the street from the lot. It is very difficult to see from the road, just park in lot 1 and look across. You will see the very small sign for the trailhead there.

You've heard "The Song that Never Ends", well this is the HIKE that never ends. The trail up…read moreTecumseh winds around and up up UP (up the backside of the ski resort). Rocky footing and few glimpses of the landscape also make this trek particularly less gratifying considering the 5.1 mile roundtrip. The trail base is at the base of the ski resort. The head is difficult to find along the side of the road, you have to go off to the side and there is a weeeee little sign pointing into the woods. It is an easy start over relatively level ground, switchbacks and loops around, crossing water and then spitting you out at the base of a rocky scramble up the route to the top (this was exhausting and I was glad to have boots with ankle support). The ridge just kept climbing upwards (on and on) until you meet a fork which loops up to the 4,003 foot summit and back around. The peak offers a thin view from a narrow slab.....and then you turn around. A necessary trail to tackle in order to bag all 48 400-footers....but it's a long, drawn out rummage that should be approached in the sunshine (otherwise you'll have no view at all).

Been coming to this lovely waterfall since I was a kid. Easy to hike into (I've even gone in…read moreflip-flops, though not recommended), and within minutes you will feel the spray from this 64' waterfall on your face and awe at its beauty. Note there is a $5 fee to park. Bring exact change

As some reviewers mentioned, location info (address/map marker) is incorrect, as of 14Jul2021…read more The waterfall is not in the middle of a golf course in Jackson, NH. 44.24579605, -71.2535025** is the location of the trailhead. 44.2441996083, -71.252467167** is the location of the waterfall. Beautiful waterfall and a short hike. ** GPS coordinates (Decimal degrees)

It's a nice trail. Parking spots are very limited. Follow the yellow signs up and back down. Do not…read morefollow green signs, they will lead you some where else

This used to be my favorite bike when I was a kid. I thought it was so cool that you could like two…read moremountains if you knew how to find the saddle trail However these days the parking lot is always packed and there are hordes of people on the trail (no my idea of a good hike) I'd recommend mount major or similar if you like a hiking day where you don't have to fight for parking or say hi to 50+ people on the way up (and the again on the way down.) We have a lot of mountains up here. If you really want a quiet day out during the prime months I suggest you find another trail. There are at least 3 others within 3 miles of this one

Otter Rocks only contains one of the two things in its name... but don't let that stop you from…read morepulling over on the Kanc to explore this beautiful area! Lots of lovely flora? Check. Smoothed over rocks from rushing water? Check. A natural swimming hole? Check. (Wait! I guess that makes YOU the otter here!) This area can be extremely busy during the hot weather because it's an actual spot on the Kanc that one can go splashing around in (there are lots of places where this isn't recommended or is totally banned because of the jagged gorges and strong currents). Because it's a bit more "advertised" (and has actual picnic tables and restrooms), it can be insanely busy in the warmer weather. PRO TIP: there are other "swimming hole" areas nearby in this particular vicinity, but you'll have to go hiking for them... CARRY IN, CARRY OUT PLEASE.

This hike is so epic. One of my all time favorites. I was intrigued by this adventure, with the…read morepromise of perpetual ice in summer. This is a difficult excision, and the trail may be wet, and even in rock climbing shoes is slippery. There were also orange slugs everywhere, which with foot hold slipping got squished by hands. The first several miles are flat, and then you start bouldering into and then up the Ravine. We did find some show in June, and the caves were cold and refreshing. The climb up to the top of the ravine is challenging, but you are rewarded with epic photo ops and views. The only unpleasantness was the mosquitos and black flies. Kids always bring your bug repellent. You can also extend the hike to hit the peak of Mount Adams. It is prone to storms and lightening. You can seek shelter in the hut near the peak if trapped in a storm. You do not have to go back down the ravine, you can return vis the Mount Adams trail, it is a loop.

Honestly if I could give this a negative 100 star review, I probably would. So where we start…read more These campsites are trash in trash out campgrounds. No one follows the rules ever. There shouldn't be broken beer bottles littered everywhere or toilet papers and wet wipes scattered in the woods. That isn't even the worse part. We come camping to disconnect from electronics in order to be one with nature. However, there are people that come with generators and karaoke machine, strobe lights to name the least. I get it. Everyone wants to have a good time. Be considerate of your neighbors. Having raves and karaoke parties until early in the morning is not fun. Especially when they have their volumes at 100. This used to be a great place to come and reconnect with your families. Not anymore.

It's been at least 7 or 8 years since I've gone camping here annually. If you want some peace and…read morequite, this is the place to camp. No curfews, no one on top of you... just camp out and do your own thing. Such a great place, we always set up camp by the stream. There's no bathroom or wash area so this is not for the glampers! Although there's porter potties up the closer to the entrance for those who doesn't want to take a squat in the woods! Prices of car has gone up over the years but not too drastic. Prices of wood was $7/bundle when I was there. Can always drive to town to get cheaper wood...$3/bundle. When your week is done, pack up and leave. Remember to pick up after yourself! Hope people who come here wouldn't ruin this places natural beauty because I hope to come back every year!