North Conway: Railroads, Ski History and Nature

North Conway offers several very different vacation ideas: a historic train ride, exhibits about ski history, and activities at the lake and on trails. Would you like to enjoy a one-hour ride with your family, view exhibits on the history of skiing, or perhaps swim, picnic and go for a walk? Each option has a different focus. So when looking for a vacation rental, you can first consider which experiences you want to shape your stay.

Ride the Historic Railroad

Rides on the Conway Scenic Railroad begin at a historic Victorian-style station. It was built in 1874 in the heart of North Conway Village. The station itself is therefore part of the history of railroads in North Conway. The Valley Train is an authentic, one-hour historic branch-line train ride designed for children, parents and first-time riders. Its set duration makes it an easy experience to plan: you can make a train ride together the focus without filling an entire day with this activity. Those taking a historic branch-line train ride for the first time will find that the Valley Train is expressly intended to welcome first-time riders.

Explore Ski History

The Eastern Slope Branch of the New England Ski Museum illustrates the region’s rich ski history through engaging exhibits. Items on display include ski boots, a ski and Hannes Schneider’s luggage. An original Skimobile is also part of the exhibition, and visitors can sit on it. So it’s not just a matter of learning about history: the Skimobile offers a hands-on way to engage with one of the exhibits. The branch is a cultural highlight for anyone interested in the history of skiing. Combined with the historic railroad, it makes for a trip that includes both railroad history and ski history.

At Echo Lake and on the Rec Path

Echo Lake State Park offers families opportunities to swim and picnic. Several hiking trails begin in the park, including a scenic trail around the lake. There are several activities to choose from: time in the water, a picnic or a hike by the lake. If you want to make a walk the focus, you can follow the trail around the lake; if you’d like a different kind of outing, swimming and picnicking are other options.

The North Conway section of the Mount Washington Valley Rec Path offers another way to get outdoors. This paved multi-use path is 2.9 miles long and intended for non-motorized recreation and transportation. The section was completed in the summer of 2023. It can be used for both recreation and transportation, but is reserved for non-motorized activities. When choosing experiences for your trip, you can consider it a separate option alongside hiking trails, swimming and picnicking.

Mountain Rides and Vacation Planning

Cranmore Mountain Adventure Park in North Conway offers outdoor attractions for all ages, including scenic mountain rides and other adventures. At Cranmore Mountain, the Scenic Chairlift takes seven minutes to reach the summit and provides access to scenic walking trails. This gives you several ways to plan a day outdoors: you can explore the park’s outdoor attractions or plan a chairlift ride and a walk along the trails at the summit.

If you’re traveling with children, the Valley Train, which is expressly designed for children, parents and first-time riders, and the opportunities to swim and picnic at Echo Lake State Park are concrete ideas for spending time together. When deciding what to look for in a vacation rental, you can weigh whether you’d like to focus your itinerary on a historic train ride, learn about ski history or enjoy outdoor activities. That way, choosing your accommodation starts with considering which sides of North Conway you’d like to discover during your stay.

Discover More Places

You can also discover these places: Tuftonboro, Wolfeboro, Tamworth, Moultonboro, Conway, Bartlett, Hart's Location and Wakefield.

View the broader trip overview: Carroll.