2 Best Sights in The White Mountains, New Hampshire

In 1937, two old local roads were connected from Lincoln to Conway to create this remarkable 34.5-mile national designated scenic byway through a breathtaking swath of the White Mountains. This section of Route 112 known as the Kancamagus—often called simply "the Kanc"—contains no businesses or billboards and is punctuated by overlooks, picnic areas, and memorable hiking trailheads. These include Lincoln Woods, an easy 6-mile round-trip trek along a railroad bed that departs from the Lincoln Woods Visitor Center, crosses a dramatic suspension bridge over the Pemigewasset River, and ends at a swimming hole formed by dramatic Franconia Falls. There's also Sabbaday Falls, a short ½-mile stroll to a multilevel cascade that plunges through two potholes and a flume. For a slightly harder but less crowded trek, take the 3.5-mile Boulder Loop Trail, which rises precipitously some 1,000 feet from the banks of the Swift River to a granite-crowned summit with mountain views. The road's highest point, at 2,855 feet, crosses the flank of Mt. Kancamagus, near Lincoln—a great place to view the fiery displays of foliage each autumn. On-site in lots and overlooks costs $5.

The collective name for New Hampshire's northern panhandle, which is reached from Littleton via Route 116 to U.S. 3, the Great North Woods covers about 1,800 square miles, an area slightly larger than Rhode Island. This sparsely populated expanse of dense woodland and mountains is hugely popular with fishing, hunting, hiking, and other backcountry recreation enthusiasts, but it's also appealing for a picturesque country drive, especially for moose viewing (drive carefully) and admiring fall foliage from mid-September through early October. The Canadian border is about 95 miles from Littleton and takes two hours each way without stops, but passes through interesting little towns—like Whitefield, Lancaster, Colebrook, and Pittsburg—and snakes along the shores of the upper Connecticut River and the three pristine Connecticut Lakes. From Colebrook, you can also detour east along a dramatic stretch of Route 26 to Dixville Notch, site of the famous former Balsams Grand Resort (which is currently being converted into a condominium development) and one of the first election districts in the nation to vote in presidential general elections. The area has a handful of popular businesses, like Black Bear Tavern in Colebrook, the Rainbow Grille in Pittsburg, and the Cabins at Lopstick and Glen at Bear Tree lodgings, both in Pittsburg.