TOP 25 LINCOLN/WOODSTOCK ATTRACTIONS
Welcome to the Newenglandwaterfalls.com guide to the best attractions in the Lincoln & Woodstock area of New Hampshire!
Lincoln & Woodstock are some of the finest mountain towns in New England. It's impossible to get bored here since there are literally hundreds of attractions within an hour of town. There is something for everyone here, from shopping to swimming holes to ski resorts to amusement parks. And then there is the White Mountain National Forest, which offers more than 1,200 miles of excellent and well-maintained hiking trails.
This page lists my choices for the 25 best things to see and do in and around the Lincoln & Woodstock area of New Hampshire. All of these attractions are within a one hour drive from the downtown areas of both of these adjacent towns.
If you think I have missed any of the top 25 attractions of the Lincoln & Woodstock area, please contact me and I will consider adding it.
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TOP 25 ATTRACTIONS OF LINCOLN/WOODSTOCK
Here are my selections for the top 25 Lincoln & Woodstock area attractions:
| NAME |
DESCRIPTION |
LINK / MORE INFO |
ALPINE ADVENTURES: ZIPLINE & OFF-ROAD TOURS
(Ziplining; Off-Road Tours) |
offers a variety of adventurous attractions and tours, including an aerial adventure park, off-road tours, and ziplining/canopy tours |
Alpine Adventures |
BASIN, THE / FALLS ON THE BASIN-CASCADES TRAIL
(Waterfalls & Swimming Holes) |
series of fine waterfalls set in a beautiful basin; continue hiking up the Basin-Cascades Trail for even more waterfalls (including Kinsman Falls after 0.5 mile and Rocky Glen Falls after 1.1 miles); good swimming pool below Kinsman Falls; access is via a parking area on both sides of I-93 |
Falls on the Basin Cascasdes Trail |
BEAVER BROOK CASCADES
(Waterfalls / Day Hike) |
set of high-mountain waterfalls on the slopes of Mt. Moosilauke; a steep but rewarding hike is required to view all falls; access is via the Appalachian Trail / Beaver Brook Trail off NH 112 west of Lincoln |
Beaver Brook Cascades |
CAFE LAFAYETTE DINNER TRAIN
(Scenic Railroad) |
take a 2-hour scenic railroad ride while enjoying a 5-course prixe-fix menu |
Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train |
CANNON MOUNTAIN
(Skiing/Snowboard Resort) |
ski and snowboard resort offering mostly intermediate and advanced-level riding on its 95 trails; this resort has the highest ski summit area in NH, and also the longest vertical drop in NH |
Cannon Mountain |
CANNON MOUNTAIN AERIAL TRAMWAY
(Aerial Tramway / Scenic Views) |
one of the finest aerial tramway rides in the Northeast; beautiful views of Franconia Notch and the Franconia Ridge, especially during fall foliage |
Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway |
CLARK'S BEARS
(Animal Shows / Other Tourist Attractions) |
see trained black bears and enjoy a plethora of other tourist attractions, including a short scenic railroad, a segway park, blaster boats, several small museums, a rock climbing wall, and a water park ride called the 'Anaconda Escape' |
Clark's Bears |
ECHO LAKE / ECHO LAKE BEACH
(Swimming) |
beautiful swimming hotspot near the top of Franconia Notch; you can also hike nearby Artists Bluff while you are in the area (this offers great views of Franconia Notch) |
Franconia Notch State Park |
FLUME, THE / FALLS ON THE FLUME-POOL LOOP
(Waterfalls / Scenic Gorge / Day Hike) |
famous gorge walk and several waterfalls on a 2-mile hiking loop; several covered bridges en route; has a good gift shop; steep per-person admission fee but it's worth it in my opinion |
The Flume |
FRANCONIA FALLS
(Waterfall / Swimming Hole / Day Hike) |
extremely fun swimming hole with natural waterslides; don't swim here when the water levels are running high; an easy but long hike (6.4 miles round-trip) from the Lincoln Woods trailhead east of downtown Lincoln along the Kancamagus Highway is required |
Franconia Falls |
FRANCONIA NOTCH BIKE PATH / RECREATION PATH
(Paved Bike Path) |
this 8.8-mile paved path is good for walking, biking, or even snowmobiling in winter; there are some big hills here, so this isn't the best path for beginner cyclists; the trail passes several excellent natural attractions and several trailheads that lead hikers to outstanding destinations (like Lonesome Lake, Artist Bluff, and more); the southern end of the path starts at the northern end of the parking lot for The Flume off US-3 |
Franconia Notch Bike Path |
FRANCONIA RIDGE / MT. LINCOLN / MT. LAFAYETTE
(Scenic Views / Waterfalls / Day Hike) |
this 8.9-mile strenuous hike is one of the finest hiking loops in New England; the trailhead is well-marked off the northern side of I-93 (although you can also park at the Lafayette Campground on the south side of I-93); do not attempt this hike in poor weather; typically snow and ice-free from the end of May until the beginning of October; three waterfalls and a backcountry AMC hut are en route; beautiful alpine views; take note that parking is very limited on weekends |
Franconia Ridge |
GEORGIANA FALLS
(Waterfalls / Day Hike) |
lovely falls only a few miles from downtown Lincoln/Woodstock; continue beyond the first falls on a rougher trail to see additional waterfalls that are seldom-seen |
Georgiana Falls |
GREELEY PONDS
(Scenic Ponds / Day Hike) |
nice 1/2 day hike to two peaceful and scenic ponds below Mt. Osceola; trailhead is on the Kancamagus Highway |
Greeley Ponds |
HOBO RAILROAD
(Scenic Railroad) |
one of several scenic railroad rides in the White Mountains |
Hobo Railroad |
ICE CASTLES
(Winter Attraction) |
a masterpiece of art that you can walk, crawl and even slide your way through; unlike anything you've ever seen, but the crowds can be insane on the weekendsl; typically opens in mid-Jjanuary and closes in early March |
Ice Castles |
KANCAMAGUS SCENIC BYWAY
(Scenic Drive) |
this is the most scenic drive in New England; this one-hour drive along NH 112 starts in Lincoln off I-93 and ends at NH 16 in Conway; along the way, make sure to stop at the various scenic vistas, and also do the short walks to Rocky Gorge, Lower Falls, and Sabbaday Falls (all of these attractions have well-marked and officially designated parking areas; parking fee is charged-bring cash) |
Kancamagus Highway |
LONESOME LAKE / LONESOME LAKE HUT
(Scenic Pond / Day Hike) |
4-mile round-trip hike up to, and around, a beautiful backcountry pond and past one of the AMC's 8 backcountry hiker huts |
AMC Lonesome Lake Hut |
LOON MOUNTAIN
(Ski/Snowboard Resort) |
one of the most popular (and crowded) ski and snowboard resorts in New England; located only 5-7 minutes from downtown Lincoln; 61 trails with a vertical drop of 2,100ft |
Loon Mountain |
LOST RIVER GORGE & BOULDER CAVES
(Caving / Day Hike) |
scramble and crawl your way over, under, and through a series of fun boulder caves; families will absolutely love this place; there is also a waterfall (Paradise Falls) along the 0.75 mile hiking and spelunking route; per-permission admission charge is high but worth it |
Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves |
MOUNT PEMIGEWASSET
(Scenic Views / Day Hike) |
one of the best 1/2 day hikes in the Lincoln area; fine views of the Lincoln and Franconia Notch area; trailhead is at the northern end of The Flume's parking area off US-3 |
Mount Pemigewasset |
OUT BACK KAYAK & ATV TOURS
(Kayak Tours / ATV Tours) |
outfitter offering guided kayak and 1- and 2-hour ATV tours; paintball is also offered |
Out Back Kayak |
PEMI VALLEY MOOSE TOURS
(Moose-Watching Tours) |
the odds of spotting (one or several) moose on this guided tour is outstandingly high |
Pemi Valley Moose Tours |
WHALE'S TALE WATERPARK
(Amusement Park) |
a family-friendly, moderately-sized waterpark; one of the classic White Mountain tourist attractions |
Whale's Tale Waterpark |
WOODSTOCK INN, STATION & BREWERY
(Microbrewery / Restaurant) |
huge restaurant and microbrewery offering a variety of beers include some seasonal ones; very few restaurants have a menu this extensive; before or after dinner, enjoy Cascade Park across the street (bring a water tube) and a few tourist shops along the street |
Woodstock Inn, Station & Brewery |
If you are looking to visit some WATERFALLS in the Lincoln & Woodstock area, click here: Waterfalls Near Lincoln/Woodstock, NH
If you are looking for GREAT HIKES in the White Mountains, click here: Top 25 Hikes in the White Mountains
Cannon Mountain as seen from Artist Bluff during peak fall foliage
Cafe Lafayette Dinner Car, Lincoln, New Hampshire
The Basin within Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire
Avalanche Falls within The Flume Gorge, Lincoln, New Hampshire
Greeley Ponds during winter
AMC Lonesome Lake Hut with the Franconia Ridge (Mt. Lafayette, Mt. Lincoln, etc.) in the background
the famous Franconia Ridge approaching the summit of Mt. Lincoln
Ice Castles near Lincoln, New Hampshire
Franconia Falls, New Hampshire
Echo Lake as seen from Artist Bluff, Franconia Notch, New Hampshire
DAY HIKES NEAR LINCOLN/WOODSTOCK
There are dozens of fantastic day hikes within an hours' drive of Lincoln & Woodstock. Hiking information on all these hikes can be found within the excellent guide: AMC White Mountain Guide (2017 edition). Here are some personal favorites:
- WITHIN MINUTES OF DOWNTOWN LINCOLN/WOODSTOCK
- Georgiana Falls - easy/moderate
- Mt. Pemigewasset - moderate
- The Flume - easy/moderate
- KANCAMAGUS HIGHWAY / NH 112
- Lincoln Woods Trail / Black Pond / Franconia Falls - easy
- Champney Falls / Champney Falls Trail - easy/moderate
- Mt. Chocorua / Champney Falls Trail - difficult
- Greeley Ponds / Greeley Ponds Trail - moderate
- East Osceola / Mount Osceola - difficult
- Hedgehog Mountain - moderate/difficult
- Potash Mountain - moderate
- Sabbaday Falls - easy
- Rocky Gorge / Falls Pond - easy
- Boulder Loop Trail - moderate
- I-93 NORTH OF LINCOLN/WOODSTOCK
- Franconia Ridge / Mt. Lincoln / Mt. Lafayette - very difficult
- Mt. Flume - difficult
- Mt. Liberty - difficult
- Mt. Flume & Mt. Liberty loop - very difficult
- The Basin / The Basin-Cascades Trail - easy
- Lonesome Lake / AMC Lonesome Lake Hut - moderate
- Cannon Mountain - moderate/difficult
- Artist Bluff / Bald Mountain - moderate
- AMC Greenleaf Hut - moderate/difficult
- WEST OF DOWNTOWN LINCOLN/WOODSTOCK
/ NH 112
- Beaver Brook Cascades / Appalachian Trail - moderate/difficult
- Mt. Moosilauke / Beaver Brook Trail - difficult
- Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves - easy
For my list of the top 25 hikes in the White Mountains, click here: Top 25 Hikes in the White Mountains
summit of Mt. Chocorua
Mt. Liberty as seen from Mt. Flume
summit of Mt. Moosilauke
WATERFALLS NEAR LINCOLN/WOODSTOCK
There are more than a dozen great waterfalls within an hours' drive of Lincoln & Woodstock. Here are their names and the general location of where to find them:
- KANCAMAGUS HIGHWAY / NH 112
- Champney Falls - moderate
- Franconia Falls - easy, but long
- Lower Falls - easy
- Rocky Gorge - easy
- Sabbaday Falls - easy
- NH 112 / WEST OF WOODSTOCK/LINCOLN
- Beaver Brook Cascades - difficult
- Swiftwater Falls-Bath - easy
- Paradise Falls / Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves - easy
- I-93
- The Flume / Falls on the Flume-Pool Loop - easy
- The Basin / Falls on the Basin-Cascades Trail / Baby Flume - easy/moderate
- Falls on the Falling Waters Trail - moderate (and limited parking)
For more information and a map showing waterfalls near North Conway, click here. For directions to these waterfalls, pick up a copy of the 3rd edition of the New England Waterfalls guidebook, which is now in FULL COLOR! This guidebook contains detailed driving directions to each of the 11 waterfalls listed above.
Sabbaday Falls is a short & easy walk off of the Kancamagus Highway/NH 112
Lower Falls is one of the major roadside attractions of Kancamagus Highway/NH Route 112
SKI/SNOWBOARD RESORTS NEAR LINCOLN/WOODSTOCK
There are many great ski and snowboard resorts close to the towns of Lincoln & Woodstock. This includes the following resorts:
- Loon Mountain (61 trails; 7 minutes east of downtown Lincoln)
- Cannon Mountain (95 trails; 15 minutes north of downtown Lincoln)
- Waterville Valley (50 trails; 35 minutes southeast of downtown Lincoln)
- Bretton Woods (102 trails; 35 minutes northeast of downtown Lincoln; this is a personal favorite)
- Ragged Mountain Resort (57 trails; 55 minutes southwest of downtown Lincoln)
- Attitash Mountain Resort (68 trails: 60 minutes east of downtown Lincoln)
- Cranmore Mountain (56 trails; 65 minutes east of downtown Lincoln)
- Gunstock Mountain (55 trails; 65 minutes southwest of downtown Lincoln)
skiing at Bretton Woods with Mount Washington in the background
SWIMMING HOLES NEAR LINCOLN/WOODSTOCK
There are many great swimming holes near Lincoln & Woodstock. This includes the following:
- Lower Falls - Kancamagus Highway/NH 112, east of Lincoln
- Franconia Falls - Kancamagus Highway/NH 112, east of Lincoln
- Agassiz Basin - NH 112, west of Woodstock
- Swiftwater Falls - town of Bath
- Otter Rocks - Kancamagus Highway/NH 112, east of Lincoln
- Cascade Park - downstown Woodstock
- Kinsman Falls - along the Basin-Cascades Trail
- Echo Lake Beach - Franconia Notch State Park
When visiting swimming holes, please do your part to clean up your mess and bring it back with you (in other words, always "leave no trace"). You'll find a lot of trash at swimming holes, and it's so very sad: I strongly encourage you to consider picking up the trash left by others (I myself do this from time to time).
There are more swimming holes in the Lincoln & Woodstock area, but they are a bit of a secret and you'll have to do your research to find them. I take the position that I should not spoil that fun by making it too easy for you =).
SCENIC DRIVES NEAR LINCOLN/WOODSTOCK
There are several excellent scenic drives in the Lincoln/Woodstock area. This includes the following:
- NH 112 / KANCAMAGUS HIGHWAY
- Drive this fully paved road from the town of Lincoln to just south of downtown Conway.
- There are many scenic outlooks along this scenic byway.
- There are several excellent waterfalls to be found along this road, including Sabbaday Falls (short hike), Lower Falls (roadside), Rocky Gorge (short walk), Champney Falls (moderate hike), and Franconia Falls (moderate hike).
- There are many hiking trailheads along this road. Hikes range in difficulty from easy to very difficult.
- This road can also be driven in the reverse direction (it really doesn't make a difference which direction you go).
- Open in winter, but potentially dangerous during winter storms and icy conditions.
- US 302 / CRAWFORD NOTCH
- Drive this fully paved road from the town of Bartlett to the town of Twin Mountain.
- Boasts stunning views of the Presidential Range mountains, including Mt. Washington.
- Passes through scenic Crawford Notch.
- Great views of the famous OMNI Mount Washington Hotel.
- There are several excellent waterfalls to be found along this road, including Silver Cascade (roadside), Flume Cascade (roadside), Nancy Cascades (moderate hike), Arethusa Falls (moderate hike), Ripley Falls (moderate hike).
- There are many hiking trailheads along this road. Hikes range in difficulty from easy to very difficult.
- This road can also be driven in the reverse direction (it really doesn't make a difference which direction you go).
- Open in winter, but potentially dangerous during storms.
- MOUNT WASHINGTON AUTO ROAD
- Drive the partially-paved, partially-unpaved 7.6 mile private auto road from NH 16 to the summit of Mt. Washington, which at 6,288ft is the highpoint of New England.
- At the summit, you'll find gorgous views, a museum, a gift shop, restrooms, and a cafe.
- Fee ($$) required. Do not bother paying or visiting if the weather is not favorable or if Mt. Washington is in the clouds.
- Dress warm in all months of the year since the summit rarely hits 70 degrees.
- Closed in winter.
- CATHEDRAL LEDGE MOUNTAIN ROAD
- Drive a paved, steep and wooded road to within 0.1 mile of the views from Cathedral Ledge.
- Short walk to wonderful views of the North Conway area.
- Closed in winter.
- NH 16 / PINKHAM NOTCH
- Drive a paved road from the town of Bartlett to the town of Gorham
- Boasts stunning views of the Presidential Range mountains, including Mt. Washington
- There are many excellent waterfalls to be found along this road, including Glen Ellis Falls (short hike), Winneweta Falls (moderate hike), Thompson Falls (moderate hike), and Crystal Cascade (moderate hike).
- There are many hiking trailheads along this road. Hikes range in difficulty from easy to very difficult.
- This road can also be driven in the reverse direction (it really doesn't make a difference which direction you go).
- Open in winter, but potentially dangerous during storms.
Here is my recommendation for the ultimate one-day driving loop in the White Mountains region of NH:
- PART 1: From Lincoln, take I-93 north to US 3 north.
- PART 2: Take US 3 north to the town of Twin Mountain.
- PART 3: Turn right onto US 302 and head east until it brings you to the town of North Conway.
- PART 4: From North Conway, take NH 16 south to Conway.
- PART 5: Take NH 112 / The Kancamagus Highway west to return to Lincoln.
- This entire loop will take you at least four hours, and many more hours if you stop at the dozens of attractions, scenic outlooks, waterfalls, stores and restaurants along the way. I have probably driven this route 100 times over the last 20 years and it never gets old. Moose viewing is also good along this route, especially at sunrise or sunset. Black bears are also occasionally seen.
the Mt. Washington Hotel and Presidential Range mountains as seen from US-302
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