You don't need much to have a great time on vacation when you're visiting Mt. Washington Valley!

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Even with everything the valley has to offer, from attractions to shopping to dining to live entertainment and more, you can fill your entire vacation with outdoor activities!

Below we outline five ways to make the most of the area's natural surroundings, and enjoy it while on a bike, in a boat, taking a class or driving an ATV!

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For more information on planning your Mt. Washington Valley vacation, sign up for our monthly newsletter. (But before you do anything, first, we implore you take the MWV Pledge to promise to help protect our Valley! Sign your name and join the others who pledge to care for the White Mountain National forest to ensure it sticks around for years to come.)

1. Take A Class!

There are so many great ways to get closer to nature in Mt. Washington Valley. Of course, being surrounded by 700,000 acres of national forest doesn’t hurt! The best way to experience it is by teaming up with passionate experts who can share some fun facts and stories in a group dynamic while taking you to some of their favorite spots in the White Mountain National Forest.

Join Tin Mountain Conservation for one of its many events throughout the summer. From bird watching to kayaking trips, and everything in between, the naturalists that work at this non-profit are constantly coming up with fun ways to get you outside, learning something new, and having fun! 

2. Jump in a Kayak!

Choose from three, five, or seven miles of adventures on the Saco or Androscoggin River! There are many canoe and kayak outfitters in Conway, North Conway, and Gorham that can outfit you and a group for an adventure on the water.

Leisurely kayak trips on the Saco River let you enjoy mild rapids and sandy beaches where you can savor a packed lunch from any of the favorite delis and sandwich shops loved by locals throughout town.

For those seeking more adventure, booking a kayak trip on the Androscoggin River comes with a guide, and gets you closer to nature with potential moose sightings!

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3. Pack Your Bikes!

Or rent them from local gear shops and take on some of the best mountain biking in the east! Many non-profit groups such as White Mountains NEMBA and Ride NoCo have worked hard to preserve trails and make them accessible for public use, such as the Marshall Conservation Area in North Conway.

Tin Mountain Conservation Center has worked to preserve the Tin Mountain Timberlands, also known by the name "East Bear Paw," a trail network made up of logging road that splits off into a mountain biking single-track trail network, offering a variety of biking for different abilities.

Cranmore Mountain Resort and Bretton Woods also offer mountain bike parks on a closed loop that features a range of terrain and challenge. Book a lesson with the experts at Cranmore Mountain Resort Bike Park, or swap your mountain bike for a Fat Bike at Bretton Woods. Equipment rentals, and scenic views are all part of each resort’s offering!

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4. Go ATV’ing!

You just have to try this out for yourself! Northeast ATV Rental is located at the southeast portal of the “Ride the Wilds” trail system.

Known as the nation’s best interconnected summer time ATV trail system, you’ll find 1,000 miles of trails to ride. Northeast ATV Rental offers guided and self-guided tours in ATV’s that fit one, two, three or four riders.

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5. Half Outdoors - Half Indoors!

Attractions in Mt. Washington Valley have gone above and beyond to offer creative ways to enjoy the White Mountain National Forest!

Take a Scenic Gondola Ride at Bretton Woods, or zip through it on its Canopy Tour made up of nine zip lines, two sky bridges and three rappels.

Ride a van on a guided tour up Mt. Washington Auto Road - the oldest man-made attraction in America, that takes you to the top of New England’s tallest peak.

Take a train through Crawford Notch with Conway Scenic Railroad, or ride one up Mount Washington on the Cog Railway.

Book a tour to hopefully see a moose, and enjoy a scenic drive through Crawford Notch or Pinkham Notch. Gorham Moose Tours provide comfortable tours, friendly guide service, and a heightened chance of seeing these majestic animals.

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For complete trip planning resources and information, visit visitmwv.com or call 800-367-3364 (800-DO-SEE-NH) to talk to a Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce rep. To learn more about New Hampshire vacations, go to www.VisitNH.gov.

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