Cranmore Mountain Lodge Blog

Oktoberfest originally started as a celebration of the fall harvest, but you can enjoy the occasion without having to pick anything! For those looking to do something more interesting than simply drink at a festival table in their usual spots, North Conway in the White Mountains is home to several seasonal events that feature all the wonderful beer, music, food, and atmosphere alongside the beauty (and weather) of New England.

Are you the type of person who doesn’t consider it a “real” hike unless you wake up sore the next day and have trouble putting on your shoes? Or…do you think that’s completely nuts? Maybe you might be an avid outdoorsman, but you have young kids, older parents, or novice friends that you want to spend time with, preferably without them falling off the side of a mountain or passing out from exhaustion.

The White Mountains are teeming with hundreds of hiking and biking trails, and while there are plenty that will take you all day and push your fitness to the limit, there are also several easier paths where everyone can feel at home. With the paths detailed below, you and your loved ones can take a leisurely walk while still getting one-of-a-kind views and experiencing the best the region has to offer.

It’s only July, and while the weather is heating up, NOW is the time to start planning your family or company holiday party. Why so early? Every place you might want will already be booked out by the time September rolls around! Whether it’s an intimate gathering or a large shindig, North Conway gives you plenty of options so you can find the perfect fit for your group while enjoying the warmth and cheer of the season.

More and more couples are eloping these days, splitting the difference between a traditional wedding (which can be bloated and boring) and an exotic destination wedding (which can be eye-wateringly expensive). North Conway has quickly become a hotspot because it’s not only a beautiful place, rich in nature, cuisine, and activities, but it also allows couples to keep things trim and efficient without compromising on the magic of the occasion.  

It’s an understatement to say that many people overthink their weddings. In fact, several seasons of very successful TV shows have focused solely on this fact. So it’s no surprise that many are choosing to simplify their special day and do what is called a “micro-wedding” or “mini-monie.” What started as a necessity during the pandemic has now become a sweeping trend that enables people to save money and avoid becoming a bride or groom “zilla” in the run-up to the big event.

But keeping things small doesn’t mean compromising on showing your future spouse how much they matter and creating something you’ll think about fondly for a lifetime. Here’s why couples from all over the country are flocking to North Conway and the White Mountains to tie the knot.

The days are running together, and you’re burnt out. A regular vacation isn’t going to do the trick—being tired and stressed while sitting next to the pool sipping umbrella drinks won’t make you stop thinking about your ever-filling inbox, which is just begging to be checked.

This is why so many people are choosing to go on wellness retreats, enabling them to recharge and refocus after a few dedicated days of disconnection from work and regular life. But while this sounds great on the surface, putting one together can be quite the task itself—but not if you choose to do it in North Conway.

Shopping for Dad is hard.

He “doesn’t want anything.” He has more ties than he’ll ever wear, his closet is 70% socks, and he’s had countless steak dinners.

A trip could shake things up while showing him you truly care, but all dads are different, and you’d probably like to have fun too, right? Fortunately, North Conway has you covered this Father’s Day, offering a bevy of activities so you can find things that are perfectly suited to both of you.  

The broad and beautiful vistas of the White Mountains are what draw thousands of visitors to North Conway every year, but there is plenty to see beyond the gorgeous sea of trees! The area is teeming with wildlife, and Spring is an ideal time to spot then flying, skittering, or loping around. Of course, you don’t need to just wander into the woods and hope for the best—these three spots will let you enjoy the local fauna and support local conservation efforts at the same time!

While some people love traveling with their spouse, partner, or best friend, for you, your favorite companion is your camera. What better souvenir is there than a stunning photo of a beautiful place that ensures the memories always stay fresh? North Conway has been a photographer’s destination for decades, and if you’re planning your next shutterbug adventure, here are the top four spots worth maxing out your memory cards.

You’ve given her flowers. You’ve given her chocolates. You’ve even given her chocolate flowers! It can be tough deciding what to do for Mother’s Day year after year, so why not change things up? A quick trip to North Conway can help you spend quality time with your mom in a beautiful place while giving you plenty of opportunities to show her how special she is. The town is ready to back you up with these four great offerings that are PERFECT for all types of moms!