Conway

Conway is the gateway to the White Mountains and one of New Hampshire's most visited towns, anchored by its North Conway village — voted America's #1 Ski Town two years running by USA Today. The Saco River winds through town, drawing thousands of tubers and kayakers each summer, while Cranmore Mountain Resort keeps skiers within walking distance of the village center. Settlers Green Outlet Village packs 60 stores along Route 16, and with no sales tax, the shopping pulls busloads of visitors from across New England and even overseas tour groups combining skiing with retail. The complex also houses Kahuna Laguna Indoor Water Park, where families can hit the water slides and lazy river regardless of New England weather. The Conway Scenic Railroad still runs from its 1874 Victorian depot, offering trips through Crawford Notch that rank among the most scenic train rides in the Northeast. Echo Lake State Park sits at the base of Cathedral Ledge and White Horse Ledge, where the 14-acre lake's sandy beach draws swimmers while rock climbers tackle the granite cliffs above. In the village center, Schouler Park provides riverside green space along the Saco River and hosts community events like the annual North Conway bonfire. The Mt. Valley Mall Theatre keeps locals entertained with current films when they're not exploring the trails or hitting the water. Originally chartered in 1765 and named for British general Henry Seymour Conway, the town sits on land once home to the Pequawket Abenaki, who fished the Saco for centuries before European contact. Year-round residents share their town with a massive tourist economy, which means establishments like Tuckerman Brewing, Moat Mountain Smokehouse & Brewing Co., and the historic Eastern Slope Inn Resort coexist with the everyday reality of Route 16 traffic on summer weekends.