NORTH CONWAY NAMED AMONG TOP TEN SMALL TOWNS FOR ADVENTURE IN USA TODAY/10BEST READER’S CHOICE AWARDS

5 amazing summer adventures in and around North Conway

North Conway, NH – For the second year in a row, North Conway, NH has earned a spot on the Top Ten Small Towns for Adventure list in the USA Today/10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards, clinching a spot in the top five on the list. North Conway was the only town on the list located in the Northeast according to the announcement made today by 10Best editors.

A panel of expert travel and adventure journalists partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees for the Best Small Town for Adventure designation, then the top 10 winners were determined by popular online vote. For nearly a month, readers visited the online voting platform and could vote daily. In the end, North Conway’s visitors hit the polls over and over again to ensure that North Conway was in the top five small adventure towns on the list.

In describing North Conway, 10Best experts said, “Set amid the sprawling White Mountain National Forest, North Conway offers visitors access to Mount Washington (the tallest peak in the northeast) and the accompanying four seasons recreation. During the snowy months, the area boasts some of the region’s best skiing and snowmobiling, while summer is excellent for hiking, golfing, fishing and camping. Fall leaf peeping is some of the best in the country.”

North Conway’s online 10Best description was accompanied by a photo of kayakers taken by local photographer, Dan Houde, of WiseguyCreative.com.

The top towns chosen as for adventure are as follows:

  1. Lake Geneva, WI
  2. Marquette, MI
  3. Buffalo, NY
  4. North Conway, NH
  5. Lander, WY
  6. Bryson City, NC
  7. Abita Springs, LA
  8. Vernal, UT
  9. Blowing Rock, NC
  10. Everglades City, FL

Those seeking adventure in New England need look no further than North Conway, NH and the surrounding Mt Washington Valley. From rock climbing to rafting and backcountry skiing to biking, adventure travelers are drawn to Mt Washington Valley for its adventure offerings. Adventure hikes to zipline thrills await. Consider these four options plus many more.

Throughout the summer & fall: Lodge to Hut & Hut to Hut hiking with AMC: The AMC offers many guided hut to hut hikes. For example, join an AMC outdoor guide on an attempt to summit New England’s highest peak, Mount Washington, June 7-9, 2019. At 6,288′ the "rock pile" should be on everyone’s bucket list. This challenging hike may be difficult for some to accomplish in one day, so take advantage of Lakes of the Clouds Hut and spend the night, hiking back down the next day. With an experienced AMC outdoor guide you’ll hike at a moderate pace to Lakes of the Clouds via the Ammonoosuc Ravine trail. You’ll stop at the hut for a rest and lunch. With lighter packs continue up the 1.5 miles to the summit of Mount Washington to explore the summit, take pictures on the "rock pile" and hike back down to the hut for the night. After a well-deserved dinner and evening program, take to your bunks for the night and then hike back down the Jewell Trail the next day. A van will transport the group back to the Highland Center at Crawford Notch. For more info and other hut-to-hut hikes: https://www.outdoors.org/outdoor-activities/adults/lodge-to-hut-adventures

June 8: Black Fly In My Eye 10 Mile Or 3 Mile Run And Relay At Great Glen Trails: Tackle single track, muddy bogs, carriage roads, and a river crossing in this trail running race that’s 100% New Hampshire. Now in its 10th year, the 10-mile course at the base of Mount Washington is made up of three loops; each with its own unique character. Fun for experienced trail runners and the novice, teams or individuals, the Black Fly Run and Relay is considered one of New Hampshire’s premiere trail running races. Registration includes a post-event barbecue, awards ceremony, and prizes. Race as an individual, team of 2 or team of 3. Entry fee includes post-race BBQ for race participants. Look for other races and series throughout the summer on Great Glen Trails website. Info: www.greatglentrails.com/events-list.

Anytime in the spring, summer or fall: Redline guiding train running adventures: Some like to hike more slowly taking their time. Others not so much. Fortunately, Redline Guiding is there for both crowds. For the high intensity, adventure and rush-seeking guests guided trail running adventures allow runners to do a “Presidential Traverse” or take on a “Pemi Loop” in a day. Knowing the region the way they do, those two destinations are just a hint of what can be customized for solo runners or groups. Three to four hour runs or full six to eight hour guided runs for the more adventurous are possible. For the extreme trail runners, how about a 24-hour hut-to-hut run? These running adventures are customized to the runner(s) so the sky is the limit. Info: https://redlineguiding.com/adventures/trail-running/.

Anytime year-round: Knockerball North Conway: Knocker what? Knockerball is a single chamber inflatable sphere with inner handles and adjustable shoulder straps used to play full contact soccer, or as some like to call it, Knocker Soccer! Knockerball North Conway’s indoor facility features a 5,000 sq. ft. artificial turf playing field – the only one in the North Conway area. Here, get in on weekly KnockerBall events or try Archery Tag which is a fun mixture of paintball, archery, and tag. Fitness classes and indoor weekly flag football is available here too. This adventure is perfect for everyone from the younger set to the older athletes. Info: http://knockerballnorthconway.com.

Anytime, spring summer and fall: Ziplining in Mt Washington Valley: Nowhere else in New England can you experience the exhilaration of flight and take in scenic views like you can on Mt Washington Valley’s five different zipline courses. From Bretton Woods Canopy Tour over ancient hemlock groves to Monkey Trunks series of 11 ziplines and 61 ropes and platform challenges, Mt Washington Valley offers more zipline adventures than any other place in New England. Even the younger set have options. Zip with a crowd at Wildcat’s zipline offering room for four or go mountain to mountain on the longest single span zipline in the contiguous United States at Attitash. It’s all available within a 25 minute drive (or less) from North Conway! Info: Click here.

For more information on North Conway, options for adventure in the surrounding Mt Washington Valley region, and vacation planning resources, visit www.MtWashingtonValley.org or call 800-367-3364 (800-DO-SEE-NH). To learn more about planning your vacation to New Hampshire, be sure to visit www.VisitNH.gov.

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