Lakes Region Association of New Hampshire
PO Box 737 • 61 Laconia Road, Tilton NH 03276
(603) 286-8008 visit@lakesregion.org | www.lakesregion.org/groups

We are happy to assist by contacting our member businesses on your behalf for research, pricing and logistics. Call us at 603-286-8008 and ask for Amy or Kim.

This tour begins in the Lakes Region of the State of New Hampshire, minutes from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in Manchester, NH. The Lakes Region is located off I-93 in central New Hampshire is approximately 2 hours North of Boston’s Logan International Airport.

Admission Prices and Hours were updated for July 2008. Rates reflect single ticket prices. Call ahead for group pricing and arrangements. Addresses given are physical and may not be where they receive mail. Times are suggestions based on facility hours or departure times and duration. If you need help making arrangements/reservations, contact our office at (603) 286-8008.

Approximate Mileages to the White Mountains of New Hampshire (Day 2 and ending point of this tour) from major cities: Albany NY 190 mi; Baltimore MD 479 mi; Boston MA 115 mi; Halifax NS 652 mi; Hartford CT 182 mi; Manchester NH 57 mi; Montreal PQ 223 mi; New York NY 291 mi; Philadelphia PA 387 mi; Portland ME 76 mi; Providence RI 165 mi; Quebec City PQ 277 mi; Toronto ON 505 mi.

Day 1 – Lakes Region

9am - Our day starts in Tilton at the Tilt’n Diner for a hearty breakfast. Enjoy real 50’s food and atmosphere in an authentic steel diner.Open Year-round. 51 Laconia Road, 03276 (603) 286-2204 www.thecman.com. After breakfast, head up I-93 to Exit 23. Turn East on Route 104 towards Meredith and follow to the end. Turn left onto Route 3 and the left after the bridge. Follow the signs to the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad.

At 10:30 catch your train in Meredith at the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad for a two-hour lakeside train ride along the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee from Meredith to Lakeport. The ride is 16 miles long and clings to a shelf dug out over 100 years ago for the fast Montreal trains that once passed through here. Adults $14 / children ages 2-11 $11 / under 3 are free. www.hoborr.com (603) 279-5253.

1pm- For lunch your group can head North up Route 3, 10 minutes, to Walter’s Basin in Holderness for waterfront dining on the famous “On Golden Pond” Squam Lake. Primarily American fare served in main dining room and waterfront shack. While you’re there poke around their new retail room featuring works from local artisans and “Walter’s Wear”. www.waltersbasin.com (603) 968-4412.

2pm – For the wildlife enthusiast, visit the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center – Your group can explore the trails of the Science Center where you will find black bear, deer, mountain lions, bobcats, fox, rapture and more. Each habitat is specifically designed to provide a natural setting for its inhabitants and to educate viewers with hands-on activities. Kirkwood Gardens, gift shop, educational programs year-round. Group rates available. Admission: Adults $13; Seniors 65+ $11; Youth 3-15 $9; 2 and under $0.

After your wildlife adventure The Squam Lakes Natural Science Center also offers 1.5 hour cruises on Squam Lake aboard their four canopied pontoon boats. The boats can accommodate 30, 20, 20 and 16 persons. While onboard, your group can hear the stories of the natural forces that created these lakes, the wildlife that makes them so special and the people who have enjoyed these lakes for over 5,000 years. Binoculars are available for wildlife viewing. The boats depart from the dock on the Route 3 bridge, next to Walter’s Basin in downtown Holderness and run Memorial Day – Columbus Day. Non-Member prices: $22 Adult / Senior $20 / Youth $18 per person / under 2 free (Member $20 / $18/ $16). Combo passes Adults $32 / Youth 3-15 $22 / Seniors $27 under 2 free. Driver and one tour operator are complimentary. The Squam Lakes Natural Science Center has many group tour packages available and can customize them depending on your group’s interests. www.nhnature.org (603) 968-7194

Evening Accommodation Selection:

The Manor on Golden Pond is an historic Manor offering luxurious accommodations, panoramic views, elegant dining room and full service spa that are open to the public. Amenities include a heated swimming pool, private beach, tennis, fireplaces, Jacuzzies, steam showers, lavish furnishings and private decks. AAA rates them a 4 diamond. www.manorongoldenpond.com (603) 968-3348 (800) 545-2141.

The Squam Lake Inn is an eight-room, century old farmhouse. Each room is decorated in an inviting vintage lake theme and includes private baths, fine linens, full breakfasts and wireless internet. The Squam Lake Inn operates a café with indoor and outdoor patio seating and the spectacular Red Barn Shop filled with unique finds. www.squamlakeinn.com (603) 968-4417 / (800) 839-6205.

The Manor on Golden Pond and the Squam Lake Inn are adjacent at the intersection of Shepherd Hill Road and Route 3 in Holderness Village. With either choice, dinner will be at The Manor followed by a relaxing evening enjoying your accommodations amenities. Arrangements can be made to see a performance depending on the dates of your stay.

Cottage Place on Squam Lake on the Ashland/Holderness town offers year-round housekeeping cottages and "cottage" motel suites - a cozy getaway with fireplaces and full kitchens. Their sandy beach is directly across the street and frames the beautiful Evans Cove on Little Squam Lake. (603) 968-7116 (877) 968-7116 (toll free) www.cottageplaceonsquam.com

Should your group require two beds to a room, the Comfort Inn in Ashland is less than 10 minutes up the road at the intersection of Route 3 and I-93. The Lakes Region Inn has spacious rooms, complimentary deluxe continental breakfast, 25" TV with expanded cable/HBO, Heated outdoor pool, every room equipped with Microwave & Refrigerator, Coffee maker, Iron & Ironing board, and hairdryer. Free Hi-Speed Internet access & Business Center. AAA approved. Open year round. (603) 968-7668 www.comfortinnlakesregion.com

A mile up the road from the Comfort Inn is The Common Man Inn in Ashland. Since 1971, they’ve been serving great American dinners their brick home on Main Street in Ashland. Your group can enjoy fresh seafood and salads, hearty steaks, and seasonal and nightly specials. (Lunch & dinner daily.) Open Year-round. 25 Main Street, 03217, (603) 968-7030 www.thecman.com

Day 2 – White Mountains

9:00 am - After breakfast at your evenings accommodation, your group will next continue up Route 3 to Ashland where we will pick up I-93 North toward the White Mountains. In 40 minutes behold the crown jewel of the White Mountains, Franconia Notch State Park. Additional sites to explore, should your group have more time, include The Flume Gorge, Boise Rock, Franconia State Park Beach and The Basin. You can find more information on these on the White Mountain Attractions website, www.visitwhitemountains.com.

10:00am-1:00pm Proceed to Exit 34B for Cannon Mountain where your group will ride the tram to the summit. The aerial tramway is one of New Hampshire's most spectacular rides. The tramway brings visitors to the 4,180' summit of Cannon Mountain in approximately eight minutes. On a clear day, visitors will enjoy views of the mountains of New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Canada, and New York. At the summit there are walking paths, an observation deck, cafeteria, and restrooms. Cannon is open daily from 9am to 5pm Memorial Day Weekend to Columbus Day Weekend. Allow 1.5 hours for the round trip. 2007 Rates: Adult round-trip ride: $13.00 / Children ages 6-12 round-trip ride: $ 10.00 / Children age 5 & under: FREE with an adult / Adult one-way ride: $10.00. Discovery Pass (Flume Gorge & Cannon Aerial Tramway (roundtrip): Adult (13+) $24; Child (6-12) $18. Group rates are available by contacting: Rob Arey, Sales Manager, 603-823-8800 ext 776. www.cannonmt.com.

Also accessed by the same parking lot is the New Hampshire Ski Museum, a museum dedicated to preserving New Hampshire’s history of skiing [ (603) 823-7177 www.skimuseum.org] and the Old Man of the Mountain Museum. The Old Man of the Mountain, nicknamed the Great Stone Face or Profile, was located in Franconia Notch State Park. The Old Man of the Mountain was scenically set 1,200' above Profile Lake. Discovered in 1805, the rocks that made up the profile collapsed on May 3, 2003.

Before his collapse, The Old Man of the Mountain could be viewed year-round from two different viewing areas on I-93 in Franconia Notch State Park. Historic artifacts and depictions of the Old Man of the Mountain. (603) 823-8800 www.franconianotchstatepark.com/oldman.html.

1:30 pm For lunch we will head to the famous historic Mount Washington Resort at Bretton Woods. Continue your travel up I-93 to Exit 35 and Route 3 North to Twin Mountain. At the light and intersection of Route 3 and Route 302, turn right onto Route 302 East. The Mount Washington Resort at Bretton Woods is several miles up on the left. The Mount Washington Resort offers an impressive array of dining options for both the hungry traveler and the vacationing guest. From elegant four-course dinners to casual pub fare to hearty country breakfasts, there is something for everyone’s taste. (800) 314-1752 www.mountwashingtonhotel.com

3:00 pm View the White Mountains from the highest point in New England with a trip up The Mount Washington Cog Railway. The 3-hour ride up Mount Washington on the world's first mountain-climbing cog railway remains, as it has for well over a century, an exciting and unforgettable experience. The ever-changing surroundings, the magnificent views, the sights and sounds of unique steam locomotives in action, and some of the steepest Railway tracks in existence, combine to place it among the best of the world's great railway journeys.

Some days the view from the summit of Mount Washington spans four states, Québec, and the Atlantic Ocean, limited only by the curvature of the Earth. Other days you literally climb above the clouds. Reservations are strongly recommended. Tickets: $59 adults / Ages 3-12 $39 / Under 3 free on adults lap / age 65+ $54. Trains leave hourly. Train schedule varies by date/season so please call ahead or look on their website for the most accurate information. For group rates please call or email for more info: 1-800-922-8825 www.thecog.com.

6:00pm - If your group is returning home, backtrack down Route 302 to Route 3 to I-93. This will bring you back to Franconia Notch. From this point, you are approximately 1.5 hours North of Manchester, New Hampshire and the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport.

If you are planning to stay in New Hampshire another evening, we would like to recommend a three-hour scenic drive through the White Mountains that ends back in Lincoln at Exit 32 off I-93 (10 minutes south of Franconia Notch) in the morning. Add time as required for stops at Elephant Head, and Silver Cascade in Crawford Notch, and stops along the Kancamagus National Scenic Byway. This is a great driving loop through the best of the White Mountains before you head off home or to your next destination.

Driving Tour Directions from I-93: I-93 North to Exit 35 (Route 3) to Twin Mountain. Turn right onto Route 302 and follow through Crawford Notch to Bartlett to Glen. Turn Right onto Route 16/302 (South) and follow through North Conway. If time permits, North Conway is a wonderful place to have lunch and do some intense shopping! Just after Route 16 intersects with 113 in Conway, turn right onto Route 16 and then right again onto Route 112, the Kancamagus National Scenic Byway. This Route will take you straight into Lincoln at Exit 32 of I-93.

Additional Evening Accommodation Recommendations:

Franconia Inn - Franconia
Conveniently located near White Mountain attractions, hiking, horseback, tennis, swimming, cross country skiing, 5 minutes to Cannon Mtn, 45 minutes to Squam Lake.1300 Easton Road Franconia, NH 03580 603-823-5542 www.franconiainn.com

Woodstock Inn, Station & Brewery - North Woodstock
Inn's gracious and relaxed White Mountain setting centers around 24 guest rooms, each individually appointed with all the comforts of home including cable TV, A/C, in-room phones and wireless internet. Grand rooms offer Jacuzzi tubs and gas fireplaces. PO Box 118, Main Street, North Woodstock, NH 03262 (603) 745-3951 / 800-321-3985 www.woodstockinnnh.com

For larger groups, try the Mount Washington Resort at Bretton Woods. The Mount Washington is a Historic Grand Resort at the base of Mount Washington! Enjoy endless recreational pursuits: golf, tennis, skiing & much more! Grand Hotel, Country Inn, Motor Lodge, & Condominiums. Route 302, Bretton Woods, 03575 (603) 278-1000 (800) 258-0330 www.mtwashington.com

Evening Entertainment:

North Country Center for the Arts & Papermill Theatre – Lincoln
NH's Award Winning Professional Summer Musical Theater. (Summer ’07): Producing and presenting professional Broadway musicals Seussical the Musical, West Side Story & a professional children's theater. Open in July and Aug. PO Box 1060, Lincoln NH 03251 (603)745-6032. Summertime box office: 603-745-2141 www.papermilltheatre.org