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There are so many fun things to do in North Conway in the winter, whether you’re a snow bunny or prefer to hibernate indoors. Known as the birthplace of downhill skiing in the US, North Conway has been a hub for snow-loving adventurers for over a century.
Whether you want to hit the slopes or you’re just along for the apres ski fun, lace up your boots and get yourself to the White Mountains of New Hampshire for winter fun!
You might also like our guide to visiting NH in winter for more fun beyond North Conway.
And check out our favorite NH destinations to plan your other visits throughout the year.
North Conway is right in the heart of the White Mountain National Forest, about a 3-hour drive from Boston or 1.5 hours from Portland Maine.
This is one of the best winter weekend getaways from Boston if you want to enjoy the seasonal fun!
Fun Things to Do in North Conway in Winter
Ride Santa’s Holiday Express
Conway Scenic Railroad (38 Norcross Cir) offers a fun ride called Santa’s Holiday Express at the end of every year.
The 11-mile ride takes an hour, and kids are entertained with a goodie bag and a treasure hunt on board.
Taking a ride on the train makes you wonder if you are in North Conway or the North Pole, as there is also a visit from Santa.
North Conway Ice Castles
Ice Castles (24 Clark Farm Road North Woodstock) is a super popular winter attraction near North Conway.
At the Ice Castles, you can wander through thousands of icicles that make you feel like you are in a fairytale.
Professional ice artists build the ice castle; inside, you will find tunnels, slides, fountains, and sculptures.
It’s a photographer’s dream come true!
Cranmore Mountain Resort
Cranmore Mountain Resort (1 Skimobile Rd. North Conway Village) offers a ton of winter activities to do, like skiing and snowboarding.
Take a lift up to the top of the mountain and bask in the scenic mountain views.
There is also a tubing park that is one of the most fun places to go snow tubing in New Hampshire.
If you are new to winter sports and activities, you can rent equipment at the park or take a lesson.
Echo Lake State Park
Echo Lake State Park (68 Echo Lake Road) is open year-round, so you can explore it during the winter.
There are a lot of North Conway winter activities at the park.
This North Conway lake is surrounded by beautiful scenery after a snowfall, and there are a lot of North Conway hikes here when there is not too much snow.
North Conway Ice Skating
There are multiple options available for ice skating near North Conway, so lace up your skates and try to stay upright!
The Ham Arena
The Ham Arena (6142 87 W Main St, Conway) offers year-round public skating options every week.
You can also rent skates if you do not have your own, and they have sizes for adults and children.
The arena also offers open ice hockey during their Stick and Puck events.
If you want to spend even more time on the ice, you can take a curling lesson at the arena or rent out the arena for a private event like a birthday party.
The Conway Arena
The other indoor option is the Conway Arena (5 Stadium Drive, Nashua) which also offers public skating and open hockey hours.
If you are new to ice skating, the Conway Arena offers skating lessons for all ages and levels, including an option to learn to skate for hockey.
Schouler Park
During the winter months, the North Conway Parks and Recreation Department manages an outdoor skating rink in Schouler Park.
The setting is something straight out of a Hallmark film!
The outdoor rink is in front of the beautiful train station, with a warming hut available for skaters and twinkling lights strung up for extra atmosphere.
Fun for the family or perfect for a date night!
Skiing and Snowshoeing Near North Conway NH
Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center
Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center (1 Mount Washington Auto Rd. RT 16, Pinkham Notch, Gorham) has a lot of winter activities near North Conway, NH.
You can go fat biking at the outdoor center on the snowy trails, and rentals are available if you need an adult or kid bike.
Another option is snowshoeing, which you can do on the groomed trails, or go off the path and explore the property on your own.
There are also guided snowshoe tours during the day and evening.
Or, if you want a more relaxing winter activity, the center offers SnowCoach tours that take you to the top of Mt. Washington.
King Pine Ski Area & Purity Spring Resort
King Pine Ski Area & Purity Spring Resort (1251 Eaton Road, East Madison) has a lot of winter activities, including classic ones like skiing and snowboarding.
They also offer snowshoeing and cross-country skiing near North Conway on more than 12 miles of trails.
You can also take a fat bike out on the trails or ice skating in the domed skating rink.
Or, head out on the snow tubing hill for a more unique activity.
You and your family or friends can all hold onto each other’s tubes as you fly down the mountain.
Washington Valley Ski Touring & Snowshoe Center
Mt. Washington Valley Ski Touring & Snowshoe Center (279 NH-16 #302, Intervale) also offers winter activities like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
There are 25 miles of groomed trails to explore at the center, where you can see rivers, mountains, and forests.
You can also go fat biking on the trails through Whitaker Woods.
And, if you want to learn while you explore the trails, you can take a guided snowshoe tour.
Visit North Conway in February and head over to Washington Valley for their Annual Chocolate Festival.
They call it “The Sweetest Day on the Trails” and we love it!
North Conway NH Brewery Options
There are a few great breweries in North Conway, for trying local craft beer — it’s definitely one of the fun things to do in North Conway in the winter.
Sea Dog Brewing Co
Sea Dog Brewing Co (1976 White Mountain Hwy) has a full beer, wine, and cocktail menu, with all the beers being Sea Dog brews. Sea Dog also has a full food and dessert menu.
Moat Mountain Brewing Company
Moat Mountain Brewing Company (3378 White Mountain Highway Route 16) has a huge menu with many tasty food options, some of which come from their smokehouse.
They have many regular beers that they pour year-round and plenty of seasonal options that are special for the winter.
Barley & Salt
Or, if you want a wider variety of beers with more of a restaurant vibe, check out Barley & Salt (Settlers Green Streetside, 1699 White Mountain Highway).
They have dozens of local beers on tap, so you can try beers from North Conway and all of New Hampshire.
North Conway Bars and Cafes
White Mountain Winery
White Mountain Winery (2724 White Mountain Hwy) is a good place to warm up in downtown North Conway in winter.
They have a lot of red wines, which are great for winter, but also some white and fruity wines, so there’s something for everyone.
You can enjoy a bottle or glass of one of their wines or do a tasting or flight to find a new favorite.
Mystic Sugar Bakery
Mystic Sugar Bakery (2686 White Mountain Hwy) has a lot of delicious treats to enjoy in the winter.
They make hand-crafted, small-batch cakes, cupcakes, and cookies.
They have new and rotating flavors every week, so you can always find a new winter treat.
Cafe Italia
Cafe Italia (2627 White Mountain Hwy) serves fresh espresso drinks all year, but it tastes best on a cold winter day.
They also have cakes, pastries, and sandwiches which all pair well with the drinks.
All their food and drinks are inspired by Italian classics.
Frontside Coffee Roasters
Frontside Coffee Roasters (2697 White Mountain Hwy) in downtown North Conway serves hot drinks throughout the winter to keep you warm.
They have caffeinated drinks like lattes and coffees and other options like hot tea and hot chocolate.
They also have hot food like breakfast sandwiches and fresh baked goods.
The Metropolitan Coffeehouse
Another option across the street downtown is The Metropolitan Coffeehouse (2680 White Mountain Hwy).
They have artisanal breakfast foods and plenty of hot drinks to keep you warm.
Indoor Activities in North Conway in Winter
If the winter weather gets to be too much, head indoors for a cozy (and fun!) reprieve.
Most of these are excellent options for family-friendly winter activities, too.
Mystery NH Escape Room
The Mystery NH Escape Room (32 Mountain Valley Blvd) is a fun place to enjoy winter in North Conway with your family.
They have multiple games for people ages eight and up, with all different puzzles and challenges to play.
Note: Children between the ages of two and six are not allowed in the escape rooms.
New England Ski Museum
The New England Ski Museum (2628 White Mountain Hwy) is one of the best North Conway attractions in winter, especially if you also enjoy skiing.
The Eastern Slope Branch in North Conway is the second branch of the museum, which opened in 2018.
The museum has exhibits and items to teach about and preserve the history of skiing.
At the museum, you will start learning about the creation of skiing and how it came to be the skiing people love today.
Mountain Valley Mall Cinema 7
Seeing a movie at the Mountain Valley Mall Cinema 7 (32 Mountain Valley Blvd) is another one of the fun winter activities in North Conway.
This North Conway movie theater has all the latest movies playing seven days a week.
North Conway Music Center
The North Conway Music Center (1976 White Mountain Hwy) is a fun place to visit in the winter if you love music or are looking to pick up a new hobby.
The music center sells books, CDs, music, and instruments like guitars and woodwinds.
If you are not ready to buy an instrument yet, they offer rentals so you can try some out or just practice during the winter.
And, if you are not musically talented yet, you can take lessons at the music center.
They offer lessons for more than a dozen instruments, and there are also vocal lessons.
North Conway Arcades
Arcades are a nostalgic way for families to escape the cold North Conway winter.
There are a few options in the area for kids (and adults) of all ages to enjoy!
Ryan Family Amusements (2 Common Ct J10) has over 50 arcade games, including video games, skill challenges, and virtual reality experiences.
UberBlast (2129 White Mountain Hwy) offers plenty of arcade games, plus a bouncy house and laser tag.
Final Words
North Conway in the winter is an outdoor playground for snow lovers and adventurers, with plenty of options for those who prefer to stay indoors.
We hope this guide helps you plan the perfect trip!
Let us know your favorite winter spots in the comments below.