7 Things to do in Northern NH in One Weekend
When people talk about visiting New Hampshire, they often mention going to the coast or hiking in the White Mountains but things to do in northern NH are often overlooked. Northern NH has many small towns to explore and is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway. In every season you can find many activities to do from leaf-peeping to skiing to hiking.
This post is about an area in northwestern NH where the towns of Whitefield, Bethlehem, and Littleton lie. I will be sharing the top 7 things to do here, all of which can be done in one weekend! Of course this is just one small corner of the state and there are many other areas to visit and things to do northern NH that are not on this list!
Continue reading to learn about the best things to do in northern NH in a weekend!
- Check out the Mountain View Grand Resort
- Visit a Brewery
- Try a New Hike
- Small Town Shopping
- Enjoy Your Favorite Comfort Foods
- Go Apple Picking
- Take a Drive
- Weekend Itinerary
1) Check out the Mountain View Grand Resort
One of the best things to do in northern NH is visit the Mountain View Grand Resort Hotel and Spa. This is a unique getaway that you’ll be talking about for years to come. I was fortunate enough to stay here for a weekend with my family and I would go back in a heartbeat!
The Mountain View Grand Resort is a gorgeous hotel in Whitefield, NH. It’s a beautiful yellow color and the grounds around it are breathtaking to drive up to. You can see for miles over the treetops looking out the front of the hotel.
If you want one perfect activity filled weekend with all the things to do in northern NH you can think of, you can easily spend all weekend at this resort. The amenities are endless!
On the front grounds there is a golf course, bocce court, outdoor pool, and campfire pit where complimentary s’mores kits are provided in the evenings. There is also a very large trail network, some of which extends to the back of the property as well.
Behind the hotel there are many farm animals to visit including alpacas, sheep, goats, and chickens. Also the fluffiest bunny ever! When I visited in the fall the staff were in the barn turning newly picked apples into fresh apple cider!
There are also mountain bike rentals, tennis courts, a clubhouse, outdoor chess, a playground, and an activities center on the grounds.
By far my favorite activity at Mountain View Grand Resort was the axe throwing. Guests gathered at the court and staff guided us through the rules and sport of axe throwing. It was such a unique thing to try and we all had a blast doing it!
Most of us were nowhere near the target (the axes were heavy!) but we had two practice rounds and then a scoring round. By some miracle I hit a bullseye at the first of the three targets in the scoring round and this let me finish in third! It was so fun trying this with my family and I will definitely be looking for a local axe throwing place at home.
Inside the resort there is a wonderful restaurant known as the Harvest Tavern which offers lunch, dinner and drinks. In the morning guests can also enjoy a wonderful buffet breakfast or order from a breakfast menu to their table.
I can’t mention the Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa without speaking to the Tower Spa as well! I wasn’t lucky enough to enjoy the spa this time around, but it would be the perfect addition to a weekend spent at the resort. Guests can enjoy massages, facials, and other body treatments at the Tower Spa.
Finally, the hotel had nice rooms with wonderful views, an indoor pool, a small gift shop, and a large ballroom. I understand why this resort is a popular destination for weddings. There was even a large wedding party staying at the resort at the same time we were.
To read more about the Mountain View Grand Resort Hotel & Spa, visit their website here.
2) Visit a Brewery
It’s hard to visit New Hampshire and explore all the things to do in northern NH without trying some craft beer from the area. The brewery scene is only becoming more popular and checking out local establishments is one of my favorite things to do when visiting a new area.
Two breweries I was able to check out in the area were Rek•Lis Brewing Company and Copper Pig Brewery.
Rek•Lis Brewing Company
Easily my favorite spot I visited the weekend I was up in northern NH, Rek•Lis Brewing Company was everything I love about a brewery!
Rek•Lis Brewing is in Bethlehem, NH and brings such a great atmosphere to the little main street! The brewery has a cozy, rustic, modern feel to it. There is room inside as well as a nice deck outside and scattered seating on a patio.
String lights were hung up all around the outside of the brewery which was so cute! And across from the deck is a massive lawn that at different times holds lawn games, yoga sessions, and live music.
Rek•Lis Brewing had a wonderful drink list of their own brews as well as other beer, wine, and cocktails. And of course with a great brewery comes great food! With both a traditional menu and a Sunday brunch menu, there’s something for everyone here.
My family had brunch Sunday before heading home and I had the most perfectly cooked fried chicken with cheddar cornbread that was to die for. I will 100% be visiting Rek•Lis Brewing again next time I’m up near Bethlehem.
Copper Pig Brewery
Right in downtown Lancaster, NH is Copper Pig Brewery. It is a little smaller than Rek•Lis but is another great option to try local beer. There was ground level seating outside on a patio and stairs to descend to the indoor seating underground.
The patio was great because there was a bar top against the railing overlooking the river and the deck had its own outdoor bar as well. Unfortunately the outdoor area was full when I visited (I always love sitting outside), but we were able to grab a spot inside.
Walking in it was like we were transported to a little pub in Ireland (which I’ve been to so it was a weird déjà vu feeling). With stone walls and dim lighting, Copper Pig has a dungeon-like vibe but in a good way!
Copper Pig has lots of seating options and occasionally has live music both inside and out! They have a staple beer menu (I tried the Kilkenny Irish Red) as well as rotating drafts, always trying new things! We had the nachos and mac and cheese during our visit, both hitting the spot on a gloomy day.
My family and I had just completed a hike before going to Copper Pig Brewery (two of my favorite things to do in northern NH) so it was great to enjoy warm food, try new drinks, and sit in the cozy brewery.
Views and Brews
Both Rek•Lis Brewing and Copper Pig Brewery are part of New Hampshire’s Views and Brews hiking list. You can read more about the list here. I visited these breweries after completing their associated hikes in Weeks State Park and Bethlehem which are mentioned below.
3) Try a New Hike (my favorite of the things to do in northern NH!)
Of all the things to do in northern NH I am never not going to recommend hiking! There is simply nothing like being immersed in nature to truly appreciate where you are and the beauty of the world.
Northern NH is absolutely beautiful to visit any time of the year and the activities you can do are endless! Hiking is one activity that is a completely different experience in every season and there are always more trails to explore and mountains to climb.
There are so many hikes to do all over this area but a couple I highly recommend are below!
Mount Prospect in Weeks State Park
Weeks State Park is in Lancaster, NH and I highly recommend visiting Mount Prospect for a quick trip into nature. This mountain is the perfect option for all skill levels because you can actually hike or drive up! There is ample parking at both the bottom and top of the mountain.
Parking in Weeks State Park, you can hike the Around the Mountain loop until you reach the cutoff that takes you to the top of Mount Prospect. This is a beautiful trail through the woods and is fairly flat until reaching that cutoff point, after which it is quite steep.
At the top of Mount Prospect there is an awesome old fire tower, tons of views, and the John Wingate Weeks House Museum. Unfortunately the museum was closed while I was here but I’d love to go back and check it out.
Weeks State Park is a gorgeous area and at the top of Mount Prospect you can see mountains, lakes, and trees for miles. Visiting in fall, the leaves were changing and falling all around us and it was the perfect spot to spend a crisp autumn day.
To read more about hiking Mount Prospect and the trails and activities in Weeks State Park, check out my post here.
Mt Agassiz
Mt Agassiz is one of the interesting things to do in northern NH because it’s not a traditional mountain hike or even a trail through the woods but the views are just as outstanding.
This is a short 1.5 mile hike in Bethlehem, NH. Though online this shows up as a family friendly hike I would actually rate it as more moderate due to the steepness of it. Since the mileage is so short, it’s a quick ascent (and kids have zero trouble scrambling up!) but for anyone with bad knees or lungs I would remain cautious doing this hike.
That said, if you take your time you will be more than fine! The views at the top are completely worth it as you can see some of the big mountains in the Whites. A little bench is placed at the summit as well to rest on and take in the views.
There is an old house and observatory at the top which provide another cool aspect to the hike. I can’t imagine what it would be like to live up here!
The trail can be a little difficult to find as it is down a driveway behind someone’s house so make sure you check a map before heading out to explore! To read more about the trail and hiking Mt Agassiz check out my post all about it here!
Other Local Options for Hikes as Things to do in Northern NH
A few others I found in the area from doing a quick search are below. All of these can be found on AllTrails or other websites if you want more information!
- Pondicherry Nature Refuge: Easy, 4.9mi, 147ft elevation gain
- Bretzfelder Wildlife Habitat: Easy, 1.4mi, 88ft elevation gain
- Kilburn Crags: Easy, 1.8mi, 403ft elevation gain
- Mount Waumbek and Mount Starr King: Moderate, 6.9mi, 2,729ft elevation gain
- Parker Mountain: Moderate, 3.9mi, 879ft elevation gain
- Cherry Mountain: Hard, 5.3mi, 2,027ft elevation gain
Please remember difficulty is relative for every hiker. These statistics are taken from the AllTrails app which is not always reliable. Depending on your physical ability, the trail taken, and the time of year hiked, these trails will provide different experiences for everyone.
Explore the White Mountains
Finally, though a bit longer of a drive, the White Mountains are perfect for discovering new hikes and exploring different trails. The White Mountains surely have something for everyone from tall peaks to waterfalls to winding wooded paths.
There are many great resources online for looking into hikes in the Whites and I hope in the future to share all the ones I have completed as well. If you have any specific questions feel free to reach out and I will do my best to help!
4) Small Town Shopping
A favorite activity for my family is to walk down a town’s main street and check out the shops. We love visiting local stores and especially seeing work created by local craftsmen and artists. When you are looking for things to do in northern NH, a little shopping is a great filler in an itinerary and it’s always important to support local businesses when you are traveling.
Lancaster Stops
Two stops I was impressed by in Lancaster, NH were Fuller’s Sugarhouse and the William Rugh Gallery.
Fuller’s Sugarhouse had an enormous variety of goods and is the perfect stop for any type of maple product! The store was much larger than I expected and full of yummy things making it hard to pick what to leave behind.
Just a few examples of what you can buy are: maple syrup, maple sugar and hard sugar candies, maple coffee, and maple cream! All are perfect to bring home or purchase as a gift. Fuller’s Sugarhouse has an online store as well which you can access here.
The William Rugh Gallery was in the same building as Copper Pig Brewery so we walked through while waiting for our table. I thought this gallery was gorgeous!
There was an amazing variety of art including paintings, photography, and woodwork. The furniture was absolutely stunning and now that I own a home I am seriously tempted to return and purchase a locally made piece for it.
Please check out the artists and gallery at the website here.
Downtown Bethlehem
Bethlehem was already a favorite of mine because of Rek•Lis and Mt. Agassiz, but the shops made the visit even more wonderful! There was the perfect variety for a quick stroll during our visit.
Doogan’s/Qwerkz Fudge was a variety store with all sorts of home items and food products. There were salsas, jams, and fudge as well as little knickknacks scattered about. Great store to browse in and find a unique item.
Lonesome Woods I was not able to get to but it looks like such a cute antique store! They had their own brand of home goods as well including candles, mugs, and pennants. I wish I’d gone inside because there are so many cute New England antiques and I would love to bring some items home!
Love Yarn Shop was a must visit for me since I am a knitter and always need to find the local yarn store when travelling! It was so cozy inside and there was yarn on every wall. So many great brands, fibers, and colors it was hard to decide!
Mountainwind is another home variety store that my family visited. I got the cutest hand towel for my kitchen and enjoyed browsing the other clothing items, jewelry, blankets, and towels.
5) Enjoy Your Favorite Comfort Foods
If you are looking for one of the more low-key things to do in northern NH then be sure to visit the small town restaurants for some comfort food! These are perfect for ordering in if you’re enjoying a night at a hotel, cabin or even camping. These are also great options to go on the road with you as you’re heading to your next hike or activity!
I’ve only been able to try a couple of the restaurants in the list below but I tried to provide a mix from different towns in the area!
- Sunny & Jillian’s Pizza & Pub (Whitefield)
- Grandma’s Kitchen (Whitefield)
- Triangle Dairy Bar (Whitefield)
- Meadow Ice Cream & Seafood (Littleton)
- The Little Grill (Littleton)
- Littleton Diner (Littleton)
- Smokin T’s Bar and Grill (Lancaster)
- Adair Country Inn and Restaurant (Bethlehem)
6) Go Apple Picking
In Whitefield in the fall definitely check out the North Orchard. They are an apple orchard in the north country open for about five weeks in September and October.
From their website I learned the apple trees were planted in 1998 (the year I was born!) and the shop itself opened in 2008. Driving up the orchard seems like it might be small but they actually have 20 varieties of apples and 350 trees! To read about this family run orchard visit their website here.
The orchard is in an absolutely beautiful setting. Walking through the rows of apple trees and surrounded by other tall trees with gorgeous color changing leaves, it was the perfect fall activity! Such a fresh smell in the air from the crisp leaves and ripe apples.
In the shop after you’re done apple picking there is cider, syrup, and honey to purchase as well. This is always a favorite family activity and I was grateful to find a small family owned orchard to visit during my time in northern NH.
7) Take a Drive
Northern NH is gorgeous and is just waiting to be explored. Go find new roads, new views, and new adventures!
You can drive further north from the Whitefield area and spend the day on backroads doing small hikes, going fishing, or just putting the windows down and enjoying the isolation. There are plenty of mountains and other small towns to visit in the north or you can even venture into Vermont.
Another option is to drive south into the White Mountains where you will surely find something for everyone. From swimming to hiking, breweries to shops, scenic overlooks to winding roads, you could spend weeks here and never get sick of it. At least I could!
Franconia Notch State Park is a popular place to visit in the White Mountains if you’ve never been before. There are short easy trails such as Artists Bluff or you can tackle one of the 48 4,000 footer peaks. Both options can give you amazing views so find something you or your group will love!
From the Whitefield area of New Hampshire it’s a fairly short drive to anywhere else in the state and most places you can easily make a day trip to. I love exploring on new roads and seeing rolling hills, different trees, and feeling the fresh air.
There are tons of historical stops you can make, outdoor adventures to go on, and restaurants you can try around the state. Grab and map and see where the road takes you!
Weekend Itinerary for 7 Things to do in Northern NH
The 7 things to do in northern NH mentioned in this post can easily be visited in one weekend. There are many ways to complete these activities since they are all fairly close but below is a tentative itinerary to hit them all! This is similar to what my family did the weekend we were up so I know it makes for a great trip!
Friday
In the evening arrive at the Mountain View Grand Resort and check out the trails, Harvest Tavern, and bonfire (as well as other amenities if you have time).
Saturday
Have breakfast at Mountain View Grand and enjoy the axe throwing activity before visiting North Orchard to pick some apples. Visit Weeks State Park and hike Prospect Mountain for some amazing time spent outdoors. Then go into Lancaster for some shopping and a stop at Copper Pig Brewery.
Enjoy more time at the resort before grabbing dinner from a local restaurant like Sunny’s for some pizza and rest after a fun filled day. Harvest Tavern is also open late and has a wonderful variety of drink specials! I had an amazing spiked hot chocolate and a cocktail called Northern Lights that I dream of recreating.
Sunday
Have another breakfast at the Harvest Tavern or stop at a Dunkin on the road. Hike Mt Agassiz and spend time in Bethlehem, shopping and eating at Rek•Lis Brewing. After lunch is the perfect time to drive into the White Mountains and enjoy the scenery or fit in a small hike before heading home!
Thank you for reading! I hope you are able to explore New Hampshire, try new things, eat good food, and enjoy nature! Let me know if you try any of these 7 things to do in northern NH!
