SIGHTSEEING > NEW HAMPSHIRE

BRETTON WOODS ù COG RAILWAY
Off Rte 302, Bretton Woods, NH (map)
603.278.5404 or 800.922.8825
http://www.thecog.com

The worldÆs first mountain-climbing cog railway takes passengers to the summit of Mount Washington. Schedule varies. Call for details. The weather is always a factor and seldom pleasant. From June 16 to July 27, trains run hourly each day from 9 am to 4 pm, and from July 28 to Sept 3, until 5 pm. Fathers ride free on Father's Day with a paying adult or child. Tickets $59, $54 for seniors, $39 for children four through 12, free for children five and under seated on an adult's lap.

CANTERBURY ù CANTERBURY SHAKER VILLAGE
288 Shaker Rd (Exit 18 off I-93), Canterbury, NH (map)
603.783.9511
info@shakers.org
http://www.shakers.org

Restoration of a religious community established in 1792. Changing exhibits, a gift shop, a picnic area, and meals at the adjacent Creamery Restaurant. Dine in the new Shaker Table Restaurant, which serves regional New England cooking. Check the Web site for schedule of craft demonstrations featuring weaving, woodworking, painting, and broom making. Open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission $15, $13 for seniors, $7 for children six through 17, and free for children ages five and under. Group rates available.

CONCORD ù MUSEUM OF NEW HAMPSHIRE HISTORY
6 Eagle Square, Concord, NH (map)
603.228.6688
http://www.nhhistory.org/museum.html

The museum offers displays of historical objects and decorative arts, and a gift shop with New Hampshire items and products. A tower serves as a vantage point from which to view the central Merrimack Valley. The "Hands-on History Family Room" offers activities that make learning fun for children. Open Tues through Sat from 9:30 am to 5 pm, and on Sun from noon to 5 pm. July 1 through Oct 15, also open on Mon from 9:30 am to 5 pm. Admission $5.50, $4.50 for seniors, $3 for children six through 18, $17 for families. Group tours and rates available.

CORNISH ù SAINT-GAUDENS NATIONAL HISTORICAL SITE
Rte 12A, Cornish, NH (map)
603.675.2175
http://www.nps.gov/saga

The site features the home, gardens, and studios of sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Grounds include 150 acres with two nature trails. Advanced reservations required for tours. Open daily from 9 am to 4:30 pm, grounds open until sunset. Admission $5, free for youths under 16.

EXETER ù AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE MUSEUM
One GovernorÆs Lane (town center), Exeter, NH (map)
603.772.2622
info@IndependenceMuseum.org
http://www.independencemuseum.org

Home of one of the stateÆs first governors, this 1738 building also served as the state treasury during the Revolutionary War. Historic artifacts include a rare Badge of Military Merit (designed by George Washington), the precursor of the Purple Heart. This summer, exhibits focus on textiles and on Exeter as an 18th-century seaport. The "American Independence Festival" will take place on July 21 from 10 am to dusk and feature re-enactments by the Lexington Minutemen and historic world players, along with music, fireworks, and traditional crafts demonstrations. Open Wed through Sat from 10 am to 4 pm. Last guided tour leaves at 3 pm. Admission $5, $3 for students, free for children under six.

FRANCONIA ù CANNON MOUNTAIN AERIAL PASSENGER TRAMWAY
Franconia Notch State Park (off Rte I-93), Franconia, NH (map)
603.823.8800
info@cannonmt.com
http://www.cannonmt.com/

Ride to the top of 4180-foot Cannon Mountain in an 80-passenger car. Views of Maine, Vermont, and even Canada are possible on clear days. Trips last about eight minutes and leave every 15 minutes. At the base of the mountain is the Franconia Notch recreation path, an eight-mile paved path, and swimming in Echo Lake. Beach admission fees apply. Call for more info. Canoe and kayak rentals available. Tramway open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Round-trip tickets $11, $7 for children six through 12.

FRANCONIA ù FROST PLACE
Ridge Rd, Franconia, NH (map)
603.823.5510
rfrost@ncia.net
http://www.frostplace.org/

The poet Robert FrostÆs farm, restored as a museum, features a 20-minute video, a nature trail, and a resident poet. Through July 2, open on Sat and Sun from 1 to 5 pm. From July 3 through Oct 8, open Wed through Mon from 1 to 5 pm. Reduced hours July 29 through Aug 4, from 3 to 5 pm. Admission is free, but donations of $4, $3 for seniors, and $2 for children six through 12 are suggested.

FRANCONIA ù NEW ENGLAND SKI MUSEUM
Next to Cannon Mountain tramway station, Franconia, NH (map)
603.823.7177
staff@skimuseum.org
http://www.skimuseum.org

Collection of historic ski memorabilia, old ski films, and a museum shop. Open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Free.

NORTH CONWAY ù CONWAY SCENIC RAILROAD
Rte 16, North Conway, NH (map)
603.356.5251 or 800.232.5251
info@conwayscenic.com
http://www.conwayscenic.com

Train rides of varying duration through the countryside on a restored antique locomotive. The ôNotch Trainö chugs for more than five hours through dramatic Crawford Notch, departing on Tues, Wed, Thurs, and Sat at 11 am, beginning June 19. Round-trip coach seats $42, $26 for children four through 12. There are shorter, cheaper round trips to Conway at 10:30 am, and 1:30 and 4:30 pm, and to Bartlett at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm. To Conway, $12.50, $9 for children. To Bartlett, $20, $13.50 for children. Other options, include a dining car, are available. Reservations encouraged. Call or check the Web site for complete schedule and fare information.

PINKHAM NOTCH ù MT. WASHINGTON AUTO ROAD
Rte 16, Pinkham Notch, NH (map)
603.466.3988
info@mtwashingtonautoroad.com
http://www.mountwashingtonautoroad.com

This toll road takes you to the summit of Mount Washington. If you're worried about your Hyundai's mountain-climbing abilities, there are also 90-minute guided tours given in vans. Dress warmly. No mobile campers or large trucks permitted. Tours given daily from 8:30 am to 5 pm. Road open daily from 7:30 am to 6 pm, weather permitting. Toll $20 for car and driver, plus $7 for each additional adult and $5 for each child five through 12. $12 for a motorcycle. Van tours cost $26, $23 for seniors and military personnel, $11 for children five through 12. An extended tour leaves at 9:30 am and 1 pm and costs $59 a person. See the Web site for further details. Or you could just have someone send you a bumper sticker.

PINKHAM NOTCH ù WILDCAT MOUNTAIN GONDOLA TRAMWAY
Rte 16, Pinkham Notch, NH (map)
603.466.3326 or 888.754.9453
thecat@skiwildcat.com
http://www.skiwildcat.com

Enclosed four-passenger gondolas climb and descend 4100-foot Wildcat Mountain. Nature and interpretive trails at base and summit. Observation tower at top and trout pond at bottom. Picnicking allowed. New this year is the ZipRider, a zip-line cable ride that soars above the mountain scenery at 45 mph. $19 for one ride, $10 for an additional ZipRide. Gondola sky rides offer a tamer way to take in the views. Rides $13, $12 for seniors, $7 for children six through 12. Lunch and family packages available. During July and Aug, enjoy free, two-hour "Wednesdays at Wildcat" explorations with a Tin Mountain Conservation Center naturalist at 10 am. Gondola operates daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Shops and restaurant open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Check the Web site for ZipRide schedule.

PLYMOUTH ù POLAR CAVES PARK
Rte 25, Plymouth, NH (map)
603.536.1888
http://www.polarcaves.com

Self-guided tour of glacial caves. Also, New Hampshire mineral exhibit, waterfowl and general wildlife exhibit, maple-sugar museum, nature trail, and picnicking. Outdoor clothing and flat-soled shoes recommended. Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Admission $13, $10 for children aged four to nine.

PORTSMOUTH ù STRAWBERY BANKE MUSEUM
Marcy St, Portsmouth, NH (map)
603.433.1100
http://www.strawberybanke.org

On 10 acres, 42 houses dating from 1695 to 1945. Nine furnished homes have been completely restored. Some houses display artifacts, tools, photographs, figurines, and construction drawings. The William Pitt Tavern was the site of the first meeting of the New Hampshire Grand Lodge of Masons. The restored Drisco House is a duplex with a 1790s dry-goods shop alongside a 1950s apartment. Museum is open daily for self-guided tours from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission $15, $10 for children ages five to 17, $40 family. Group rates available.