20 Things To Do In Lincoln NH

Lincoln, New Hampshire, is a beautiful town set in the spectacular White Mountains. Whether you visit in spring, summer, winter or fall, you will be treated to an array of fun things to do. From natural attractions like Mount Pemigewasset and Loon Mountain to moose tours and snowmobiling there’s something for the whole family to enjoy in Lincoln. Check out these best 20 things to do in Lincoln next time you are visiting New England.

Lincoln, New Hampshire

20 Things To Do In Lincoln

1- Discover Main Street

Why not start your trip to Lincoln by exploring the beautiful downtown area that centres around Main Street.

There are plenty of cute shops and eateries along Main Street and the backdrop of mountains only amplifies its charm.

Another perk of a little shopping trip to Lincoln is that the state of Maine doesn’t charge sales tax.

You can therefore splurge a little in the cutesy shops and know you don’t have to pay that extra tax!

After exploring the street, you can check out some of the other activities on this list that are also on Main Street.

2- Hike Mount Pemigewasset

Mount Pemigewasset is a beautiful location for a good hike.

Mount Pemigewasset stands at 2526 feet (700 m) and can be found in the Franconia Notch State Park.

This beautiful rock is an excellent spot for hiking that locals love.

Many people visiting New Hampshire tend to head to the peaks of the White Mountain so Mount Pemigewasset offers visitors a more peaceful hike.

There is a 3.5 mile (5.6km) out and back trail of medium difficulty.

You will start the trail by Flume Gorge parking lot and head straight up the Mount Pemigewasset trailhead.

It’s a 1250-foot climb passing over a couple of picturesque streams.

Once you reach the top you will be rewarded with views of forest filled New Hampshire.

Mount Pemigewasset is at Lincoln, NH 03580.

3- Explore The Basin

The Basin is New Hampshire’s most famous and picture-perfect pothole 30 feet wide and 15 feet deep.

The pothole dates back to the Ice Age and was formed more than 25,000 years ago.

To access the pothole, you can park at exit 34A off the I-93.

There’s a gentle path that leads to the Basin and it only takes 10 minutes to reach the pothole.

The Basin is at Lincoln, NH 03251.

4- Ride The White Mountain Express Gondola

If you are looking for a fun experience and stunning views then you should definitely check out the White Mountain Express Gondola.

This gondola is on the 934 metre Loon Mountain stretching for 1.3 miles (1.6 km) and each lift can hold four people.

Once you reach the top you will be welcomed with expansive and stunning views of New Hampshire’s mountain scenery.

Visit during fall and you will be astounded by the variety of colours this vista has to offer.

White Mountain Express Gondola is at 60 Loon Mountain Rd, Lincoln, NH 03251.

5- Take The Gondola To Loon Mountain Summit

During the warmer months you can take the gondola to Loon Peak summit to discover the glacial caves.

You will find the caves just below the Loon Peak summit.

These caves were formed back in the Ice Age by the deposits of granite boulders.

Scrambling through the caves and around the huge granite boulders is fun for all ages.

Loon Mountain is at Livermore, NH 03251.

6- Go Skiing On Loon Mountain

If you visit Lincoln, Loon Mountain is a wonderful place to visit especially if you are a snow sports enthusiast. 

Loon Mountain is one of the most accessible big mountain ski areas in New Hampshire.

The mountain features 61 trails across three peaks.

The mountain’s varied terrain makes it a superb location for the whole family and all skiing and snowboarding abilities.

There are plenty of blue runs, a couple of green runs, red runs and black and black diamonds.

Ski at Loon Mountain while you take in the beautiful views of the surrounding area.

The Loon Mountain ski resort is just a five-minute drive outside of Lincoln.

Loon Mountain is at Livermore, NH 03251.

7- Have Fun Snow Tubing

Another of the best things to do at Loon Mountain is snow tubing.

Whether you like to act like a kid or are actually a kid you will have a fab time hurting down the slopes in rubber rings.

At Loon Mountain there’s a lift that takes you up to the top of Little Sister trail.

You will then proceed to slide down 1,000 feet of track at 250 vertical feet.

Talk about fun! You can choose to snow tube in the day or at night.

There’s also a tot tubing area for kids aged seven and under.

Loon Mountain is at Livermore, NH 03251.

8- Hike Lincoln Woods Trail

The Lincoln Woods Trail is in the White Mountain National Forest.

This trailhead is a gateway to the Pemigewasset Wilderness, with short nature trails leading in different directions from the car park.

You can head out along a suspension bridge and admire the forest and views of the Pemigewasset River.

The main trail runs for 2.6 miles (4.1 km) along the eastern side of the Pemigewasset River.

If you want to make your route a little longer you can also hike the Black Pond Trail and the Franconia Brook Trail.

Lincoln Woods Trail is at Lincoln, NH 03251.

9- Go Wine Tasting At Seven Birches Winery

If you like wine then you can’t miss a trip to Seven Birches Winery.

This winery is at the Riverwalk Resort in Loon Mountain.

It’s a beautiful setting for some delicious wines.

While the grapes used in these wines are from all over the world, it is produced at the resort you can visit.

You can take a tour of the winery where you will learn everything about how they make the wine from one of the winemakers.

You will be able to try a wine flight as well as sample some young wines.

If most of your group like wine but there’s a cider enthusiast among you, you’ll be pleased to know that Seven Birches Winery has started a craft cider company called Rhythm.

Seven Birches Winery is at 22 S Mountain Dr, Lincoln, NH 03251.

10- Go Moose Spotting

Moose are quintessentially New England and New Hampshire has its fair share of them, especially north of the White Mountains.

You can try your luck at a chance sighting but one of the best ways to guarantee seeing a moose is by taking the Pemi Valley Moose Tour.

Led by wildlife experts, these tours last 3 ½ hours.

Though moose sightings are not guaranteed your guide knows what they are searching for and the best places to look.

Tours run from May to September before the snow gets too heavy.

Pemi Valley Moose Tour is at 136 Main St, Lincoln, NH 03251.

11- Explore Franconia Notch State Park

Franconia Notch State Park is in the White Mountain National Forest, six minutes’ drive north of Lincoln.

Not only is the park stunningly beautiful and surrounded by trees but there’s also a lot to see at Franconia Notch.

Just within the park boundaries itself you can check out Flume Gorge, the Artist Bluff Trail, Echo Lake, The Basin and Cannon Mountain.

You can enjoy swimming, hiking, and fishing all at Franconia Notch State Park.

Franconia Notch State Park is at Flume Gorge, Daniel Webster Hwy, Lincoln, NH 03251.

12- Visit Whale’s Tale Waterpark

The 17-acre Whale’s Tale Waterpark is an amazing place to head to in summer with the whole family.

Set in the heart of the White Mountains this park is not only an entertaining place but it’s surrounded by incredible rolling mountain views.

There is an array of fun water slides, a surf simulator and a wave pool.

Once you’ve hurtled your way down all the slides and water rides meander along Jonah’s Escape in your rubber ring it’s a lovely river like waterway.

Whale’s Tale Waterpark is at 481 Daniel Webster Hwy, Lincoln, NH 03251.

13- Ride The Hobo Rail Road

Hobo Rail Road is one of the best things to do in Lincoln, especially in fall.

The trains operate round-trip on the Concord-Lincoln rail line.

These tracks were built between 1882 and 1883 by the Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad company.

The train ride along the Hobo Rail Road lasts 80 minutes and takes you along the winding Pemigewasset River.

The experience of the train ride is fun in itself but coupled with spectacular views of New Hampshire this is a must do activity when visiting Lincoln.

Hobo Rail Road is at 64 Railroad St, Lincoln, NH 03251. 

14- Explore Flume Gorge

Flume Gorge isn’t just one of the top attractions in Lincoln but also New Hampshire.

Flume Gorge is 800 feet of Conway granite carved by melting glacial water.

Today the walls of the gorge stand at nearly 80 feet tall.

You will find Flume Gorge at the bottom of Mount Liberty in Franconia Notch State Park.

You can head out along the boardwalk which hugs one side of the gorge wall.

The Flume Trail is a two-mile loop walk that starts at the check-in booths at the front of the Flume Building.

It’s a truly peaceful and awe-inspiring place to visit but its always best to head there early on weekends and holidays to avoid the crowds.

Flume Gorge is at 852 Daniel Webster Hwy, Lincoln, NH 03251.

15- Join A Fired On The Mountain Workshop

Fired on the Mountain is a wonderful place for pottery making and having fun.

There are a variety of pottery projects to choose from.

Fired on the Mountain hosts a “Play with Clay” session which is a two-hour class.

You’ll be given one 1lb of clay and you’ll be able to paint and fire your pieces after you’ve had a go at throwing on the wheel.

They also offer party clay classes and canvas acrylic painting classes.

There’s also the “Grab and Go” option where you can take a premade pot and take it home to paint.

All you need to do is bring it back within the week for firing.

Fired on the Mountain is at 437 US-3, Lincoln, NH 03251.

16- Pick Fruit At Windy Ridge Orchard

Windy Ridge Orchard is a wonderful place for the whole family.

Technically in North Haverhill, Windy Ridge Orchard is only 30 minutes outside of Lincoln.

At the orchard you can pick your own apples and blueberries.

Come Christmas time you can also cut your own tree and there are also some nature trails that wind through the orchard.

After you’ve visited the orchard head to the Cider House and Café for a coffee and some snacks.

You’ve got to try their cider donuts; they are not to be missed!

Windy Ridge Orchard is at NH-116, 1746 Benton Rd, North Haverhill, NH 03774.

17- See The Ice Castles

Ice Castles is an awesome, award-winning frozen attraction set across five cities across America.

Ice Castles are in Colorado, Minnesota, New York, Utah, Wisconsin and New Hampshire.

New Hampshire’s Ice Castles is in Woodstock just 10 minutes’ drive from downtown Lincoln.

Whether you are going for a photoshoot or just to admire the wonderful ice sculptures, Ice Castles is a wonderful and exciting place to visit.

It will certainly get you in the festive mood.

As well as gazing at the ice sculptures you can take a sleigh ride, go snow tubing, ride the ice slides and head to the Polar Pub for a frosty beverage.

Of course, the ice sculptures success is weather dependent, so you should check out the opening times as winter comes.

Tickets often sell out fast so keep your eyes peeled.

The Ice Castles are at 24 Clark Farm Rd, North Woodstock, NH 03262. You can go on a day tour of the ice castles from Boston.

18- Try The Alpine Adventures Obstacle Course

For a day full of outdoor fun why not try the Alpine Adventures Obstacle Course.

There’s a whole array of activities for the newly adventurous and the adrenaline junkies.

The tree top zipline tour is ideal for families and thrill-seekers.

The course includes ziplines from 250 to 1000 feet in length and there are also two bouncy suspension bridges.

The ziplines also get progressively longer and faster.

This is a super fun two-hour activity.

For even more adrenaline try the Super Skyrider Zipline Tour.

There are nine ziplines, a racing zipline, ladders and six suspension bridges.

These ziplines are 250 feet above the forest floor and range from 800 to 1600 feet in length.

They also offer a range of off-road tours that can be enjoyed in all seasons.

In winter you can head around the surrounding mountains in a 6-wheel Swiss army transport vehicle.

Alpine Adventures Obstacle Course is at 45 Main St, Lincoln, NH 03251.

19- Drive The Kancamagus Scenic Byway

The Kancamagus Scenic Byway is a 34.5-mile scenic drive along New Hampshire’s Route 112.

This scenic byway is well known for its spectacular fall foliage.

There are also plenty of viewing areas where you can pull in and admire the tree-lined mountain views.

This highway has even been designated an American Scenic Byway because of its rich history and scenic beauty.

The road takes you through the White Mountain National Forest past Sabbaday Falls, the Swift River, Lower Falls and Rocky Gorge.

The highest point of the byway takes you to Kancamagus Pass on Mount Kancamagus.

The Kancamagus Scenic Byway is at NH-112, Lincoln, NH 03251.

20- Enjoy A Snowmobile Adventure

For the best sledding adventures around check out SledVenturex.

This adventure company provides snowmobile tours for all abilities.

From complete novices to experienced sledders, it doesn’t matter your ability.

You will be riding on top of line Ski-Doo 600cc snowmobiles and be equipped with all the boots, pants, jackets and gloves to keep you safe and warm.

There are different tours each following a variety of routes.

SledVenturex is at 514 US-3, Lincoln, NH 03251.