NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC AVENTURE NAMES NORTH CONWAY AMONG 30 ACTION PACKED LOCALESNorth Conway, at the heart of Mt. Washington Valley, NH, has been recognized for years as the ideal place for outdoor adventure. The newest among its long list of distinctions is inclusion in September’s National Geographic Adventure’s list of 30 Action Packed Locales. The article named North Conway as one of six outdoor Meccas. Add this to the town’s distinction as one of the Top 10 Coolest Mountain Towns in the USA from Men’s Journal and its inclusion in the “100 Best Towns” guidebook by David Vokac, and it sums up what has drawn more people to the area than any other part of New Hampshire over the last few years. The outdoor adventure and the retailers, resorts, guides and infrastructure to support it make Mt. Washington Valley a clear winner for those who love outdoor adventure. Through the years, North Conway has been named one of the best places in the country to retire, one of the top ski towns in the US and many more accolades. In its article, National Geographic Adventure explains that North Conway is the Northeast’s only true mountain town. “Its residents celebrate Mount Washington – site of some of the most volatile weather in North America – by paddling the Androscoggin River, ice climbing in Huntington Ravine and tallying Presidential accents,” states the article. Whether it’s North Conway or the surrounding Mt. Washington Valley, it’s clear that this corner of New Hampshire is the best outdoor recreational region in the Northeast. For more information, visit mtwashingtonvalley.org presskit.

From The Seat of a Train: Mt. Washington Valley offers a host of train rides. Book your seat on the Cog Railway and take this famous train ride to the top of Mt. Washington or enjoy fabulous scenic tours to Conway, Bartlett and Crawford Notch on the Conway Scenic Railroad. Visit www.mtwashingtonvalley.org/attractions for a complete list of Mt. Washington Valley’s trains and attractions.

From the Top of the Notch: Scenic drives through Crawford Notch to Bretton Woods or Pinkham Notch to Gorham offer everything from ridgetop vistas and rock formations to moose sightings. Be sure to have the camera ready because around every turn there’s a new surprise.

From the Moose Van: Take a ride along the picturesque Androscoggin River and into the 13-Mile woods area on this spectacular and scenic Moose/Wildlife Tour. As many as 23 moose have been spotted in one tour. Tours also includes folklore and historic features of the region. All tours start from the Gorham information booth, and continue through October 9, 2006. Reservations are required. For more information, click here: Information

From a Gondola or Ski Lift: Fall is the time of year to take in the spectacular vistas from Mt. Washington Valley’s mountaintops. For those who’d rather not hike up, take the lift. A scenic ride on the Wildcat Gondola or the high-speed quad at Attitash offers fabulous picnic grounds and views into Mt. Washington’s Tuckerman Ravine or over the whole Bartlett region.

From the Pumpkin People or Scarecrow Tour: Each year, a highlight of foliage season is “The Return of the Pumpkin People”. Businesses throughout Mt. Washington Valley create whimsical displays of pumpkin people; the only requirement being that the heads are made of pumpkins. Take a self guided tour of the pumpkin people and vote on your favorite from Oct 1-22, 2006. From September 30-October 9, view dozens of scary, pretty, and just plain fun scarecrows competing for more than $2500 in prize money as you hunt for fall bargains at Settlers’ Green Outlet Village Plus. It’s all kicked off with a free fall festival complete with hay rides, pumpkin carving and more on September 30th. Visit Mt. Washington Valley’s most up-to-date online calendar of events at www.mtwashingtonvalley.org/calendar

From the Seat of a Car: Mt. Washington Valley is renowned for its fall foliage scenic drives, including the Kancamagus Highway, the country’s only scenic byway loop. Take a Sunday drive through the mountains any day of the week and discover picnic sites, swimming holes, wildlife and family attractions along the way. For a complete list of scenic drives throughout Mt. Washington Valley, click here: www.mtwashingtonvalley.org/presskit

From the Base of a Waterfall: With all the rain we’ve seen this summer, not only will the foliage be lush, but the waterfalls will be rushing throughout the fall. Whether you bask in brooks tumbling over rocks offering fabulous swimming holes or take in New Hampshire’s highest single waterfall, there’s no time like fall to capture the grandeur of Mt. Washington Valley’s “rock concert”, as Yankee Magazine calls it. Visit www.mtwashingtonvalley.org/presskit for a complete description of Mt. Washington Valley’s waterfalls.

From a cozy B&B or family resort: Mt. Washington Valley is well known for its wide variety of lodging. More than fifty country inns and B&B’s offer cozy and romantic retreats, while the region’s motels, hostels and campgrounds provide additional options for those seeking getaways on a budget. Family resorts, condos, vacation rentals and timeshare properties round out the offerings, so there’s something for everyone. Many of these lodging properties have created packages and itineraries for fall foliage getaways. Be sure to visit Mt. Washington Valley’s package page at www.mtwashingtonvalley.org/packages for a host of themed packages from last-minute specials to Flora and Fauna specials.

From the Seat of a Bike: Mt. Washington Valley offers ideal biking terrain for those looking for gentle backroads taking them through covered bridges and past farms and meadows to extreme off- road slick track. There are even inn to inn biking tours offered throughout the fall. For a complete list of suggested bike routes throughout the Valley, visit www.mtwashingtonvalley.org/presskit.

From the table in the dining room: Mt. Washington Valley offers more dining with a view than any other New England destination. Whether it’s overlooking North Conway with Mt. Cranmore front and center from the White Mountain Hotel’s dining room, to a fabulous view of the Moat Mountains and Presidentials from Darby Field Inn, you’ll find spectacular dining with a view throughout Mt. Washington Valley. Try the Mount Washington Hotel at the base of the grand dame and finish it off with a flaming drink at the 1785 Inn with a view over the Intervale to the Presidential mountain range. You’ll find plenty of choices for fine dining with spectacular views when you visit www.mtwashingtonvalley.org

If you’re not familiar with these alternative routes, be sure to ask any business owner in Mt. Washington Valley for the best way around and for alternative parking areas in the Village. Shop keepers will gladly provide advice and maps for parking too.