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North Conway travel tips

Marshall S. Berdan

IF YOU GO

GETTING THERE. North Conway is located at the confluence of U.S. Route 302 and N.H. State Route 16 in east central New Hampshire, 325 miles (roughly 6 1/2 hours) from New York City. The quickest and most reliable route is I-84 to the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) to I-290 East to I-495 East to I-95 North. In Portsmouth, take the Spaulding Turnpike north to State Route 16 and into North Conway. Or fly into Manchester, N.H. (nonstop round-trip from LaGuardia on United or US Airways begins at $383) and take I-93 north to State Route 25 east to State Route 16.

WHERE TO STAY. With more than 15,000 beds in the greater North Conway area, the choice is literally all yours, with the options ranging from full-amenity luxury resorts to romantic country inns to practical roadside motels. In addition, you also can stay at slope-side condominiums at several of the seven area downhill resorts. But wherever you select, be sure to inquire about ski-and-stay packages or other special offers.

Cranmore Inn, authentic 1860s country inn with 16 individually decorated rooms and three kitchen suites centrally located to the slopes and village and offering bountiful country breakfast, 80 Kearsarge St., North Conway; 603-356-5502, cranmoreinn.com.

North Conway Grand, spacious 200-room modern resort with all the latest conveniences and amenities, including year-round outdoor pool, fitness center, two restaurants, and adjacent 60-store outlet center, Route 16 at Settlers' Green Outlet Village; 603-356-9300, northconwaygrand .com.

Eastern Slope Inn, 70-year- old, full-service property with 148 hotel rooms, cottages, and town houses right in the center of town, restaurants, indoor pool, exercise and game rooms, 2760 Main St., North Conway; 800-862- 1600, easternslopeinn.com.

Mt. Washington Valley Inn, perfectly adequate 70-room motor lodge with one- or two-bed standard rooms and suites and large indoor heated pool, 1567 White Mountain Hwy.; 603-356- 5486, mtwashingtonvalley inn.com.

Old Red Inn & Cottages, quaint property offering seven character rooms in an 1810 farmhouse, 10 heated rustic cottages and daily candlelight breakfasts, 2406 White Mountain Hwy., North Conway; 800- 338-1356, old redinn.com.

WHERE TO EAT. Again, the choice is all yours - everything from elegant country inns to your favorite chain restaurant - and generally at prices that will pleasantly surprise you.

The 1785 Inn Restaurant, award-winning gourmet Continental cuisine served in casually elegant scenic surroundings, spectacular homemade desserts, 3582 N. White Mountain Hwy.; 603-356-9025.

Moat Mountain Smokehouse & Brewing Co., spacious converted home with great northern views specializing in burgers, BBQ and serving brewed-on-premises beers, 3378 White Mountain Hwy.; 603-356-6381.

Muddy Moose, modern, rustic-style eatery specializing in burgers, ribs and beer, extremely popular with families, 2697 White Mountain Hwy.; 603- 356-7696.

Horsefeather's, a North Conway institution, this quintessential ski-town pub right in the village center is extremely popular for après ski, casual dining and late- night music, 16 Main St.; 603-356-6862.

Decades, atmospheric, upscale steak house and seafood restaurant just one block off Main Street in the center of town, 42 Seavey St.; 603-356-7080.

INFORMATION. For local information, the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce; 800-367- 3364; mtwashingtonvalley.org. For statewide information, the N.H. Division of Travel and Tourism Development, 800-386-4664; visitnh.gov.