North Conway, New Hampshire is only about 2 1/2 hours away from Boston. It’s the perfect weekend destination for me: some of the best hiking, rock climbing, and skiing in all of New England. It’s a doable day trip for me, but I love spending a full weekend up there when I can.

NoCo is a tourist hotspot in the area and pretty expensive. Here are my top tips for saving money and making the most of your time in the White Mountains!

1.) Avoid peak times

North Conway is a year-round destination – hiking and sightseeing in the summer, leaf-peeping in the fall, and skiing in the winter and spring. Late spring or early summer will is the closest NoCo gets to an off-season, but be aware that some attractions may not be open yet.

If you can, plan your trip for mid-week to save big on lodging.

2.) Camp or stay in an Airbnb

Hotels in North Conway are expensive, but there are plenty of less conventional options available that help you save on lodging. Try an Airbnb, a cabin, or a campsite.

If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can camp for free anywhere on White Mountain National Forest land.

3.) Skip the pricey attractions

The free, natural attractions are better anyway (see #4).

Mount Washington is the one exception to this. Driving up the auto road is more expensive than you would expect, but totally worth it. The road is narrow and makes a lot of drivers nervous, so if you want a more relaxing ride where it’s okay to take your eyes off the road, consider taking a guided tour.

Of course, if you are able to hike up it will be free and all the more rewarding. Another great option is the Mt. Washington hike shuttle, which offers one-way (up or down) rides for hikers.

4.) Enjoy nature!

North Conway is the perfect launching point for seeing New Hampshire’s natural beauty!

Check out Diana’s Baths and Glen Ellis Falls. Walk through the Flume Gorge. Drive, hike, or climb to the top of Cathedral Ledge. Spend a hot afternoon floating down the Saco River. Go for a drive along the Kancamagus Highway. Go for a swim in Echo Lake. See the Honeymoon Covered Bridge.

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Have you been to North Conway? What’s your favorite thing to do?