**Our Favorite Back Roads - This trip through country roads and covered bridges offers shopping and scenery, and an opportunity to hike and swim if you wish. (Optional things: bug spray, swimsuit, picnic lunch, water bottle, your camera, binoculars. Mandatory things: comfortable shoes!!!

Placing the Inn at your right hand, drive to the corner of Sunset Hill Road and 117. At the corner you'll notice an old, faded cast iron sign dating from the turn of the last century. Many of the places on it are not longer in existence, but it serves as testimony to the tradition of Grand Hotels and tourism we are so proud of. If you're observant you'll notice that many of these places are on the historic sign in our red parlor. If you're very observant, you'll see at least one more of these signs as you go along your way today (within 1 mile of this one). Turn left onto route 117, heading toward the village of Sugar Hill.

You'll pass our community church on your right (the kids get to ring the bell and dangle from the bell rope every Sunday), and see our community building and museum on your left. The museum is worth a stop. It showcases the history of the area, and specifically the tourism that has driven our economy for 120 years. There you will find the original stage coach that conveyed guests from the Sugar Hill Station (in Lisbon) to Sunset Hill House. Each Grand Hotel had its own stage. Stop at Harmon's Country Store on your right, and say hello to Maxine. She can tell you more about the area than just about anyone. Her "really aged cheddar cheese" is really good - we suggest that you buy a baggie of cheese ends to nibble on your way. Of course, she ships all over the world.

The Mount Washington Auto Road 8 mile toll road to highest peak in the Northeast, 6288 feet. Begins in Gorham, a good little drive away since you’ve got to go around Mount Washington to get there. For access from this side of the mountain, check out the Cog Railway (our personal lazy adventure favorite).

The Kangamangus Highway 34.5 miles. New England’s only National Forest scenic byway. A great way to get to Conway if you want to take your time. Spectacular year round, but best in the foliage season.

Route 117 a designated historic scenic byway practically at our doorstep. Covered Bridge tour (can you kiss in each one?)

Depending how far afield you want to range there are 7 covered bridges in the nearby area with many more beyond. Our first route ("bridge route one") takes you to three interesting bridges. The Haverhill-Bath Bridge is the oldest authenticated covered bridge in New Hampshire. It is 278 feet long of town-lattice truss construction, open to both vehicles and pedestrian traffic. The Bath Bridge, a short distance away, is a four-span, 400 foot long structure over the Ammonusuc River, built in 1832 using Burr Truss construction and is also open to pedestrians and vehicles. Last on this trip is the 174 foot Bath Swiftwater Bridge, built in 1849, of Paddleford Truss construction.

In another direction ("bridge tour two"), is the Lancaster-Lunenberg bridge reaching 288 feet to cross the Connecticut River using the Howe Truss construction. It was built in 1911. Nearby, the Lancaster Mechanic Street Bridge spans 108 feet over the Israel River. It is of Paddleford construction and was built in 1862.

Finally, ("covered bridge trip three") there are the Lincoln-Sentinal Pine Bridge and the Lincoln Flume Bridge in the Flume reservation. Visit these when you visit the Flume.

No where else but Sunset Hill House. Our guests tour the night skies for free. Others pay $5.00 for a one hour tour – but call first to check conditions.

One summer day as Lon and Nancy discussed what they should or could do for a living, Lon said "we should open an astronomy B&B -- there are none in the northeast and only six in the world". Although our plans grew, our love of the night skies did not diminish. The nights are dark at Sunset Hill House – you will gasp at how many stars you can see.

Try to identify the constellations--they're as bright as you're likely to ever see them. Occassionally, you can expect to get lucky and Lon will give you a tour of the night sky (He loves to do it, but not when he has to be back to the inn at 6am the next morning!) If you're really lucky, he'll even have his 20" Obsession Telescope set up (one of the largest privately owned telescopes on the East Coast).

By prior arrangement, he'll even make sure that he and the 20" are available for your special event or group. See a galaxy with its spiral arms, perhaps the central star in the Ring Nebula, or the starry diamonds of the Great Cluster in Hercules. He's even crazy enough to do this during North Country winter so long as you're crazy enough to join him! Call for availability and costs.

Moose Viewing

All over the area. We fear one will fall in the pool someday. Even if you don’t see one, you’ll enjoy the fun of looking. Be sure not to run into one, though – in head-to-head competition with a car, the Moose always wins.

Shopping

Tilton outlet shopping (about one hour away).

North Conway outlet shopping (combine this with a scenic drive over the Kangamagus Highway) Traffic in North Conway can be a bear, so plan accordingly.

The Cheese Shop Located right in Sugar Hill, an easy walk from the inn.

Fitness Center

Four Seasons Tennis & Sports Center, 2572 Lisbon Rte 302 in Lisbon. 603-838-2279. About 10 minutes away.

Bird watching

Reach Mount Pemigewassett’s wide ledges a mile from the road over a medium grade. You may be rewarded by seeing large numbers of ravens attracted by the strong updrafts. No matter what, you’ll enjoy the views.

Sunset Hill House birdfeeders are usually a flurry of activity – sit on the porch or inside, and enjoy!

State Parks

Franconia Notch State Park A deep valley of 6440 acres. Includes the Flume Gorge, the Old Man of the Mountain, Echo, Profile and Lonesome Lakes. About a five mile drive from the inn.

Mount Washington 52 acres atop the highest mountain in the northeast. Get to the top by hiking, cog railway, or the auto road. A must do if you’ve never been to the White Mountains. About a 40 minute drive from the inn.

Crawford Notch State Park Many miles of mountain trails, scenic waterfalls, connects to Applachian Mountain Trail. A 30-plus minute drive away in Hart’s location.

White Mountain National Forest More than 700,000 acres with 1200 miles of trails. Includes the Pemigewasset Wilderness, one of the most popular back-packing regions in New England. Also the Great Gulf Natural Wilderness on the north side of Mount Washington. And of course, rivers, mountains, lakes, swimming, hiking, skiing etc. Parts of it are only a few miles from our door, but since it’s the size of a small country you can also range far afield and still be in the Forest.

Antiquing

New England is noted for its numerous country antique shops carrying everything from yesterday’s junk to priceless heirlooms. There’s always something for every price, budget and interest.

Museums & Historic Sites

Robert Frost Museum In Franconia. Often has poetry readings.

Sugar Hill Historical Museum Walking distance in Sugar Hill. Highlighting the iron industry and the Grand Hotels of the area including Sunset.

Sugar Hill Sampler A neat gift shop featuring local artisans and the history of a long-time Sugar Hill Family. An easy and beautiful walk from the inn.

Crossroads of America, Bethlehem. Scale model railroads with mechanized props and lighting.

Heritage New Hampshire Bartlett. Worth the drive. Spectacular three century journey through New Hampshire’s heritage. A solid half hour drive.

Mount Washington Observatory Museum On the top of Mount Washington. We think the Cog Railway is the most memorable way (other than hiking) of getting to the top.

New England Ski Museum Artifacts and audio-visual presentation. Located in Franconia.

Stone Iron Furnace In Franconia. Roadside pull-of showing New Hampshire’s sole example of post-Revolutionary furnace for smelting iron ore.

Attractions

Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway 80 passenger aerial tram to the summit. Possibly the oldest in the U.S. (Don’t worry, though, it’s been completely modernized. Spectacular scenery year round and a great place for a picnic. Five miles from the inn.

Clark’s Trading Post Americana theme park with trained bears, antique steam train rides and bumper boats. A New Hampshire tourist fixture for generations. About 12 miles away.

Flume Gorge 800 foot long gorge with granite walls 12 to 20 feet apart towering 70 to 90 feet over your head. Has films and interpretive foot trails. Two covered bridges. Less than 10 miles away.

Loon Mountain Park Outdoor activity complex on Loon Mountain. Includes Mountain biking, in-line skating, laser skeet shooting, horseback riding, cable car ride and observation tower. Half hour away.

Mount Washington Cog Railway This is Lon and Nancy’s favorite way to get to the top of Mount Washington. This is a three-hour round trip on the world’s first mountain-climbing cog railway—constructed in 1869. The three-mile route to the 6288-foot summit is over the second steepest railway track in the world with a 13.5% average grade.

Santa’s Village A family park, live performances, rides, animals. In Jefferson, a generous half hour drive away.

Six Gun City Western theme park. Over 100 horse-drawn vehicles, live cowboys. In Jefferson, a generous half-hour drive away.

Storyland A perennial family favorite located in Glen, less than an hour away. Next to Heritage New Hampshire. Theme rides and shows, our kids love it.

Heritage New Hampshire Bartlett. Worth the drive. Spectacular three century journey through New Hampshire’s heritage. Less than an hour away.

Whale’s Tale Five waterslides, flume slides, 360 foot ’tube ride. Lots of fun on a hot day. In Lincoln, 20 minutes away.

Hunting

There are several places to hunt which are open to the public within an hours drive: Bedell Bridge Conservation Easement 81 acres; Fort Hill Wildlife Management Area, 611 acres; Palazzi Island Wildlife Management Area, 12 acres; Pemigewasset River Wildlife Management Area, 82 acres; and Church Hill Wildlife Management Area, 141 acres. Hunting is also permitted in accordance with New Hampshire State Law on private lands—please be considerate of landowners and ask permission first.

Scenery/Natural Wonders

The Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway 80 passenger aerial tram to the summit. Possibly the oldest in the U.S. (Don’t worry, though, it’s been completely modernized). Spectacular scenery year round. A great place for a picnic. Five miles from the inn.

The Mount Washington Cog Railway This is Lon and Nancy’s favorite way to get to the top of Mount Washington. This is a three-hour round trip on the world’s first mountain-climbing cog railway —constructed in 1869. The three-mile route to the 6288-foot summit is over the second steepest railway track in the world with a 13.5% average grade. A beautiful 30-40 minute drive to the station.

The Basin Falls cascade into a 20 foot pothole carved in the granite by runoff from melting glaciers during the last ice age. Less than 10 miles.

The Flume 800 foot long gorge with granite walls 12 to 20 feet apart towering 70 to 90 feet over your head. Has films and interpretive foot trails. Less than 10 miles.

Mount Washington Highest mountain in the northeast at 6288 feet. Three bowl-like depressions called glacial cirques, known as the Great Gulf, Tuckerman’s Ravine, and Huntington Ravine. Some of the world’s worst weather happens here regularly including the world’s highest ever sustained wind (2xx) mph.

Waterfalls

Bridal Veil Falls Coppermine Brook in Franconia.

Falling Waters Dry Brook in Lincoln.

Lower Ammonoosuc Falls Ammonoosuc River in Carol about 10 miles away.

Silver Cascade, Flume Cascade and Ripley Falls, all in Harts’ Location and Nancy Cascade and Arethusa Falls (the highest in New Hampshire, 200 feet) in Livermore about 30 miles away. A good bike trip or drive beginning at the Lower Ammonoosuc Falls.

Alpine Garden Eastern slope of Mount Washington. Many species found in northern Alaska and other Arctic locations.

Arethusa Falls Highest waterfall in the State (200 feet). In Crawford Notch State Park. Has a hiking trail to it.

Franconia Notch Deep gorge between Profile and Lafayette Mountains formed by glacial movement. Home of the Old Man of the Mountain, the Flume Gorge, Profile and Echo Lakes. If you’re coming from Boston, you’ll probably drive through the gorge to get to us.

Lost River Natural Gorge and granite boulders formed by glacial melt water, has a boardwalk through caves ending at Paradise Falls. In North Woodstock about a half-hour away. Nancy Brook Virgin Spruce Forest. A national natural landmark. One of the largest virgin montane spruce forests in New England at 1500 acres. In Livermore around 45 minutes away.

The Arts

Weathervane Theater in Whitefield. Repertory Theater open July through September, 20 miles away.

Picnicking

There are numerous places to picnic in the area, some designated, some not. Designated areas include Beaver Brook Wayside Rest Area in Twin Mountain; Basin Pond Fishing and Picnic area in North Chatham; Wildwood Picnic Area in Easton and Zealand Picnic area in Twin Mountain.