Plymouth and Waterville Valley

Considered the gateway to the White Mountains [1], the area from Plymouth to Thornton in best known for its alpine skiing, snowshoeing, and many miles of cross-country skiing trails. Spring through fall in the Waterville Valley brings biking, fishing, golf, and community picnics. It’s all anchored by the Town Square of Waterville Valley Village, a picturesque pondside spot set against the rugged, looming mountains.

Such scenery extends to Plymouth, a town also home to curiosities like the polar caves [2]—glacial creations that you can walk right through—and no less than four covered bridges. Plymouth was once a major manufacturing center in the 19th century, and still has a picturesque downtown framed by the mountains beyond. Among its industries was a baseball-glove company that once made gloves for the Red Sox; its most famous visitor was Babe Ruth, who posed for a photo-op at the factory.