Overview
Lincoln is a town of 1,600 people (2020) in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire. The town is home to the New Hampshire Highland Games and to a portion of Franconia Notch State Park. Set in the White Mountains, large portions of the town are within the White Mountain National Forest. The Appalachian Trail crosses the western and northeastern parts of the town.
4 sights · 11 things to do · 6 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 9 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Lincoln
Flume Gorge
The Flume Gorge offers a 2-mile self-guided scenic walk through an 800 foot natural chasm that is situated beneath Mount Liberty. The trail passes over covered bridges and past waterfalls, a scenic pool and mountain view…
The Kancamagus Highway
This is probably the most scenic route. The Kancamagus Highway stretches 34 and a half miles from the Pemigewasset River to Conway. There are numerous scenic outlooks and scenic areas, so you will always see people stopp…
Loon Mountain
"Gravity's Playground" has summer fun when not skiing and snoboarding its 2100 ft vertical drop. Tubing, superpipe, ice skating, and horseback riding.
Clark's Trading Post
Clark's Trading Post has a family-friendly atmosphere where you can watch trained bears perform a show where they demonstrate different tricks. There is also a 2 1/12 mile train ride through the premises while being ente…
Whales Tale Water Park
Whales Tale has eleven different attractions including "The Plunge" which is a steep slide that will reach speeds up to 40mph. There is also "Ship Wreck Island" which is geared to family members of every age and "Whales …
I-93 and Franconia Notch Parkway
From Woodstock north on I-93 to where the highway becomes the Franconia Notch Parkway (in Lincoln), this stretch of road is amazingly scenic. The parkway takes you through Franconia Notch State Park, and between Franconi…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jul–Aug. Summer highs reach about 55°F; winter lows dip to about -3°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Jul. (climate data from nearby Mount Washington State Park)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- LEB Lebanon Municipal Airport, Lebanon — 43 mi away. Directions
- RUT Rutland - Southern Vermont Regional Airport, Rutland — 73 mi away. Directions
- PWM Portland International Jetport, Portland — 73 mi away (major hub). Directions
Interstate 93, Exit 32. Taking exit 32 will lead you right to Main Street, where you can find anything from hotels, restaurants, shopping, and scenic views.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $69–$89 a night (typical $89), from 3 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $7 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$90, mid-range ~$140, comfortable ~$190.
Options are grouped as Budget, Mid-range, Splurge in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Flume Gorge, Whales Tale Water Park, Loon Mountain
- Lunch black mtn. burger
- Afternoon Ice Castles New Hampshire, Hobo Hills Adventure Golf / Pirate's Cove
- Dinner Gordi's Fish & Steak House
- Evening CJ's Penalty Box
Day 2
- Morning The Kancamagus Highway, Alpine Adventures Outdoor Recreation, Hobo Railroad
- Lunch El Greco's Pizza
- Afternoon Creation Station Paint-It-Yourself-Pottery Studio, Lincoln Cinema IV
- Dinner Udderly Delicious
Day 3
- Morning Clark's Trading Post, I-93 and Franconia Notch Parkway, Basin-Cascade Trail
- Lunch The Common Man
- Afternoon Out Back Kayak Co., Lincoln Public Library
- Dinner Gypsy Cafe
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Lincoln New Hampshire was established in 1782. The landscape was filled with rivers, mountains, and forests, which made it perfect for logging. Soon after, sawmills began to appear throughout the town and were powered by the rivers. The population was extremely low in this town for about one hundred years until trains began bringing tourists to Lincoln to view the mountains. Although the population has not grown tremendously, Lincoln attracts thousands of tourists each year.
Get in
By car
Interstate 93, Exit 32. Taking exit 32 will lead you right to Main Street, where you can find anything from hotels, restaurants, shopping, and scenic views.
See
See Flume Gorge
The Flume Gorge offers a 2-mile self-guided scenic walk through an 800 foot natural chasm that is situated beneath Mount Liberty. The trail passes over covered bridges and past waterfalls, a scenic pool and mountain views. There is an information center, cafeteria, and gift shop for people to visit to learn more about the Gorge. Though the trails have railings, it is advisable to wear shoes that can hold traction on potentially slippery surfaces.
See The Kancamagus Highway
This is probably the most scenic route. The Kancamagus Highway stretches 34 and a half miles from the Pemigewasset River to Conway. There are numerous scenic outlooks and scenic areas, so you will always see people stopped along the way. The scenic areas, which have been designated by the Forest Service to preserve their outstanding or unique beauty, include the Rocky Gorge Scenic Area, which is right off of the highway. There are no gas stations or other services along this route.
See I-93 and Franconia Notch Parkway
From Woodstock north on I-93 to where the highway becomes the Franconia Notch Parkway (in Lincoln), this stretch of road is amazingly scenic. The parkway takes you through Franconia Notch State Park, and between Franconia and Kinsman mountain ranges. Beyond the Notch, take Exit 38 and visit the small village of Franconia. Looking for more views? From there, drive up Sugar Hill Road.
See Ice Castles New Hampshire
Each winter, a giant fortress made up of 25 million pounds of ice is constructed with tunnels, towers, slides, fountains, and arches. It is best to go at night, when the castle that covers over an acre of land is lit up with color changing lights from inside the ice.
Do
Do Alpine Adventures Outdoor Recreation
Alpine Adventures has three different zip line tours to choose from that offer extreme heights and beautiful views of the White Mountain National Forest. This is something for everyone to do, whether they're a first timer or a zip line fanatic. Off-Road "Safari" Tours in the private 300 acre mountain terrain combines extreme off-roading, panoramic views, music and fun for the whole family. The new "Thrillsville" Aerial Park includes bridges, climbing walls, bungee trampolines, treehouses, giant swings and more.
Do Basin-Cascade Trail
This trail is an overall moderate trail, beginning at a leisurely pace and ending with some eroded pathways. Highlights include the basin, Kingsman and Rocky Glen waterfalls, and beautiful forestry with white pines. Wet weather could cause problems farther up the path so plan accordingly. Parking is located at the Basin parking lot, off of a well-marked exit from Franconia Notch Highway. 1-2 hr.
Do Hobo Hills Adventure Golf / Pirate's Cove
New England's largest adventure golf includes 3 acres of fun, mountain views, uniquely designed playing greens, challenging putts through caves and waterfalls.
Do Hobo Railroad
This train ride is a 15-mile, 1 hr 20 min roundtrip train adventure into the woods along the Pemigewasset River in restored vintage coaches. Hobo picnic lunches & ice cream are available. The Station Gift Shop opens at 10AM in season. Weekend departures begin on Memorial Day through mid-June. Daily departures begin late June through fall foliage.
Do Out Back Kayak Co.
Visitors can take ATV tours on 80 scenic acres with a private pond, sand dune, plateau, ample wooded trails and varied terrain along the river. Adventurers can kayak the Pemi either by themselves or with a guide along the 14 mile river. Not a fan of kayaking? There are plenty of other things to do, like paintballing and snow-mobiling.
Do Creation Station Paint-It-Yourself-Pottery Studio
Do Clark's Trading Post
Clark's Trading Post has a family-friendly atmosphere where you can watch trained bears perform a show where they demonstrate different tricks. There is also a 2 1/12 mile train ride through the premises while being entertained by the rabble rousin' wolfeman. Other attractions include a 30ft climbing rock wall designed in the shape of the Old Man on the Mountain, circus acts, and interesting museums of early America; they are not your typical museum, either.
Do Whales Tale Water Park
Whales Tale has eleven different attractions including "The Plunge" which is a steep slide that will reach speeds up to 40mph. There is also "Ship Wreck Island" which is geared to family members of every age and "Whales Harbor" which is designed for younger children. If you do not enjoy water slides there are also both a wave pool and 1/4 mile lazy river.
Do Lincoln Cinema IV
Lincoln Cinema IV is a small four-screened cinema that showcases the most current films available while hoping to have a movie selection age-appropriate available for every family member. They present three showings a day, seven days a week. There is also a full concession stand with name-brand products and freshly popped popcorn.
Do Lincoln Public Library
Lincoln Public Library is not only for renting out books, but a place where you can use one of their six computers, fax machine, or bring in your own laptop and take advantage of their wireless internet. The library also provides a preschool story time every Thursday, as well as hosting other community events periodically like library movie day.
Buy
Shop Price Chopper
Price Chopper is a family-owned grocery store that has a meat, cheese, deli, seafood, floral, and produce sections. They also have brand-name grocery products as well as the Price Chopper generic products. There is also a beer and wine liquor section in the front left of the store. Other services at Price Chopper are Western Union, Fax services, postage stamps, check cashing, and money orders.
Shop Rodgers Ski and Sport
Rodgers Ski and Sport is open all year round selling all ski, snowboarding, and biking equipment. They also carry apparel for your outdoors needs such as helmets, ski jackets, and gloves. Rodgers Ski and Sport also rents out bicycles for $30 a day during the Summer season.
Shop The Mountain Wanderer
A map store specializing in New England outdoors and White Mountain hiking. The store has a plethora of various outdoor guide books, and maps relating to New England, and The White Mountains in particular. The owner, and operator of The Mountain Wanderer is a co-editor of the Appalachian Mountain Clubs White Mountain Guide book since 2001, and author of various other White Mountain guidebooks.
Eat
Eat Gordi's Fish & Steak House
This restaurant is a little less casual and a little more expensive, but the food here is delicious. Gordi's offers Maine lobster, fresh seafood, prime rib, pasta, salad bar, and a kid's menu.
Eat El Greco's Pizza
A family-style restaurant, where you can order fresh homemade pizza, calzones, subs, salads and dinners.
Eat Udderly Delicious
This ice cream shop offers delicious homemade ice cream for all types of people. "Only 8 Frozen Yogurt" is safe for most diabetics and those who are lactose intolerant. Udderly Delicious offers more than just ice cream. They make frappes, floats, old fashioned ice cream sodas, sundaes, banana splits, homemade apple crisp, and the "make your own sundae bar" with over 20 items. There is indoor and outdoor seating, which is perfect for those hot summer days. Master card, Visa and Discover accepted. Gift cards are available.
Eat The Common Man
Finer dining is served in the main dining area where you may order a range of food from prime-rib to baked macaroni and cheese. There is also a comfortable Bar N' Grill section with couches and tables where you can order from both the dinner menu and the Bar N' Grill menu. The Common Man is also available to host group functions.
Eat Gypsy Cafe (Food From Around the World)
The Gypsy Cafe is an eccentrically decorated restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating. Their menu consists of salads, appetizers, entrées, and desserts that are inspired from dishes of many different cultures. The Gypsy Cafe also has a full bar with their specialty drinks being Margaritas and an espresso bar.
Eat black mtn. burger
Burger restaurant which is usually busy, with patio and indoor seating. Outdoor seating is dog friendly and has view of the mountain (open only in summer). Great place to stop for some food after hiking or skiing. They do not take reservations though, so be prepared for more than a 30-min wait, especially in ski season.
Drink
Drink CJ's Penalty Box
Local sports bar with a casual atmosphere. Serves a lot of finger foods, like burgers, sandwiches, and appetizers. CJ's is a great place to sit down and watch the game with some friends and it's fairly cheap as well.
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Stay InnSeason Resorts Pollard Brook
Timeshare resort. Bordering the White Mountain National Forest, all offer mountain views. 1 to 3-bedroom suites and 2-bedroom loft townhouses with fireplace, kitchen, whirlpool tubs and decks. They have a game room, indoor and outdoor pools, outdoor hot tub, tennis and basketball courts, and a gym. For kids, there's a kiddie pool and playground. Daily activities are planned by the staff. Most activities are free to do, like an ice cream social or tie-dye day. They offer outdoor excursions to the guests as well, usually for a small fee.
Nearby
Waterville Valley
City / town · 35 listings · 10 mi away
Franconia
City / town · 20 listings · 13 mi away
Sugar Hill
City / town · 3 listings · 13 mi away
White Mountain National Forest
Park · 26 listings · 14 mi away
Bethlehem
City / town · 1 listings · 16 mi away
Wentworth
City / town · 3 listings · 17 mi away
Bretton Woods
City / town · 7 listings · 19 mi away
Littleton
City / town · 5 listings · 19 mi away
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