Hotel in Restored Wood Mill North of Downtown Plymouth

Throughout much of the 20th century, Plymouth, New Hampshire, was a prosperous New England mill town anchored by a 60,000-square-foot wood mill that churned out paint stirrers, tongue depressors, popsicle sticks, and ice-cream spoons. After the factory closed in 2001, Alex Ray quickly purchased the building, hoping to save it from disrepair and revitalize Plymouth's downtown. Ray painstakingly restored the structure, transforming it into Common Man Inn & Spa, an award-winning hotel along Plymouth's Main Street.

Ninety percent of the original building remains intact. The factory's five-level boiler room has been converted into the lively Foster's Boiler Room restaurant, where chefs whip up lobster mac and cheese, spinach ravioli, and a signature snowball dessert. Most guest rooms boast Adirondack-style furnishings and comfy feather beds. The Camp signature suite resembles a log cabin, with a four-poster timber bed, a gas fireplace, and a sitting area with a rocking chair. Come morning, you can start the day off with a complimentary continental breakfast.

White Mountains, New Hampshire: Soaring Peaks Surrounded by Historical New England Towns

There are 48 peaks that rise more than 4,000 feet in the White Mountains National Forest, making them New England’s tallest mountains. The 6,288-foot summit of Mount Washington is the tallest in the entire Northeast; from the top, you can get amazing views of New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, and, on especially clear days, Canada. To get to the top, you can either attempt the challenging hike up or take a scenic drive along the Mount Washington Auto Road. For a less daunting climb, there’s Crawford Notch State Park, where you can hike the Mount Willard trail. It climbs 3.9 miles to a summit with gorgeous vistas. Some ski resorts also make their home in the park, including the popular Wildcat Mountain near Mount Washington.

A handful of small historical towns dot the surrounding lowlands, and they all serve as excellent gateways to rugged adventure in the national forest. Many became popular vacation spots during the railroad era, when Bostonians and New Yorkers flocked here to exchange stifling city streets for mountain air. The small community of Plymouth is a slice of classic Americana where historical brick buildings house quaint shops and restaurants. In 2009, a defunct 1920s-era movie theater was restored to its former splendor and dubbed The Flying Monkey Movie House and Performance Center. Here you can catch contemporary and classic flicks or enjoy live musical performances.

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