Looking for a taste of New England? Need an antidote from Provincetown or Ogunquit? Head for the White Mountains of New Hampshire for a fresh, cool and beautiful gay-friendly getaway. Just 2.5 hours north of Boston, the Franconia Notch region of the western White Mountains offer a variety of options for gay travelers in all seasons. Upscale inns, great restaurants, shopping and many outdoor activities provide a relaxing, romantic and unique mountain experience.

The Franconia Notch region is rich in history and known for being a more upscale, liberal and tourism-oriented area in the typically conservative State of NH. Live Free or Die is the State motto and the hospitality industry here welcomes and caters to gay & lesbian travelers providing a comfortable and rejuvenating travel experience. You won’t find clubs but you will find spectacular mountain vista’s, eclectic restaurants and romantic settings to fulfill your getaway dreams.

Summer season is all about the mountains. Scenic drives like the Kancamangus Highway offer panoramic views and access to the Presidential Range, wildlife viewing ( ever seen a moose?), and hundreds of hikes, cycling trails, and rivers with waterfalls to swim in. The scenery is breath-taking and everything is close by for day-tripping. Don’t miss the natural geologic wonders of the Notch, like The Flume Gorge, Echo Lake or the remains of the famous “Old Man in the Mountains”, or hikes to the peaks left by glacial movement. Hiking , cycling, fishing, soar-gliding, horseback riding and swimming are plentiful. The famous Appalachian Trail crests the mountain peaks in the region with an extensive network of trails and wilderness huts for overnight mountain camping.

The most famous season here is Autumn with the best fall foliage in the Northeast. Between mid Sept and mid Oct, this region, abundant with sugar maples is a blaze with color. Perfect for leaf-peeping drives or just soaking up the mountain color from various private vista’s. The Tramway to the peak of Cannon Mountain provides a 360* view of color stretching to Vt, Maine and Canada. Another historic drive is the Auto Road to the top of Mt. Washington, a thrilling and breathtaking trip to 6200’. The region also offers many traditional country fairs, harvest festivals and village events full of New England fare and food. It is an amazing experience being surrounded by such vibrant color and beauty.

Don’t be afraid of the winter up here. You will find snow and plenty of it. Several excellent ski areas, such as Cannon, Bretton Woods, Loon and Waterville Valley, are in the Notch region. Downhill skiing and snowboarding don’t get much better in New England. The mountains are rich with restaurants and après-ski activities. There are also hundreds of miles of cross-country ski trails in the picturesque valleys between the looming mountains. The extensive regional snowmobile trail also cris-crosses the valley and rentals are available at a reasonable price.

Shopping is plentiful with everything from traditional NE crafts, antiques to major brand outlet shopping in nearby North Conway, NH. The shops and cafes in revitalized Littleton, NH boosted this small city to be an award winner in the national “ Main Street USA” programs. The surrounding smaller quaint NE villages, such as Sugar Hill and Bethlehem, full of antiques and unique shops, offer the gay & lesbian shopper some fun options in the North Country.

The Franconia Notch region offers a variety of accommodations, from less expensive motels and cottages, to upscale inns and bed & breakfasts. For a totally unique B&B experience, try The Bungay Jar Bed & Breakfast in Franconia. This private, intimate and eclectic inn offers 8 unique and whimsical luxury guest suites, several with jaccuzi tubs, gas fireplaces. The recently restored 1800’s post & beam inn sits on an 8 acre hillside with award-winning gardens and spectacular mountain views. Guests enjoy a full gourmet breakfast, complimentary beverages, 2 person sauna, and a totally gay friendly experience. It is the perfect place for an intimate, romantic getaway or just time to rejuvenate in a luxurious mountain experience. Check out The Bungay Jar at www.bungayjar.com. Come to The White Mountains for a different mountain getaway this year.