White Mountains Fields of Lupine Tour
Group Itinerary ~ Full Day Tour
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Each June, fields in the White Mountains turn purple, pink, white, and blue with blossoming lupine flowers. The towns of Franconia, Sugar Hill, Easton, and Bethlehem offer gentle countryside which is a bit more rural, the pace slower, and the views absolutely gorgeous in almost every direction. Sugar Hill, known as New Hampshire’s lupine capital, is nestled among hills and fields with stunning views of the Franconia and Presidential Ranges. A visit to the area to view the blossoms is the perfect way to celebrate the arrival of spring.
First: Visit The Rocks, the North Country Conservation & Education Center for the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. The 1,400-acre property is best known for its Christmas Tree Farm, but also offers an extensive trail system and educational experiences. Receive a personalized guided tour of the terraced gardens which were designed by noted landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. The garden tour is followed by a horse-drawn wagon ride through the Christmas tree fields.
Next: Travel to Littleton for shopping and lunch on your own. Nestled along the banks of the mighty Ammonoosuc River is one of America’s Best Main Streets (ranked by Reader’s Digest as “One of the 10 nicest places in America” in 2021 and named a “Top Ten Dream Town” by Outside Magazine). This walkable, charming town features local eateries and breweries, beloved boutiques, several art galleries, and plenty of history.
The 100-year-old Opera House marks the true start of Main Street, a stretch packed with all kinds of independently owned businesses and tax-free shopping. Be sure to explore the River District, Littleton Bridge Walk including the 325-foot covered truss bridge, and the Pollyanna statue in front of the library. Shops not to be missed include Bella Funk Boutique, Chutters (home of the world’s longest candy counter), League of NH Craftsmen Fine Art Gallery, and Little Village Toy & Book Shop. Schilling Beer Co., housed in a restored 18th-century mill on the river, offers European-inspired craft brews, wood-fired pizza, a tasting room and store.
Then: Explore the fields of Lupine in Sugar Hill. Suggested photo stops include St. Matthew’s Chapel and Sunset Hill Road (Lupine Field protected by Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust). Additional stops may include Harman’s Cheese & Country Store and the Sugar Hill Historical Museum.
Finally: Ride North America’s first aerial passenger tramway at the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway. Enjoy an eight-minute scenic ride in one of two enclosed cable cars (Ketchup or Mustard) that whisk you to the 4,080-foot summit of Cannon Mountain which offers panoramic views of the distant valleys and mountains. On a clear day, visitors will enjoy views of the mountains of New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Canada, and New York. Amenities available at the summit include walking paths, an observation tower, cafeteria, and restrooms.
Other Options:
- Ride the world's first mountain climbing railway, the Mt. Washington Cog Railway, to the summit of New England’s highest peak. Boxed lunch is included with time to explore the museum and gift shop at Marshfield Base Station.
- Take a self-guided tour of the historic Omni Mt. Washington Hotel & Resort followed by an elegant buffet lunch.
- Add an evening excursion – enjoy a unique dining experience aboard the Café Lafayette Dinner Train or take a 3-hour guided moose safari with Pemi Valley Moose Tours.
