The Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge is just a 20-minute drive away from the AC and a great place to go for wildlife sightings, scenic drives, and hiking. If you're lucky, you may spot a bald eagle, but there's a good chance to you'll see plenty of osprey fishing in the marsh.
A 3D light show outside the Atlantic City Convention Center is a highlight for many of the tourists on the boardwalk. The show consists of surround sound, theatrical lighting, and the latest architectural video mapping technologies. Video mapping is a technique that uses existing architecture as a canvas to bring the building alive (in this case, Boardwalk Hall). The show is an 8½ minute story that reflects the personality of Atlantic City, but everyone who watches the show may have a different interpretation.
The Adventure Suites in North Conway is a fun-loving hotel with all kinds of themed rooms. Stay in the '70s style Love Shack, or the Jungle Room, complete with the Gorilla Villa for the kids. It's not a place to take too seriously.
The Mount Washington Hotel, first opened in 1902, is a grand old place that has been declared a National Historic Landmark. It includes an 18-hole golf course and a spa. It's one of NH's most elegant destinations.
The Sugar Hill Inn was Bette Davis' favorite place to stay before she purchased her own property in Sugar Hill, and it still has all the charm and beauty it offered when she stayed there. It's perfect for a grown-up vacation, as there are no kids allowed.
There are a few famous people buried here, but the real appeal is the beauty of the cemetery itself. Full of graceful old trees covered in Spanish moss, and many of the gravestones are works of art themselves. Just remember this is still a functioning cemetery and some of the visitors are there to grieve, so keep it respectful.
Absolutely gorgeous, and close enough to the highway to make it an easy pit stop. Very hushed and melancholy, definitely has an otherworldly feel. There are picnic tables if you want to bring lunch. We had the place to ourselves.
This park is actually being relocated, so there was very little to see.
One of my all-time favorite beaches. It's beautiful and clean with great wave action (for swimmers, not surfers). The town is touristy but very beautiful and artsy. Parking is limited, however, so be prepared to do some walking on a busy weekend. The main lot is right on the beach if you can get in, but $25, which seems excessive to me. Also pay attention to the tides. When the tide is in, the beach is reduced to a tiny strip of land that becomes impossibly crowded and uncomfortable. The nearby Marginal Way is one of the prettiest walks in Maine.
Not my favorite New England beach. I usually prefer to make the drive up to Maine or down to Cranes in MA. But took my toddler here recently, and he loved it. Tons of sandy beach, even when tide is in, although you should do a quick sweep of your area. I found some broken glass which could have ruined our beach day very quickly.
Definitely a little bit of a party beach. Lots of teenagers swarm the boardwalk, which is kitschy and full of cheap souvenirs and arcades. We had a huge group of teens who set up their blanket nearby, and they were blasting their music and definitely drinking. Luckily they were a good-natured group, very sweet to my son, and didn't really bother us, but I could see they were annoying some of the other beach goers. So not a quiet beach by any means, but it turned out to be a lot of fun.
There are lots of parking options at varying price points. We spent $15 for the day, and didn't have to walk too far.