Ever since Giovanni da Verrazano first saw Mt. Washingtons shining summit from his ship off New Hampshires coast, the White Mountains have proved an irresistible draw. Early on it took settlers with ambition and perseverance to tame the land, like Abel Crawford, who first built a home in what...

Ever since Giovanni da Verrazano first saw Mt. Washingtons shining summit from his ship off New Hampshires coast, the White Mountains have proved an irresistible draw. Early on it took settlers with ambition and perseverance to tame the land, like Abel Crawford, who first built a home in what is now Bretton Woods.

Soon the wide range of lodgings, restaurants and other services catering to guests, combined with warm hospitality, ensured that the White Mountains would be one of the most popular year-round destinations in the East. Modern attractions run the gamut from theme parks designed with families in mind, to waterparks, scenic mountain rides, and historic sites. Also, the White Mountain National Forest is a haven for hikers, bikers and nature lovers of all kind.

The dominant feature of the White Mountains is Mt. Washington. Rising 6,288 feet / 1916.6 m above sea level, Washington is the third highest point above sea level east of the Mississippi after Mt. Mitchell in North Carolina (6,684 ft / 2,038 m) and Clingmans Dome in Tennessee (6,643 ft / 2,025 m). Washington isn't the only impressive mountain in the region, however. There are many ski areas to choose from, from gentle family mountains to ones that can challenge the most daring expert.

In the past two decades, tax-free shopping has become an increasingly important draw, thanks to the regions many unique boutiques, name-brand outlets, antiques, crafts and other stores.

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