Our Favorite Places Near Lumen

Here we share some of our favorite places near Lumen!

Topic:
Experiences

It’s no exaggeration to say that Lumen is located in one of the best locations in the White Mountains. We may be biased, of course, but there’s a reason for that. Within a 25 minute drive in any direction, there’s so much to see, do and eat, that it’s the ideal spot to base yourself to explore the region – no matter what the season is.

Given that our guests come out here for a few days to a week, we wanted to share some of our favorite spots, so you can enjoy them too. As such, without any further adieu, let’s begin.

Best Place to Get Lunch

Str Eatz Food Truck – if you’re at Lumen from Thursday to Sunday, you need to stop by this spot for lunch or dinner. It’s a gourmet food truck located just a 2 minute drive or a 10 minute walk from us and it is spectacular. Fresh, ever-changing menu with outdoor seating, you may find yourself stopping by there for lunch every day of your stay.

StrEatz serve a wide array of inspired menu options and it's only 5mins walk from Lumen.

Best Place to Get a Cocktail or Dinner with a View

Panorama Six82 – we stumbled upon this place by accident, but so glad that we did. It’s really a gem of a place. Amazing food, great drinks and a view that will keep you going “wow” the entire time you’re there. It’s located at the Owl’s Nest golf resort just 15 minutes away from us and we highly recommend you stop by there at least once. Make sure to go an hour before sunset and grab a table outdoors to get the full experience.

Best place to eat dinner at sunset.

Best Place to Get a Beer

Shilling Beer Co – we love this place. It’s located in Littleton - about a 25 minute drive from us, which in itself, is a great day trip. Located on the bank of a river, with phenomenal beer selection and pizza, it’s one of the best breweries we’ve ever stopped by. Make sure to grab some beers to take home and make a day trip out of your visit to Littleton – you’ll really like it.

Shilling Beer Company is a buzzy brewery also serving wood-fired pies & bites in a riverside,18th-century mill with a deck.

Best Place to Get a Coffee

Moon Cafe & Bakery – if you’re like us, you may always be on the lookout for a good cup of coffee to start the day. That’s why our espresso machine is among our most prized possessions and we take it with us everywhere we go! If you want to grab a good latte or an espresso, and some delicious fresh baked goodies to go with it, this is a great stop. Right in the middle of Lincoln and just a short 8-minute drive away, it’s always a good stop. Also, good wi-fi and plenty of seating if you need it!

The Moon Cafe and Bakery is a from scratch Bakery, Cafe, and Coffee Shop using great quality and locally sourced in ingredients.

Best Place for a Family-Friendly Hike

The Flume Gorge or The Lost River Gorge – you can’t go wrong with either one of these. Gorgeous, fun and very impressive while also being family friendly and not too tough. Make sure to get tickets in advance as they do limit the number of people they permit to enter every day. If you’re looking for something a bit less crowded (most likely you’ll be the only ones there!), check out one of our favorite places in the area - Quincy Bog Natural Area. Wonderful little hike that the whole family will love.

The Flume Gorge is a natural gorge extending 800 ft horizontally at the base of Mount Liberty in Franconia Notch State Park

Best Place to Go Swimming & Kayaking

Echo Lake Beach – when you walk up to Echo Lake, it can feel like you’re in the Alps rather than New Hampshire. Gorgeous mountain views, crystal clear water, sandy beach – it’s a great stop to cool off on a hot summer day. It’s also ⅔ of the way to Littleton, so can be a great way to combine the two. If you’re looking for something closer, Staple Rock Park is about a minute away from Lumen and offers great swimming in the Pemi River.

Canoes, Kayaks, and Pedal Boats are available for rent at Echo Lake.

Best Place to Get Groceries

Market Basket – there are a couple of grocery stores in the area where you can stock up on anything you need. Our preferred one is Market Basket in Plymouth (about 20 minutes away) – large, big selection, and everything you will need is right there. If you need something closer, there is also Price Chopper in Lincoln (about 8 minutes away), but the selection tends to be a bit smaller.