A few miles south of Mount Washington, heading past Glen , US-302 and Hwy-16 as they approach NORTH CONWAY become a hodgepodge of shopping malls, fast-food places and theme parks such as Heritage USA and Storyland. The strip between North Conway and Conway proper offers all sorts of "factory outlets" (including a branch of Maine's L.L. Bean) for discount shopping. The towns are not terribly interesting, but there are plenty of secluded lodging options in the foothills to either side, and bars and restaurants in the malls, as well as the very important White Mountain National Forest Saco Ranger Station , 33 Kancamagus Highway in Conway (tel 603/447-5448), which sells maps and books and provides a ton of resources for travel planning. It also handles backcountry cabin rentals and sells parking permits ($3 for one day; $5 for five days), which are mandatory within the White Mountains region. If you're traveling through here in high season, be warned that it can take over half an hour to drive five miles due to congested roads.

North Conway

• North Conway

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