Where to stay for a weekend in mid-April? (Ideally: stargazing/low light pollution, on a train line, scenic bike ride, good food)

Submitted by t-shirt-questforlove t3_11aachu in newhampshire

Hello, New Hampshire redditors! I'm a Rhody gal looking to surprise my partner for his birthday with a weekend trip not with a specific location in mind, but some hopeful elements. I've been up near Franconia Notch a few times and was stunned by the beauty, but I'm otherwise unfamiliar with your lovely state, so I'm seeking any help with concocting this gift. We're both recent transplants from the PNW and were spoiled with geologic marvels out there lol

Here's what I'm hoping to nail down:

  • Where's somewhere 11/10 excellent to visit mid-April? I can imagine it's a funky time weather-wise, but I'm looking for daytime nature sights that take your breath away
  • Dream scenario is: we take a train up to a stop in NH, then bike the rest of the way to an Airbnb/cabin where we can stargaze at night. Amtrak's map suggests there aren't any train stops in the state, though — only bus thruways, and I've yet to see if buses will allow us to bring bikes
    • Aiming for 20 miles or less — I'm hoping to not have the whole day eaten up by travel, just looking for a pretty ride!
  • Great stargazing locations accessible by some combination of transport that allows us to bring bikes. If we've gotta drive, so be it — we both just love taking the train, so it'd be really special to incorporate this!
  • Stargazing locations near-ish somewhere good for dinner? We're both foodies but not snobs — a good meal can be had anywhere. I know having food options/businesses available conflicts with low light pollution, though!

Any leads/suggestions are very appreciated! I love a good scheme, hoping to make this one special :^)

(Unrelated: about a year ago, I saw someone with a NH vanity plate reading "YUMMY" and like..."LIVE FREE OR DIE YUMMY"? I love y'all)

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BlackJesus420 t1_j9qwnre wrote

You guys sound fun! I hope you figure something out that you enjoy. April’s indeed a tough time of year up here and the public transportation situation is abysmal.

Amtrak does have three stops in the state, all on the Seacoast: Exeter, Durham, and Dover. Unfortunately, none of these feature any place within biking distance that will astound you with natural beauty or spectacular stargazing.

You’re going to want to drive and you’ll want to head north, maybe somewhere like Lincoln or North Conway - both small mountain towns that offer some good dining, natural beauty, and dark skies. A drive along the Kancamagus (the route through the mountains connecting these two towns) at night will offer a number of pull-off locations to park and look up.

Keep in mind road shoulders could still be clogged with snow, sand, and other wintry debris. I personally wouldn’t be keen on biking in these areas at that time of year but I’m sure people do.

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Successful_Border321 t1_j9r20y9 wrote

OP, your best bet is going to be to drive all the way to North Conway, ride bikes around town, and the town has a scenic railway that has like 1,3 and 5 hour rides if you want some good scenery.

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t-shirt-questforlove OP t1_j9u325b wrote

This is awesome insight for Conway — thank you so much!

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Successful_Border321 t1_j9u3kmy wrote

If you are looking for additional train insight for future trips, take the Amtrak to the Northern Terminus in Brunswick Maine, get a coffee at Dog Bar Jim, and then take the train they are running North up the coast this summer to some of Maine’s premier waterfront destinations, with bikes. 👍🏽

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t-shirt-questforlove OP t1_j9u5ppq wrote

Definitely and always looking for train tips — thank you so much! We were hoping for a Maine-train this winter but it didn't line up. Sounds like summer's the time!

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Successful_Border321 t1_j9u666u wrote

Depending on how much you like people, sure. Freeport is a worthwhile winter hang, as is Portland.

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t-shirt-questforlove OP t1_j9u73js wrote

Ahh — forgot about that, yeah. We're both thoroughly extroverted, but it sounds like it gets pretty packed during vacation season 😅

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blzac33 t1_j9r05dz wrote

Great response. Yea take the concord bus to Lincoln and stargaze and cycle away on the Kanc.

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RickyDaytonaJr t1_j9r8ofs wrote

Just FYI, Amtrak actually has four stops in NH. The Vermonter route stops in Claremont.

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rubbish_heap t1_j9rfygn wrote

and the other Southern Vermont stations are right on the border

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t-shirt-questforlove OP t1_j9u30c4 wrote

Ha! Thank you — we go after as much fun as life allows :) And thanks for the awesome info! I had a feeling trying to nix driving in favor of a train and bikes was going to be tricky, but the Kancamagus is 10/10, so that sounds like the move. Time to check out Lincoln and North Conway!

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quaffee t1_j9r5dqk wrote

I used to do these types of trips when I lived in the DMV, but here, sadly, a train > bike transfer isn't quite feasible for the types of destinations you're after. You'll want to rent a vehicle, whether at your origin or your train station stop.

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SasquatchGroomer t1_j9rckvo wrote

Do yourself a favor and forget the train and bicycles. Drive. It's going to be April. It rains a lot in April. It's cold. It's windy.

If it doesn't rain, it'll probably snow.

You probably won't be star gazing too much because of the rain/snow clouds.

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t-shirt-questforlove OP t1_j9u3ahd wrote

This is what I'm fearing — I know it's a total luck of the draw for April. Guess we'll just have to enjoy the early spring scenery and come back ;)

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rubbish_heap t1_j9rhyt1 wrote

Waterville Valley has a dark skies ordinance and is surrounded by national forest. Bike paths might still be snow covered. Road bikers love route 49 down to Campton.
Mud season will mean cheap lodging but most restaurants closed. Weather could be anything and everything all in one day.

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t-shirt-questforlove OP t1_j9u4ipc wrote

Ooh — thank you for the Campton and Waterville insight! I'm prepared for the toss-up that the weather might be — we're no strangers to sky surprises.

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kearsargeII t1_j9r7zgy wrote

I have been able to take bikes on Concord Coach busses, so that would probably be the best bet. Take the bus up to Conway or Gorham and bike around there.

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KrissaKray t1_j9v4tgv wrote

As far north as you can. We have a camp up in Errol and it is the most perfect place in NH for stargazing.

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