Outlet and Village Shopping in North Conway

North Conway is a village in eastern Carroll County, New Hampshire, and the second-largest village in the town of Conway. It had a population of 2,116 at the 2020 census, but it draws far more visitors than that. A year-round resort area, it has the White Mountain National Forest to the west and north, and it is home to Cathedral Ledge, Echo Lake State Park and Cranmore Mountain Resort. It is also known for its large number of outlet shops.

Late May is a good time to shop here. The snow is gone from the valley, the trees are leafing out, and you can spend a morning hiking or walking, and an afternoon browsing.

This guide covers the big outlet center and a handful of independent shops along the way, from juried crafts and climbing gear to chocolate and Christmas ornaments.

The outlets

Settlers Green

Settlers Green describes itself as a destination for tax-free shopping, everyday essentials and activities in North Conway. It has three locations: Settlers Green Outlet Village at 2 Common Court, Settlers Green Streetside at 1699 White Mountain Highway and Settlers Crossing at 1498 White Mountain Highway.

It is more than a row of stores. Settlers Green features a public art walk, public gardens, a walking route, a labyrinth and dog-friendly shopping, so it is a pleasant place to spend a few hours even if you are not buying much. It also welcomes group tours. Check its site for its current store list before you go.

Why tax-free? New Hampshire has no statewide sales tax. It is one of five states without one, along with Alaska, Delaware, Montana and Oregon. Forty-five states and the District of Columbia do impose a general sales tax.

Crafts and gifts

League of NH Craftsmen, North Conway Gallery

The League of NH Craftsmen gallery in North Conway was established in 1932 and calls itself a landmark for local crafts. Its artists are juried by other craftspeople in their fields, and the gallery carries jewelry, furniture, pottery, blown glass, forged iron, baskets and fiber arts. It also offers craft classes. If you want a gift that was made in New Hampshire by hand, start here.

Zeb's General Store

Zeb's General Store at 2675 White Mountain Highway says it captures the nostalgia and quality of the general stores of the past, with a whimsical flair. It stocks New England specialty foods from local vendors, candy, fudge, maple products and personal care items, plus New Hampshire souvenirs. It has 25 years of experience in the gift basket business and offers corporate and ready-made baskets.

The Christmas Loft

The Christmas Loft is a boutique Christmas specialty shop in North Conway that was established in 1984 and calls itself a family attraction. It carries ornaments, collectibles, nutcrackers, snow globes, Santas and Christmas villages, along with Halloween decor. It is fun to visit any time of year, and spring is a good time to find a souvenir ornament from your trip.

Food shops

The Local Grocer

The Local Grocer is an organic and local market with a solar-powered farm-to-table cafe and deli. The cafe prioritizes local and organic ingredients, including eggs, milk, produce, grains, humane meats and locally roasted organic fair-trade coffee. It also offers gluten-free baked goods and house chocolates. Next door, in a renovated historic carriage house, its Wellness Collective has independent wellness professionals, yoga classes and a community sauna and cold plunge. Stop here for lunch between shops or to stock up for a rental.

Bavarian Chocolate Haus

Bavarian Chocolate Haus at 2483 White Mountain Highway is an old-fashioned chocolate shop that makes its confections by hand. Its selection includes truffles, milk, dark and white chocolate, sugar-free chocolate, maple products and homemade fudge. It is an easy stop for a treat or a gift.

North Conway Olive Oil

North Conway Olive Oil sells olive oils, both fused and infused, along with balsamic vinegars, pantry goods, spices and rubs. The shop says its ultra-premium certified olive oils are among the freshest and highest-quality available. Its site also has recipes, pairing ideas and guides on how to use olive oil, which help if you are new to flavored oils.

Outdoor gear

International Mountain Equipment

International Mountain Equipment, known as IME, calls itself the Northeast's legendary climbing and mountaineering shop. It sells gear for climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, skiing and camping, along with guidebooks, including a guide to more than 200 ice and alpine climbing routes in New Hampshire. It also has a consignment area and offers service and rentals. With Cathedral Ledge so close to the village, North Conway is a natural home for a climbing shop like this.

Beyond the shops

North Conway's village is also the base for the Conway Scenic Railroad, a heritage railroad that runs over two historic routes. One line runs from North Conway to Conway, on part of the former Conway Branch of the Boston and Maine Railroad. The other runs from North Conway through Crawford Notch to Fabyan, on part of the former Mountain Division of the Maine Central Railroad. The station is in the village, so it pairs easily with a shopping day.

If you would rather be outside, Echo Lake State Park and Cathedral Ledge are both in the North Conway area, and Cranmore Mountain Resort is nearby. A short walk or a scenic drive is a good way to break up an afternoon of browsing, and it gives you time to decide whether you really need that second fudge flavor.

A shopping day in North Conway

Here is one way to organize your day:

1. Morning: coffee and breakfast at the Local Grocer cafe.

2. Late morning: browse the League of NH Craftsmen gallery.

3. Lunch and afternoon: walk the outlets at Settlers Green, including the art walk and gardens.

4. Late afternoon: stop at Zeb's, Bavarian Chocolate Haus and North Conway Olive Oil for food gifts.

5. Before you leave: pick up a souvenir ornament at the Christmas Loft, or stop at IME if you are heading into the mountains.

Shopping tips

• Plan for traffic. White Mountain Highway is the main route through the area and can get busy on weekends.
• Bring a cooler if you are buying chocolate or fresh food on a warm day.
• Check each store's site for current hours, since they can change by season.
• Bring the dog to Settlers Green, which promotes dog-friendly shopping.
• Mix shopping with the outdoors. Echo Lake State Park and Cathedral Ledge are both nearby.

Frequently asked questions

Is shopping in North Conway tax-free?

New Hampshire has no general sales tax, and Settlers Green promotes itself as a tax-free shopping destination.

What is Settlers Green?

It is North Conway's main outlet shopping area, with three locations, plus a public art walk, gardens, a walking route, a labyrinth and dog-friendly shopping.

Where can I buy local crafts in North Conway?

The League of NH Craftsmen gallery, established in 1932, carries juried jewelry, pottery, furniture, glass, iron, baskets and fiber arts.

Is there a climbing shop in North Conway?

Yes. International Mountain Equipment sells climbing and mountaineering gear and guidebooks, and offers consignment, service and rentals.

Where can I get organic groceries in North Conway?

The Local Grocer is an organic and local market with a farm-to-table cafe and deli.

Sources

• Conway Scenic Railroad, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conway_Scenic_Railroad
• North Conway, New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Conway,_New_Hampshire
• Sales taxes in the United States, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sales_taxes_in_the_United_States
• Settlers Green: https://www.settlersgreen.com
• League of NH Craftsmen, North Conway: https://northconway.nhcrafts.org
• Zeb's General Store: https://www.zebs.com
• The Christmas Loft: https://www.christmasloft.com/
• The Local Grocer: https://nhlocalgrocer.com
• Bavarian Chocolate Haus: https://www.bavarianchocolatehaus.com
• North Conway Olive Oil: https://www.ncoliveoil.com/
• International Mountain Equipment: https://www.ime-usa.com/