Thinking about spending some time in the Great North Woods? This northern-most section of the state has the least people and perhaps the most moose. You'll find the grandeur of the Balsams here, along with acres and acres of unspoiled wilderness. Dig a little deeper, and you'll discover the "other" great things that the region has to offer. We've picked out Ten Things to Do in the Great North Woods to get you started. For a more expanded list of ideas, see our list of the 101 Things to Do in NH.

Going on vacation? Listen now for 10 Things to do in the Great North Woods:

1. Take a Moose Tour
   Sure, Moose Alley might be where all the leggy land-lubbers gather for photo-ops and roadside parades, but you'll find these amazing creatures throughout the North Country. Other hotspots include the Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, which covers more than 8,500 acres, and Route 16 along the Thirteen Mile Woods.
   


2. Pitch a Tent
   It's easy to fall in love with the solitude of the North Woods. To experience it more fully, stay overnight by pitching a tent at any of the area campgrounds. One to try: Coleman State Park on the shores of Little Diamond Pond in Stewartstown. Take a day to explore the nearby hiking trails by foot and take in the beauty of the wilderness.
   


3. Ride the Rapids
   Ride the rapids of the Saco or Androscoggin Rivers. You can rent a raft at Saco Bound in North Conway and bring the family along on a cruise down the gently rolling rapids of the Androscoggin or sign up for any of their programs in the region. These are generally guided tours, although kayak and canoe rentals are available for more placid waters like Lake Umbagog. For the more advanced rafters, there are Class II and III rapids available at Pontook Rapids and Mollirgewok to Brown Bridge.
   


4. Stop at the Shrine
   Take a moment on your dash through the woods to pay homage to the Shrine of Our Lady Grace, which is located on NH Route 3 in Columbia. The monument has stood since 1948; it was originally built as a tribute of thanksgiving to Our Lady of Grace for 25 years of blessings and protection of the Oblates in northern New Hampshire. Today there are more than 50 monuments at the site, which has become a spiritual center. Every June during Laconia's Bike Week, hundreds of motorcycles make the trek to the shrine for the annual "Blessing of the Bikes."
   


5. Parallel Point
   Standing at the 45th Parallel might not seem like such a thrilling enterprise. But think about it; at this spot on Route 3 in Stewartstown, you are standing halfway between the Equator and the North Pole. Now that's one for the scrapbooks. There is another "45th Parallel" marker in Clarksville at the Junction of Route 145 and Clarksville Road. Don't forget to take a picture!
   


6. APB for ATVs
   The new and improved Jericho Lake State Park in Berlin is now a haven for ATV-ers of all types. The 7,200-acre site is in the planned development stages of a dedicated trail system that will offer 150 to 200 miles of riding opportunities. So hop on your moto-cross bike, mountain bike, snowmobile or other recreational vehicle and enjoy the vast space of this unique land.
   


7. Dance on the Table — If You Dare!
   Acrophobes can skip this one. Table Rock is a granite outcrop that literally hangs 2510' (no railings to grasp with white knuckles!) over the deep gorge of Dixville Notch. If you have children with you, it's best to skip this little adventure, and instead explore the spectacular and dramatic beauty of Dixville Notch State Park, where a hiking trail leads to the table in the sky.
   


8. Ski Skeleton
   You have to see the remains of a 171-foot ski jump at Nansen Wayside State Park in Milan. The skeletal steel-framed Nansen Ski Jump with its 225-foot vertical drop still stands at the park, a structure that was originally built in 1936 and was used for major championship ski jumping competitions. In 1938, the first Olympic Trials were held at Nansen. It was at the time the largest ski jump in the country and remained so for more than 50 years. It closed down in 1988. Whether you are a ski buff or not, take a peek at this historical object and admire the ingenuity of its architecture.
   


9. Logging In
   You want to log some hours at the Northern Forest Heritage Park in Berlin. The museum features a full scale re-creation of an 1880-1920 logging camp. This was big business in Berlin, which is known as the "city that trees built." The "working forest" of the Northern Forest Heritage Park is the oldest continuous logging operation in the United States. It's worth a peek into this once profitable and magnanimous operation. Open May to October.
   


10. Magalloway's Tower
    Mount Magalloway in Pittsburg offers panoramic views of Canada, Maine and Vermont from the summit. Climb to the top of the fire tower and you'll take in the breathtaking scope of the surrounding wilderness. There are two trails to the tower, Bobcat and Coot. The more strenuous of the two is the "Coot" trail. But whether you only make it to the summit or climb to the top of the tower, the prize is the view from the top.
    

If you are looking for additional suggestions, here is a new list of ten things to do: 10 MORE Things to Do in the Great North Woods Region!