Jackson, N.H., is a small village sitting about halfway between the popular tourist town of North Conway and Mount Washington, the highest point in the state and home to the world's highest recorded wind speed (231 mph in 1934). Jackson is home to Jackson Falls, a beautiful stretch of the Wildcat River that was famous back in the early 1900s as a getaway for the rich and affluent. Visitors would stay at the nearby Wentworth Inn (still in operation) and cool off in the numerous pools, slides and waterfalls found in the river. From Jackson, you can set off into the White Mountain National Forest for hiking, fishing, rock climbing and other outdoorsy pursuits.