New Hampshire - Family Activities

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Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa
Mountain View Road
Whitefield, NH  03598
Phone: 603-837-2100
Toll-Free: 866-484-3843
Fax: 603-837-8884

In any season...

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Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa is always a great place for families! Children’s time is filled with fun and activities throughout the entire day, including swimming in indoor and outdoor pools, geo-caching adventures, nature hikes, horseback riding, croquet and lawn games and crafty projects. The resort proudly offers four-season fun for the whole family, with cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowtubing and more activities right on the property. Fishing, boating, hiking and theme parks such as Santa’s Village and Six Gun City located nearby.

Santa's Village
528 Presidential Highway
Jefferson, NH  03583
Phone: 603-586-4445

A day at Santa's Village is one you won't soon forget

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This year there are more reasons to stay and play with Santa because, bring your bathing suit, we have added an awesome new water feature Ho Ho H2O. For nearly 60 years families have enjoyed the festive atmosphere, the great rides, live shows and Santa and his Reindeer in this wonderfully themed Christmas Park. You can ride the Yule Log Flume or drive your old time car through Kringle’s Car Wash. Tickle the Humbugs at the Great Humbug Adventure or climb aboard the SS Peppermint Twist. Ride them all over and over again without long lines! There is so much to see and do, Who Wouldn’t Go!

King Pine Ski Area @ Purity Spring Resort
Route 153
East Madison, NH  03849
Phone: 603-367-8896
Toll-Free: 800-FREE-SKI

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King Pine & Purity Spring Resort continue to lead the way for families and winter sport enthusiasts alike. Known for its family-friendly atmosphere, affordability, impeccable grooming and consistent snow conditions, King Pine has been a tradition for families throughout New England for decades.
Additional amenities at King Pine and Purity Spring Resort include night skiing, snow tubing, nordic skiing, zamboni-prepped ice skating, an indoor pool and fitness center… plus a warm, caring atmosphere that keeps families coming back year after year. To learn more about what the Purity Spring Resort area has to offer, visit our website or call (603) 367-8896 for snow reports, or (800) 373-3754 for lodging info.

Polar Caves
Tenney Mountain Highway - Route 25
Plymouth, NH  03266
Phone: 603-536-1888

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The Polar Caves were formed about fifty thousand years ago as the third continental glacier descended over New Hampshire's White Mountains. When the ice retreated, it left behind an amazing series of caves and passageways for visitors to explore. Self-guided tours take you to the rock garden and nature trails and through the caves. Open early May until late October. Check for seasonal changes in hours.

White Lake State Park
Route 16
Tamworth, NH  03886
Phone: 603-323-7350

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A popular park for campers, this park features three public campsites with room for 200 tents. Visitors will enjoy the beach on White Lake, swimming, boating and canoeing, fishing, and hiking trails. Winter activities include cross-country skiing and snowmobile trails. Of particular interest is a forest of NH pines spread over 72 acres, a National Natural Landmark.

Canterbury Shaker Village
288 Shaker Road
Canterbury, NH  03224
Phone: 603-783-9511

Take a step back in time...

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Children will enjoy the Village, especially the authentic Shaker school and guided Family tours. Also popular are the Family Activity Center and One Girl’s Story, an exhibit on the life of the last girl taken in by the Canterbury Shakers; Simply Colorful Exhibit, a hands - on experience in the Dwelling House, and special event days with activities just for children. The Village is open daily May 10-Oct. 31, daily 10am-5pm; November open Fri., Sat. & Sun. 10am-4pm.

Children’s Museum of New Hampshire
6 Washington Street
Dover, NH  03801
Phone: 603-436-3853
Fax: 603-742-2002

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The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire offers two levels of hands-on, custom-created exhibits for children ages 1-12. Children can explore a wide range of subjects, from dinosaurs, music and aeronautics to world cultures, art and natural history. Open year-round, the museum hosts a variety of live performances, workshops, classes and special events for families.

Strawbery Banke Museum
14 Hancock Street
Portsmouth, NH  03801
Phone: 603-433-1100

Open May 1 through October 31, 10AM- 5PM Daily
Guided Tours and Holiday Events available November-December

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Our Family Activity Center provides period crafts and games. Children also enjoy the gardens, the Abbott Corner Store with its groceries from the 1940s, the cooper and the 1950s house. New this season, Wheelwright will be furnished with reproductions so that children and families can touch, feel, see and smell to get a real feeling for what it might have been like to a child in the past.

Alpine Adventures Outdoor Recreation
41 Main Street
Lincoln, NH  03251
Phone: 603-745-9911
Toll-Free: 888-745-9911

Unique and exciting outdoor adventures

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Enjoy all that Alpine Adventures has to offer, including New England's first zip-line canopy tour. The original tour is a true treetop canopy adventure, zip from tree to tree through the forest on 6 separate ziplines, ropes bridges and a grand finale freefall zipline. Sky Rider is a separate canopy tour with some of the longest and highest ziplines in New England...side by side ziplines, heights of 200' off the forest floor, speeds up to 50mph and plenty of adrenaline! Take part in our Safari off-road tours or visit us in the winter for our highly recommended snowmobile tours. Book online or call for reservations.

Conway Scenic Railroad
Route 16
North Conway, NH  03860
Phone: 603-356-5251
Toll-Free: 800-232-5251

Travel on our nostalgic train rides

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Experience the Golden Age of railroading on our nostalgic train rides, all departing from our 1874 Victorian Station in North Conway Village. Whether you choose a Valley Train to Conway or Bartlett, or the legendary Crawford Notch excursion, you'll experience the fun of rail travel in the comfort of open or enclosed, restored passenger cars. Coach and First Class seating options on all excursions, or treat yourself to dining on the rails! Elegant dining car service is available aboard the “Chocorua” on the Valley Trains, and (NEW in 2010!) aboard the “Hattie Evans” on the Notch Train.
Our station, operating turntable, and Freight House all are listed in the National History Landmark registry. This is a journey back in time that the whole family will enjoy!

Great Glen Trails
Route 16 at Pinkham Notch
Gorham, NH  03581
Phone: 603-466-3988
Fax: 603-466-5225

Outdoor Fun That's Just Right for The Entire Family

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At the Great Glen Trails in Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire, we offer adventures in all shapes and sizes - Your adventure is up to you. During the spring and summer you can set out on a hike, run, or bike ride on any of our scenic trails through New Hampshire's White Mountains. Or join us for a guided bird watching tour or a paddling trip on the Androscoggin River. In winter, the cross country skiing and snowshoeing is absolutely glorious. Our trail system of easy and rolling terrain allows skiers of all abilities to find the right level of activity, challenge, and fun. The trails are groomed with both double tracks and a skating lane and run through the forests at the base of Mt. Washington. And the SnowCoach makes everything accessible to all, with or without skis. It's the natural vacation plan for you and your family.

Kahuna Laguna Indoor Water Park
2251 White Mountain Hwy (Route 16)
North Conway, NH  03860
Phone: 603-356-5411

The ocean has arrived in New Hampshire!

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Dive into a tropical family adventure at Kahuna Laguna, northern New England’s first indoor water park at the Red Jacket Mountain View Resort in North Conway, NH. No matter the season, it’s a constant 82 degrees in our tropical oasis! Zoom through 40,000 square feet of splash-tacular fun with four high-speed tubes, a wave pool, 175-gallon tipping bucket, water cannons, a play tower, arcade and more. Your smallest kahunas will have a great time in the shallow activity pool, and the Tiki Tide Café is ready with a snack or lunch when you need a break. Resort guests may enjoy Kahuna Laguna all year long, and during the warmer months the new outdoor pool will also be open.

King Pine Ski Area @ Purity Spring Resort
Route 153
East Madison, NH  03849
Phone: 603-367-8896
Toll-Free: 800-FREE-SKI

Email   See Map

King Pine & Purity Spring Resort continue to lead the way for families and winter sport enthusiasts alike. Known for its family-friendly atmosphere, affordability, impeccable grooming and consistent snow conditions, King Pine has been a tradition for families throughout New England for decades.
Additional amenities at King Pine and Purity Spring Resort include night skiing, snow tubing, nordic skiing, zamboni-prepped ice skating, an indoor pool and fitness center… plus a warm, caring atmosphere that keeps families coming back year after year. To learn more about what the Purity Spring Resort area has to offer, visit our website or call (603) 367-8896 for snow reports, or (800) 373-3754 for lodging info.

Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves
1712 Lost River Road
Route 112W
North Woodstock, NH  03262
Phone: 603-745-8031

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During the age of the glaciers, forces of water, wind, and weather created Lost River, where granite walls erupt from the earth and a river dodges in and out of view. Today you can follow Lost River as it appears and disappears through the narrow steep-walled gorge, the tumbled granite crevasses, caverns and falls. Along the boardwalks and in the caverns you'll become a time traveler journeying back 25,000 years. Kids and families will experience genuine outdoor adventure and natural history as they wander along the narrow steep-walled gorge.

Mount Washington Cog Railway
Off Route 302
Bretton Woods, NH  03589
Phone: 603-278-5404
Toll-Free: 800-922-8825
Fax: 603-278-5830

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When you ride on the world's first mountain-climbing Cog Railway train, you're in for a treat. Your train will carry you above the clouds to the top of the highest peak in the Northeast, where all of New England spreads out before you.
You'll marvel at the spectacular views from your coach window as your train climbs the steepest railroad tracks in North America. It's an exciting and unforgettable experience for the whole family. Three-hour round trip with onboard audio tour. Includes free admission to the Observatory Museum at the summit. Base Station with museum, restaurant and gift shop.

Mt. Washington Auto Road
Route 16, Pinkham Notch
Gorham, NH  03581
Phone: 603-466-3988

"This car climbed Mt. Washington"

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Make the summit of New England’s highest peak the highlight of your travels. Your trip on the Mount Washington Auto Road will create a lifelong memory. The mountain is renowned for its weather. But for visitors there are spectacular views, mountain ecology, short hikes, and legendary tales of the road and mountain. You may drive the mountain yourself or take one of our guided tours. And come winter our one-of-a-kind SnowCoach travels the road where you can view the majesty of the season on Mount Washington. Be sure to view our website for special events and impressive records of climbs by runners, bikers and cars.

Polar Caves
Tenney Mountain Highway - Route 25
Plymouth, NH  03266
Phone: 603-536-1888

Click here for coupon

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The Polar Caves were formed about fifty thousand years ago as the third continental glacier descended over New Hampshire's White Mountains. When the ice retreated, it left behind an amazing series of caves and passageways for visitors to explore. Self-guided tours take you to the rock garden and nature trails and through the caves. Open early May until late October. Check for seasonal changes in hours.

Santa's Village
528 Presidential Highway
Jefferson, NH  03583
Phone: 603-586-4445

A day at Santa's Village is one you won't soon forget

Email   See Map

This year there are more reasons to stay and play with Santa because, bring your bathing suit, we have added an awesome new water feature Ho Ho H2O. For nearly 60 years families have enjoyed the festive atmosphere, the great rides, live shows and Santa and his Reindeer in this wonderfully themed Christmas Park. You can ride the Yule Log Flume or drive your old time car through Kringle’s Car Wash. Tickle the Humbugs at the Great Humbug Adventure or climb aboard the SS Peppermint Twist. Ride them all over and over again without long lines! There is so much to see and do, Who Wouldn’t Go!

Story Land
Routes 16
Glen, NH  03838
Phone: 603-383-4186

The Children’s Theme Park Where Fantasy Lives!

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From the first friendly greeting from a storybook character to the last lick of ice cream your child’s experience at Story Land will be one of wide-eyed wonder that will be remembered for a lifetime. Story Land's 21 rides, including a pumpkin coach, antique cars, and a pirate ship, are designed for parents and children to enjoy together. Returning for 2010: join the circus for three shows daily through Labor Day under the big top, it’s included in the low pay-one-price admission to Story Land. Our unique playgrounds feed children’s imaginations, with the Loopy Lab, our yellow submarine, and many others. Story Land is in the beautiful White Mountains on 35 acres of hilly terrain. There are many family-oriented lodgings nearby.