Kids Trails in New Hampshire offers lots of adventure, indoors and out

People who love outdoor adventure, spectacular vistas, and towering mountains need to make tracks to New Hampshire and begin their tour with a nod of thanks to the glaciers, which helped create the region’s mountains, caves, and mineral deposits. From the beaches of the Seacoast region to the windy peaks of Mount Washington, New Hampshire has outdoor activities galore for kids and families. Offerings include railway trips through mountain gorges, mineral collecting, water fun (at natural sites and water parks), as well as science and history museums. For younger children, Santa and Mother Goose are waiting. A New Hampshire vacation is the New England pleasure that families should not miss. Also, be sure to check the Children & Families page for more information on entertainment and lodgings that welcome children.

Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Great North Woods Lakes
Merrimack Valley Monadnock Seacoast
White Mountains
Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee top of listings

Mount Kearsarge Indian Museum

18 Highlawn Road Warner, NH 03278 Phone: 603-456-2600

Open: Early May-Thanksgiving, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; November-April, open Saturday and Sunday only.

This museum offers a journey into the world of the American Indian, with guided tours for kids and families. The outdoor Medicine Woods Nature Trail winds among many plants used by American Indians. The museum gallery presents Native murals, new displays, a library, and a museum store. Open daily May 1 to October 31.

Sunapee Cruises

Sunapee Harbor Bradford, NH 03221 Phone: 603-938-6465

For outdoor fun that is restful for parents and fun for children, pull up a deck chair on the MV Mount Sunapee II and enjoy Lake Sunapee while the ship’s captain describes the history, landmarks, and lore of the region. Operates daily July through Labor Day, weekends Memorial Day through June and Labor Day through Columbus Day.

The Fells -- John Hay National Wildlife Refuge

Route 103A Newbury, NH 03255 Phone: 603-431-7511

The Fells, which was the estate of John Hay, secretary to Abraham Lincoln, is an early 20th-century summer estate with outstanding gardens and Colonial Revival buildings. Tours of the Main House offered Memorial Day to Columbus Day. When the kids need to get outdoors, the property’s hiking trails along Lake Sunapee are open year-round.
Great North Woods top of listings

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

Christmas-themed rides, musical shows, dance, entertainment, food, and gifts. Some of the shows are Jingle All the Way, with singing, dancing, and charades; Jingle Jamboree, a computer animated production; a Holiday Baloo, with singing elves. Rides include a carousel, bumper cars, a Ferris wheel, and a Yule Log flume. Open weekends Memorial Day to mid-June; daily through early September; some weekends through Christmas.
Lakes top of listings

New Hampshire Boat Museum

395 Center St. Wolfeboro Falls, NH 03896 Phone: 603-569-4554

Near Lake Winnipesaukee, this museum presents many examples of vintage and antique boats. The displays, with archival photos, trophies and models, bring to life a grand era of boating. Special events include vintage boat auctions, youth and family boat building, youth sailing, and boat shows. Check for seasonal changes in hours and programs.

Ruggles Mine

Off Route 4 Grafton, NH 03240 Phone: 603-523-4275

For an outdoor geology adventure, drive to the top of Isinglass Mountain and walk through this “Mine in the Sky,” a mountain of sparkling mica, quartz, beryl, amethyst, garnet, and feldspar, to a panoramic view of Ragged and Kearsarge Mountains. Mineral collecting allowed. Open mid-May to mid-October. Check for seasonal hours and events.
Merrimack Valley top of listings

Lawrence L. Lee Scouting Museum

571 Holt Ave. Manchester, NH 03109 Phone: 603-669-8919

Open: September-June, Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; July-August, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

The museum and the scouting library contain an extensive collection of Boy Scout memorabilia. Some highlights are Scouts on Stamps, original paintings of Boy’s Life covers, and a flag carried to the moon by New Hampshire Scout and astronaut Alan Shepard. The library has complete collections of Scouting periodicals and yearbooks.

Museums of Snowmobiling, Camping, and the Civilian Conservation Corps

Bear Brook State Park
Deerfield Road Allenstown, NH Phone: 603-485-3782

This complex offers three historic museums and a nature center. At the Snowmobile Museum, fans of the sport can enjoy exploring antique snowmobiles and other artifacts. The Camping Museum includes antique equipment and a model of campground from the early 20th century. At the museum of the Civilian Conservation Corps, guides explain to kids and parents what the Corps was and how it helped rebuild the nation during the Depression. The Nature Center is packed with animal and plant exhibits and offers a chance to do hands-on activities. Open Memorial Day to Columbus Day.

See Science Center

200 Bedford Street Manchester, NH 03101 Phone: 603-669-0400

Open: Monday – Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

This hands-on science center has nearly 100 exhibits where children and adults can do actual science experiments. The museum’s Millyard Project is a scale model of the Amoskeag Millyard of Manchester circa 1900, built entirely of Lego blocks – 2 million in all. Other activities include the Science of Ice Hockey; Reptile Mountain, and Moonwalk. Check for seasonal changes in hours and programs. Cost: $5 per person over age 1.
Monadnock top of listings

Monadnock State Park

Route 124 Jaffrey, NH 03452 Phone: 603-532-8862

At a height of 3,165 feet, Mount Monadnock offers 40 miles of maintained foot trails, many of which lead to the rock summit. The peak of this outdoor adventure for kids and families offers 100-mile views to six New England states. The Monadnock Visitor Center offers exhibits on the park’s history, ecology and trails. The park is open year-round.

Peterborough Players

55 Hadley Road Peterborough, NH 03458 Phone: 603-924-7585

This professional theater company’s summer 2006 offerings include two plays for families and children age 4 and older. Charlotte’s Web from the book by E.B. White will be presented on July 14, 15, 19, 21, and 22. The Players will present an adaptation of The Secret Garden, with performances on August 12, 14, 16, 18, and 19. Plan to make a day of it by packing a lunch to enjoy on the grounds. Performances are at 2 or 7 p.m. Call for details.
Seacoast top of listings

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

Adults and kids looking for fun outdoors can discover life from the late 1600s to the 1950s in this neighborhood known as Puddle Dock. The site offers a glimpse into the lives of people over four centuries. Children can visit historic houses or join costumed role-players as they go about their daily lives. Check for seasonal changes in hours and programs.

Water Country

2300 Lafayette Road Portsmouth, NH 03801 Phone: 603-427-1111

More ways to get a splash out of life than you can imagine, for everyone from young children to parents. Some highlights are the Giant Wave Pool; Kiddie Cove, a shallow pool is in a secluded area; Pirates Lagoon, a pirate ship with lots of slides and places to hide; and Racing Rapids and The Plunge. Open mid-June through Labor Day.
White Mountains top of listings

Alpine Adventures Outdoor Recreation

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

Unique and exciting outdoor adventures

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.

Clark’s Trading Post

U.S. Route 3 Lincoln, NH 03251 Phone: 603-745-8913

This traditional family attraction offers excursions on the White Mount Central Railroad across the Pemigewasset River; a trained bear show; water bumper boats; Merlin’s Mystical Mansion; a climbing tower; and the Seyranyan Family Circus. Open weekends Memorial Day through October. Check for seasonal changes in hours and programs.

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

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.

Hobo Railroad

Main Street Lincoln, NH 03251 Phone: Phone: 603-745-2135

Fifteen-mile, 80-minute train excursion through a beautiful, woody countryside along the Pemigewasset River in restored vintage coaches. Outdoor activities include hobo picnic lunches and ice cream for the kids. Daily departures from late June to mid-October. Check for seasonal changes in hours.

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 Auto Road

Route 16 Gorham, NH 03581 Phone: Phone: 603-466-3988

Guided tours are offered in the Auto Road van to the 6,288-foot summit of Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast. Families also are welcome to drive their own vehicles and receive an audio tour on CD or cassette. Features and activities at the top for kids and adults are a restaurant, gift shops, indoor climbing wall, and museum.

Mount Washington Cog Railway

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

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.

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

Christmas-themed rides, musical shows, dance, entertainment, food, and gifts. Some of the shows are Jingle All the Way, with singing, dancing, and charades; Jingle Jamboree, a computer animated production; a Holiday Baloo, with singing elves. Rides include a carousel, bumper cars, a Ferris wheel, and a Yule Log flume. Open weekends Memorial Day to mid-June; daily through early September; some weekends through Christmas.

Six Gun City & Fort Splash

Jefferson, NH 03583 Phone: Phone: 603-586-4592

This Western village and water park offers indoor and outdoor fun for kids. Activities include the Gold Rush Express runaway train family coaster, go-cart riding at the Tumbleweed Speedway and laser tag at Desperadoes’ Ambush. Display of wagons and sleighs, mini-horse show, rides, waterslides, and wading pool. Gift shops and snack bar.

Story Land

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

The Children’s Theme Park Where Fantasy Lives!

This is the dream destination for families with young kids who love the classics of children’s literature. Playgrounds, rides, storybook characters, a maze, and a mist tent for hot days are among the fun activities for young children and their parents. Playgrounds include a talking treehouse, Peter Pumpkineater's House, and the Loopy Lab.

The Flume Gorge

Route 3 Franconia Notch, NH 03580 Phone: 603-745-8391

Adventurous walk through a natural chasm, over covered bridges and past waterfalls and a scenic pool. A 15-minute movie at the Visitor Center provides an introduction to Franconia Notch State Park and the Flume Gorge. Kids are invited to explore the Wolf's Den. Open mid-May to late October. Check for seasonal changes in hours.

Whale's Tale Water Park

Route 3 Lincoln, NH 03251 Phone: Phone: 603-745-8810

Full-size water park offers entertainment and activities for kids and parents. Eye of the Storm thrill ride, huge warm water pool, underwater seating, giant hot tubs, save pool, lazy rives, and 11 waterslides. Live entertainment also is offered.

Wildcat Mountain Gondola

Route 16 Pinkham Notch, NH 03846 Phone: Phone: 888-SKI WILD

Four-passenger gondola skyride, the Wildcat Express, whisks visitors to the 4,062-foot summit in just 12 minutes. Views of Tuckerman Ravine and the stunning Presidential Range. Activities at the top for kids and parents include fishing in a stocked trout pond, a one-mile walk to Thompson Brook Falls, picnicking, and special events.