Lakes

Boredom? Not an issue in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. You’ll see soon enough why your kids want to go back season after season, year after year. Here’s a very partial list: cruises on Lake Winnipesaukee, rides in a cog railroad train up Mt. Washington, the shows at Clark’s Bears, fairytales coming to life at Story Land, kayaking and paddle boarding in summer and skiing and snowmobiling in winter, an aquarium, mountain bike park, zip line tours, scenic gondola rides, water parks, ice skating and farm visits. Oh, and there’s Santa’s Village, the world’s largest arcade, a park with polar caves to explore, paintball and trampoline parks. With great restaurants, great shopping and great accommodations, the kids will have a blast, and you will leave already planning your next vacation.

Inside and outside, there are so many things for families to do at Castle in the Clouds, that one visit will not be enough. Twenty-eight miles of hiking and walking trails (and snowshoeing/skiing trails in winter) go by seven cascading waterfalls. At Shannon Pond, rainbow trout actually jump out of the water for food.(And, there are ducks.) There’s plenty of room to run around in The Meadows, with picnic tables to enjoy lunch or ice cream from the nearby Cafe in the Clouds. The Arts-and-Crafts Lucknow mansion, built in 1914, has a basement tour so you can see how the servants lived as well as the ahead-of-their-time appliances. The mansion also has a scavenger hunt. The current Carriage House exhibit is about the lives of women in the Progressive Era.

Come join the families who make memories at the Margate on Winnipeaukee, a great home base for your New Hampshire getaway. Just steps from the lake’s calm, scenic Paugus Bay, the resort has a 400-foot private sandy beach and kayak and paddle board rentals. Glide around the bay’s islands, swim out to the raft or just relax in your beach chair. (Kids will love the complimentary popcorn and snow cone carts!) There’s a heated indoor pool and oversized whirlpool, large outdoor pool, fitness center and an arcade game room. Area activities include hiking, biking, skiing, snowmobiling, boat cruises, a scenic railroad, ice arena, Funspot (the largest arcade in the world) and fun shopping. Dine in the Gazebo Beach Bar or in one of many local restaurants.