Merrimack Valley

The folks at Chuckster’s in Hooksett are betting your kids will love teeing off on a beautiful 18-hole mini-golf course from inside a New Hampshire-style fire tower. One of two courses at the park (the other, the Cave Course, is ADA-accessible), the Fire Tower Course has multiple levels and many stairs. At this Chuckster’s you will find the world’s longest mini golf hole (tied with one at Chuckster’s in Chichester), the world’s shortest mini golf hole, the world’s easiest hole and most difficult hole! After golf, everyone can adjourn to the ice cream barn for an ice cream sundae or a cone (try the Upchuck: bright green-colored Cake Batter ice cream with cookie dough and white chocolate chips).

Warning: Your family is not going to want to leave Chuckster’s in Chichester! And who could blame them? Chucksters's is home to 16 fun outdoor activities and attractions including go-karts, bumper boats, the new Klime Walls challenge and batting cages. The 18-hole mini-golf course is huge, with 12,000 square feet of carpet, nine streams and ponds and the longest mini golf hole on the planet at 201 feet. Get some air at the Jumpster, where you can jump and flip up to 18 feet; Compete against a friend in ChucksterBall or Frantic Hoops; and soar at the TimberTrek Aerial Adventure Park, where you zipline, “snowboard,” “skateboard” and walk across challenging bridges through the trees at heights from 10 to 35 feet off the ground.

Kids love mysteries, and that's what makes a visit to America's Stonehenge in Salem, New Hampshire, a great trip for your family. A half-mile trail through the pine woods leads to megaliths, stone chambers, a rock altar, and other strange artifacts. Were they built by colonial farmers or Native Americans? Or constructed by ancient people -- Druid priests, perhaps -- who left similar monuments all over great Britain. Adding to the mystery is the fact that you'll find megaliths of the same type scattered around New England. Our site, however, is one of the largest collections. What's more, many other sites are on private property, and off limits to visitors. So come visit our woods, and find out why they've left scholars confused for decades.

Your family is going to love this: Pedaling over picturesque, abandoned railroad tracks in a custom-built Rail-Bike for two or four people. The all-ages, one-of-a-kind adventure from Scenic Railriders will take you through woods, past farmland along the Merrimack River and even over bridges. Pedaling required along the 6.2-mile route is leisurely, and kids 5 and over can usually reach those pedals! There are two rest stops as your guides help turn the caravan around. It’s a comfortable ride — the “bikes” have handle bars to rest your hands, seat belts and redundant brakes. The kids’ car seats, child seats or booster seats can be strapped right onto the “bike” seats, and groups of more than four can have their “bikes” linked. Advanced reservations are required.