New Hampshire attractions feature sky rides, caves, railway, Santa

New Hampshire > White Mountains > Things to Do and See > Attractions

White Mountain attractions may start on Mount Washington’s Auto Road or the Cog Railway, but they don’t end there. Clark's Trading Post has great food, shopping and entertainment. Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves takes you to spectacular waterfalls, granite cliffs, and mysterious caves. The Conway Scenic Railroad takes you on a scenic journey back in time departing from an 1874 Victorian rail station. The Christmas season is in full swing at Santa’s Village and the Loon Mountain resort features a scenic gondola skyride to the mountain’s summit. The region hosts lots for fun events year-round, too.

Flag Boy - NH Highland Games - Lincoln, NH

NH Highland Games & Festival 2024

Loon Mountain Resort - 60 Loon Mountain Road Lincoln, NH, 03251 Phone:

Celebrate the spirit of Scotland at this three-day festival

Experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of Scotland at the NH Highland Games & Festival at Loon Mountain Resort in Lincoln, NH. There’s something for everyone from Scottish music, dance, food, and fun to heavy athletics, sheep dog trials, and crowd-favorite, massed bands. Try-It classes all day long in street curling, highland dance, and more. Sign up for a seminar and explore topics ranging from Scottish cooking to genealogy. Fun for all ages with kids programming and opportunities to shop in Vendor Village. You don’t have to be Scottish to enjoy this signature event presented by NHSCOT – visit our website for details and to purchase tickets today!

Granite State Scenic Railway

64 Railroad Street Lincoln, NH, 03251 Phone: 603-745-2135

Colorful way to see the scenery and sights along a river aboard vintage railroad cars

Back when the tracks now followed by the Granite State Scenic Railway were built in 1882-1883, it was a great way for summer visitors to reach their grand hotels in the White Mountains. Today, it’s still a great way for visitors to appreciate the beauty of the White Mountain region, as they travel 15 miles round trip, leaving from the station in Lincoln, NH. In the spring and summer, as the train travels along the meandering Pemigewasset River, passengers on the vintage cars see kayakers, swimmers and fishermen enjoying the river, as well as the flora and fauna of the woods. In the autumn, the area’s foliage explodes in color, and, in winter, it’s all aboard the popular Santa Express for a meet-and-greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Mount Washington Cog Railway

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

Cog railroad journey brings visitors up Mt. Washington to ‘second greatest show on Earth’

P.T. Barnum, a man who knew a great attraction when he saw one, called the view from the Mt. Washington, NH summit “the second greatest show on Earth.” The Cog Railways has been delivering passengers to that show for 152 years, chugging up the mountain and thrilling people with views of forests, ravines – even the occasional moose or bear. The journey begins at the base station and Cog Railway Museum, where you can learn how the engineering feat was accomplished, and culminates at the summit of the highest peak in the Northeast. At the visitor center, you can explore an interactive weather exhibit, the rooftop observation deck and the summit post office. Next door is the historic Tip Top House, an original summit hotel dating back to 1853. Trains climb the mountain from late April through November. Enjoy the trip!

The Bear 500x250 - Clark's Trading Post - Lincoln, NH

Clark's Bears

110 Daniel Webster Highway (Route 3) Lincoln, NH, 03251 Phone: 603-745-8913

Famous bear show not the only attraction at this family fun park

No lions or tigers – but bears? They're in the name at Clark’s Bears! The trained bear show has been a favorite at the park for generations, but it’s not the only attraction. There’s also the Anaconda Escape water raft ride with 300 feet of twists and turns, the White Mountain Central Railroad (watch out for Wolfman!), Yandong's Chinese Circus, Segway rides, Merlin’s Mystical Mansion, water-blaster boats, a rock-climbing tower and Tuttle's laser shooting gallery. You can also mine for gemstones and fossils, and after enjoy a treat in the Peppermint Saloon ice cream parlor or have your picture taken at Kilburn's photo parlor.

Make Memories Galore in Hampton Beach, NH in 2024! Click for beach cams & more information.

River Walk Resort at Loon - New England's Newest Grand Resort! In New Hampshire's spectacular White Mountains

The New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival, Presented by NHSCOT - September 20-22, 2024 at Loon Mountain Resort in Lincoln. Click Here to reserve your tickets!

Conway Scenic Railroad

38 Norcross Circle North Conway, NH, 03860 Phone: 603-356-5251 Toll-Free: 800-232-5251

Scenic railroad gets high marks from passengers who enjoy the vintage train experience

You could say the Conway Scenic Railroad has a great track record, as evidenced by comments from on-line reviews: “beautiful scenery,” “informed commentary,” “scenic vistas,” “relaxing.” Heritage rail excursions and scenic train rides take delighted passengers through the Mt. Washington Valley and the Crawford Notch, providing the classic old-fashioned railroading experience. In winter, there’s the Snow Train from the 1874 Victorian station in North Conway Village, NH to Attitash Station. Enjoy snowy vistas or get off to ski at the resort. Starting in April, there are valley excursion trains to Conway, NH and Sawyer River featuring early 20th century railcars. For those seeking a supreme scenic experience, there’s the Mountaineer, a four to 5.5-hour round trip through the valley, re-creating the experience of a post-World War II transcontinental streamlined train.

White Mountains Attractions

200 Kancamagus Highway North Woodstock, NH, 03262 Phone: 603-745-8720 Toll-Free: 800-346-3687

Endless variety of ways to explore and enjoy the glorious White Mountains

There are so many ways to explore and enjoy the breathtaking White Mountains! You can zoom down a mountain on an alpine slide or coaster, or zoom up on a gondola. You can travel to the summit of Mount Washington on a cog railway, take a classic train ride through the valley or along a river. Go on a moose safari or guided ATV tour, zip-line through the trees, go mountain-biking or hiking. The kids might want to visit Story Land, Clark’s Bears, Santa’s Village or Whale’s Tale Water Park. You might want to take a lake cruise, fishing excursion, go golfing, tour a brewery or winery – or shop ’til you drop! All that and more is part of the White Mountains experience. To find out more, follow our link above or call us today at 1-800-346-3687.

Dragon Sculpture - Sculptered Sand - North Woodstock, NH

Sculptured Sand

24 Clark Farm Road North Woodstock, NH, 03262 Phone:

Walk “Tales of the Dark Forest” sand sculpture path to greet giant woodland creatures, castles

If you enjoyed the Ice Castles attraction in the winter, you are going to love its summer version: Sculptured Sand. Stroll along a winding path in the woods and marvel at intricate, giant sand sculptures — more than 25 of them — created by world-renowned sand sculptors. This summer’s theme, “Tales of the Dark Forest,” means you are bound to come across whimsical woodland creatures as well as towering castles (some sculptures are built up to eight feet tall). Eerie music and enchanting lighting will heighten the experience along the trail, which takes about 30 to 45 minutes to complete. There’s a sand-sculpting zone for kids, where they can use toy tools to bring sand creations to life, as well as photo offerings and concessions.

Santa's Village

528 Presidential Highway Jefferson, NH, 03583 Phone: 603-586-4445

Come see why visitors return year after year to this fun White Mountains attraction

The name alone tells you why visitors come back every year to Santa’s Village in the White Mountains. There are rides galore, from Ferris wheels and carousels to roller coasters, monorails and trains, bumper cars and flumes, all with merry holiday themes. You can have your picture taken with Santa, feed his reindeer in the barn, go on a scavenger hunt and get your own special (and complimentary) ring made at the blacksmith’s shop. Over in the water park (and, yes, admission covers both the village and water park), there are three-story slides, splash pads and interactive water attractions. Families can rent cabanas and family suites for privacy in the middle of all the fun! Eating options range from pizza and made-to-order sandwiches to fresh fruit and veggie trays.

Ice Castles

24 Clark Farm Road North Woodstock, NH, 03262 Phone: Toll-Free: 888-407-4054

A kingdom of ice gives visitors to this castle the royal treatment

Imagine castles made of ice, with towers reaching 35 feet or higher. Inside fountains have frozen over, tunnels and caves are ready for exploring, icy thrones await royalty and slides stand ready for kids and adults to race down. That’s what it’s like at Ice Castles, where everything is made of ice and snow, including the paths and walls. At night, the castles are even more amazing, as color-changing LED lights frozen inside the ice illuminate with all the shades of the rainbow while whimsical music plays. Perfect for families, romantic dates – and unbelievable photos – the castle sprawls more than an acre. Grab a hot cocoa or an apple cider from the on-site concession, then take a sleigh ride around the castles and through an enchanted forest.

Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train

3 Crossing at Riverplace North Woodstock, NH, 03262 Phone: 603-745-3500

Why choose? On this train, you can enjoy fine dining and travel through a lovely river valley

You can go on an excursion train past scenic vistas, or you can satisfy your inner foodie by enjoying a fine five-course meal, but at the Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train you don’t have to choose – you can do both! One of the nation’s premier dinner trains, the Cafe Lafayette train serves you an elegant, seasonally inspired meal and serves special cocktails from a full bar while you sit back in perfectly restored vintage 1950s rail cars and enjoy the scenery. From May through October, the train travels through the picture-worthy Pemigewasset River Valley. You’ll go through woods, over three trestle bridges, through the Jack-O-Lantern Golf Course and a Christmas tree farm, then head back to the North Woodstock station. The train is also available for private dining and special events.

Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves

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

Explore a river that plays hide and seek

Some 300 million years ago glaciers moving across New Hampshire formed the wilderness wonderland known as Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves. Today you can explore this unusual site during your White Mountains vacation. A three-quarter-mile boardwalk leads you into the gorge, where you'll find spectacular waterfalls, granite cliffs, a river that plays hide and seek, and the mysterious boulder caves. Step off the boardwalk and explore Thor's Workshop, the Devil's Kitchen, the Lemon Squeezer, Shadow Cave, the Dungeon, and the Judgment Hall of Pluto. You'll also find over 300 varieties of flowers, ferns, and shrubs. Pan for gold and fossils in the mining sluice. Come at night for an adults-only lantern tour. Open early May to mid-October. Sturdy footwear recommended.

Loon Mountain Resort

60 Loon Mountain Road Lincoln, NH, 03251 Phone: 603-745-6281 Toll-Free: 800-229-5666

Fun for Everyone in Any Season!

Rated New England’s most-accessible mountain resort destination, Loon Mountain offers activities year round. In summer and fall, ride New Hampshire’s longest gondola skyride to the 2,733-foot summit for breathtaking views, glacial caves, a scenic nature trail and the Summit Café. At the mountain’s base, ride a zipline across the Pemigewasset River, explore the Aerial Forest Adventure Park, scale a rock wall, rent a bike, navigate the LogJam Maze, or climb a 30-foot-tall spider web. Kids will enjoy Bunyan’s Bouncin’ Backyard with a bounce house. During the winter, you’ll ski and ride 2,100 feet of vertical with three peaks of terrain for all abilities – including an award-winning progression of terrain parks and New Hampshire’s only Superpipe, plus snow tubing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing. Photo Credit: Hinkley Photo

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