New Hampshire Family Fun Spots

Below Concord is New Hampshires largest city, Manchester (As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 107,219. The estimated population in 2007 was 108,580.), where you'll find plenty of the night life entertainment, food and shopping. And as a bonus, in New Hampshire you'll enjoy TAX-FREE shopping!

Outside the bigger cities are the rural farm areas with stone walls that I love the most. New Hampshire has many beautiful, wooden covered bridges throughout the state. See more covered bridges here> Covered Bridges in New Hampshire .

Squeezed in a small section between Maine and Massachusetts is the coastal portion of New Hampshire where you'll find Hampton State Beach and a few other beaches. Go to this website for events and to request a FREE visitors guide> Hampton Beach,NH .

New Hampshires largest lake is Lake Winnipesaukee with Weir's Beach and where the funny movie "What About Bob?" takes place. This is one of the most beautiful lakes I've ever seen! And I'm not even a water person. And if you're into making quilts, one of the nations largest suppliers of quilt fabrics and quilt supplies is Keepsake Quilting in nearby Center Harbor. Order their FREE catalog here> Keepsake Quilting .

Most of the attractions I'll list are in the White Mountains area. You can order a FREE map & guide of the attractions with lists of places to lodge, shop, and eat, including campgrounds, services and a road map. Order yours here> Map & Guide

In North Conway which is close to the Maine border, you can ride on the Conway Scenic Railroad through the mountains and valleys. Choose "The Valley Train", "The Notch Train", or "The Dining Chocorua". Travel in either open or enclosed restored passenger cars. Rest rooms and snack service are available on the trains and handicapped accessibility is limited. All enclosed passenger cars are heated and trains operate rain, snow or shine. No outside food is allowed on the trains. Smoking is not permitted on trains or grounds and passengers may not carry alcoholic beverages on board at any time. Well-behaved dogs may travel in Coach aboard any train, provided they are restrained by the owner. For rates, menus, or special events (such as Pumpkin Patch Express for Halloween or Santa's Holiday Express) call (603) 356-5251 or go to their website> TrainRide .

A little further north on Route 16 in Glen, NH is Storyland, where you can ride in the pumpkin coach driven by mechanical horses up to see Cinderella in her castle, where you can search for the "secret door" (we never did find it). This is where I took my children each year when they were little. Visit Humpty Dumpty or the Old Woman in her shoe house. See Heidi's grandfather up on the hill with his goats. Catch the circus show under the big top, or the musical farm follies show. Ride in the pirate ship or the swan boat in the pond. See storybook characters like the three little pigs or ride the mini train around the whole park. Other rides include the flying fish, flying Dutch shoes in "Holland", Polar coaster ride, bamboo chutes down the water slide, merry-go-round, safari tour, turtle twirl or Alice's swirling tea cups. The kids can ride the mini antique cars by themselves as they are on a guided rail. Take a tour of the silver mine. Gift shops and snack bars are located in several places throughout the park. Souvenirs and a first aid is located near the entrance. Picnic lunches are welcome and strollers can be used for free. Daily locker rentals are available. There's a candy store, ATM's and phones in the park also. Film, disposable cameras, and diapers are for sale in the gift shops. Nursing mothers can enjoy privacy in the mamas houses adjacent to most rest rooms. No pets are allowed in the park, but a limited number of free pet kennels are available. Ice-cold treats, cotton candy and more are available as well as misting tents for hot days. Open rain or shine. Pay one price for all day and go on all rides and shows. Children 2 years and under are admitted for FREE! Free parking. Height and development restrictions apply to certain rides. 350 miles from NYC and 150 miles from Boston, MA. Call (603) 383-4186 or check out their website for a brochure> Storyland . Other kid-friendly attractions can be found here>Kid Friendly Attractions .

Just up the road from Storyland is the pretty town of Jackson where lodging is available at Nordic Village. Call for more info 1-877-564-7829 or visit their website> Nordic Village . There are lots of places with lodging, food, shopping and services in North Conway.

The Mt. Washington Auto Road first opened in 1861, and is America's oldest manmade attraction. From the days of the horse and carriage to today's modern vans, the history of the Auto Road is on display in the Red Barn Museum. You can drive your car to the top or take the guided tour. NOTE: Safety dictates that particular vehicles with mechanical limitations and certain vehicles with full passenger loads cannot be permitted on the Auto Road. Additionally, trucks larger than standard pickup size and mobile campers are not allowed. There is a fee charged and children ages 4 and under are free. Expect ever-changing weather conditions on the 6,288-foot peak with very strong winds, fog and rapidly moving clouds. If you go in the winter, you can board the one-of-a-kind-SnowCoach and be transported deep into the magical world above treeline. Don't forget to purchase the bumper sticker that says-"This Car Climbed Mt. WASHINGTON". For a brochure with fees and events call (603) 466-3988 or visit the website at> AutoRoad .

You can also ride to the top of Mount Washington on the world's first mountain-climbing cog railway. Call toll-free at 1-800-922-8825 or click on Cog Railway .

Continue on Route 16 north then turn west on Route 2 to Jefferson where you'll find Six Gun City in their 53rd year. In this western village you can help catch an outlaw, see the mini horse show, play laser tag, or ride the bumper boats, roller coaster, go-karts or merry-go-round. View the huge collection of antique wagons and sleighs. Cool off on the water slides (swimwear required) and visit the gifts shops and snack bar. For this season, buy your ticket and get a second day FREE! Ages 1,2 and 3 are free with an adult. For more info call (603) 586-4592 or visit their website at> Six Gun City .

Just up the road from Six Gun City is Santa's Village where everyday is Christmas and you can meet Santa and his elves and reindeer. Admission includes all rides and shows for the entire day and children under 4 are free. Go within 3 hours of closing time and you can return another day free of charge. Phone number is (603) 586-4445 and their web page is> Santa's Village .

Next we come to Crawford Notch and the huge Mt. Washington Hotel & Resort in Bretton Woods. Go to Crawford Notch here> Crawford Notch .

The Flume in Franconia Notch State Park click here>Flume .. Beautiful waterfalls with safe boardwalks and railings for you to checkout. Go here to see a link for more waterfalls in NH>waterfalls .

Lost River was accidentally discovered in 1852, when Lyman Jackman (who was fishing with his brother Royal, at the time) slipped through a moss-covered hole and dropped 15 feet into what is now known as "Shadow Cave". There are now stairs and boardwalks to ensure your safety. You can pan for fossils and gemstones at the Lost River Mining Company. Follow Lost River as it appears and disappears through a narrow steep-walled gorge, tumbled granite, crevasses, caverns, falls. Explore and learn about natural history, ecology, and plant life. One hour, self-guided tour on walkways and bridges. Enjoyable, comfortable for the whole family. Geological display and nature garden with more than 300 varieties of native flowers, ferns and shrubs. Kinsman Notch-Six miles west of North Woodstock. Learn more here> Lost River Gorge . Learn more about Lost River Valley Camping here> Lost River Valley Camping .

Open mid-May to mid-October.

Polar Caves in Plymouth, New Hampshire, is another cool spot that's open daily through late October (weather permitting).Click to take this link for more info on Polar Caves> Polar Caves .

Clark's Trading Post is located on Rt. 3 in Lincoln, New Hampshire. Family entertainment now for 80 years! Admission is charged with under 3 years old free. There is a trained bear performance, Steam Ride through Wolfman's Territory, Seyranyan Circus, Merlin's Mystic Mansion, Tuttle's Rustic House, Water Blaster Boats, and "Old Man" Climbing Tower. There are specialty shops, museums, and Kilburn's Photo Parlor. For times, rates and special events> Clarks Trading Post

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Jack O' Lantern Resort & Golf Course. There are many more things to do while vacationing in New Hampshire. White water rafting, boating, horse back riding, antique shopping, going to outlet stores in the North Conway area, checking out craft shows and farmers markets, museums, the planetarium, hiking, walking, or just driving through the beautiful places to look at the scenery and wildlife. Check out this golf course/resort if you are into golf. Phone number (toll free) 1-800-227-4454 and website> Jack O' Lantern Resort .

Established in 1763, the town was once known as Mast Camp, because it was the shipping point for the tall masts floated down the river by the English. It was named for Sir Samuel Cornish, a distinguished admiral of the Royal Navy. Cornish is now a well-known summer resort for artists and writers, with residents including Maxfield Parish and Augustus Saint-Gaudens.

Cornish is the site of the longest wooden covered bridge in the United States and the longest two span covered bridge in the world. The Cornish-Windsor Bridge, which spans the Connecticut River, was built in 1866 at an original cost of $9,000.

The Saint Gaudens National Historic Site is located in Cornish. I love this place with such beautiful gardens on 150 acres,adorned with the sculptors work. Villages and local places include; Cornish Flat, Cornish Mill, Ballock, Cornish Center, Cornish City, South Cornish, and Squag City.

Cornish is bordered by; Claremont to the south, Plainfield to the north, and Croydon to the east. The Connecticut River borders Cornish to the west.