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New Hampshire's White Mountains - Making Memories Every Day!

The White Mountains region of New Hampshire is a place of active fun and adventure all year. It’s perfect place to take families with kids to explore natural wonders in the midst of towering mountains. At the same time, more-reserved adults will enjoy the mountain vistas, dining, and shopping.

Fun in the mountains includes, of course, hiking, biking, fishing and water sports. In addition, you can jump aboard the Cog Railway for a dizzying and memorable climb up some of the steepest slopes in the East. If extreme weather fascinates you, the Mount Washington Observatory at the mountain’s summit has sky-high and high-tech exhibits about extreme weather at the roof of the Eastern Seaboard.

On the flip side, you can explore the insides of the Earth at the Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves. Did we mention that this vacation is going to tire you out? Younger children in the family will love visits with Santa and mellow ride and Santa’s Village; rides and kid entertainments, including performing bears, also are at Clark’s Trading Post.

And lodgings — for a romantic getaway or at a luxurious mountain resort -- will bathe you in comfort during your White Mountains vacation.

Conway Scenic Railroad - White Mountains, NH

Alpine Adventures Zip Line - White Mountains, NH

Hobo Railroad

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

Ride the rails, and marvel at the scenery, on these old-fashioned train excursions

Take in some of the White Mountain region’s most stunning scenery from a restored vintage coach on the Hobo Railroad. Choose an 80-minute ride along the winding Pemigewasset River on the rail system that dates back to the late 1800s, or relax on the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad as you rumble along the lake’s western shore for a two-hour ride from the Meredith Station or a one-hour ride from Weirs Beach. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on board. Or, for something really different, pedal along the line in a state-of-the-art rail bike in a guided rail bike adventure, which takes you over a trestle bridge crossing Winnipesaukee River to the shore of Lake Winnisquam.

Whale's Tale Waterpark

481 Daniel Webster Highway - Route 3 Lincoln, NH, 03251 Phone: 603-745-8810

Surf, splash and slide your way through a fun day at this world-class water park

It’s easy to see why the Whale’s Tale Water Park is one of TripAdvisor’s Top 25 waterparks in the U.S. There are so many ways to slide, swim and splash your way through this world-class park. You can surf on simulated waves at Akua Beach, slide down a bobsled-style course at the Harpoon Express, watch the kids get soaked at Shipwreck Island, race down dual side-by-side speed slides with your pal or shoot down a dark, enclosed tube into the Eye of the Storm. Little ones will love tubing down a lazy river or splashing in shallow water at Whale Harbor. Plenty to eat here, from a snack bar, beach bar and pizza place.

Flume Gorge - Franconia Notch State Park - Franconia Notch, NH

Flume Gorge & Visitor Center

852 Daniel Webster Highway (Route 3) Franconia Notch, NH Phone: 603-745-8391

Nature walk that lets you get up close and personal with the beauty of this spectacular chasm

Explore the beauty of a natural gorge that extends 800 feet at the base of Mount Liberty. The Conway granite walls of the Flume Gorge rise to 90 feet in places, and you can gaze at them in awe on a one-way, 2-mile self-guided nature loop. Check out the Flume Covered Bridge across the scenic Pemigewasset River, scenic pools, the spectacular 45-foot Avalanche Falls as well as an intriguing variety of flowers, ferns and mosses. The walk finishes at the Flume Building, where a visitor’s center includes a cafeteria and interpretive exhibits about this breathtaking natural chasm. The walk takes about an hour and a half. Go on the website to make a reservation so you’re set to go on arrival.

Santa's Village

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

It’s OK to be a little elfish at this enchanting, attraction-filled Christmas village

Satisfy your inner elf at Santa’s Village, where Christmas is celebrated all year long. Admission includes all features for a full day: And there are so many features! You can feed Santa’s reindeer, go on a parkwide scavenger hunt, get a good luck ring from the blacksmith shop, take a photo at home with Santa, squirt water blasters at the village fire department, go on the Skyway Sleigh monorail or bumper cars or flume or Ferris wheel or reindeer carousel! And then there’s Santa’s Water Park with splashes, slides and a splash pad for little ones, and a Christmas Light Show. Dine at the Burger Meister Food Court, Nick’s Pizza Emporium or get a panini at the Merry Mess Hall.

Polar Caves in Rumney, NH - An Outdoor Experience of Glacial Proportions!

Conway Scenic Railroad in North Conway, NH - A Choice of Heritage and Scenic Train Rides! Open Daily.

The Legend Returns! Round-Trip Aerial Tram Rides at Cannon Mountain

Story Land

850 New Hampshire Route 16 Glen, NH, 03838 Phone: 603-383-4186

You’ll have great tales to tell after spending a day at the magical Story Land

Fairy tales do come true at Story Land, the children’s theme park that has been delighting families for over 65 years. And it’s no wonder! You can ride in Cinderella’s Pumpkin Coach or on a magical antique German carousel, sail on a pirate ship, visit with live storybook animals and with Mother Goose, travel through the park on the Huff Puff & Whistle Railroad or soar through the air on Flying Fish. There’s a Crazy Barn that raises itself off the ground, swan boats that glide, Alice’s Tea Cups that spin – and places to dig for fossils, pan for gemstones, ride rafts, drive mini antique cars and zip around on a wooden roller coaster called Roar-O-Saurus. Dining ranges from hot dogs to Mediterranean cuisine.

Aerial View - Attitash Grand Summit Hotel - Bartlett, NH

Attitash Grand Summit Hotel & Ski Area

104 Grand Summit Road - Route 302 Bartlett, NH, 03812 Phone: 603-374-6700

Summertime in the mountains means a new role for scenic ski-slope chairlift

Summertime on the ski slopes of the White Mountains means a whole different kind of adventure. At Attitash Mountain Resort, take a relaxing ride up in the Flying Yankee chair lift. The views of Crawford Notch, the Presidential Range and the Mt. Washington Valley are breathtaking. Once you’re on the summit, you can wind through the resort’s classic ski trails on North America’s longest alpine slide. Then chill out at the Snack Shack at the main base with a cold drink, ice cream, grab-and-go sandwich or hot food items. Sit outside and admire the majestic mountain views. Nearby activities range from amusement parks and town festivals to great hiking, kayaking, camping and shopping.

Curious Kids - Mount Washington Auto Road - Gorham, NH

Mt. Washington Auto Road

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

The legendary auto road, built in 1861, takes you up to the Northeast's Highest summit

Take a trip up America’s original manmade attraction. Drive up the legendary Mt. Washington Auto Road to the summit of the highest peak in the Northeast and prepare to have your breath taken away at the vista before you of the magnificent Presidential Range. As you drive up the 7.6. miles, you’ll pass through four distinct ecological zones, which you can explore with stops, lookouts and short hikes. You can also book a two-hour guided tour up the mountain. There’s a museum, walking and biking trails and full-service bar and restaurant at the base and, at the summit, a cafeteria and the Mt. Washington Observatory Museum.

Cannon Mountain

Franconia Notch State Park Franconia, NH, 03580 Phone: 603-823-8800

Lots of fun decisions to make when you’re planning your day in Franconia Notch

The best part about visiting Cannon Mountain is all the enjoyable decisions you’ll have to make about how to spend your day. But here’s a no-brainer: Take the Aerial Tramway up to the 4,080-foot mountain summit for views of the White Mountains, Maine, Vermont and Canada. At the summit, you can explore walking paths, check out the observation tower or get a bite to eat at the cafe. Other activities to consider: strolling on a path through the amazing Flume and Liberty gorges with towering granite walls, waterfalls, glacial pools and covered bridges; renting a boat to glide along on Echo Lake or swimming off its shore; biking the paved recreation path; fishing in Profile Lake; or visiting the admission-free New England Ski Museum.

2-Hour Guided Tours from Mt. Washington Auto Road - Learn about the unique history, flora and fauna of Mt. Washington - Click here to book your trip now!

Summer Adventures at Loon Mountain - Book your escape today!

See It to Believe It! - Climb the Mt. Washington Auto Road!

Alpine Adventures

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

Lots of ways to experience pure exhilaration at this mountain adventure center

Explore the glorious White Mountains at Alpine Adventures, where exhilaration takes several forms. You can soar 200 feet above the forest floor on three different zipline courses, for beginners through serious adventurers. You can go on a guided trek through 300 private acres on Barron Mountain, with stunning views of the mountains. You can enter Thrillsville, a self-guided course that includes bridges, cargo nets, rope ladders and a treehouse. You can take a snow tube down a ramp and fly into a supersized air bag in the BigAirBag Stuntzone. Or you can take the wheel of your own adventure on a Side X Side off-road mountain tour, after being oriented to the off-road vehicle by a trained guide team.

Polar Caves

705 Rumney Route 25 Rumney, NH Phone: 603-536-1888

Feeling bold? Try your hand at exploring these boulder caves, mazes and trails

With nine granite boulder caves, boulder mazes and nature trails, Polar Caves Park really is an outdoor experience of glacial proportions. Formed during the last Ice Age, gigantic granite boulders were dropped at the base of Hawk’s Cliff, forming passageways. Now those passageways provide adventures for visitors, who squeeze through well-lit caves, scurry up stairs and over boardwalks as they explore this natural wonder. Stop for a rest on a bench fit for a pharaoh at King Tut’s Cave, then keep ducking, squeezing and shimmying your way through the trail. There’s also an animal park with fallow deer and ducks, the Baker River Mining Sluice where you can mine for gems, places to picnic and the Main Lodge with treats and trinkets.

Cranmore Mountain Resort

1 Skimobile Road North Conway, NH, 03860 Phone: Toll-Free: 800-786-6754

Exciting outdoor adventures surround you at this mountain resort

At the Cranmore Mountain Resort, there’s an adventure for everyone. Zoom downhill on the Mountain Coaster; fly through the air on the Soaring Eagle Zip Ride; or take a chairlift ride to the summit, where the Meister Hut is serving up hot dogs, craft beer and ice cream. The resort also features the Downhill Mountain Bike Park with five trails, a skills park, bike rental center and learn-to-ride programs. There are plenty of hiking trails, too, from the half-mile loop around the summit with mountain and valley views to a longer trail that takes you to neighboring Black Cap Mountain.

Mount Washington Cog Railway

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

Travel through history, and see stunning mountain scenery, on this famous Cog Railway

Take a thrilling journey through history, technology and nature when you board the Mt. Washington Cog Railway, aptly called the “second greatest show on Earth” by P.T. Barnum. The cog railway, the first in the world to climb a mountain, made its debut 150 years ago and has been amazing visitors ever since with its dramatic, steep climb up to the summit of New England’s highest peak. At the base station, there’s an interactive museum and food court. At the summit, reached after going through three climate zones, dense forests, and between two deep chasms, there’s a rooftop observation deck, interactive weather exhibit, cafeteria and post office. Adjacent to the visitor’s center is the Tip Top House, an original summit hotel built in 1853. The views? Spectacular.

Santa's Village in Jefferson, NH - Pure Joy, Family Style! Open late May to Mid-December

Alpine Adventures New Hampshire's White Mountains - Legendary Fun!

Face Painted Kids 500x250 - Clark's Trading Post - Lincoln, NH

Clark's Bears

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

No need to tame your enthusiasm when you visit the popular Clark’s Bears

Families have been going wild for the attractions at Clark’s Bears for generations. There’s the trained bear show for starters: Unmuzzled and unleashed, these native black bears will dazzle and delight you with their antics and routines. Human performances take center stage at the circus, this season with the Yandong Chinese Acrobats; and with the display of magical powers at Merlin’s Mystical Mansion. The park is also home to the White Mountain Central Railroad (watch out for the Wolfman!) and the Anaconda Escape water raft ride. You can learn to glide on a Segway, climb a 30-foot tower, soak your friends on water blaster boats or hunt for treasures at River City Mining. On-site museums include an 1884 Fire Station.

Conway Scenic Railroad

38 Norcross Circle North Conway, NH, 03860 Phone: 603-356-5251

Get your vacation on track with an excursion aboard a scenic railroad train

Sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery when you book an excursion at the Conway Scenic Railroad. Take a classic 55-minute train ride to Conway (this 11-mile ride is perfect for little kids) or opt for the Bartlett-Sawyer excursion through the Saco River Valley, passing along the river and through the woods to Bartlett or Sawyer River. Or, there’s the supremely scenic trip aboard the Mountaineer. On this five-hour excursion, you’ll go over Crawford Notch in a 1950s-era streamlined passenger car. Premier class travel on this trip includes the deluxe upper dome dining car, with jaw-dropping 360-degree views. All trips begin at the 1874 Victorian station in North Conway. And well-behaved dogs are welcome.

Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves

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

Millions of years in the making, the gorge and boulder caves will amaze you

History tells us that Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves is 300 million years old. It is believed the gorge was former during the Ice Age because of its sculpted & jagged rock walls, cascading waterfalls and glacial boulder caves that you can marvel at with a self-guided adventure walk. The gorge, in Kinsman Notch, winds its way along the Lost River, and you can check out its amazing features on the one-way 1-mile boardwalk trail. Explore or bypass 11 boulder caves, go over a suspension bridge and climb onto the Giant Bird’s Nest platform to view the gorge, the Kinsman Notch and the surrounding forests that seem to go on forever. You can also pan for gemstones and fossils at the Lost River Mining Company. Advanced online reservations are highly encouraged.

Wildcat Mountain Ski Area

Route 16, Pinkham Notch Jackson, NH, 03846 Phone: 603-466-3326

Mountain resort’s scenic chairlift ride will elevate your vacation experience

Getting to see some of the best vistas in the East is your reward when you take the scenic chairlift ride at Wildcat Mountain. The high-speed quad lift takes you to the mountain’s 4,000-foot summit for jaw-dropping 360-degree views of Mt. Washington and the entire Presidential Range. You can also step into the wild by setting off on one of the resort’s hiking trails. An 11-mile round-trip easy hike will take you to Thompson Falls. Or, hike the Wildcat Ridge Trail starting from the base area and winding up the ski slope. (Or take the chairlift to the summit and pick the trail up there.) Grab a snack and a cold drink at the Wildcat Cafeteria.

Story Land in Glen, NH - Plan Your Family Fun!

Lost River Gorge & Bouler Caves - Located in New Hampshire's White Mountains. Click here to begin your journey!

Whale's Tale Waterpark in Lincoln, NH - New England's Favorite Water Park!

White Mountains Attractions

Visitor’s Center at Exit 32 Off I-93 North Woodstock, NH, 03262 Phone: 603-745-8720 Toll-Free: 800-346-3687

New Hampshire's White Mountains boast a colorful array of activities for visitors of all ages

Soaring through a forest, skiing down a snowy slope, riding the rails on a vintage train, conquering a corn maze, marveling at trained bears, saying hello to Santa and his reindeer: That’s just a partial list of all the activities awaiting visitors to New Hampshire’s breathtaking White Mountains. Whether you’re taking the kids to old favorites Clark’s Bears, Santa’s Village or Storyland, or arranging a friends weekend at one of several luxurious mountain resorts, you’ll have the time of your life in this fun-filled region, one of New England’s most scenic spots. Explore a glacial cave, nature center or a gallery-dotted Main Street. Go fishing, golfing or zip lining. See live theater, take a moose safari, visit a sled-dog kennel. Your adventure awaits. To find out more, follow our link above or call us today at 1-800-346-3687.

New Hampshire's White Mountains - This Summer: Plan Ahead, Play it Safe, Pack Your Patience. Go to VisitWhiteMountains.com to plan your visit today!

New Hampshire's White Mountains - Making Memories Every Day!

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