Family Activities
Family Activities - White Mountains NH Region
Settle into the White Mountain state of mind for exciting year round family fun. Waterville Valley Resort has a self contained village with great food and shopping plus mountain biking, skateboarding, pedal boats, canoes and a sandy beach. Stock up at Clark’s Bears and hop aboard the Conway Scenic Railroad and the Mt. Washington Cog Railway for thrilling adventures. There are caves to explore, gondolas to ride, trails to hit, and zip lines to swing you through the treetops. At the end of the day, find some family friendly accommodations.
13 places to visit
Santa's Village
Will the kids love going to an attraction named after Santa Claus? Of course!
528 Presidential Highway Jefferson, NH 03583 603-586-4445 With a name like Santa’s Village, how could the kids not have the time of their lives? There are enough rides to provide appropriate thrills for every member of the family. Soar on the Skyway Sleigh monorail or ride the Jingle Bell Express through the village. Go ‘round on the Reindeer Carousel or see the amazing views from the Ferris wheel. Slide downhill on the YouTubing ride or Yule Log Flume, drive bumper cars or antique cars. Then there’s the water park with three, three-story-high, twisty water slides, a splash pad for preschoolers and the Ho Ho H20 attraction with splashes, slides and other interactive fun. Plus, you can meet Santa, feed his reindeer and go on a park-wide elf scavenger hunt!
White Mountains Attractions
Every day in the White Mountains brings a new adventure or activity for fun-seeking families
200 Kancamagus Highway North Woodstock, NH 03262 603-745-8720 You know what people who bring their families to the White Mountains never hear? The words “I’m bored.” There is simply too much to do! Shoot down North America’s longest alpine slide, visit a park where fairy tales come to life, explore the area in a Side X Side vehicle or on a cog railway. Let the kids poke their way through glacial caves, go mountain biking at a ski resort, slide and splash their way through a world-class water park. Learn about loons at a wildlife center or about rural living at a country doctor museum. Visit an aquarium, the largest arcade in the world or a sled dog kennel. From disc golf to gondola rides, there’s a thrilling family experience around every corner in the White Mountains. To find out more, follow our link above or call us today at 1-800-346-3687.
Mount Washington Auto Road
Auto road has a long history of families traveling along it to reach the grand summit
Route 16 - Pinkham Notch Gorham, NH 03581 603-466-3988 For over 160 years, families have been traveling up the Mt. Washington Auto Road, first by horse-drawn carriages and wagons, now by cars and tour vans – and SnowCoaches in the winter! Reaching the Northeast’s highest summit means looking out over the grand Presidential Range and beyond. There’s also the Mt. Washington Observatory Museum to explore, a cafeteria and gift shop. And there are other ways to travel: via ATVs on certain days, hiking and, in the winter, you can even snowshoe or Nordic ski down after traveling up to the tree line in the SnowCoach. There are sunset and sunrise tours, and the Spring Adventure Tour lets you get up close to the process of clearing the road of giant snowbanks and drifts.
Mount Washington Cog Railway
Thrill ride up Mt. Washington continues to delight railroad fans of all ages
Off Route 302 Bretton Woods, NH 03589 603-278-5404 Families from all over the world come to the majestic White Mountains of New Hampshire to be thrilled by the ride up on the historic Mount Washington Cog Railway. The dramatic ascent to the summit of the Northeast’s highest peak features amazing views of lush forests, deep chasms and the steepest railroad trestle in the world in Jacob’s Ladder. (Yes, the trees are straight: It’s you who are at an angle!) Kids will love the commentary of the entertaining and knowledgeable engineer and brakeman or brakewoman. The journey begins at a base station with a great interactive museum and observation deck and, at the summit, there’s an interactive weather exhibit as well as a summit post office to mail postcards direct fro
Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves
Trek through a White Mountain wonderland at Lost River Gorge
1712 Lost River Road -- Route 112W North Woodstock, NH 03262 603-745-8031 Take your family on a journey beneath the earth at Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves in New Hampshire's White Mountains. You'll find yourself exploring a spectacular wilderness wonderland formed millions of years ago by glaciers, water, and wild weather. Located on a preserve owned by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, Lost River Gorge is home to granite cliffs, spectacular waterfalls, rugged caves, and a river that plays hide-and-seek amid the rocks. Hike along a three-quarter mile boardwalk, or step off and explore the boulder caves, including the Sun Altar, Thor's Workshop, the Devil's Kitchen, the Lemon Squeezer, and the Judgment Hall of Pluto. Sturdy footwear and outdoor clothing are recommended. Open early May to mid-October.
Great Glen Trails
Fun all four seasons for all the members of your family at this active outdoor center
Route 16 at Pinkham Notch Gorham, NH 03581 603-466-3988 Fun for everyone in the family, every season of the year: That’s the goal at Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center, at the base of the Mt. Washington Auto Road. That might mean searching for moose and eagles as you paddle along the Androscoggin River on a wildlife kayak cruise. Or, packing a picnic lunch and hiking up to the Great Angel or Cadiddlehopper Cabin. Or biking over smooth, well-marked carriage roads. In the winter, it means superior cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and, a favorite with families, snow tubing down Tubing Hill, enjoying s’mores and hot cocoa by the fire pit on weekends and holidays. The comfortable base lodge has lockers, showers and a fireplace. The Outfitters Shop has all the best in outdoor gear to buy or rent.
Ice Castles
A spectacular frozen fantasy for the young – and young at heart
24 Clark Farm Road North Woodstock, NH 03262 Ice Castles in North Woodstock is a fun-filled winter activity that has everything a child – or a child at heart – could fantasize about: ice slides, mazes of tunnels, crawl spaces, frozen fountains, thrones and towers of cascading ice. This frozen fortress is the perfect place to make unforgettable memories as a family. But the fun doesn’t end when the sun goes down. In fact, there’s always a spectacular light show at night, as LED lights embedded inside the ice turn the castles from brilliant shades of blue, to vibrant red, purple, and green. Families are advised to buy tickets online in advance (you can spend as much time as you like once you’re inside), to dress warmly with boots, and to consider a small sled instead of a stroller for really little ones. There’s also a concession stand with hot chocolate, cider, and warm treats.
Androscoggin Valley Chamber of Commerce
The list of fun things to do in this family-friendly part of N.H. is almost endless
961 Main Street Berline, NH 03570 603-228-0836 Make sure you have your list ready when you tell the kids you’re going to the Androscoggin Valley, NH and they ask what there is to do there. Because here’s a partial selection of activities: skiing, snowshoeing, ATV and snowmobile riding, horseback riding, hiking up mountains, biking past rivers, whitewater rafting, canoeing, zip-lining. You can visit a sugar house to see how maple syrup is made, go fat biking or watch for moose on a guided tour. There are scenic gondola rides, rock-climbing walls, nature refuges. Take a sleigh ride or go dog-sledding. Indoor activities include everything from concerts to sporting events. The busy region includes restaurants to please everyone, and lodging options range from camping and glamping sites to hotels and resorts with pools.
Town of Bethlehem
From skiing to shopping, there’s something fun for every member of the family
Bethlehem, NH Bring the family to Bethlehem, N.H., and be prepared to be entertained, White Mountains-style. There’s fantastic alpine skiing and snowboarding, of course, at six nearby mountains: Cannon, Bretton Woods, Attitash, Loon, Waterville Valley and Wildcat. Miles of cross-country skiing, snowshoeing trails, snowmobile trails, and fat biking trails wind through the area. In the warmer months, those trails are great for biking and hiking for all ages. There’s also tennis and basketball on public courts, two golf courses, a movie theater, town pool, pristine rivers to cool yourself down and a lively downtown area with all sorts of shops and cafes. It’s a short drive to a variety of attractions including Santa’s Village, Story Land, Whale’s Tale Waterpark, the Flume Gorge and the Mount Washington Cog Railway.
NHSCOT & NH Highland Games Festival
Fun for the whole family at this three-day Scottish festival
Loon Mountain Resort - 60 Loon Mountain Road Lincoln, NH Ignite your Scottish spirit the NH Highland Games & Festival, September 18-20 at Loon Mountain Resort in Lincoln, NH. This three-day celebration is one of the largest cultural events in the Northeast and has something for everyone! Kids will enjoy watching strongmen compete in heavy athletics like caber toss and stone put or taking a photo with the friendly Highland cows. Try-It classes in stone lifting, drumming, and Highland dance will keep the whole family entertained while traditional Scottish cuisine will keep you well-fed. Don't forget to stroll through the Clan Village, home to 60+ Scottish clans and visit over 30 vendors selling a variety of Celtic items. Single day tickets and three-day weekend passes available now.
The 2026 NH Highland Games & Festival is on September 19-21 - Check the website for tickets & more info!
The 2026 NH Highland Games & Festival is on September 19-21 - Check the website for tickets & more info!
Granite State Railway
Travel the Rails in Lincoln — Where Lasting Family Memories Are Made
64 Railroad Street Lincoln, NH 03251 603-745-2135 All aboard the Granite State Railway for a relaxing journey into America’s railroad past. Climb into restored vintage coaches, breathe in that crisp White Mountains air, sit back and enjoy the scenery through the woods and banks along the winding Pemigewasset River. Join us on our NEW Lincoln Rail Bikes, offering families a fun and active way to experience the outdoors together. This unique, motor-assisted ride travels along the rails through the scenic beauty of the White Mountains — creating unforgettable moments for families, couples, and groups alike. At the Gift Shop, grab snacks, ice cream and soda — or bring your own picnic lunch. Trains and Rail Bikes will run May through October, then Thanksgiving through mid-December, join us on our beloved Santa Train experience. Book your one-of-a-kind Lincoln rail experience now!
Huttopia - White Mountains
Time for that family winter getaway? Mountain cabins are close to all the best activities
57 Pine Knoll Road Albany, NH 03818 603-447-3131 Iona Lake becomes your private playground with swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing for perch or black bass. Our Little Trappers program entertains children under 12 with supervised nature activities. The heated saltwater pool offers relaxation and aquatic fun in all seasons. Hiking trails cross our 50-acre property, leading to the White Mountain National Forest. Every family finds their happiness between outdoor adventures and convivial moments around the campfire under the stars.
Town of Bethlehem
Lots to keep every member of the family happy in this fun White Mountains region
Bethlehem, NH Make family-friendly Bethlehem, NH your headquarters for your White Mountains adventure. Comfortable lodging options include summer campgrounds to winter ski resorts and year-round inns. And fun activities are everywhere, from downhill and cross-country skiing and snowboarding to golfing and hiking. Take the kids out on a bike trip through forests and along the river or visit a water park. See Santa’s Village or Story Land, or amaze them with a trip up Mt. Washington on a cog railroad train. Visit the Flume Gorge or arrange for a wildlife or maple-sugaring tour at The Rocks. See a movie in the Colonial Theatre, one of the country’s oldest continuously operating movie theaters. The area boasts plenty of fun places to shop and to eat, as well as a variety of festivals.