White Mountains, N.H. Attractions
White Mountains, N.H. Attractions
 | Alpine Adventures 41 Main St. Lincoln, NH • 603-745-9911 After shooting down a 1,500-foot zipline more than 200 feet above the ground, you'd think you would reach the height of thrills this aerial park has to offer. But that's before "White Knuckle Pine" -- the aptly named final zip down an 80-foot drop at speeds approaching 50 miles an hour. Alpine was the first tree canopy tour in New England, and with its newest course, still among the best. In addition to the ziplines, it features backroad jeep tours and an "aerial park" that kids as young as 5 years old can undertake with the family. Best For: Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Attitash Mountain Route 302 Bartlett, NH • 800-223-7669 Justly deserving its reputation for having the best skiing in New Hampshire, and some of the best in the East, Attitash has 77 trails spread out over two separate peaks with plenty of challenging trails to keep the most experienced skiers busy. More surprising is how welcoming the mountain is to families. Kids as young as 3 years old are accepted into Attitash's ski school. Also, children as young as 6 months can participate in a daycare program that features indoor and outdoor games and activities. Where the mountain really excels is in its programs for older kids and pre-teens. Kids ages 7 to 12 are split into groups and dispatched all over the mountain to learn everything from basic techniques to advanced mogul and glade skiing. Separate lessons in snowboarding technique are given at the mountain's extensive terrain park. However, you don't even need to know how to ski to take a thrill ride on Attitash's new mountain coaster -- an individual car that careens down 2,800-feet on steel rails through a forested landscape at speeds of up to 25 miles and hour. For more details on Attitash, including the most family-friendly onsite hotel, check out our New Hampshire Family Ski Vacations article. Best For: Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Bretton Woods Ski Area Route 302 Bretton Woods, NH • 800-314-1752 The monster ski area that forms the backdrop to the Omni Mount Washington Resort doesn't have the most difficult terrain in the Whites, but it does have the most plentiful. A full 464 acres of uncrowded ski and snowboard trails ensures there's something for everyone in the family. For the expert, the area's twin peaks feature exceptionally diverse glade skiing, including the death-defying John Graves Glades, and two whole sections of backcountry glades. But Bretton Woods is just as well-known for its Hobbits Ski and Snowboard School, which starts as early as 4 years old with a special section by the base lodge with a conveyor lift to quickly accustom the youngest kids to the trails. Next door is a dedicated kids' "alpine club" with a special rental counter for kids, and apres-ski entertainment in the form of movies and musical performers. And if you just want to enjoy the slopes yourselves, you can drop the kids off (starting at 2 months) at a slope-side daycare that includes a kids' snow play park with sculpted slides and climbing structures. So you can hit the glades in peace -- at least until you push off from the peak. For more information on Bretton Woods Ski Area, including family-friendly dining options and the most convenient hotels, check out our New Hampshire Family Ski Vacations article. Best For: Tots (0-2)•Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Cannon Mountain Ski Area & Aerial Tramway Franconia Notch State Park I-93 to Exit 34B & 34C Franconia, NH • 603-823-8800 A crowd-favorite for decades, Cannon feels perfectly balanced between a stunning natural environment within the pristine confines of Franconia State Park, and an active base lodge with plenty of places for families to unwind and have fun. Of course, the real appeal is the variety of trails on offer here. Over 70 trails include plenty of black diamonds leading off from the 4,000-foot peak -- the highest in the Whites. For families, the resort features a smaller ski area separate from the main mountain, with more than a dozen beginner and intermediate trails, and a more relaxed vibe that sets it apart. The onsite ski school offers lessons in the area for kids ages 4 to 12. These classes tend to be cheaper than at other nearby mountains, and multi-day discounts are available. Throughout the winter, Saturday nights are "family nights," with night skiing under the lights, and movies, magicians, and other performers in the lodge. The fun doesn't stop when the snow does. Cannon's Aerial Tramway runs throughout the year, offering breathtaking views of the Franconia Range and surrounding peaks. Best For: Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Flume Gorge Franconia Notch State Park I-93, exit 34A Franconia, NH • 603-745-8391 The half-mile hike along the gushing torrent of Flume Brook might just be the ultimate family outdoor experience. Much of the hike is along a wooden walkway built into the sides of the gorge, making it easy for the youngest (or oldest) family members to keep up. At the same time, the scenery of leaping waterfalls and soaring granite-walls is absolutely top-notch, right out of the car. Only 20 feet wide at its widest point, the gorge was carved by glaciers centuries ago, and continues its dance with erosion to the present day. For hardier hikers, a two-mile loop trail continues through pine woodland back to the parking lot. Best For: Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Mt. Washington Cog Railway Base Rd./Off Rte. 302 Bretton Woods, NH • 603-278-5404 In the early 1800's, when New Hampshire native Sylvester Marsh declared his intent to build a railroad up the side of New England's tallest mountain, detractors scoffed he might as well build a "railway to the moon." Well, more than a century later, "the Cog" is still ferrying generations up the side of Mt. Washington with its ingenious rack-and-pinion technology that has stood the test of time. Half the fun is riding the 30-degree railway, while marveling at the antique steam engines and coaches still in use. The other half is enjoying the spectacular view of the Presidential Range of the White Mountains and beyond -- one of the most inspiring sights in New England or anywhere. Best For: Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12) |
 | Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel 32 Valley Road Jefferson, NH • 603-545-4533 A hands on interactive dogsled touring kennel (the largest in New England), Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel runs educational trips from 2 to 50 miles, including overnight stays. The kennel staff encourage families with children from age 2 and up to meet and greet the dogs, help harness and hitch the team, and even to help drive the sled. The dogs are nearly all rescue and second chance dogs who have a home for life and they love their jobs! Best For: Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Raft NH 196 Main Street Gorham, NH • 603-545-4533 A family friendly whitewater rafting outfitter in the White Mountains of NH, Raft NH offers good old-fashioned float trips to adrenaline-inducing whitewater rapids! Children ages 5 and up are welcome to join in the rafting. Raft NH focuses on safety and fun. Fresh prepared meals (steak, chicken, veggie burgers, local veggies and all safety equipment is included). Professional and highly trained guides in the area run each adventure. Best For: Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Storyland 850 NH Route 16 Glen, NH • 603-383-4186 Move over Disney, there's a reason that this old-school amusement park has been Pied-Pipering the kiddies for more than half a century. Since 1954, it has provided just enough thrills with rides, like the Polar Coaster and Twirling Turtles, to set some hearts a-thumping. But the real draw is the low-key family-friendly feel of the park, which relies on more imagination than branded characters to please the crowds. Kids remember riding on the swan boats or the Buccaneer Pirate Ship with their parents, then return decades later with their own kids. Best For: Tots (0-2)•Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9) |
 | Waterville Valley Ski Area 1 Ski Area Rd Waterville Valley, NH • 800-468-2553 Generations of families have learned to ski at Waterville Valley, a big but manageable mountain tucked into a pocket of the southern White Mountains. The appeal for kids goes beyond the more than 250 acres of skiing. It's in the layout, with a family-friendly alpine village easily accessible to the lifts, and a full 60 percent of the mountain consisting of intermediate trails, so skiers of all abilities will find plenty of terrain to cruise. For kids ages 3 to 12, the resort's Kid Kamp program offers lessons in a separate terrain park, with special pins to provide incentive for different levels and new Burton mini-snowboards to get kids starting at age 4 ready for the half-pipe. Discounts on lessons are offered on Sunday throughout the season. Kids too young for the slopes enjoy a full-service daycare located on the ground floor of the base lodge. Find additional information on Waterville Valley Ski Area, such as onsite restaurants and the nearest hotels, check out our our New Hampshire Family Ski Vacations article. Best For: Tots (0-2)•Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
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