Let’s be honest – it can be difficult to plan a trip that everyone in the family will enjoy. That’s why the Western White Mountains Chamber of Commerce developed a family fun itinerary including attractions that the whole family will enjoy! Waterparks, kid friendly adventure parks, candy counters, trains, and caves to name a few. We want to help you make the most of your time in the Western White Mountains. Here are some family fun trips and White Mountains attractions!
White Mountains Attractions for The Aquatic Family
On a hot summer day the place to be with the family is hands down Whale’s Tale Waterpark. Enjoy the Willie’s Wild Waves, Jonah’s Escape, Whale Harbor, Shipwreck Island, numerous waterslides, and AKUA Beach, a surf simulator that is sure to bring out your inner beach bum! They also offer private sessions where you can rent out the entire simulator for a party and get an instructor to show the party how to surf! There are rides for all ages including the kid friendly wave pool up to the more adrenaline pumping Poseidon’s Voyage, which is a complete vertical drop. Book in advance and save!
If your family prefers the great outdoors, go spend time in the waters of the Western White Mountains! There are several spots to swim all around the area, including:
- Otter Rocks, Kancamagus Highway/NH 112
- Lady’s Bathtub, Kancamagus Highway/NH 112
- Cascade Park, downtown Woodstock NH
- Staple Rock, Woodstock NH
- Mirror Lake, Thornton NH
White Mountains Attractions for Outdoor Adventurers
Loon Mountain Resort is New England’s most-accessible mountain resort destination, offering plenty of exciting year-round activities, including scenic gondola skyrides, mountain biking, summit glacial caves, Ninja Wild, an adventure center, disc golf, and more. In the winter, Loon offers the most accessible big mountain skiing in the East: 2,100 feet of vertical, a variety of terrain across three peaks, a full progression of award-winning terrain parks, and North America’s most technologically advanced chairlift!
Cannon Mountain boasts New Hampshire’s only Aerial Tramway and North America’s first! A cable car will bring you to the 4,080 summit with expensive and breathtaking views of Franconia Notch & Ridge to the East. Enjoy the summit cafe at the top!
Alpine Adventures offers year-round side x side adventures, zipline tours, Thrillsville (a self guided adventure course!), and incredible off-road tours. Make sure to book ahead!
White Mountains Attractions For a Sweet Tooth
Chutters, located in Littleton, NH, is in the Guiness Book of World Records for the longest candy counter in the world at over 111 feet! They also have delicious fudge, chocolates, truffles, and candies for any candy enthusiast. They have about 800 different jars of candy in the shop to choose from. If you plan on taking the kids up to Littleton for the day, this is a great stop! Not travelling to Littleton? No worries – they’ve opened a second retail location in Lincoln. To get the real NH experience, be sure to buy our favorite treat, maple candy!
White Mountains Attractions for the Amusement Park Lover
Where else can you find Black Bears, ride a steam train, be chased by the Infamous Wolfman, and be amazed by acrobats – all in the same day! Clark’s Bears is an attraction the whole family will enjoy. They also have segway tours, Merlin’s Mystical Mansion, museums, and various water rides.
White Mountains Attractions for Train Hobbyists
Kids of all ages will love the Western White Mountains scenic railroads. through a natural setting along the twisting Pemigewasset River. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the views. The Hobo Railroad offers train rides that start right in Lincoln and include a “Hobo Picnic” service for lunch. Take in beautiful mountain views as you travel along the gorgeous Pemigewasett River. At the end of the ride, there is a Hobo Playground for the kids and a gift shop for parents. Planning a date night? Reserve your seats on the Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train and prepare to be wowed.
White Mountains Attractions for Cave Explorers
Experience the beauty and mysteries of granite walls that erupt from the earth, a river that plays hide and seek, and spectacular waterfalls and rugged caves. Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves offers family friendly guided and unguided tours throughout their extensive cave system daily during the summer months. In the daytime, you can explore the gorge and have a tour guide lead the way to beautiful sights. In the evening, cave tours are available with the “lantern tour” along the boardwalk inside the caves. You can bring your own headlamp, or the tour guides will provide you with one. At the end, the guides make s’mores over a bonfire and everyone is welcome to join!
In addition to guided tours like Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves and the Polar Caves, there are plenty of caves throughout the region that can be explored. For example, the Flume Gorge has several caves and waterfalls along its trails that are easy to find. Pro Tip: Bring the kids on an explorer’s day trip and make a treasure map that shows all of the places you’re adventuring to. Grab a fishing hat and some binoculars to check out the biodiversity! Buy a book on NH’s plant life and help your kids identify different types of plants throughout the trails.
The Western White Mountains is the center of attractions in New Hampshire. Come visit and see for yourself!
