• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • About
    • About Us
    • Board Members & Staff
    • Membership Information
    • Business Resources
    • Destination Marketing
    • Annual Meeting & Awards
    • Chamber After Hours Events
  • Local Businesses
  • Blog
  • Jobs
    • Search Jobs
    • Submit a Job
    • Live Here
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Western White Mountain Chamber

Basecamp of the White Mountains in New Hampshire

  • Play
    • Attractions
    • Outdoor Activities
    • Arts and Culture
    • Festivals and Events
  • Stay
  • Eat
  • Shop
  • Plan
    • Arts and Culture
    • Attractions
    • Couples
    • Food and Drink
    • Outdoor Fun
    • Rainy Days
    • Scenic Drives
    • Winter Activities
    • Summer Activities
    • Spring-Fall Activities
    • Weddings
  • Deals
    • White Mountains Deals
    • Submit a Deal
  • Events
    • View Events
    • Submit an Event
  • Play
    • Attractions
    • Outdoor Activities
    • Arts and Culture
    • Festivals and Events
  • Stay
  • Eat
  • Shop
  • Plan
    • Arts and Culture
    • Attractions
    • Couples
    • Food and Drink
    • Outdoor Fun
    • Rainy Days
    • Scenic Drives
    • Winter Activities
    • Summer Activities
    • Spring-Fall Activities
    • Weddings
  • Deals
    • White Mountains Deals
    • Submit a Deal
  • Events
    • View Events
    • Submit an Event

Bear Shows

Summer Attractions for the Whole Family

June 23, 2022

Summer Attractions for the Whole Family

There is no shortage of family fun in the Western White Mountains. There are trains, waterparks, and even a bear show to keep you entertained all summer long. Bring the whole family and create memories that will last a lifetime in the Western White Mountains.

Whales Tale Waterpark

waterpark attraction

Cool off this summer at New England’s favorite waterpark located in the heart of Lincoln. Whale’s Tale Waterpark is a family-friendly waterpark where the whole family from baby to grandma can enjoy the cool, clean water.

Adventurous kids will love surfing the big waves at Akua Beach and the dual Plunge slides where you can reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour! For the little ones, Whale Harbor offers shallow waters and lots of fun things to climb on and splash around. Everyone will love spending an afternoon leisurely floating around the ¼ mile lazy river in their bright yellow inner tube. Make sure you bring tons of sunscreen!

Clark’s Bears

Clark’s Bears has been a Western White Mountain staple for over 90 years. Florence and Ed Clark opened their roadside attraction in 1928, and the family-owned and operated business has grown over the decades to include the famous Black Bear Show, the Anaconda Escape, and Merlin’s Mystical Mansion among many other attractions.

Board the whole family on the White Mountain Central Railroad and take a 25-minute train ride along the scenic Pemigewasset River in search of the infamous and elusive Wolfman. His antics will undoubtedly keep you entertained! Along Main Street, you’ll find several museums that will take you back to yesteryear. You’ll find plenty of treasures from our early electrical and mechanical marvels. If you get hungry during your visit, stop by the Whistle Stop Snack Bar for burgers and fries or ice cream and hand-squeezed lemonade.

zip liningAlpine Adventures

Have you ever wanted to fly? Now’s your chance at Alpine Adventures! Home to New England’s first treetop canopy tour, you can test your fear of heights on one of three zipline courses or the Thrillsville Aerial Park. Located at Alpine Adventure’s headquarters on Main Street in Lincoln, the Thrillsville Aerial Park is a ropes course like no other. With bridges, cargo nets, a climbing tower, and the Colossus Stunt Ramp, you’ll certainly get your adrenaline pumping!

If you’d like to see the White Mountains from a birdseye’s view, take a spin on one of the ziplines on Alpine Adventure’s private 300-acre Barron Mountain. If you’re new to ziplining, try the six zipline Tree Top Canopy Tour that will have you flying 80 feet above the forest floor. For the thrill seekers, try the largest, highest, and most extreme tour – the Super Skyrider Zipline. On the “Super White Knuckle” zipline you can reach a speed of over 60 miles per hour!

hobo railroad

Hobo Railroad

Train fans will love the opportunity to ride the Hobo Railroad. Ideal for families of all ages, you can take the historic Hobo Railroad along the twisting Pemigewasset River through the woods of the western White Mountains. The journey will leave you in awe of Mother Nature’s beauty. Love trains? Lincoln is the place for you.

Loon Mountain

Loon Mountain is a popular place during the winter months, but did you know it’s open during the summer months as well? Enjoy a 1.3-mile scenic ride to the summit of Loon Peak in their four-person Gondola Skyride. At the end of the ascent, enter a high alpine world of refreshing breezes and stunning mountain views encompassing adventure and an array of summit activities. Test your agility, strength and speed in the Wild. Ninja Wild is an outdoor ninja course packed with wilderness-themed obstacles that puts kids (and adults) to the test. Loon also has an impressive downhill mountain biking trail network and bike park!

Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves

Located in the heart of Kinsman Notch in North Woodstock, the Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves is a popular natural geological attraction for all ages to enjoy. Formed over 300 million years ago during the last Ice Age, Lost River Gorge is filled with blocks of granite, boulder caves, and waterfalls. Open daily from May through October; there are tons of things to see and do at Lost River Gorge.

While visiting the Gorge and caves during the day is pretty cool, discovering them by night is a whole new experience! During the summer months, you can take a Guided Lantern Tour through the caves. The two-hour tour begins at dusk, and you’ll be guided through the lantern-lit caves and boardwalks ending around the campfire complete with s’mores.

If you’re more of a morning person, consider an 8am Yoga in the Woods in the Forest Treehouse.

Polar Caves

Offering family-friendly adventures since 1922, the Polar Caves are a “can’t miss” stop while in the Western White Mountains. The caves were formed during the last ice age, which through the movement of the glacier forced giant granite boulders to the base of what is now Hawk’s Cliff. Passageways were formed throughout the boulders, which have become even more accessible thanks to the boardwalks and stairs that have been built!

There are a total of nine granite caves to explore – including Fat Man’s Misery and The Lemon Squeeze! Polar Caves also features an animal exhibit, which hosts European Fallow Deer and a huge variety of people-loving ducks. You can even purchase treats in the main lodge to feed them! Lastly, don’t forget to stop in at the gift shop for a memorable souvenir to take home with you.

The Western White Mountains are the ultimate summer destination for family fun. With tons of fun outdoor attractions, you definitely won’t get bored.

For state-wide information, head to VisitNH.gov

visitnh.gov

Filed Under: Attractions, Fall, Family Fun, Multigenerational Travel, Summer Tagged With: Adventure Parks, Bear Shows, Trains, Waterpark, Zipline

Family Fun at Clark’s Bears

June 9, 2022

 

It’s not every day you can see dancing bears. Clark’s Bears started from humble beginnings in 1928 and has since grown to one of the White Mountain’s biggest family-friendly attractions. Nestled along the banks of the Pemigewasset River along Route 3 in Lincoln, Clark’s has an abundance of activities for the young and young at heart. 

ed clark

Over 90 Years of History

Clark’s Bears first opened as a roadside attraction by Florence and Ed Clark in 1928. “Ed Clark’s Eskimo Sled Dog Ranch,” featured guided sled dog tours for travelers visiting the White Mountains. Originally from Westchester County, New York, Ed Clark spent three years in Labrador managing raw fur trading posts where he fell in love with sled dogs. Upon his return to New York, Ed brought home a sled dog team and quickly realized New York wasn’t the place for a sled team. Ed and Florence fell in love with the White Mountains and the Clark family still calls it home today.

In 1931, Florence and Ed purchased their first Black Bear and added the famous Black Bear Show to their growing trading post. It wasn’t until 1958 when the Clarks started the White Mountain Central Railroad that the family business started to grow into the modern day park that you see today. Over 90 years later, Clark’s Bears is a family affair. It’s not uncommon to see over 20 family members working at the attraction during the height of the summer.

wolfman

Family-Friendly Attractions

Clark’s Bears is fun for the whole family! With a variety of rides, shows, and museums, there’s something for everyone at Clark’s. First introduced in 1973 by the longtime employee, Leon Noel, the infamous Wolfman is eager to please in his unruly ways. Just hop on board the White Mountain Central Railroad and look for the famous backwoods recluse and all his antics.

On a hot summer day, cool off on the Anaconda Escape, a 300-foot waterslide comprising of lots of twists and turns, drops, and plunges. If you’re not soaked yet, head over to the Water Blaster Boats for even more splish, splash fun. You’ll definitely want a towel after this ride! Climb to new heights on the Old Man of the Mountain Climbing Tower, a 30-foot replica of the famous Old Man of the Mountain.

clark trained bears

Let your feet rest and jump on a Segway for a ride through the park. Clark’s is home to the nation’s first Segway park. Just watch out for the Wolfman! Merlin’s Mystical Mansion will be sure to turn your world upside down and the Yandong Chinese Acrobats will make you question your own flexibility. Catch a crowd-pleasing show full of high-flying tricks and contortions. And, of course, you can’t miss the Bear Show at Clark’s! Two baby girl cubs have been added to the bear family. Make sure you check out the how the adorable new additions have grown this summer!

Take a stroll down Main Street to visit one of many museums and eateries in the picturesque Victorian town. The brick American Museum is full of old-time Americana treasures, like steam and gas engines and old advertising from yesteryear. For car enthusiasts, you don’t want to skip Avery’s Garage with its fully-restored 1931 LaSalle Touring car and Mobil gas pumps. You’ll find antique horse-drawn fire engines at the 1884 Pemigewasset Hook and Ladder Fire Station.

After all the exploring and fun, you’ll be ready to fill your belly. For something hearty, stop by the Whistle Stop Snack Bar for burgers and fries, sandwiches, and more. Pullman’s Lunch has pizza, sandwiches, and paninis. For the classic summer treat, visit the 1890s themed ice cream parlor, Peppermint Salon, for an ice cream sundae. Boxing fans will be excited to hear that part of the bar is from Sharkey’s Tavern’s 145-foot bar in Boston.   

On your way out after a long day of fun, stop by Clark’s Main Gift Shop to pick up a few souvenirs to remember your trip to Clark’s Bears. There’s something for everyone and many of the items are made in New Hampshire and the United States.  

Plan Your Visit

Clark’s Bears is open from Memorial Day through Columbus Day weekend. Days and hours vary so check out their website for more details!

For state-wide information, head to VisitNH.gov

visitnh.gov

Filed Under: Adventure, Attractions, Fall, Family Fun, Spring, Summer Tagged With: Bear Shows, Clark's Trading Post, clarks bears, clarks trained bear, family friendly, Family Fun, Seasonal Activities, train rides, What to Do, white mountains

Footer

Connect with the Chamber

western white mountains chamber of commerce
Email: [email protected]
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Visit Us
159C Main Street
North Woodstock, NH 03262, USA

Google Map

Mailing Address
PO Box 1017
Lincoln, NH 03251

Telephone
(603) 745-6621

Copyright © 2023 Western White Mountains Chamber of Commerce · Website by Wicked Good Web

Keep Up to Date!

Sign up to receive occasional updates with info on events and money-saving deals in the Western White Mountains.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.