Western White Mountain Chamber

Basecamp of the White Mountains in New Hampshire

Clark's Trading Post

Family Fun at Clark’s Bears

 

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

Choo, Choo, All Aboard the White Mountain Train Express

For a smaller region in northern New Hampshire, the western White Mountains has four vintage passenger trains open to the public. Whether you’re a four-year-old Thomas the Train super fan or a 64-year-old retired train conductor, you’ll love all the trains we have in town. Hop on board the Café Lafayette Dinner Train for an exceptional five-course dinner or search for the elusive Wolfman on the train at Clark’s Trading Post. Whatever your choice, it’s time to hop on board and enjoy the ride!

Granite State Scenic Railway – A White Mountains Family Train

hobo railroad - white mountains train

Voted the “Best Ride for Kids” by New Hampshire Magazine, the Granite State Scenic Railway travels 14 miles along the picturesque Pemigewasset River. The 80-minute ride starts at Junction Train Station on Route 112 passes over Main Street and soon after a two-span bridge over the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River. You’ll cross over the river again before coming back to the station.

Throughout the year, the Granite State Scenic Railway offers special train rides. Every Saturday during the summer months, naturalists from the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center provide educational commentary during the excursions. On Sundays, storybook characters join the trains for special storybook readings for young kids. During the fall months, ride the Harvest Time Express and catch the trees bursting with color. You’ll also have the chance to sample seasonal items and specialty products from New England. Of course, you can’t miss Santa in late November and early December!

Clark’s Trading Post – A White Mountains Fun Train

Clarks Trading Post Train

Celebrating its 90th year this summer, Clark’s Trading Post is a long-time favorite in the western White Mountains. Home to the famous Bear Show and many attractions and museums, Clark’s is also home to an antique steam-powered train. The White Mountain Central Railroad is 2.5-mile, 25-minute train ride through Wolfman’s territory. During the Fall foliage months, Clark’s also runs its 1943 GE diesel locomotive. Keep an eye out for the infamous Wolfman once you pass through the 1904 covered bridge. He is always up to something with his crazy antics!

Café Lafayette Dinner Train – A White Mountains Dinner Train

white mountains dinner train

For a unique experience, book reservations on the Café Lafayette Dinner Train in North Woodstock. Operating from late May through October, dine on incredible seasonally selected appetizers and entrees in a five-course meal while watching the scenery change as you travel through the Pemigewasset River valley on its 20-mile journey.

Each car is of a different time period, including a 1952 dome car. The car offers two-levels of dining and is one of the last dome cars still functioning on the rails today. You’ll find as many rail enthusiasts as you find foodies on this unique dining experience in the western White Mountains.

 

J.E. Henry Railroad at Loon Mountain – A White Mountains Winter Train

Loon Mountain Train

During the winter months, Loon Mountain runs its Lilliputian-sized steam engine 600 feet from the gondola building to the Governor’s Lodge. The 1934 German locomotive is named after J.E Henry, a 19th-century timber baron who owned the local East Branch Railroad. Every winter, the wood-fired, steam-powered engine burns through approximately 60 cords of wood! If you’re 18 years and older, you have the opportunity to be a Guest Train Engineer for the day if you take the Guest Train Engineer Program course during the summer or fall months.

If you want to keep riding that train, Lincoln-Woodstock is just a short drive from the Conway Scenic Railroad, offering two different historic trains and three route options, and from the Mount Washington Cog Railway, the world’s first mountain climbing cog railway train. Whether you’re searching for fun, history, mountains or food by train, you’ll find it in Lincoln-Woodstock. Grab the kids, grab the grandparents and plan your next family getaway for the train lovers in your life!

lodging in lincoln nh

The Lil’ Red Caboose – Unique Lodging in the White Mountains

We even have trains for lodging in the White Mountains! Use Air BnB and stay at the famous Lil’ Red Caboose. Randy is the owner of the Lil’ Red Caboose and a Superhost through Air BnB, which means he has high ratings from his guests. As a matter of fact, 95% of the people who leave Randy reviews give him 5 stars for the unique lodging, a great check-in experience, and outstanding location. The caboose has three beds and one bath, and can fit 4 guests. There is a kitchen, bathroom, indoor fireplace, two flat screen TV’s, central air, and WiFi all packed into this cozy lil’ caboose.

All aboard! Come discover the beauty and fun of the western White Mountains trains this year!

 

 

For state-wide information, head to VisitNH.gov

visitnh.gov

Fall Foliage Season

The Western White Mountains is home to some pretty amazing scenery the fall foliage season is one of the best times to take in the scenery. The mountains are transformed with an array of colors and the rivers glisten in the fall sun creating picture perfect backdrops for photos.