New Hampshire Vacations Travel Guide 

General Information

Baby Equipment Rentals - companies in New Hampshire that rent baby gear and equipment including car seats, strollers, cribs and more

Family Resorts in New Hampshire - resorts, hotels and other family friendly lodging

New Hampshire Travel & Tourism - visitors information with maps, places to eat, accommodations, activities, what to see, calendar of events and more.

Zoos

Charmingfare Farm
774 High Street
Candia, New Hampshire 03034
Phone: 603-483-5623
Charmingfare Farm is home to many of the traditional agricultural animals you would expect to see on a farm. Children will enjoy the Oakhurst Dairy Discovery Barn ,which is home to a large "hands-on" petting area. After visiting with the farm animals you will follow the paths leading into the woods and there you will encounter the wildlife exhibits, where you will find many of North Americans greatest predators. Throughout the day various demonstrations, presentations and activities are offered.

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
Route 113
Holderness, New Hampshire 03245
Phone: 603-968-7194
Nearer to Nature! Open meadows, mature forests, and marsh boardwalks connect interactive natural history exhibits where native animals reside: black bear, mountain lion, raptors, river otter, bobcat, and more. Trails open daily, May 1 through November 1, 9:30-4:30. Bring your family, a new or old friend, say hello to your favorite animal, and rediscover all the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center has to offer. The Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (SLNSC) is a non-profit environmental education organization founded in 1966. Using the outdoors as a classroom and live native New Hampshire animals as teaching ambassadors, SLNSC programs and exhibits teach the ecological concepts of adaptations, populations, interrelationships, and habitats in meaningful and memorable ways.

If you know of a Zoo in the state of New Hampshire, let us know and we will add it here.

National Parks

Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site
Cornish, New Hampshire
Phone: (603) 675-2175
Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site consists of 150 acres including the home, gardens and studios of Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848-1907), one of America's foremost sculptors. This was his summer residence from 1885-1897, and his permanent home from 1900 until his death in 1907. There are two hiking trails that explore the park's natural areas.  There are guided tours and self paced audio tours.

Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Phone: (304) 535-6331
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is a 2,167-mile (3,488 km) footpath along the ridge crests and across the major valleys of the Appalachian Mountains from Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain in north Georgia. The trail traverses Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia. The Appalachian Trail (A.T.) is used by day, weekend and other short-term hikers, section hikers and thru-hikers. Thru-hikers hike the entire length of the Trail in one season.

Museums

New Hampshire Snowmobile Museum
Allentown, New Hampshire
Phone: (603) 648-2304

McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center
3 Institute Drive
Concord, New Hampshire
Phone: (603) 271-7831
On June 21, 1990 the Planetarium began its mission to educate, incite and entertain learners of all ages in the sciences and humanities by actively engaging them in the exploration of astronomy and space science.  This planetarium was erected and operates to keep alive the memory of a wonderful person whose life was tragically lost along with seven other brave and honored astronauts on January 28, 1986, when the space shuttle exploded. The new Center features state-of-the-art, interactive exhibits and innovative programs focusing on aviation, astronomy, and Earth and space sciences.

Children’s Museum of New Hampshire
6 Washington Street
Dover, New Hampshire 03820
Phone: (603) 742-2002
The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is an award-winning, hands-on museum where children and families can play and learn together. Two floors of interactive exhibits explore dinosaurs, music, aeronautics, world cultures, brain waves, art, nature, and much more. Open year-round Tues – Sun, and open Mondays during summer and selected holidays.

New England Ski Museum
Located at Parkway Exit 2, Next to the Cannon Mountain Tramway in Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire
Franconia, New Hampshire
Phone: (800) 639-4181 / (603) 823-7177
The Museum houses the most extensive collection of historical ski equipment, clothing, film, photographs, literature, unique gifts and artwork in the East. Their extensive archive is renowned by scholars and historians across the country. The New England Ski Museum is officially recognized by the United States Ski Association as a Regional Museum, one of four in the country.

Lawrence L. Lee Scouting Museum
571 Holt Avenue
Manchester, New Hampshire 03103
Phone: (603) 669-8919 / (603) 625-6431
Picnic tables, lakeside scenery, and nearby nature trails make the Museum / Library an ideal family adventure. Fully heated in winter and air-conditioned in summer, the Museum offers a variety of souvenirs for interested collectors. Camping arrangements can be secured by calling the Daniel Webster Council, B.S.A. in advance.

SEE Science Center
200 Bedford Street
Manchester, New Hampshire 03101
Phone: (603) 669-0400
SEE Science Center believes that the understanding and appreciation of science can be achieved through interactive, entertaining, discovery-based experiences with science. Teaching through entertainment and learning by doing is the foundation upon which all of SEE's programs are based.  More than 70 exciting and fun hands on interactive exhibits.

Mount Washington Observatory and Weather Discovery Center
North Conway, New Hampshire
Phone: (603) 356-2137

New Hampshire Antique and Classic Boat Museum
397 Center Street
Wolfeboro Falls, New Hampshire 03896
Located on Route 28, 2 miles from the junction of Rte. 109 & 28
Phone: (603) 569-4554
Museum Mission: This museum will collect, preserve, study, interpret, and display to the public, objects relating to the boating history of the Lakes Region - including a collection of antique boats, related artifacts, documents and other information.

Theme Parks, Amusement Parks & Water Parks

Story Land
Glen, New Hampshire 03838
Phone: (603) 383-4186
Story Land's rides and attractions are all designed for safe family fun. Rides and attractions that every age family member can enjoy.  If this is your first visit to Story Land, you'll find new adventures at every turn.

Santa's Village
Route 2
Jefferson, New Hampshire
Phone: (603) 586-4445
Log flume, roller coaster, train rides, carousel, Ferris wheel and many other fun rides and activities for the children and the whole family.

Whales Tale Water Park
Rt. 3
Lincoln, New Hampshire 03251
Phone: (603) 745-8810
Pools, tubing, waterslide and more.

Water Country
2300 Lafayette Road
Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801
Water pools, water slide and rides every member of the family can enjoy.

Canobie Lake Park
Route 93, Exit 2
Salem, New Hampshire
Phone: (603) 893-3506
This state-of-the-art amusement park features over 45 rides including 4 coasters, the Log Flume water ride, the Timber Splash water coaster, a hand-painted antique carousel, authentic steam train, giant skywheel, over a dozen kiddie rides, a tantalizing variety of foods, fabulous prizes and merchandise to win, live entertainment, fireworks, and much more!

Family Activities

Polar Caves Park
PO Box 826
Plymouth, New Hampshire, 03264
Phone: 606-536-1888
Located in the Beautiful Baker River Valley on the Tenney Mountain Highway, Plymouth, New Hampshire.
America's most sensational glacial caves in the most beautiful of woodland settings, in Rumney New Hampshire. While at Polar Caves Park you can discover the Rock Garden of the Giants. Enjoy a snack in the Main Lodge or a relaxing picnic in the pines. The child in everyone will love a chance to feed the gentle fallow deer and large flock of friendly ducks. Complete your visit with a stop at the Maple Sugar Museum and browse through our two distinctive gift shops.

If you know of a family activity in New Hampshire, let us know and we will add it here.

Summer - Family Vacation Hot Spots (Beaches, Lakes, etc.)

Hampton Beach
Hampton, New Hampshire
Hampton Beach is an active place for swimming, para-sailing, jet skiing, (there's a separate beach for surf boards), or strolling the historic boardwalk. Serious sunbathers will find Hampton Beach's miles of pristine white beach, groomed daily, unsurpassed. More active vacations include deep sea fishing or whale watching in style from the decks of one of the many charter boats from Hampton Harbor - there's also two public golf courses nearby, as well as tennis courts.

Conway Scenic Railway
Route 16
North Conway, New Hampshire 03860
Phone: (800) 232-5251 / (603) 356-5251
Offer three distinctly unique and beautiful tours around the Mount Washington Valley in restored passenger cars of yesteryear. Railroad enthusiasts and sightseers alike will enjoy our excursions through mountain passes and village greens. The Mount Washington Valley offers spectacular scenery, family attractions, four seasons of sports and recreation, and the widest selection of lodging, dining and tax-free shopping opportunities between Boston and Montreal.

Jenness State Beach
Rye, New Hampshire
Phone: (603) 436-1552
Great family beach.  Located on Route 1A

Wallis Sands State Beach
Rye, New Hampshire
About 15 minutes south of Portsmouth, is a beautiful, sandy curving beach that can best be seen looking south on Route 1A.

Lake Winnipesauke - The most popular lake in the New England area, which offers boating, fishing, hiking, swimming beaches, and more.  Located 25 miles north-northeast of Concord along New Hampshire State Route 11 (can access off I 93 at exit 23).

Ossipee Lake - Fishing, boating, nature walks and more.  This small but scenic lake is located near the intersection of New Hampshire State Route 25 and 16.

Umbagog Lake - Boating and fishing.  Note: A large portion of the area is under conservation restrictions. Located off Route 26 at Sargent Cove and just east of Errol off N.H. Route 16.

First Connecticut Lake / Second Lake / Lake Francis - These lakes are part of the "White Mountain" region. Camping, nature walk and wildlife viewing are popular here since the territory is home to bald eagles and osprey, moose and bear. Located off U.S. Route 3.

NOTE: Some of the Winter Family Vacation Spots below also have summer activities, such as golfing, mountain biking, hiking and more.

Winter - Family Vacation Hot Spots (Ski Resorts, etc.)

Attitash Bear Peak
Route 302
Bartlett, New Hampshire 03812
Phone: (603) 374-2368
Attitash Bear Peak is New Hampshire's largest ski resort, with over 75 trails and a great mix of beginner to advanced terrain.

Bretton Woods
Route 302
Bretton Woods, New Hampshire 03575
Phone: (603) 278-5000
345 acres of ski and snowboard terrain; 66 Trails and Glades (31% beginner, 41% intermediate, 28% advanced); 8 Lifts including two High Speed Quads
(New Zephyr High Speed Quad for 2000); Two Mountain Peaks -Mt.Rosebrook & West Mountain; Third Mountain Peak - Mt.Stickney (opening 2002-2003); 500 Vertical Feet; Snowmaking: 95% of Trails
Day and Night Skiing and Riding; Mountain Top Restaurant; Full Service Base Lodge featuring cafeteria; restaurant and lounge; ski and snowboard rentals; retail shop; adult and child ski and snowboard schools an more.

Ragged Mountain
RR 1
Danbury, New Hampshire 03230
Phone: (603) 768-3475
Ragged Mountain continues to place emphasis on family and not the "bottom Line". With three mountain peaks, over 200 acres of skiable terrain, 9 lifts, 45 trails, on-site lodging and one of the best learning centers in the country... Ragged Mountain offers big mountain amenities at prices families can actually afford.

The Balsams Wilderness
Route 26
Dixville Notch, New Hampshire 03576
Phone: (603) 255-3400
The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel is a 15,000 acre private estate located high in New Hampshire's White Mountains.  During winter, the Balsams Wilderness, known as "one of the twelve poshest ski hotels in the world," provides guests with an on-site Alpine ski area offering 14 trails on two slopes, a snowboarding half pipe and full service base lodge, a 76-kilometer cross country trail system, snowshoe trails, ice skating, a natural history program with guided tours, three rooms with live entertainment, plus a variety of events to include lectures, games and contests, concerts, movies and nightclub shows. Guests just love to ski at The Balsams Wilderness.

Purity Spring Resort
Route 153
East Madison, New Hampshire 03849
Phone: (603) 367-8896
King Pine has developed into an excellent mountain for families. While primarily serving the beginner or intermediate skier, King Pine has terrain to satisfy every ability. King Pine's moderate vertical is to the skier's advantage when looking for ideal conditions.  Tubing park and Ice skating rink also available.

Cannon Mountain
Franconia Notch State Park
Franconia, New Hampshire 03580
Phone: (603) 823-5563
Skiing, snowboarding, lessons, rentals, great variety of terrain and much more.

Gunstock Area
Route 11A
Gilford, New Hampshire
Phone: (800) GUNSTOCK
Skiing, cross country skiing, snowboarding, night skiing, lessons, kids programs and more.

Pats Peak
24 Flanders Rd
Henniker, New Hampshire 03242
Phone: (603) 428-3245
Pats Peak is one of the state’s most accessible learn-to-ski-and- snowboard mountains, located 30 minutes from southern New Hampshire metropolitan areas. From three separate beginner areas to an F.I.S. race trail, we’ll introduce you and your kids to the best way of celebrating winter. We have also boosted snowmaking by another 20% and added lights to NH's best teaching trail.

Wildcat Ski Area
Route 16, Pinkham Notch
Jackson, New Hampshire 03846
Phone: (800) 255-6439
Wildcat Mountain offers some of the best views in the area of neighboring Mount Washington and Tuckerman Ravine. Wildcat also offers great skiing for skiers of all levels from beginner to advanced.

Whaleback Ski Area
Exit 16 on I-89
Enfield / Lebanon, New Hampshire
Phone: (603) 448-1489

Loon
Kancamagus Hwy
Lincoln, New Hampshire 03251
Phone: (603) 745-8111

Mount Sunapee Ski Area
Route 103
Mt. Sunapee, New Hampshire 03255
Phone: (603) 763-2356
New Hampshire most southern skiing mountain.

Cranmore
One Skimobile Rd
North Conway, New Hampshire 03860
Phone: (603) 356-5544
Cranmore Mountain is known as New England's Snowplay Resort for Growing Families for a reason! Not only is Cranmore the most affordable mountain around, but there's so much fun to be had! From skiing and snowboarding to heading down the slopes on snow toys, or racing your friends and family on the NEW Wild Cherry Grand Prix Tubing Center, there's never a dull moment for kids of all ages!

Tenney Mountain Ski Resort
Rt 3A South
Plymouth, New Hampshire 03264
Phone: (603) 536-4125
Great family skiing with terrain for the beginner and advanced skier.

Waterville Valley
One Ski Area Rd
Waterville Valley, New Hampshire 03215
Phone: (603) 236-8311

Helpful websites and services

If you know of a website or company that is helpful to families traveling to New Hampshire, let us know and we will add it here.

Travel Specials & Vacation Packages