If you’ve begun considering a trip to the White Mountains, the amount of activity choices has likely been slightly overwhelming (in a good way). But we’re here to help! While many of these attractions can be enjoyed throughout multiple seasons, we’ve broken them down by seasons you might want to take advantage of.
Ready to get started? Great! So are we!
Fall is about trains & trams
The leaves are turning and cider, pumpkins, and apples are coming into season. Have you considered enjoying the foliage from a different perspective? We suggest a train or a tram! Here are some great options.
Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train
All aboard the dinner train! The Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train is an incredibly unique attraction that allows riders to enjoy a five-course meal while speeding along 20 miles of track along the Pemi River Valley. Available from May-October, this two-hour experience will be one you’ll always remember (and want to repeat!)
Website: Nhdinnertrain.com Phone number: 603-745-3500
The Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway
It’s hard to believe it, but you can reach the 4,080-foot summit of Cannon Mountain in less than ten minutes using this tram. And, if you reserve in advance, you can save $3 off your ticket price.
Ticket prices by age are as follows:
- 13+ round-trip ride: $28
- 6-12 round-trip ride: $23
- 5 and under: Free with an adult
- New Hampshire Senior (65+): Free Monday – Friday with an ID
Website: Cannonmt.com/things-to-do/attractions/tram Phone number: 603-823-8800
The Hobo Railroad
With 54 miles of track between Tilton and Lincoln, New Hampshire, the Hobo Railroad is a mainstay attraction in the area, especially in fall. Both the trains and the tracks have unique histories and the experience is incredibly unique. Riders can start their journey in Lincoln, Meredith, Weirs Beach, or Laconia, New Hampshire. Choose your own adventure!
Website: Hoborr.com Phone number: 603-745-2135
The Mount Washington Cog Railway
The Cog Railway includes both classic steam and modern biodiesel locomotives. They’re first, which was steam-powered, summited Mount Washington from 1869 until 2008 and nowadays you can book various stream and biodiesel trips some of which summit, and others that take you to the mid-mountain Waumbek station instead.
Website: Thecog.com Phone number: 603-274-5404.
Winter is great for ice adventures
The New Hampshire Ice Castles
Where can you experience ice slides, caverns, archways, crawl tunnels, the Mystic Forest Light Walk, snow tubing, the Polar Pub, the Winter Fairy Forest, sleigh rides, and Arctic Alcoves in one location? The New Hampshire Ice Castles!
Oprah.com reviewed it as follows “Magical…Twinkling and sense-defying and straight out of fairy tales.”
Weekday tickets are just $20 for ages 12 and up and are only $15 for ages 4-11. During the weekend the price climbs just slightly to $29 and $22 respectively, but we think you’ll agree that the price of this spectacle is well-worth paying for. When they release, it’s best to book your tickets online in advance as they frequently sell out and won’t be available on-site.
Website: Icecastles.com/new-hampshire Phone number: 866-435-2850
Spring is about thrills
Alpine Adventures
Alpine Adventures is actually open year-round, but spring is a prime time to visit! You have you choice of off-roading on a Kawasaki Teryx KRX 1000 vehicle, taking a biplane tour, visiting Thrillsville (bridges, cargo nets, rope ladders, a zipline, a treehouse, and more!), or taking a low-speed roller coaster ride. Excitement awaits!
Website: Alpinezipline.com Phone number: 603-745-9911
Clark’s Bears
Trained bears AND a railroad? Yes, please.
There are actually more bear shows in summer, but spring is a fine time to see them too! The shows. Darla and Hildie are the reigning bear-trainers, but the roots of this attraction date back to 1949!
Already seen the bear show? Go on the White Mountain Central Railroad for a 25-minute ride where you’ll get to meet Wolfman…
Website: Clarksbears.com Phone number: 603-745-8913
Summer is for a waterpark
Whale’s Tale Waterpark
This park has earned a Trip Advisor Travelers Choice Award and it’s well-earned. You can surf there at Akua Beach (they offer lessons for beginners and challenges for pros), enjoy their Summer Concert Series, and make the most of their many water attractions like Banzai Pipeline, Beluga Boggin, Castaway Cove, Downpour, Eye of the Storm, Harpoon Express, Jonah’s Escape, and many others.
Website: Whalestalewaterpark.net Phone number: 603-745-8810
And many seasons are good times to visit resorts & have outdoor adventures.
Resorts
Owl’s Nest Resort
Owl’s Nest has it all when it comes to activities! In fall, enjoy golf, tennis, pickleball, platform tennis, horseback hiding, Lake Harold and the Beach, The Boathouse Pool & Bar, the fitness Center, Panorama Six82 Restaurant & Bar, and The SportsNest.
In winter, try snowmobiling on Corridor 11, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on their course, the heated pool with bar, ice skating, platform tennis, the golf simulator as well as some of the restaurant and shopping amenities from fall.
And in spring and summer you’ll be able to play all the outdoor sports as well as shop, dine, and relax!
Staying and playing has never been easier!
Website: Owlsnestresort.com Phone number: 603-726-3076
Mittersill Alpine Resort
This Austrian style four-season destination is tucked away in its own little Alpine Village. One and two bedroom suites with full kitchens are available to rent or own along with three hotel rooms.
While there you can use their indoor and outdoor heated pools, tennis courts, sauna, Jacuzzi, exercise room, game room, and visit Baron’s Pub! A full list of detailed amenities is available here.
Website: Mittersillresort.com Phone number: 603-823-5511
Riverwalk Resort At Loon Mountain
This four-season resort is all about luxury and convenience. On-site you will find a winery, an incomparable Italian restaurant, multiple pools and hot tubs, a game room, a spa, and a fitness center. Once you arrive in your studio or suite, it will be awfully difficult to leave… but if you do want to, they even have an Adventure Concierge to help you plan your visit!
Website: Riverwalkresortatloon.com Phone number: 603-745-7550
Loon Mountain Resort
At Loon Peak, take advantage of their Gondola Skyride, Zipline, Ninja Wild, Caves, Disc Golf, Hike, and Yoga. At their Bike Park they offer lessons, and as a biker you can do cross-country or e-Biking! At their Adventure Center you can try their Zipline, Climbing Wall, and Bungee Trampoline.
Gondola Skyrides, Biking, the Adventure Center, the Glacial Caves, and Disc Golf are spring, summer and fall options while Skiing, Snowboarding, Snow Tubing, and Snowshoeing are top winter ones.
And of course, there are many events like the Highland Games and Octoberfest to attend.
Website: Loonmtn.com Phone number: 603-745-8111
Outdoor Ideas
The Rocks Estate
The Rocks has been closed to the public due to an extensive restoration project, but this fall it will reopen!
The target date to re-open trails is October 1 and shortly after on November 1, the plan is to open the Carriage Barn to the public.
The 1,400-acre forest, which is owned and cared for by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, is truly something special.
Website: Forestsociety.org/the-rocks Phone number: 603-383-4186
The Flume Gorge
The Flume is a natural attraction you simply must experience at least once (and hopefully many times) in your lifetime. While the prime visit times (when The Flume is staffed and The Gorge is open) are from May-October, The Flume Gorge Trail is still accessible in winter! Entry fees are quite affordable too.
- 13 and over: $18 online reservation and $21 at ticket window
- 6-12: $16 online reservation and $19 at ticket window
- Under 5: $0
Website: Nhstateparks.org/find-parks-trails/flume-gorge Phone number: 603-745-8391
Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves
Located in the Kinsman Notch is a beauty that only nature could create. Rock walls, boulders, glacial boulder caves, and waterfalls. Take the Forest Adventure Trail, see the treehouse, and walk the suspension bridge. It’s all fair (and fabulous) game from May-October.
Website: Lostrivergorge.com Phone number: 603-745-8031
Polar Caves Park
Enter passageways created by the last Ice Age’s glacial boulder activity and augmented to include boardwalks and stairs for easier exploration. There are a total of nine granite caves. There are also animals onsite including the European Fallow Deer as well as domestic and wild ducks! We know you’ll love both the caves and the animals.
You can visit from May-October.
Website: Polarcaves.com Phone number: 603-536-1888
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Charyl Reardon, President of the White Mountains Attractions Association said it best, “The White Mountains region of New Hampshire has so much to offer for visitors of all ages and abilities. From towering peaks, stunning scenery unrivaled anywhere in the Northeast, spectacular waterfalls, tax-free shopping, limitless recreation, and legendary family and natural attractions, the White Mountains is a destination where visitors can create a lifetime of unforgettable memories.”
We hope you see these places for yourself soon!
