10 tips for the perfect kidcation in Mt Washington Valley, NH

TEN TIPS FOR THE PERFECT KIDCATION IN MT WASHINGTON VALLEY, NH

Family-friendly and easy on the budget, Mt Washington Valley is all about family vacation memories

North Conway, NH – School’s out and summer vacation planning has begun. Where can the family with kids of all ages go to find entertainment and recreation that fits every age and interest? You don’t want to break the bank, so it needs to be one-tank away and easily accessible, not to mention easy on the budget. The simple solution to your vacation planning quandary is found in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Mt Washington Valley, comprised of the 27 towns and villages that surround the tallest peak in the Northeast (Mount Washington), offers up the scenic beauty, outdoor recreation, attractions, lodging and restaurants that the blended family with kids of all ages and adults of all generations seek. Throw in some tax-free back-to-school shopping opportunities, and you really have it all for the ideal family destination in New Hampshire.

Here are ten reasons why families choose Mt Washington Valley, NH for their New Hampshire kidcations.

Attractions galore

From places to soar high in the sky to water parks and every kind of coaster – from roller to mountain coasters- you’ll find Mt Washington Valley packed with family attractions. Places like Santa’s Village and Story Land – where the second and third generations are now bringing their kids to relive the fantasy – to train rides down the tracks and up the mountains, you’ll find the Conway Scenic Railroad and the Mt Washington Cog Railway the perfect memory-maker for “trainiacs” of all ages. Fill in with museums like the MWV Children’s Museum and the Mt Washington Observatory’s Weather Discovery Center, perfect on a rainy day for loads of fun, and you’re set no matter what the weather. Does your child love horses? Black Mountain offers overnight trail rides and Farm by the River B&B & Stables offers up everything from carriage rides to wagon rides in the fall.

Golf anyone?

Whether you’re seven or seventy-seven, golf has a way of bringing families closer together. Mt Washington Valley’s 11 golf courses offer a wide variety of courses for golfers of all ages. Hoping to entice your kids into the game of golf? Pros at all the courses are on hand to offer clinics and private lessons. Visit www.GolfMWV.com for complete details about all of Mt Washington Valley’s golf courses and affordable programs. And for the mini-set, how about Mini Golf at White Lake Speedway?

Hiking & Biking

Surrounded by 660,000 acres of White Mountain National Forest, Mt Washington Valley is home to seemingly endless trails for hiking and mountain biking. All summer long you’ll discover our signature “50 shades of green” and in the fall, take in the brilliant harvest hues of autumn from the trails. If the family is more into road biking, choose from several scenic loops meandering through covered bridges, and past waterfalls.

Take a dip

And while you’re hiking or biking, you might just want to stop for a dip in one of the natural swimming holes, lakes or beaches along the way. Believe it or not, you’ll find sandy beaches and plenty of wonderful natural swimming holes, delivering the ideal cool-off from natural mountain streams, brooks and rivers.

River running & Lake Cruises

Swimming is great, but tubing will take you farther. Cool off this summer by tubing or canoeing down the Saco River. Rent tubes, canoes and kayaks from a number of outfitters including Northern Extremes Canoe and Kayak, Saco Canoe Rental Co, Saco Valley Canoe, or Saco Bound Outdoors. Great Glen Trails organizes guided trips to lakes throughout New Hampshire, and Black Ghost Boat Cruises offers scenic cruises on Conway Lake and the Songo River Queen, a Mississippi River Paddler replica cruises nearby Long Lake in Maine . Raft NH is a premier white water rafting outfitter, offering trips with everything from mild class II to wild class IV rapids.

Back to school shopping

Choose from 200 outlets, shops, and boutiques for everything from size 1 to 21+, and best of all, it’s all tax-free. Hit the Mall-wide tent sale, late July through early August, the Back to School Blitz with tons of kids events on August 19th or the four-day Labor Day tent sale all at Settlers Green. Or venture into North Conway, visiting places like Asset Jean Co or Spruce Hurricane, celebrating 25 years in business this year. What you see on the price tag is what you’ll pay for clothes, shoes and back-to-school supplies.

Free Fun & Festivals

Throughout the summer, catch a free movie on Tuesdays at Settlers Green. Bring your own chairs or snag one of theirs and enjoy face painting and other pint-sized events along with a family-oriented movie shown on the outdoor screen. On Tuesdays, meet at the North Conway Library lawn for Story Time, geared for kids aged 3-8. There’ll be free stories, games and an occasional guest appearance. And throughout July take part in a town-wide Where’s Waldo free scavenger hunt. In August, don’t cry the blues, there are plenty of them at the Attitash Blueberry Festival, packed with crafts, music, pie-baking and eating contests and more on August 5, 2017, with free admission.

Music & Theater in the woods

Arts Jubilee offers up family-friendly concerts for 5 weeks at Cranmore Mountain Resort. Simply bring a chair and a picnic dinner and you’ll be treated to everything from Pops and fireworks to Beach Boyz. Tickets are affordable for the whole family. Each Friday, July 7-Aug 8, the Children’s Summer Theater Seriesis presented by Believe in Books at the Theater in the Wood at 10:00am, Jean’s Playhouse offers original plays with unique songs; perfect entertainment for the younger set.

Family friendly lodging

It’s easy to find the most family-friendly lodging in the Valley. Simply go to www.MtWashingtonValley.org and click on the STAY button on the top nav bar, then click on “Children Welcome” button on the filters. Up pops a list of everything from resorts and condos to B&Bs and inns to campgrounds. The choices here offer up the kinds of rooms (with multiple beds) and amenities (like indoor/outdoor pools) that are ideal for families. And choices also range from high end to affordable/budget options.

Fine family dining

Once again, the convenient filters allow you to search for the most child-friendly restaurants. Go to www.MtWashingtonValley.org and click on the EAT button. Then click on the Child Friendly filter and you’ll find a list of the most kid-friendly restaurants, offering great menus for the whole family.

Whether you seek family friendly lodging, dining, entertainment or Shopping, be sure to visit www.MtWashingtonValley.org, your resource for all your family vacation planning. To talk with a vacation concierge, call 1-800-367-3364 (800-DO-SEE-NH). And to learn more about New Hampshire vacations, simply go to www.VisitNH.gov.

Photos by Dan Houde/Wiseguy Creative Photography

· Kids jump for joy to be on the Eagle Mountain Golf Course

· Santa’s Village offers up rides and memories for the whole family.

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