Katelyn Michaud
This blog post is part of "The Guide to Winter Activities in The White Mountains" blog series.
The weather in the White Mountains can be unpredictable, especially during the winter months. While we would all love to have endless bluebird ski days, somedays, Mother Nature decides otherwise. It’s not uncommon for the mercury to drop below zero or for a freak snowstorm to occur in the White Mountains. Thankfully, when the weather turns, you can still have fun!
Catch A Show Or the latest blockbuster!
BarnZ’s Cinema is the local movie theater in Lincoln. Home to four screens, this hometown favorite plays all the latest and greatest movies from Hollywood. Pack the kids in the car and head to the cinema for an afternoon of movies and popcorn.
For some live action fun, head to Jean’s Playhouse for plays, live bands, comedy, and special films. Catch an early performance on Wednesdays and Saturdays of the IMPACT Children’s Theatre with tons of catchy original tunes and wacky characters.
Burn Some Calories
Itching to burn some calories, but not looking forward to the cold? Head to Live a Little Fitness, a full-service fitness studio with a kid’s play space. You’ll find daily group fitness classes, like Pilates, kickboxing, Vinyasa Flow Yoga and more. There’s even a special Beer Yoga class held at the Woodstock Inn Brewery. For the kids, there is the Beam Play Zone, a giant interactive tablet that kids can run around on and stomp and jump to their delight. It’s always open Saturday nights and for special events, like birthday parties.
Reach new heights with indoor rock climbing at North Country Climbing Center in nearby Lisbon. The climbing center has over 6,000 square feet of climbing with varied terrain and routes for all ages and abilities. Never climbed before? No worries, the expert staff will teach your everything you need to know to have a total blast all day long.
Play a Game or 10
Send the kids to the Game Room at the RiverWalk Resort and enjoy a little peace and quiet. The family-friendly game room is like a blast from the past. You’ll find foosball, a pool table, air hockey, arcade games, and more. Kids and adults of all ages will have heaps of fun here. Family challenge anyone?
Splish, Splash
The pool is always open at the RiverWalk Resort! During the winter months, the large outdoor lagoon pool turns into a skating rink, but the upper deck heated pool remains open. And you don’t even need to freeze your toes off by getting in and out of the pool as the deck is heated! With two hot tubs, there is more than enough room for everyone to soak and relax their muscles after a long day of skiing or just warm up.
Get Creative
Break out the paints and get creative at Fired on the Mountain. Owned and operated by two local women, this art and pottery studio is a great place to spend a cold day inside. Choose from paint your own pottery that is kid-friendly or tons of special art classes. The paint and glaze used in the studio are all non-toxic and washed off easily with a little water.
Relax and Unwind
While the kids are playing foosball in the game room or splashing in the indoor heated pool, treat yourself at the spa. The Solstice North Day Spa is a full-service day spa located within the RiverWalk Resort, so you don’t even need to set your foot outside in the cold. Enjoy a selection of massages, skin treatments, manicures, pedicures, and more. Let the kids have fun while you enjoy a little “me time.”
If you're looking to plan a trip for just the two of you, make sure to read our guide to a romantic getaway in the White Mountains.
Warm up from the inside out
Lincoln has several great local options for wine and beer tastings. Seven Birches Winery is a local winery that makes some of the best wine in New Hampshire. They use locally sourced fruit for their pure fruit wines, and they import fresh grapes from around the world for their classic European varietals. Take their “Meet the Winemakers” Tour or sample some of their favorites in the Tasting Room. Don’t forget to check out their other location in the Lincoln Village Shops: Rhythm Cider.
If beer is your drink of choice, the Lincoln area has you covered! The Woodstock Inn Brewery is New Hampshire’s premier brewery brewing beers for over 21 years. The thirty-barrel brewery produces more than 12 year-round beers and many seasonal beers that you can try on tap at their restaurant and bar. One Love Brewery may be a newcomer to Lincoln, but it’s quickly becoming a popular spot for German-style beers. You’ll also find a full menu of delicious food. Head up to road and check out what’s on tap at Iron Furnace Brewing.
Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
Dessert is the most important meal of the day! Okay, maybe that’s not true, but it should be after a visit to Chutters. With locations in Lincoln and Littleton, you can’t miss this historic candy store. For over 100 years, Chutters has been providing locals and visitors all their favorite and hard-to-find candy. The candy counter at the Littleton shop is 112 feet making it the longest in the world. How cool is that? Try only your favorite candies or try all 500!
Next time the temperature starts to drop or Mother Nature decides not to be so nice, take an afternoon or day off from skiing and enjoy the best indoor activities you can do in Lincoln. Your family won’t even complain about missing a day of skiing!
When you're ready to get outside and enjoy the snow, try one of these family friendly winter activities.
This blog post is part of "The Guide to Winter Activities in The White Mountains" blog series.