Katelyn Michaud
The White Mountains of New Hampshire are a great destination for families with young kids. Enjoy many local attractions and activities that kids aged six to 12 will love on your next summer vacation. Book a long weekend or entire week at RiverWalk Resort and explore the area by foot, bike, car, and more. Whether you prefer to stay close to the resort or head out into the mountains, you’ll be making memories to last a lifetime with your family. Below is a potential itinerary to keep you busy from morning to night for 5 days, but if you’re looking for more adventures or dinner recommendations, make sure you reach out to the RiverWalk Resort Adventure Concierge.
Day 1
After checking into your suite at RiverWalk Resort, take the short drive to Franconia Notch State Park to visit one of New Hampshire’s most iconic natural attractions, the Flume Gorge. The Flume Gorge is a natural gorge that was formed during the last Ice Age and extends over 800 feet at the base of Mount Liberty. The 2-mile loop Flume Trails is perfect for kids of all ages to enjoy. The loop will take approximately 1.5 hours and includes some uphill walking, stairs, and boardwalks. Kiddos will also love crawling through Wolf Den on their hands and knees! Before you head over to the Flume Gorge, print out the Flume Gorge Scavenger Hunt and see how many nature items you can find in the Gorge!
Grab a pizza from La Vista Italian Cuisine or burgers from Rhythm Tap & Grille and either eat in your suite or on the back lawn of RiverWalk Resort if it’s a nice summer evening. Head to bed early as your week is just getting started with all sorts of fun and exciting adventures.
Day 2
If it’s a hot summer day, spend it at Whale’s Tale Waterpark, a favorite White Mountain attraction on Route 3. The family-friendly waterpark is home to tons of waterslides, pools, and even a lazy river. Shipwreck Island is great for kids under age 10 with its four small waterslides, interactive multi-level sprayers, and playground. For slightly older and taller children, there are quite a few waterslides and even bodyboarding waves to try!
Next, head over to Alpine Adventures for some high-flying fun! Known for thrilling fun in the western White Mountains, Alpine Adventures offers a variety of activities for kids aged six to 12. For the ultimate adrenaline rush, try one of the two zipline tours offered. The Treetop Tour is perfect for first-timers and young kiddos. Each zipline ranges from 250 to 1,000 feet in length and reaches heights up to 60 feet off the ground. For more experienced zipliners, the SkyRider Tour is longer, higher, and faster! You can even race each other on the dual racing zipline! The Thrillsville Challenge Course is also a ton of fun and can be done anytime! It’s a great way to finish off a fun day of action-packed fun.
Day 3
Get an early start to your day and head over to Loon Mountain for a morning spent outdoors. For panoramic views of the White Mountains and beyond, take a ride on New Hampshire’s longest scenic gondola skyride. The 1.3-mile ride ends at the summit of Loon Mountain where you can take in the views from Herbert’s Observation Tower, explore the summit glacial caves, or hike the 0.6-mile Sunset Loop.
Try something new this summer like mountain biking or Disc Golf... or both! At the base of Loon Mountain, you’ll find over six miles of cross-country mountain bike trails for all ages. For experienced riders or those seeking a bit of a thrill, try the new downhill mountain bike trails! By the end of the summer, there will be four miles of new trails for the whole family to enjoy. Afterward, give Disc Golf a try on their brand new 9-Hole Summit Course.
The Adventure Center, open Thursday through Monday, is the epicenter of family fun offering a bungee trampoline, climbing wall, and ziplining. Whatever you do at Loon Mountain, it's sure to be a great day for everyone!
After spending the day at Loon Mountain, head back to RiverWalk Resort for some relaxation by the pool. RiverWalk is home to two swimming pools and two hot tubs. The kids can splash and play in the pool while you read a book or work on your tan. Order takeout from one of the many restaurants in town and eat by the pool. Hopefully, you’ve saved your quarters because your kids will beg you for as many as possible to play the arcade games, foosball, and more in the Game Room after dinner.
Day 4
All aboard! The White Mountains are home to several scenic trains. For a unique experience, head across the notch to the Mount Washington Cog Railway. The historic train was a first-of-its-kind and a cool experience that the kids will brag to all their friends at home. With an average grade of 25%, the Cog will climb its way from the base station to the summit of Mount Washington where you have the opportunity to explore a little bit of the summit before departing back down to the base of the mountain.
Since you're close to North Conway, spend the rest of the day shopping and eating your way through town. With over 60 outlet stores, Settlers Green is a great place to start your back-to-school shopping early. If shopping isn't quite your thing then visit Diana's Baths near Attitash to see the popular waterfalls and take a dip in its cool waters. Take the scenic Kancamagus Highway back to Lincoln at the end of the day.
Day 5
Spend the day at one of Western White Mountain’s most popular attractions. Clark’s Bears, formerly known as Clark’s Trading Post, has been providing family-friendly entertainment for over 90 years. On a hot summer day, the Water Blaster Boats and Anaconda Escape will help cool you off before you hop on the historic White Mt. Central Railroad in search of the famous Wolfman. The kids will love his wild antics!
Take a stroll through Main Street to check out all the museums and snack bars before enjoying the historic Bear Show. See old favorites, such as Pemi, Echo, and Tula along with the new additions – Darla and Hildie! If you still have a few hours in the afternoon, take a half-hour-long drive over to Polar Caves to explore nature’s playground and visit the animals at the Animal Park. Or, spend the rest of the afternoon mining for treasures at Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves. The options are endless!
Day 5
Spend your last day in the White Mountains at Story Land. No summer family vacation is complete without a visit to the legendary Story Land. With over 30 rides such as the Polar Coaster, Roar-o-Saurus, and Swan Boats, the kids may never want to leave. Don’t forget to catch one of the shows and find your favorite storybook characters. Order your tickets ahead of time to save money.
Book Your Next Summer Vacation
Book your next family-friendly summer vacation in the White Mountains this year. RiverWalk Resort is the perfect home base to explore the best the region has to offer families.
