Fun (Nearby!) Activities for Your Family this Summer

Posted on July 13, 2012 by Adrienne

Ah, those endless days of summer vacation.  No school, no homework and no schedule.  With all this free time, your family will be able to explore a variety of exciting activities in and around the state. 

Here are some options that your family is sure to love:

Center for Wildlife – This little treasure is right over the border in York, ME.  They’ve just announced their Tuesday Afternoon Summer Tour Series, with weekly tours from 2:00-3:00 pm. Participants will learn about New England wildlife, get an up-close look at animals, observe baby birds being fed, hear about medical techniques used on sick or injured animals, and much more.  Reservations are required, space is limited to 12 people per tour, ages 5+, please.

Fort Foster  - Another nearby gem, this large, scenic area is located in Kittery Point, ME.  Explore the seaside path and breathtaking rocky shore, as well as crumbling WWII cement forts and bunkers.  Fort Foster offers marked walking trails and picnic areas.  Open daily from 10:00 am – 8:00 pm.

Odiorne Point State Park – Enjoy a beautiful, natural setting along Southern NH’s 18-mile coastline. The 135-acre seaside park has plenty of walking trails (some are handicapped accessible), a picnic area, and a modern playground.  The park is beloved for its diverse natural habitats, which can be easily visited and viewed, including the rocky shore, woodlands, uplands, salt marsh, freshwater and salt ponds, and (non-swimming) sandy beach.

Whale Watch – Your whole family will be amazed by the whale sightings right off of the NH Seacoast.  Several companies operate out of Rye, NH, including Atlantic Whale Watch and Granite State Whale Watch.  Both offer clean, safe, large boats with large viewing areas (and snack bars) so you can enjoy multi-hour adventures at sea.

Marginal Way - Your family will get exercise and fresh air on one of New England’s most spectacular nature walks.  Marginal Way in Ogunquit, ME is a paved, public shoreline footpath, spanning about a mile along the gorgeous coast, connecting Perkins Cove to Ogunquit Beach.  The path offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, with an abundance of beautiful flowers, trees and other scenery along the way. 

Monadnock State Park - Take your kids on a family-friendly hike at this Jaffrey, NH-based park. Mount Monadnock offers 40 miles of trails, many of which lead to the rock summit, at 3,165 feet.  At the top, visitors can see gorgeous views of six New England states (which your kids will surely think is cool!).  The area also offers exhibits and lessons on the area’s history, ecology and trails.

Clark’s Trading Post - Kids of all ages will enjoy Clarks’ Trained Bear show!  This “roadside attraction” in Lincoln, NH offers an excursion on The White Mountain Central Railroad through an authentic covered bridge, impressive acrobatics from the Yandong Chinese Acrobatic Troupe (your kids will be AMAZED when the acrobats stuff their bodies into tiny wooden boxes), and the headline act – the trained bears, who perform a fascinating, hugely entertaining show.  There’s also a variety of unique shops, snack shacks and more.

See Science Center – This Manchester, NH-based museum offers fun, science based displays, exhibits and experiences.  Learn about forces, light, electricity, and machinery, view the LEGO® Millyard Project, and participate in science-based workshops, camps and courses.  There’s even a “moonwalk” and options for overnight experiences. 

With so much to do in New Hampshire (and right over the border in Southern Maine), you’ll find plenty of options to keep your kids not only entertained but educated as well this summer!

Filed under: Educational, NH hikes, NH mountains, Outdoor fun, Quality time with kids, Summer activities, Summer attractions | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

Piper Mountain Trail – Belknap, NH

Posted on September 13, 2010 by Ray Bisson

Sometimes the trail less followed, even by mistake, can be a pleasant surprise. Our plan was to hike up Belknap Mountain’s Red Trail to a fire tower.  This was supposed to be a family hike with about a 700 foot elevation gain (from the parking lot). This peak is about 600 feet higher than Mount Major and is supposed to have much nicer views.

We drove up the Belknap Mountain Road and turned onto Carriage Road (see below for directions). We then reached a parking area near a gate. Unfortunately the gate was closed due to a tree down on a utility line.  Forgetting that the trail began 1 mile past the gate, we started our hike. Shortly, we crossed a bridge and saw a red blazed trail on the right.  We turned onto the trail and started our ascent.

The trail had a gentle and continuous slope, but watch your step because there are plenty of roots and rocks to step over. Once you approach the summit there are lots of wild blueberries to pick, which is a good incentive for the children.

Continuing to the summit, we came to a large exposed ledge area.  I noticed some people relaxing and I asked one of them where the fire tower was (since I did not see it). The man politely responded “The fire tower? That is over there,” as he pointed to the next mountain peak.

That is when I found out that we were on Piper Mountain. The Piper Mountain trail rises about 1,000 feet and is about 1 mile from the parking area. The peak elevation is approximately 2,000 feet above sea level. Piper Mountain is also part of the Belknap Range Trail, which runs from Mt. Rowe to Mt. Major. Be sure to check out the stone bench and chair on the summit. Unfortunately, the only view is northeasterly towards Lake Winnipesaukee.

On our descent, we chose to take the blue/white blazed trail towards Belknap Mountain.  We then  joined the Belknap Mountain trail, and descended towards the Carriage Road. We came out on the road just below the parking lot that we originally planned on parking in.  Now we had to walk about 1 mile down the road to our vehicle by the gate.

Overall the hike was good and it turned out better that we took the wrong red trail. We still want to hike Belknap Mountain to the fire tower and since we are hiking with kids (5 & 10 years old), we are hoping that the road will be open.

Finding the trail can be difficult, especially if you use a GPS. Our GPS sent us to the wrong side of the mountain where the Belknap Mountain Road is no longer passable. 

From Laconia, take Route 3 to Route 11A. Follow 11A towards Gilford Village, then take a right onto Belknap Mountain Road. If driving from the Alton area, follow Route 11 to Route 11A. Follow 11A towards Gilford Village and turn left onto Belknap Mountain Road. Follow Belknap Mountain Road for 2.4 miles, then turn left onto Carriage Road. Once on Carriage Road the gate will be in about .5 mile.

Filed under: NH hikes, NH mountains, Outdoor fun, Outdoors, Quality time with kids, Summer activities, Summer attractions | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Heron Point Trail, Newmarket, NH

Posted on September 8, 2010 by Ray Bisson

If you prefer short hikes there are plenty around, especially on the seacoast. One such hike is the Heron Point Trail, which winds along a portion of the Lamprey River.  Getting there can be a bit confusing, but it is worth the trip. 

If you are in downtown Newmarket, take Route 108 towards Durham. Once you cross the Lamprey River bridge, turn right onto Bay Road. Set your odometer and drive 0.3 miles and turn right onto Meadow Drive.  You will be driving into a mobile home park. Continue driving for 0.1 miles and on the right will be a sign for the Heron Point Sanctuary. Follow the dirt road to the parking area. 

Photo By Ray Bisson Photography

The first thing that you see is a deck and wood boardwalk. The deck overlooks the Lamprey River dam and the old mills. 

The boardwalk follows the river for a short distance then dead ends.  The boardwalk and deck have benches built into them. Back track a short distance and you can see the main trail.  

The trail follows the bank of the river for about 0.4 miles then turns and cuts through the woods back to the parking lot.  The total distance is about 0.7 miles and is relatively flat. Before you cut into the woods there is another opening where people can picnic and play by the water. The bank is steep, but there are well-worn trails down to the water. Keep an eye out for Herons, Cormorants and even Bald Eagles.

Filed under: NH hikes, Outdoor fun, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

Bradford Pines Natural Area in Bradford, NH

Posted on September 5, 2010 by Ray Bisson

In New Hampshire, trees are plentiful. We look around and see trees that are 24”, 36” or even 48” in diameter and we think “what a big tree”. But at the Bradford Pines Natural Area located in Bradford, NH, there are very large pine trees (I wish I had measured the diameter, but I did not think of it at the time).

The trees are so tall that lightning rods have been installed to protect them. These pines lie near the Warner River just off of a rest area on Route 103 near the Route 103 & 114 intersection in Bradford.

Once we parked at the rest area, we saw a trail immediately off on the right hand side and thought this was the trail.

This first trail resembled an old woods road and brought us into the forest where we discovered an old stone cellar hole, but no large trees. 

We then turned around and instead, walked north about 300 feet from the parking lot where we found an opening in the woods with a small sign that read “trail”.

This second trail winds through gently rolling terrain. It was fairly easy walking for our children (5 and 10 at the time).

At about 0.2 miles down the trail, we reached the pine trees. They were very large in diameter and very tall (as you can see from the pictures). I could not see the tops through the surrounding canopy.

A word of caution for young hikers – the trees have a large base and some are on banks. When our youngest tried to hug the tree, he lost his footing on the bark base and slid down the tree causing some minor scrapes.

We continued to walk around the area to see how many of these colossal giants we could find and came across a small river. The river was low and perfect for wading in. Our dog and kids loved playing in the water and soft sand.  In early spring or during a very wet period, this river can become much deeper. You can see where the river overflowed the banks. 

We followed the same trail back to the parking lot and it was approximately 0.4 miles in length, round trip.

Filed under: Family fun activities, Historical, NH hikes, Outdoor fun, Outdoors, Quality time with kids, Summer attractions | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

Cathedral Ledge – North Conway, NH

Posted on October 1, 2009 by Ray Bisson
cathedral ledge 9-17-09s

Cathedral Ledge

I recently attended a quarterly meeting for the New Hampshire Land Surveyors Association, which was held at the Attitash Grand Summit Hotel.

I was not looking forward to the long ride from the Seacoast to Attitash along Route 16.  Luckily the meeting was short and I was able to start the drive home before it got dark. 

It was a gorgeous “fall” day and I was by-passing downtown North Conway and Conway by taking the scenic West Side Road. When I saw the sign for Cathedral Ledge I decided to take a detour and drive to the top. 

Cathedral Ledge is a very short distance, less than 2 miles, from Route 16 in North Conway, and has a summit road that meanders up to the top.  As you start your drive, you may be lucky to see rock climbers gathering their gear. This is a very popular cliff to climb, but no thanks…I will drive around.

Once at the top there is a short (5 minutes at most) hike to the cliff. There is a chain link fence that keeps people and kids from getting too close, but you can still get a good view at the steep cliff.

I remember every visit that I have taken to the top - from when I was a child on a family trip, to weekend getaways with my wife (then fiancée), to taking our oldest son on his first visit. Every time it is absolutely beautiful, and this time was no exception. I just wished my family was with me. 

This is a great side trip and does not take a lot of time. Once you come down from the ledge, drive into North Conway Village and get an ice cream or coffee and stroll through the town.

Filed under: Fall activities, Family fun activities, NH hikes, NH mountains, Summer activities, Summer attractions, Traveling with kids | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Wagon Hill Farm, Durham, NH

Posted on July 2, 2009 by Ray Bisson

kids-on-wagonIf you drive along Route 4 between Durham and Dover Point, you will see a picturesque old wagon sitting on top of a hill at an old farm.

If you drive this route in the winter, you can see hundreds of people sliding down the hill. Wagon Hill Farm is a 140 acre farm, which was purchased by the town of Durham to preserve this beautiful resource.  This easy hike takes you through many habitats, including a grassy field, wooded jacob-and-dakotaforest and salt water shoreline. 

You start your hike near the old farm house and walk through the field. Then you make your way along  into the mature woods, which brings you to a grassy opening with picnic tables near Great Bay. Our kids found a Horseshoe crab along the shore.

The farm also has antique equipment, an old foundation and a cemetery along the walk.

horseshoe-crabThe walk is about 1.2 miles in length, but there are many interconnecting trails, which can make for longer, shorter or varying hikes. There is a trail on the opposite side of Route 4, but we have not been on that trail. We enjoyed our hike with our new puppy. Dogs are allowed if leashed.

The town of Durham has many recreational facilities, which can be viewed on their website. The site includes descriptions and trail maps.

Filed under: Fall activities, Family Fitness, Family fun activities, NH hikes, Outdoor fun, Quality time with kids, Spring activities, Summer activities, Summer attractions, Traveling with kids, Winter activities | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Exploring the Gonic Trails along the Isinglass River in Rochester, NH

Posted on June 30, 2009 by Ray Bisson

WM Islinglass River Trail 5-25-09bRecently, we learned about the Gonic Trails at Mount Isinglass Recreational Area in Rochester, NH. This facility is located a short distance from Route 125 in Gonic; a village of Rochester. The facility is part of the Waste Management Turnkey Recycling & Environmental Enterprises.

On our first visit, we stopped at the nature trails. The trail head has ample parking. There are three trails from this parking lot, Watson’s Way, a 1.4 mile loop, Locke’s Local Loop, a 1.3 mile loop and Luanne’s Lane, a 3.5 mile one way trail. There was a mailbox for trail maps, but there were no maps when we were there.

WM Islinglass River Trail 5-25-09eWe took the trail for Locke Falls on the Isinglass River. The beginning part of the trail was very nice. The trail was fairly wide and easy as it winded along a slight rolling terrain. The trails are well marked with different color paint for each trail.  As we approached the river, we saw old granite abutments for the former Worcester, Nashua and Rochester Railroad. Once we reached the river we could see people fishing and wading in the currents.

We continued on, took a right and followed the trail, which quickly narrowed. There were portions of the trail that had debris, which at times made it difficult to walk. I am not sure if the debris was remnants from this past winter’s ice storm.

Open year-round, the recreational park is used for hiking, WM Islinglass River Trail 5-25-09hbiking, fishing, swimming, and picnicking in the summer and ice skating, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing in the winter. Dogs are also allowed.

Directions to the trailhead:
From Rochester, follow Route 125 south to Rochester Neck Road. Take a left onto Rochester Neck Road. The trails are 1/2 mile up on the right. Follow this link to Google Maps for Directions.

This is the trail map displayed at the parking lot. If I am able to get a better image, then I will post it.

Filed under: Fall activities, Family Fitness, Family fun activities, NH hikes, Outdoor fun, Quality time with kids, Spring activities, Summer activities, Summer attractions, Wildlife | Tagged: , , , , , , | 10 Comments »

South Mountain at Pawtuckaway State Park

Posted on May 26, 2009 by Ray Bisson

We recently took a hike to South Mountain at Pawtuckaway State Park. We wanted to go on an Pawtuckaway South Mtn 4-24-09heasy first hike in the hopes that our four year old would enjoy hiking and we could do additional hikes this summer. We wanted to stay close to home, but do a walk that we have not already done. I found this hike trough Trails.com (a pay site, but very good details about hiking trails).

The hike was supposed to be a 0.8 mile hike up a 885± foot high mountain to a fire tower, which on a clear day you are supposed to be able to see Boston. As we followed the directions to the parking lot we found the access road was gated.  The sign said that the trail head was 0.8 mile up this access road.  We decided to put our four year old in his stroller and push him to the trail head, then let him walk. (As long as the stroller has medium sized or larger wheels, the access road is not a problem to push the stroller along.)

As we started our hike we walked past a brook, pond with beaver dam, beaver hut and numerous stone walls. We also came across a small stone foundation on the right of the access road, an old cemetery and another stone foundation on the left. Since I am a Land Surveyor and like history, I wanted a closer inspection of the foundations and the cemetery.  This area was the homestead of Barnard & Sally Goodrich and later of George Goodrich, grandson. My curiosity was peaked and I wanted to learn more.  Later I found a book called “The Barefoot Farmer of Pawtuckaway” written by Paula Casey Wood and an article about George in the Bear-Paw Print with photographs of what the homestead used to look like.

Pawtuckaway South Mtn 4-24-09fJust after the homestead is the parking lot and trail head. We parked the stroller and started our climb.  The trail winds through mature woods and around multiple rock formations. The trail was a bit wet and slippery in spots. There was only a couple of steep sections of the trail and the hike to the top was fairly easy.  Our kids would take turns leading, which provided an incentive for our youngest son to walkPawtuckaway South Mtn 4-24-09o all the way to the top. 

At the top we found the fire tower, which we climbed up to a viewing platform.  The stairs are very steep, so if you have young ones you might want to stay close behind them. After sitting at the top for awhile, we descended the mountain and headed back down the access road.

Even though our hike became a 2.4 mile hike, it was an enjoyable way to spend a beautiful spring day and we are hoping to do this hike again this fall when the leaves are changing.

Click here for Pawtuckaway Trail Map

Click her for Directions and Additional Information about South Mountain

Filed under: Educational, Fall activities, Family Fitness, Family fun activities, NH hikes, NH mountains, Quality time with kids, Spring activities, Summer activities, Summer attractions, Wildlife | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Visit the Polar Caves for free until June 19th

Posted on May 20, 2009 by The Mom Entrepreneur

The Polar Caves in Plymouth, NH is a great family tourist stop. It includes a series of caves and passages formed by the falling of massive boulders nearly 50,000 years ago as the third continental glacier moved southward over New Hampshire’s White Mountains.

You can explore the Rock Garden, a jumble of glacially deposited granite boulders and take a self-guided tour of the caves. Open daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., early May to late October, weather permitting.

They also offer gemstone and fossil mining for the kids, a gift shop and ample picnic spots. Kids can also visit with the animals, which include Fallow Deer, Pheasants from around the world, Peacocks, Swans and a wide variety of ducks. We try to visit every year.

For a limited time, the Polar Caves in Plymouth, NH is offering a “buy one, get one admission for free”. The offer is valid Monday – Friday only and expires June 19, 2009. 

To print your coupon, click here…>

Filed under: Discounts and savings, Educational, Family fun activities, NH farms, NH hikes, NH mountains, Outdoor fun, Quality time with kids, Summer activities, Summer attractions, Wildlife | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

Snow shoeing is great exercise and a fun family activity

Posted on January 19, 2009 by The Mom Entrepreneur

snow-shoeingMy family recently discovered snow shoeing as a great family fitness activity. I was not sure if my kids would enjoy or have the patience for it.

My husband took the boys out into the backyard over this past holiday weekend. They made paths in our big backyard and through the woods. Every afternoon, my kids were anxious to get back outside and continue blazing trails. They were outside for over an hour.

On Monday, I decided to join them. We walked out into the woods and were headed out to the lake. This was a lot of walking for my four year old. He decided it was too much and we headed back towards the house. We decided the next time we go out, we will bring the Kelty back pack. This way when he gets tired, my husband can carry him on his back.

It is great to finally find a winter activity that we all enjoy. The woods were snow-shoeing2beautiful. Next time, we will attempt to make it all the way to the lake. We will bring hot chocolate in a thermos and some snacks. The kids will love this. I mentioned we could also bring our ice skates and go on the ice if it was relatively smooth.

If you want to start snow shoeing with your kids, I suggest looking on Craig’s List  to find used kid’s and adult snow shoes. I paid a total of $14 for the kid’s gear. A great investment!

Do you have a favorite wintertime activity you participate in with your family? Please share your adventures in the comments section.

Filed under: Family Fitness, Family fun activities, NH hikes, Outdoor fun, Quality time with kids, Sports, Winter activities | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Next Page »
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.