Gift of Lights Drive Thru Light Show Happening Again at NH Motor Speedway

Posted on November 19, 2012 by The Mom Entrepreneur

So many lights and so little time! Gift of Lights is guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit. Pile the entire family in the car and prepare to be amazed. Think light tunnels, giant candy canes and Santa up close and personal. What a great way to get in the holiday spirit! www.giftoflightsnhms.com.

WHAT: Gift of Lights drive thru holiday light show

WHEN: November 16, 2012 – January 5, 2013. They are open every night at 4:30pm.  On Friday, Saturday and holidays they close at 10:00pm and every other night they run until at least 9:00pm.  They’ll ll let everyone through even if there’s a line of cars when they normally close.

WHERE: NH Motor Speedway, Loudon, NH

DISCOUNT: Save $2 to Gift of Lights Drive Thru Light Show

See our review from 2011.

Filed under: Discounts and savings, Holiday Celebrations, Outdoor fun, Visit with Santa | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

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 »

2nd Annual Backyard Game of the Year Contest Sponsored by CLIF Kid®

Posted on May 3, 2012 by The Mom Entrepreneur

Remember when play time was about being outside until the streetlights came on? In the past, kids had time to run around their neighborhood or in backyards with friends as they stayed active and explored their natural environment. Nowadays, the majority of play is structured or stays inside the home with computers and TV. As a result, kids are missing out on creative pleasures of adventure and exploration in play and are not learning important social skills as they enjoy being outdoors.

CLIF Kid®, maker of organic snacks for active kids, has announced the return of the CLIF Kid Backyard Game of the Year. Starting now until June 17, 2012, kids ages 6-12 can enter their very own backyard game idea for a chance to win a $10,000 scholarship.

Each entry must allow at least two kids to play together, and can utilize common household items such as balls, hula hoops, bean bags and, most importantly, kids’ imagination for hours of fun.

Six creative kids will be flown with a parent to San Francisco to compete in the CLIF Kid Backyard Game of the Year Playoffs in July 2012. Each finalist will receive a Marin Bikes bicycle and a Bell helmet, the five runners-up will each win a $1,000 scholarship and the grand prize winner will receive a $10,000 scholarship. 

With new research that shows kids continue to spend more time in front of screens than outside, the second annual CLIF Kid Backyard Game of the Year contest encourages kids to use their imaginations and reconnect with outdoor playtime.

To enter, read the official rules and see game ideas, visit the CLIF Kid Backyard Game of the Year website.

Filed under: Contests, Educational, Giveaways, Outdoor fun, Outdoors | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

5 Ways You and Your Kids Can Reconnect in Nature

Posted on June 14, 2011 by The Mom Entrepreneur

Thanks to the Discover the Forest campaign launched by the USDA Forest Service for these tips on how to reconnect your kids with nature.

  1. Find a local creek or body of water  let out your fishing line, observe some marine life, or even go for a swim. Water provides a range of activities that will lure your kids away from their electronics and promote activity as a family.
  2. Read about plants native to the region you’re seeing and try to identify 10 different species on your hike. This is an excellent way to engage your kids and foster a family conversation about nature!
  3. Camping: This classic outdoor activity proves to be even more exciting when you leave the tent at home. Treat your family to the stars when nighttime falls!
  4. If your family is less experienced in the outdoors, pack a picnic and just relax in a meadow or field. Sometimes relaxing outside is the best way to unwind together.
  5. For those weekend wilderness warriors, this is a great occasion to learn how to do something new and create shared memories with your kids! Find a guide to teach you how to fly fish, repel or even rock climb.

You can also “like” the “Discover the Forest” Facebook page and follow their campaign spokes-squirrel Cheecker on Twitter, if you haven’t already!

If you are interested in learning about more about how parents and caregivers can discover nature with their children, please visit www.discovertheforest.org/parents.

Filed under: Outdoor fun, Outdoors, Quality time with kids, Summer activities, Wildlife | Tagged: , | 1 Comment »

Old-Fashioned Winter Days at the Enfield Shaker Museum

Posted on January 3, 2011 by The Mom Entrepreneur

After the holidays, families are always looking for things to do on the weekends. Visit the Enfield Shaker Museum each Saturday in January for our “Old Fashioned Winter Days,” January 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. The cost is $10/adult and $5/child.

Families are urged to bring their snowshoes, sleds, tubes and cross-country skis! The Enfield Shaker Museum has a beautiful hill offering breathtaking views of Lake Mascoma, and many trails to explore.

Warm up inside the Great Stone Dwelling and have hot chocolate, coffee, a hot lunch and participate in more activities. Appropriate for all ages, these activities will include making “snowflakes,” making Shaker crafts, storytelling, singing, watching demonstrations by trained artisans, and participating in a new interactive tour, “Growing Up Shaker, ” which will also include activities.

Great Stone Dwelling House

The Great Stone Dwelling is the Shakers’ most significant building in the U.S. Built in 1841, it has many features that were ahead of its time. Children may also ring the 1841 bell in the bell tower.

The Enfield Shaker Museum offers a wide variety of programs for adults and children year-round. The Museum has eight historic properties and 28 acres to explore and offers tours daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mon. – Sat. and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call (603) 632-4346 or visit www.shakermuseum.org.

Filed under: Arts & Crafts, Arts & Culture, Educational, Museums, Outdoor fun, Outdoors, Winter activities | Tagged: , | 2 Comments »

Attend these Magical Holiday Events this December

Posted on December 7, 2010 by Adrienne

‘Tis the season to enjoy holiday events, and there are many magical options to experience in New Hampshire.  Whether you’re cuddled up with your kids for a snowy sleigh ride, viewing spectacular light displays, or judging a cookie tasting contest, you’ll be making special holiday memories with your family. 

Consider the following options this December: 

Cookies, Snow & Fairy Tales
Waterville Valley
Friday, Dec. 10
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Talk about a “sweet” event.  Attendees can sample cookies baked fresh from local restaurants around the Town Square shops. Participants who visit the shops and redeem a coupon get to sample a different cookie at each location and then vote for their favorite. Other activities will include a coffee tasting, candy cottage workshop, candy cottages on display, a holiday ice skating party, Santa Claus reading a children’s book, and a visit from Mo the Balloon Baffoon.  For more information, visit their website.  

Victorian Christmas
Tamworth, New Hampshire
Mid December

Take a break from the Wii, put down your iPhone and enjoy the simpler pleasures of a Victorian Christmas. Tour the Captain Enoch Remick House, with its festive Victorian-era decorations.  Sip wassail and nibble gingersnaps at the museum center, which offers an array of Christmas foods and drinks. Try your hand at making Victorian crafts and see how trees were decorated before electricity. For more info visit: www.remickmuseum.org.

A Christmas Carol
Various locations, including The Palace Theater in Manchester (through December 19) and The Leddy Center in Epping (through December 17)

Take your family to see a classic Christmas tale…  As Ebenezer Scrooge wakes up the morning before Christmas, he has no idea he is being watched by an old friend with the help of three ghostly companions. Today will be Scrooge’s final test before he gets the visit of his life and finds out the true meaning of Christmas.  For more information, including ticket prices, visit www.palacetheatre.org and www.leddycenter.org/Christmas.html. 

Candlelight Stroll
Strawberry  Banke, Portsmouth, NH
Saturday and Sunday, December 11-12 & 18-19, 2010
Saturdays from 5:00pm-9:00pm
Sundays from 4:00pm-8:00pm

Experience a local favorite.  Stroll through New Hampshire’s oldest waterfront neighborhood and enjoy:

  • Historic houses from four centuries decorated in period regalia
  • Hundreds of candles lighting the lanes and landscape
  • Gingerbread house contest and display
  • Live music and holiday entertainment for all ages
  • Horse-drawn carriage rides
  • Holiday decoration demonstrations
  • Traditional barrel making demonstrations
  • 18th century holiday hearth cooking
  • Tinsmith demonstrations
  • And more

For more information, visit www.strawberybanke.org/candlelight-stroll.html. 

Santa’s Village
Jackson, NH

While every day is Christmas at Santa’s Village, Christmastime is “the most wonderful time of the year” at this holiday-themed amusement park.  In December, Santa greets every child, and listens carefully as the children explain what they really want for Christmas. Mrs. Claus greets guests, offering them some warm wassail.  Once the sun sets, view the beautiful lighting throughout the park. The park will be operating 14 rides (weather permitting), including the Skyway Sleigh Monorail, Santa’s Express Train, the Christmas Carousel and more.  Take in a 3-D show, “A Tinkerdoodle Christmas,” a comedy about  L. Fastidious Tinkerdoodle preparing Santa for his yearly journey on Christmas Eve.  For more information, visit their website.  

Sleigh Rides
Coppal House Farm, Lee, NH

Your family will be dashing through the snow in an amazing winter sleigh ride at Coppal House Farm in Lee.  Known primarily for their intricate corn mazes and horse-drawn carriage rides in the fall, Coppal House also offers sleigh rides that provide lovely views of the snowy scenery along the 78-acre property.  By request, you can even stop and sit by a warm campfire during your ride.  For more information, visit www.nhcornmaze.com/SleighRides.html.

Charmingfare Farm
Candia, NH

Experience the magic of Christmas when you visit Charmingfare Farm this holiday season.  Thousands of festive lights will put you in the holiday spirit, as you view holiday scenes on your way to the North Pole. Animated costumed characters greet visitors the trail. The family-friendly attractions include a horse-drawn sleigh ride, a petting zoo, a Nativity scene with live animals and gorgeous holiday decorations.  Plan on at least 2 hours to experience their Lighted Winter Wonderland. For more information, visit www.charmingfare.com/lighted.php.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Filed under: Family fun activities, Family Shows & Concerts, Holiday Celebrations, NH farms, Outdoor fun, Winter activities | 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 »

Barrington Farm Tour Day Sunday, June 27, 2010

Posted on June 22, 2010 by The Mom Entrepreneur

The 3rd annual Barrington Farm Tour Day is coming up on June 27th. Farms will be open from 10am-4pm and there are 8 farms to visit this year!

Participating farms 2010:

#1 Warren Farm
30 Warren Road
www.warrenfarmnh.com

#2 Sallie’s Fen Alpacas
97 Swain Road (come from route 9)
www.sfalpacas.com

#3 Yellow House Farm
541 Route 202
www.yellowhousefarmnh.com

#4 Nippo Brook Farm
628 Mount Misery Rd.

#5 Castle Anam Cara “The Castle”
20 Hansonville Rd.
www.castleanamcara.com

#6 Profile Alpacas
345 Dry Hill Road

#7 Lasting Legacy Farm
148 Second Crown Point Road
www.llfarm.net

#8 Spring Harvest Maple Farm
220 Route 9 (Across from the police and fire station)

Sponsored by the Barrington Parks and Recreation Department.

For complete information on the participating farms and to download a map with farm descriptions, visit Seacoast Eat Local.

Filed under: Educational, Family fun activities, NH farms, Outdoor fun, Summer activities | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

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