TRIP REPORT
We just got back this afternoon. We were debating about staying an extra night, but with the threat of Hurricane Earl, we chose to head back early. This was a GREAT budget family trip!
Hotel - We stayed at the InnSeasons South Mountain Resort in Lincoln, NH... only $72.00 per night (Expedia)!!! We had a room with 2 double beds. We checked in at 12:30 and had to wait an hour for the room to be ready. It was spacious and very clean. We added a refrigerator for an additional $10/night. They also have 1 and 2 bedroom suites. The hotel itself was beautiful and had an indoor and outdoor pool, game room, exercise room (not much equipment though), library. They offered daily activities like poolside BBQ, campfire, jewelry making, tennis camp for kids, and more. We took part in the all you can eat poolside BBQ. All you can eat burgers, hot dogs, potato and macaroni salad, watermelon, chips, and drinks. For a family of 4 it was $25, but kids 5 and under eat free and adults were $10 each, so our family of 4 was only $20... and boy did we eat!
I would absolutely stay at this hotel again, and I'm rating it a 5 out of 5!
Lincoln, NH - The town had so much available right there! We didn't take advantage of many of the attractions there though, but Franconia Notch State Park was only 10-15 minutes away. There were many shopping centers within walking distance. Not big suburban type shopping centers, but enough. There were convenience stores, deli's, pizza shops, a grocery store, Rite Aid, Dunkin Donuts, McDonald's, restaurants, ski and sports shops, book shops, and an inexpensive movie theatre. There was a visitor's center there, you could do the Moose Tour (3 hr bus tour, they were at 100% sightings), Hobo Railroad (train ride caters to kids), miniature golf, Clark's Trading Post, and so much more! The area is beautiful with mountain views everywhere.
Food - We got a refrigerator to save on food, though we did eat at a Steak and Seafood restaurant down the road from the hotel. Sun-Wed they have a 12 oz. sirloin steak with side, and all you can eat fresh bread and salad bar for $12.95. The kid's menu was also reasonable. We packed snacks, water, and juice from home, and because most of our excursions involved hiking, we made sandwiches and brought a cooler with goodies with us everywhere.
Day 1 - From South Jersey/Philly area we left at 5:30 am and arrived at 12:30, after a 20 minute stop and a little traffic in NYC (not bad though, we passed through before rush hour got started). We made it on one tank of gas. We checked in, unpacked, picked up a few things at the grocery store, and checked out the town. We stopped in the Clark's Trading Post gift shop and looked around, went to the visitors center, and headed back to the hotel. We changed for the poolside BBQ, and off we went. We got back to the room to relax and prepare for the next day.
Day 2 - We got up and got ready, we didn't rush. We had breakfast in the room (cereal, yogurt, bagels), packed snacks and sanwiches for lunch and headed to Polar Caves Park at about 10am. It was about a 30 minute drive, but so much fun! I had DS in a front carrier (recommended because of caves). They were a little difficult for DH to navigate, but if he can do it, anyone can. They have escape routes though, like "Chicken Run" and "Party Pooper's Lane". They also have smaller caves for the kids to explore and play in. There is a little animal park, with exotic birds, ducks that love to come up to you to eat (ds had a great time feeding them), deer. After all that fun you can go mining for gemstones and fossils. After that we had a picnic lunch there, they have a picnic area with tables. We were there for some time. DD really wanted to go to Santa's Village amusement park, so we went there after lunch. From Polar Caves Park, it took about an hour and 15 minutes. We got there at 3pm and they close at 5pm. However, if you arrive within 3 hours of closing you can go another day for free. It was a ghost town. We rode the log flume 7 times, 3 times with me and dd and 4 times with dd and dh. We did other rides including the roller coaster 4 times in a row. DD and I just stayed on. Usually the coaster only goes around twice, but they had it go around 3 times before loading/unloading and let anybody who wanted to ride again just stay on. We left at closing and drove the 45 minutes back to Lincoln, went to dinner at the Steak restaurant, and back to the hotel where dh and ds relaxed and me and dd went swimming! Yes, it was a long day, but was sooo much fun! We went at our own pace, were never rushed, and got to do what we wanted because there were no crowds anywhere. As for the drive, it's so beautiful, every route, is the scenic route so the long ride didn't seem long at all.
Day 3 - Same morning routine then off to Franconia Notch State Park. We did the Cannon Aerial Tram (Cool!!!). There's a free ski museum, and Old Man in the Mountain museum. At the top we hiked to the observation tower, a very easy hike. Ds was in the baby carrier, facing me. Beautiful views! We hiked back to the tram. Then when we got back we drove about 5 minutes through the park to Flume Gorge. My words can't describe it, it was unbelievable!!!! (google it). We had lunch in the car on our way back to Santa's Village. We got there at 4pm and almost didnt get in because the ticket booth closes an hour before closing. Luckily we caught someone. We did the Log Flume and roller coaster a zillion more times before the park closed. We headed back to the hotel and ds and I relaxed while dd and dh went swimming. When they got back we ordered a pizza and packed. We left the next day (today) at 5am, made a couple stops (dh wanted a pastrami sandwich from Harold's Deli in North Jersey), and we were home at 12:45p.
Great trip, saved on hotel, saved on food, only used 2.5 tanks of gas for entire trip, kids 5 and under are free for some attractions! You guys helped me find this great budget family trip, otherwise I would never have known.
Thanks again!!!
We do have a suite reserved, my husband wants the extra space. Does anyones know of a way to stay cheaper? (but still with 2 bedrooms) I know all about doing Disney cheap, but that's it. Not sure if there is a website I should be checking out? We are open to where we stay, we are doing storyland and santa's village while we are there. thanks for any tips!! 
