What to do on a Friday in White Mountains?

[happily single]

I'm hoping to head up to the White Mountains in New Hampshire during Columbus Day Weekend. We'll do Storyland on Saturday and Santa's Village Sunday. Normally Friday is just a wasted day, but I'd like to do something fund and educational with the kids. My choices are:
1. Polar Caves
2. Lost River
3. Cannon Tramway
4. Clark's Trading post

Can anyone point in in the right direction as to which one we would all enjoy (Kids are 12, 10 and 5).
PS I have done all of the above while single and have a general idea of what to expect
Thanks!

 

[npmommie]

We always do Clarks Trading Post

 

[MerMom60_94]

Actually, I have another suggestion, how about the mountain slides at Attitash? We went a couple of years ago and had a blast. It seems to me there was a lodge at the top that had some educational information about local wildlife.

 

[mkel34]

Just a FYI but Nascar is this weekend and traffic may be a little heavy.

 

[DisGirl81]

Actually, I have another suggestion, how about the mountain slides at Attitash? We went a couple of years ago and had a blast. It seems to me there was a lodge at the top that had some educational information about local wildlife.

I second this! When I was a kid we had a blast on the Alpine Slide!

 

[cntrygal]

clarks trading post!

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

For something educational you can go to the Science Center in Holderness, NH . Its fantastic, all of their wildlife is rescued and rehabilitated but cannot live in the wild. I love it there.

 

[happily single]

Attitsh slides were another thing I considered! We are hopefully staying at Attitsash Mountain Village, so right across the street. (I'm a very very last minute planner when it comes to my NH vacations)

 

[3boymthr]

We've done them all except lost river, Not sure about that one.

All were fun, but Clark's something I could skip. We did the Polar Cave last year and the Tramway this year and the kids had a blast.

There's also the Flume, drive up Mt. Washington (very very bad for the brakes though), or one of the scenic train rides.

 

[BCV513]

Outlet shopping in North Conway!

 

[MichelleinMaine]

We love Lost River, I think it would be great for all those ages. Tip- they have a kids' ranger guide thing (free) at the desk where you get tickets. Have the kids fill it out (pretty simple) and turn it back in. I expected the prize to be a sticker or something. DD got a sticker, a postcard, something else little (I forget what) AND a nice embroidered LR hat.

If you do it, and go across the Kacamangus, there is a rest stop (near where the road comes in from Attitash vs the one from N Conway. I never knew it was there til this summer. There's a turn of the century farmhouse there, all set up with original things. It's like you walked into the lady's house. There's an interpreter there to tell you about things, some hiking trails. It's free (do have to pay the couple bucks for a White Mtns parking pass.)

You could easily do the slide first thing in the morning (not sure about Oct, but the lines can get nutty,) Go across the Kanc. and do Lost River in a day.

 

[dogluva]

I'm hoping to head up to the White Mountains in New Hampshire during Columbus Day Weekend. We'll do Storyland on Saturday and Santa's Village Sunday. Normally Friday is just a wasted day, but I'd like to do something fund and educational with the kids. My choices are:
1. Polar Caves
2. Lost River
3. Cannon Tramway
4. Clark's Trading post

Can anyone point in in the right direction as to which one we would all enjoy (Kids are 12, 10 and 5).
PS I have done all of the above while single and have a general idea of what to expect
Thanks!

I love Clarks. Just make sure if you decide to go, get there before the last bear show which is at 3 p.m. I think). We made this mistake and missed it. We still love it anyway. My kids are always talking about he wolfman.

The Polar Caves are also my kids favorite. It is a quick thing that you can do at your own pace. I really don't know about the other two.

 

[tabby1881]

We love the Alpine Slide. It has already closed for the season, though. We stay in that area as often as we can at Attitash Grand Summit. If you do stay near Attitash, look for a place called White Mountain Cider Company right on Rt. 302. They have great apple cider donuts!

 

[AlleyKat]

Outlet shopping in North Conway!

After shopping(or instead of), take a scenic train ride from North Conway!

 

[PatsMom]

At any of the White Mountain attractions, you should check ahead of time to make sure they are open on a weekday. Lots close down during the week after Labor Day because the kids go back to school. And the tourists go home!

Alpine Slides are definitely closed. My DD works there in the summer and their last day was the Monday of Columbus Day.

The Conway Scenic Railway is fun. They have trains during the week until Columbus Day weekend. Their web site is www.conwayscenic.com if you want to check out the schedule. Once in the village area of North Conway for the train ride, there are a lot of shops. And a pretty nice playground for the younger kids.

Shopping always fills up time. Although not a ton of fun for young children.

Instead of driving to the Cannon Tramway, you could check on the Wildcat Gondola's. They go to the top of the mountain and the views are quite spectacular. And it would be much less driving. While going up Route 16 to get there, you'll go by Glen Ellis falls which is a nice walk and really pretty that time of year. They also have a zipline at Wildcat that the 12 year old would probably love!

If you want to do the Mt Washington Auto Road, it really isn't that bad on your car. I've done it a few times with no problem. Bring warm clothing though it will be cold at the top of the mountain that time of year.

If you are staying at Attitash Mountain Village, they have a pizza place called Matty B's that is just kind of OK. The Spaghetti Shed has better pizza but I think she is closed on Fridays now. Will be open for the holiday weekend though.

The apple cider donuts at White Mountain Cider are good. If you take the Conway Scenic, one of the trains has a regular stop there in the fall.

The road someone mentioned earlier that goes from Bartlett to the Kancamagus is the Bear Notch Road. From where you are staying, just turn left and go to the blinking light (only one in town except for the traffic light at Glen Corner). Turn left onto Bear Notch. There is a vacant lot where the Bear Notch Deli burned down on the corner. There are a couple of scenic overlooks on the road that have nice views.

Hope for good weather! We haven't had a great tourist season this year and lots of people are hoping for a big Columbus Day weekend.

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

You could do Lost River Gorge and Clark's on the same day...half day at each is fine. We did Lost River on a windy day, went into one of the caves/squeezers, the lantern had gone out, and my son who was about 8 at the time fell into the water! Scariest moment ever...Complete darkness, splash, help! My DH managed to get to him and pull him out! It's quite a family legend now. Just beware!
You can also "pan for gold" at Lost River, which is kind of fun for the kids.

We also did the Cannon Tram on Columbus Day weekend last year and it was PACKED with buses of tourists. Beautiful, but we couldn't eat there or anything as we planned because it was just too crowded.

 

[happily single]

Patsmom: I'm soo jealous. When I retire I want to move to the North Conway area. I love it as much as Disney (shh)

I am aware that a lot of things are closed on Friday before the weekend. I'm still need to sit the kiddos down and see if we can come up with a plan.