Excursions Beyond The Valley
When vacationing in the Valley, there's never really any need to go beyond Route 49. But if you're looking to explore beyond the Valley and experience the spirit of the White Mountains, Waterville Valley makes a fabulous base for exploration. While Waterville Valley is tucked away deep in the White Mountains, it's also centrally located - only 15 minutes away from Interstate 93, with easy access to both Franconia, Lincoln, and Conway plus Plymouth and the Lakes Region. Below is a list of excursions, explorations, and activities for families of all ages - all within a 30-minute drive of Waterville Valley.
WINTER
FALL
WINTER
YEAR-ROUND
SUMMER
WHALE'S TAIL WATERPARK
This 17-acre waterpark is a splash-tastic paradise! From lazy rivers to fantastic waterslides, wave pools to interactive water playgrounds - Whale's Tail is the ideal spot to bring the family on hot summer days! Kids of all ages can enjoy their water features and rides, with specific pools and splash pads for younger toddlers. With full-service restaurant options and pool-side bars, parents can relax, unwind, and sip on a frozen cocktail while the kids run free!
BEST TIME TO GO: Summer
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PADDLE/ TUBE THE PEMI
For those looking to cool off during the hot summer months, you can enjoy the gorgeous scenery from the comfort of a tube or boat as you float down the Pemigewasset River - or as locals call it, "The Pemi". Located in Campton (around 15 minutes from Waterville Valley), Ski Fanatics offers tube, kayak, and canoe rentals. Through this rental service, Ski Fanatics will make your day of tubing or boating hassle-free - shuttling you to and from the Pemi River, providing route options, and of course, vessel rentals.
BEST TIME TO GO: Summer/ Early Fall
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FALL
KANCAMAGUS SCENIC BYWAY
This 34-mile-long scenic byway is well known as one of the best Fall Foliage viewing areas in the country. The Kancamagus Scenic Byway - or "Kanc" as locals like to call it - follows a deep, narrow notch through the White Mountains, providing passengers with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains, plus many White Mountain landmarks - Swift River, Sabbaday Falls, Lower Falls and Rocky Gorge. While enjoying the brilliant fall foliage, you'll drive deeper and deeper into the wilderness of the alpine forest. No gas stations, restaurants, hotels, or any other businesses are accessible while along your journey down the Kanc, so come prepared!
BEST TIME TO GO: Fall
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WINTER
DOG SLEDDING
Embark on a unique, thrilling dog sled ride through the snowy White Mountains! At Valley Snow Dogz, you and the whole family can experience the exhilaration and excitement of dog sledding through a wintery wonderland. With several different tour options to choose from, this family-owned business is dedicated to providing incredible dog sledding experiences. They help create incredibly memorable and exhilarating experiences while also catering to guests and their families: providing blankets, snacks, water, and even encouraging guests to their trusty steeds prior to the tour.
BEST TIME TO GO: Winter
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ICE CASTLES
Discover a whimsical, wintery wonderland of ice castles! Ice Castles are located in Woodstock, NH and offer a chance to explore magestic castles formed from icicles. This incredibly icy park also features LED-lit sculptures, frozen thrones, ice-carved tunnels and slides, frozen fountains, and more! They also offer snow tubing, sleigh rides, and a mystic forest night walk! If you're in town for a celebration or a special occasion, be sure to check out their VIP alcove, complete with gas fireplaces and cozy seating!
BEST TIME TO GO: Winter
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YEAR-ROUND
Courtesy of Alpine Adventures
ALPINE ADVENTURES
Adrenaline-seekers will love Alpine Adventures in Lincoln, NH. This 300-acre mountain sanctuary offers zipline tours, off-roading opportunities, and high ropes challenge course. With two different zip line tours to choose from, families of all ages can soar through the sky, explore the forest, and take in sweeping mountain views. During warmer months, you can embark on a safari tour of the White Mountains in their 6-Wheel Drive military off-road vehicle. Extreme thrill seekers will enjoy a guided UTV tour, where you can cruise along their private 4-wheeling trails in a UTV, riding all the way up to the summit of Barron Mountain (no experience needed!). During the wintertime, Alpine Adventures also offers guided snowmobile tours, which have similar tour options as their UTV tours.
BEST TIME TO GO: Year-Round
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FUNSPOT
Funspot is the largest arcade in the world! With over 600 games, an indoor mini-golf course, a full-sized bowling alley, and plenty of food and beverage options - the Funspot is a great place to bring the family for a day of fun, prizes, and memory making! Take a trip down memory lane and play one of their 300 classic arcade games, or take the little ones on their kid-friendly rides!
BEST TIME TO GO: Year-Round
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HOBO RAILROAD
Explore famous features of the White Mountains and Lakes Region via steam train! The Hobo Railroad offers a variety of scenic railway tours, from lakeside tours along the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee to deep-woods tours along the Pemigewasset River. Hobo railroad runs year-round, offering seasonal tours such as their Turkey Dinner Trains and Fall Foliage Tours, complete with a catered lunch from the Common Man Inn. During the wintertime, Hobo Railroad offers magical Santa Express Trains, where children can meet Mr. & Mrs. Claus while riding through the Snowy White Mountains.
BEST TIME TO GO: Year-Round
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CLARK’S BEARS
With trained bears performing live shows, steam-powered train rides, plus kid-centric activities, museums, and rides - Clarks Bears is a hub for good ol' New Hampshire family fun! The Clark Family has been training bears since 1949. Today, Clark’s Bears puts on a show that is both educational and entertaining. Highly-trained bears perform unmuzzled and unleashed, performing tricks, dancing, and amazing visitors and locals alike! Clarks Bears also offers acrobatic circus shows, steam-powered train rides, and a plethora of kid-friendly attractions and rides!
BEST TIME TO GO: Late Spring, Summer, and Early Fall
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LOST RIVER GORGE
Courtesy of Lost River Gorge
Lost River Gorge is a stunning natural wonder. Embark on a self-guided tour along their 1-mile boardwalk as it twists and winds through jagged rocks, boulders, glacial boulder caves, and waterfalls. Little ones can hunt for gems with their mining sluice, plus Lost River Gorge offers a kid-centric scavenger hunt on the boardwalk. They also offer a suspension bridge, a kid-centric treehouse, and an option to climb up into the Giant Birds Nest, where you can observe ariel views of the Lost River Gorge and surrounding mountains scenery.
BEST TIME TO GO: Spring, Summer, or Fall
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POLAR CAVES
The Polar Caves is a great option for both budding geologists and casual rock enthusiasts. Consisting of 9 granite glacial caves formed during the ice age, the Polar Caves provide families of all ages a chance to crawl, climb, and clamber through these ancient caves. During the hottest summer months, the Polar Caves retain their icy temperatures, with some caves remaining icy through the summer! In addition to self-guided cave tours, families can enjoy their Animal Park, where kiddos can feed white-tailed deer and a variety of duck species. The park is outfitted with picnic areas, so you and the whole family can enjoy some al fresco dining!
BEST TIME TO GO: Spring, Summer, or Fall
P.S. Think Snow!