What’s New for Families in New Hampshire’s White Mountains

When the popular attractions reopen in the summer, family travelers always look forward to trips to New Hampshire’s White Mountains. All the old family favorites now operate daily, some with new features for this season and some resuming activities suspended for the past two summers.

The fanciful world of StoryLand is fully open, and all the shows and live characters have returned. Twice daily, Mother Goose welcomes kids to Camp Fairy Tale to meet Little Red Riding Hood, Peter Pan and Tinkerbell. At the three daily performances of Daniel Tiger’s Grrr-ific Day, Daniel Tiger and Katerina Kittycat encourage kids to use their imagination and to share. There’s also time afterwards for photos with the stars. Also at StoryLand, the all-time favorite Swan Boats are back after extensive upgrades.

Special ticketed programs are back, too, where kids can take the Fairy Tale Training 101 course or enjoy tea time with Cinderella. Next door to StoryLand, the recently opened Living Shores Aquarium features interactive tide pools, bright tropical fish and birds, sea and river exhibits, and hands-on activities.

On the Franconia Notch side of the White Mountains, Hobo Railroad in Lincoln recently announced the return of its Nature by Rail excursions in July and August. Nature guides from the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center introduce visitors to the ecology of the surrounding landscapes and forests as the train moves along the Pemigewasset River.

Nearby at Loon Mountain Resort, 4 miles of new terrain opens this summer at the downhill mountain bike park. In July, the wilderness-themed Ninja Wild ninja course opens. The biggest mountain news in the region is that, for the first time in its 161-year history, Mount Washington Auto Road is fully paved all the way to the 6,288-foot summit.