Christmas Vacation in the Summer

Kids stepping through the igloo gate house and into Santa’s Village are sure they’ve arrived at the North Pole. Although the trees are covered in leaves and the green lawns bordered in bright flower beds, all around them are signs of Christmas.

This wonderland of holiday-themed fun in Jefferson, New Hampshire, gives a Christmas riff on many of the traditional fun-park rides, and has a few tricks of its own. Your kids’ first stop should be at Elf University, near the entrance, to get their Elfabet Cards with all the letters of the “Elfabet” on it. All over the park are colorful, child-sized elves, each holding a gift that doubles as a card punch (little kids are sure to wonder how each elf knows which letter to punch). At the end of their stay, kids who have found all — or most of — the elves get a prize and a diploma.

One of the things we like about Santa’s Village is there are plenty of rides, shows and games for all age groups. Pixie Mix is a gentle ride for young children only and Poogee’s Splash Pad is a place where preschoolers love cooling off in the surprise water spouts. The Little Drummer Boy is a circular ride in drums that spin when kids turn the steering wheels. At the Little Elf Flying School they learn to fly a sleigh, moving up and down and around in a circle. Peppermint Twist is like a smaller, gentler roller coaster, and on Penguin’s Spin-out Coaster penguins spin randomly around a figure-eight track.

Sleigh ride at Santa’s Village, Jefferson. Photo: Stillman Rogers

Kids ready for more of a thrill love the Chimney Drop, a bounce ride with the sensation of Santa dropping down the chimney, as well as the Yule Log Flume, where they ride in a log boat through the winding forest, climbing a logging ramp to plunge into a splashing finish. The Christmas Ferris Wheel is not for the acrophobic, but the mountain view from the top is spectacular.

The large water park is designed for all ages, and the entire family will want to ride Skyway Sleigh, an elevated monorail ride that soars high above the park and ends with a family photo. And nobody will be able to pass by the Sugar n’ Spice Bake Shop, a giant gingerbread house with fresh-baked gingerbread men kids can decorate in unlimited colored frostings. There are shows, 3-D movies, dance parties and live entertainment throughout the day, and everything is included in the admission price (even a Canine Condo for your pet and strollers for little guests).

About a 45-minute drive through beautiful mountain scenery is the pretty village of Jackson, a good base for a family Christmas in the Summer vacation or getaway. What kid could resist staying at Christmas Farm Inn, whose address is 3 Blitzen Way? The Yuletide theme is not overdone, but don’t be surprised to see a Santa on the mantel above the fireplace in your family-sized cottage. These little houses sit along a lane that winds up the hill behind the main lodge, and they sleep between four and six people, with spacious living rooms, refrigerators and comfortable furnishings. Kids will especially like the Log Cabin — and the beautiful glass-enclosed swimming pool in the woods below.

Santa’s Village. Photo: Stillman Rogers

Christmas Farm Inn has always welcomed families — the owners’ own children have grown up here. In the inn’s dining room, kids have their own menu that goes beyond the usual PB&J and mac & cheese. The steaks are served cut into bite-sized pieces and kids can choose the type of pasta with spaghetti and meatballs. Our kids loved the schnitzel with noodles, just like Maria sang about in The Sound of Music. Parents can linger over a more sophisticated menu (venison medallions, pan-seared rainbow trout, tenderloin tips) while kids watch the nightly movie in the adjoining parlor.

At nearby StoryLand, another fun-park with creative and original rides and games, kids can meet their favorite characters, ride in a horse-drawn pumpkin coach and chill out on the Polar Coaster, an Arctic-themed roller coaster. North Conway’s main street is lined with shops where you can get a start on Christmas shopping (our kids never let us miss Zeb’s for the penny candy counter, or the light-hearted Penguin Gallery).

For one last burst of holiday cheer, stop at the Christmas Loft to walk through the life-sized animated New England Christmas Village and see the dozens of decorated Christmas trees that will give you ideas for your own. You’ll find Christmas tree ornaments here to please everyone from your little soccer star to Charlie Brown fans.