New Hampshire’s White Mountains: 10 Great Things to Do

We recently finished up a family vacation to the White Mountains of New Hampshire and man did we have fun! It was an extended family vacation and we were able to stay in the same cabin we stayed at as kids. It was so great for my sister’s and I to be able to come back to the same place, now with kiddos of our own.

The White Mountains are a wonderful location for a family vacation and I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite things to do while there. So let’s get to it, 10 Great Things to do in New Hampshire’s White Mountains!

1. Chill at the Lake

One of our favorite places to hang out while in the White Mountains was the lake. Although our cabin wasn’t directly on the lake, it was a pretty short walk to get there. There was a beach for kiddos to play and a dock that you could swim out to. There were also canoes and kayaks available to rent as well as a playground. The lake is an easy and fun place to spend a few hours.

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2. Stay in a Log Cabin

There is no shortage of log cabins in the White Mountains. The cabin that we stayed at is owned by one of my father’s friends. It had been renovated since the last time we visited and now we were able to bring the whole extended family! You can really immerse yourself in the whole mountain and lake experience by staying at an actual log cabin.

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3. Check out Some Covered Bridges

New Hampshire is known for these 19th-century historical gems and luckily there was one within walking distance to our cabin. The Swiftwater Bridge was originally built in 1810 and although it has gone through a few renovations over the years, it retains its unique character. There are small pools to soak in as well as some natural waterfalls to slide down (if you dare ;))

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4. Take Long Walks

While on vacation in the White Mountains, we spent a lot of time just taking walks. To the lake, to the bridge, to the general store. I love taking a simple walk and chatting it up with the ones I love. It’s an easy way to get out of the house, be active and just explore.

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5. Play Some Minigolf

Who can resist a game of minigolf? We seem to find courses wherever we go and the White Mountains were no exception. What’s even better? The one we found had a hobo theme! Yup, like hillbilly railroad hobos. Check out Hobo Hills Adventure Golf, it was so much fun!

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6. Explore a Gorge & Caves

On one of our excursions, we decided to check out Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves. What a great choice! For a reasonable entry fee, you can explore the area which includes a ¾ mile boardwalk as your path through the gorge. There are many different boulder caves to explore as well as waterfalls and a truly beautiful and lush landscape. I highly recommend a stop here!

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7. Go Boating

A fun and affordable lake activity. Usually available to rent at most lakes you find in the NH White Mountains. Be sure to always opt-in for the life jackets, especially for the kiddos. Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

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8. Visit Clark’s Trading Post

If you’re visiting New Hampshire’s White Mountains you absolutely have to stop at Clarks Trading Post! We used to go here as kids and I literally hadn’t been in over 25 years. They have done a great job maintaining the place and although I was a little unsure of the bear show (conflicted on wild animals in captivity for entertainment) you can tell that they really care for the animals. There are a few other attractions there as well that make it worth the visit. Take a train ride, with a crazy “wolfman” chasing the train (see video below), get soaked in the water bumper boats and check out Merlin’s Mystical Mansion. Fun to be had for all ages!

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9. Act like a Local

We love exploring all the small and wonderful places that make up each town or city we visit. Forget all the big malls and retail brands, I’d rather check out the mom and pop shops. You’ll be sure to run into some interesting characters and experience something that you could very easily have missed out on. This little gem was only a short walk away from our cabin. How fun is this gas tank?!

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10. Splash Around in a Waterfall

The covered bridge that was closest to our cabin also featured some beautiful waterfalls and swimming pools. The perfect place to take a dip on a hot summer’s day, if you can stand the chilly temperature of the river! Even just climbing around on the rocks is fun.

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There really is so much to experience in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, I know I’ve only scratched the surface. Beautiful scenery, national parks, hiking trails and more make it a great place for a family vacation or weekend getaway. Have you’ve ever been to the White Mountains? If so, what have I missed? Let me know in the comments below. Aloha!

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