The White Mountains in northern New Hampshire are a four-season getaway, with a National Forest and plenty of scenery, plus some fun attractions such as scenic railroads, gorges, Santa's Village, and more.
• Mt. Washington: the highest peak east of the Mississippi is king of the White Mountains range, and at its base is National Historic Landmark Mount Washington Hotel (with summer kids camp, and winter skiing at Bretton Woods.) Twenty-seven towns dot the Mt. Washington Valley; take the back-roads to pretty farmland, covered bridges, and -- bonus, on a hot day-- natural swimming holes in parks and public areas. Mileage is 135 miles from Boston, 212 miles from Albany NY, and 332 miles from NYC.
The Mount Washington Hotel -- the kind of place with a 900-foot verandah -- has many outdoor activities and an Adventure Center with family packages.
• Appalachian Mountain Club
Also in the White Mountains is the Appalachian Mountain Club Highland Center at Crawford Notch, with many free programs, and seasonal packages that include lodging, meals, activities, and gear. All-inclusive Summer Family Adventure camps are offered at this location of the AMC (and several others around the state), with daily guided activities, outdoor skills programs, evening programs. Also: plan ahead for lodge-to-hut multi-day trips in the fall.
• Camping in the White Mountains
Plenty of opportunities: at National Forest campgrounds, State Parks, private campgrounds, and in backcountry. About's Camping has the scoop.
• Lost River Gorge
How cool is this, as an escape from a hot day: an underground waterfall. And it's called the "The Falls of Proserpine", located in the Judgment Hall of Pluto. The Lost River Gorge -- in the White Mountains-- has caves named more than a century ago using themes from ancient mythology (like Pluto, god of the Underworld.) Some caves are still lit with lanterns; visitors take self-guided tours, on wooden walkways, bridges, even ladders. Kids can fill in a card with questions, and get a "Junior Gorge Guide" sticker at the end.
Waterville Valley
Known as a winter ski spot, the Waterville Valley has a Summer Unlimited promotion that bundles lodging with outdoors activities.
• Curious George's Cottage, Waterville Valley
Curious George -- a sprightly little chimp-- is the main character of a series of classic children's books and animated films. Visitors can find family activities, and even an annual Family Festival weekend in August, at this cottage where Curious George's creators lived, and at a Visitors Center in Waterville Valley's Town Square.
• Bike the Whites
Three-day inn-to-inn biking tours combine the Great Outdoors, exercise, good eats, and luxury accommodations; billed as "New England’s most affordable inn to inn biking tour." Plan a route for your own pace each day; maybe stop by a swimming hole or picnic spot. Expect to ride 20 to 50 miles /day on backroads in rolling terrain. Packages include luggage transfer, breakfasts and dinners, emergency repairs, bike storage, customized route planning.
