Best of NH 2024 Fun &Adventure
Editor’s Picks
Reimagined Roller-skating
REMIX Rollerblading in Manchester is taking it back to the good ole days. New Hampshire’s newest skating rink features a full bar and food menu, making it the perfect spot for nights out and parties from 10-year-old birthday celebrations to bachelorettes. Roll on by for one of their themed nights, like Friday night flashbacks or ’90s skate parties. skateremix.com
Adventure Biking
Known as “America’s Bike Park,” Highland Mountain Bike Park in Northfield boasts an extensive downhill and cross-country trail network tailored to riders of all levels through private lessons, skills clinics and even a one-day kids’ camp. You’ll need a front-suspension mountain bike with front and rear disc brakes for the easier terrain, but the park recommends a full-suspension “freeride specific” bike for the gnarly stuff. (Rentals available.) This high-octane experience requires all participants to sign a waiver. highlandmountain.com
Family Farm & Barn
What doesn’t Beech Hill Farm & Ice Cream Barn in Hopkinton do or have? This ninth-generation historic family farm is here to give you a true New Hampshire experience. Their carefully renovated barns now serve as an ice cream bar (with 75 New England made flavors), country store, gardener’s barn, farm museum, picnic area and activity barn for concerts and group gatherings. Their famous corn mazes and resident animals, like an alpaca and a peacock, round it out to make it the perfect spot for everyone in the family to enjoy. beechhillfarm.com
Vacation Cabins
Pittsburg, New Hampshire, known to some as “the final frontier” and the most northern town in the state, is home to Tall Timber, a four-season camping resort with vacation cabins, room rentals, ATV trails, and great hiking and fly fishing. Each of their bedroom retreats range from rustic lakeshore cabins to luxury cottages with private porches, Jacuzzis and decks that give you a scenic view of the spring-fed lake. Whether it’s fishing, hunting, snowmobiling or just relaxing by the water, they definitely have something just right for you. talltimber.com
Upscale Arcade
Too hot for the beach? Rainy and you don’t know what to do? Head to Tycoon Arcade in Manchester for family-friendly, throwback kind of fun. The upscale arcade features over 100 pinball machines and classic and modern arcade games that all benefit Toys for Tots. The more tokens you buy, the more board games they will donate to kids and families in need from Glimmerhold, their game store. Let the good times roll! tabletoptycoon.com
Inclusive Climbing
Indoor Ascent in Dover is the perfect place for new climbers to start their climbing journey around a strong sense of community and connection. With more than 9,000 square feet of wall space, a new 45-foot wall with 15-foot overhangs, 20 top-ropes including cracks, chimneys, slabs and more, there is really something for every ability. Instructors are also available for guidance. indoorascent.com
Outdoor Adventure
Live animal exhibits? Natural science education programs? A public garden, trails and boat rides? The Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness truly has it all. Spend a day among black bears, mountain lions, river otters and more, or take a self-guided 2 ½-hour tour of the animal exhibit trail and end the day at the Howling Coyote gift shop. The center even offers live outreach programs and the Blue Heron School, a nature-based Montessori early learning center with a child-focused approach. Everyone in the family will find something to delight in here. nhnature.org
Professional Virtual Golf
GOLF360 in Manchester is a haven for virtual golfers to putt around on a rainy day. Partake in a golf league or sign up for lessons from nationally-recognized coaches. Need help with fitting your golf clubs? They can help with that too. Hosting a party at one of their simulators, and they will give you a fridge for your beverages plus comfortable seating and televisions for an afternoon of fun. golf360academy.com
Readers’ Poll Winners
Bed and Breakfast
Inn at Ellis River
Jackson
innatellisriver.com
★★★★★★★
Family-friendly Resort
RiverWalk Resort at Loon Mountain
Lincoln
riverwalkresortatloon.com
★★★★★★★
Golf Course (Private)
Manchester Country Club
Bedford
manchestercountryclub.com
★★★★★★★
Golf Course (Public)
Sagamore-Hampton Golf Club
North Hampton
www.sagamoregolf.com
★★★★★★★
NH Sports Team
New Hampshire Fisher Cats
Manchester
milb.com/new-hampshire
★★★★★★★
Ski Resort
Loon Mountain
Lincoln
loonmtn.com
★★★★★★★
Summer Outdoor Attraction
Overall winner
Canobie Lake Park
Salem
canobie.com
Summer Outdoor Attraction Dartmouth/Lake Sunapee Region
Mount Sunapee Resort
Newbury
www.mountsunapee.com
Summer Outdoor Attraction Great North Woods
Bear Rock Adventures
Pittsburg
bearrockadventures.com
Summer Outdoor Attraction Lakes Region
Gunstock Mountain Resort
Gilford
gunstock.com
Summer Outdoor Attraction Merrimack Valley
Mel’s Funway Park
Litchfield
melsfunwaypark.com
Summer Outdoor Attraction Monadnock Region
The Inn at East Hill Farm
Troy
east-hill-farm.com
Summer Outdoor Attraction Seacoast Region
Hampton Beach
Hampton
hamptonbeach.org
Summer Outdoor Attraction White Mountains Region
Storyland
Glen
storylandnh.com