AMUSEMENT PARKS > NEW HAMPSHIRE
ATTITASH
Address: Rte 302, Bartlett, NH
Phone: 603.374.2368
Email: info@attitash.com
Web: www.attitash.com
This New England ski resort doubles as a summertime amusement park. The park offers two alpine slides that take you on mile-long rides down Attitash Mountain, wild and windy water slides, and other vertiginous attractions such as a trampoline (with bungee cords and a harness), a climbing wall, and chair-lift rides to the White Mountain Observation Tower. Plus, there's mountain biking (rentals available), horseback riding, and a 7500-square-foot skate park. For those prone to dizzy spells, there’s also a driving range for golf and a kiddie area. Open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. Horseback tours available from 9 am to 4 pm daily. One-day tickets $35 for those 48 inches and taller, $15 for those under 48 inches. Afternoon tickets (valid after 3 pm) $25, $10. Summer season tickets $99, $75. Single ride tickets $15. Mountain biking Thorne Pond Trail Fee $5, unlimited bike shuttle service $12.
CANOBIE LAKE PARK
Address: 85 North Policy St, Salem, NH
Phone: 603.893.3506
Email: info@canobie.com
Web: www.canobie.com
Canobie Lake Park, in operation since 1902, has dozens of rides, seven of which are labeled "Black Diamonds" that are not for the faint of heart. There’s also a climbing wall, arcades, flower gardens, a steam train, an antique carousel, lake cruises, and the Boston Tea Party — described as “the wettest and wildest ride in New England.” From May 23, open daily with varying hours. From June 25 through Aug 31, open daily from 11 am to 10 pm. Open on Labor Day from 11 am to 8 pm. Admission $29, $20 for children under 48 inches tall and seniors, free for children three and under. Night passes $19 for everyone. Free parking.
CLARK'S TRADING POST
Address: Rte 3, North Woodstock, NH
Phone: 603.745.8913
Email: info@clarkstradingpost.com
Web: www.clarkstradingpost.com
This nostalgia park is big on cute names. You can visit Merlin’s Mystical Mansion, the Pemigewasset Hook and Ladder Fire House, Avery’s Old Time Garage, Kilburn’s Photo Parlor, the Peppermint Saloon (for sundaes, not schnapps), and Tuttle’s Rustic House. There’s also a steam-train ride and bumper boats, but the big attraction here is the bear show. “Unmuzzled and unleashed,” the bears perform “at close range” every day at noon, 2, and 4 pm (in June, at noon and 3 pm), led by the charismatic Murray Clark himself. Open through June 20 on weekends only. Summer season begins on June 21. Hours and showtimes vary, so check online. Ticket office open daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm. Admission $15, $14 for seniors, $6 for children ages three through five, free for children under three. Adult season pass $49.
FUNSPOT
Address: Rte 3 (Exit 23 off I-93), Weirs Beach, NH
Phone: 603.366.4377
Web: www.funspotnh.com
This entertainment supercenter offers video games, bowling, charity bingo, and more. Just outside the park you can find water slides, miniature golf, lots of motels, and fast food galore. The arcade claims to have the world's largest collection of vintage table games. Check out pinball, Skee-Ball, and the reconditioned antique machines from the penny-and-nickel era, plus one of the world's oldest Pac-Man machines. Through mid June, open Sun through Thurs from 10 am to 10 pm, and on Fri and Sat from 10 am to 11 pm. Mid June through Labor Day, open daily from 9 am to midnight. Free admission.
SIX GUN CITY
Address: Rte 2, Jefferson, NH
Phone: 603.586.4592
Email: wildwest@sixguncity.com
Web: www.sixguncity.com
Combine the Old West with waterslides and you get Six Gun City, a recreated frontier town with countless antiques on display. The park features the Prospector's Plunge, a fully enclosed bobsled-like water ride, the Fort Splash water-play area, and Tomahawk Run, a nearly 250-foot-long slide that pumps out more than 1800 gallons of water per minute. There are other water rides, a miniature ranch complete with farm animals, a mini-golf course, go-carts, and laser tag. Camp beside the park grounds now available. Open daily from June 14 through Labor Day. Through June 20, open from 10 am to 5 pm. From June 21 through 30, open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. From July 1 through Aug 24, open daily from 9:30 am to 6 pm. Open on weekends only in early June. Admission $19.95, $15.95 for seniors, free for children under four.
STORYLAND
Address: Rte 16, Glen, NH
Phone: 603.383.4186
Email: fun@storylandnh.com
Web: www.storylandnh.com
This 35-acre children’s theme park in the White Mountains features 21 theme rides, including an antique carousel, swan boats, an African safari, and the ever-popular pumpkin coach. Other kid-friendly, storybook-themed rides include the Crazy Barn, Polar Coaster, Turtle Twirl, Bamboo Chutes, the Buccaneer Pirate Ship, and the Flying Fish. There's also a sandcastle maze, a talking treehouse, and three rotating live shows. Food stands and picnic areas. Open daily from June 16 through Labor Day, from 9 am to 6 pm. Admission $24, free for children three and under.
WATER COUNTRY
Address: Rte 1 South , Portsmouth, NH
Phone: 603.427.1111
Web: www.watercountry.com
Claims to be the largest water park in New England. Attractions include a wave pool, water slides, kiddie play areas, and swimming pools. Try out Adventure River, a quarter-mile long inner-tube ride through waterfalls, fountains, and caves, or the Dragon's Den water slide. Birthday-party packages are now available and include admission, Deluxe Meal Deals for 10 guests, a reserved table in the birthday area, and a gift for the birthday child. Through June 30 and Aug 13 through 31, open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. From July 1 through Aug 12, open daily from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm. Admission $35, $22 for children under four feet tall, $22 for seniors, free for children two and younger. Season passes $60. Half-day tickets available after 3 pm. Tubes, lockers, and strollers available for rent.
WHALE'S TALE WATER PARK
Address: Rte 3 (Exit 33 off I-93), Lincoln, NH
Phone: 603.745.8810
Web: www.whalestalewaterpark.net
The water park features 10 attractions and slides, a gift shop, and a snack bar. Whale Harbor caters to kids and those uninterested in getting adventurous. New this season is the Bonsai Pipeline water slide. Open daily June 20 through Labor Day, from 10 am to 6 pm. Every Sat throughout July and Aug, the park is open until 10 pm for Whale's Tale After Dark events, complete with an Oasis Beach Bar and live entertainment (with reduced park operations after 6 pm). Admission $28, free for seniors over 70 and children under four. Half-day tickets available after 3 pm for $20. Free parking.
