VACATION EXPERIENCES
PLAN YOUR VACATION HASSLE-FREE
VACATION GUIDES
Vacationing in Waterville Valley? We Have An Itinerary For You!
5 DAY SUMMER GETAWAY
MIDWEEK SUMMER GETAWAY
Classic Summer Weekend
Vacation with Kids 5 and Under
Weekend Getaway with Teens
Young Adult Weekend
RAINY DAY IN THE VALLEY
HIKING IN WATERVILLE VALLEY
Waterville Valley is a hiker’s paradise. With over 125 miles of hiking trails, our extensive trail system offers an abundance of different hikes of all ability levels. Whether you’re looking for hikes with views, swimming spots, unique features, or simply looking to soak in the natural beauty of the White Mountains, Waterville Valley has a hike for everyone.
EASY HIKES
MODERATE HIKES
DIFFICULT HIKES
HIKING BEYOND THE VALLEY
If you're looking to explore beyond the Valley and experience the spirit of the White Mountains, Waterville Valley makes a fabulous base for exploration. Plenty of world-class hiking options are easily accessible from the Valley. While Waterville Valley is tucked away deep in the White Mountains, it's also centrally located - only 15 minutes away from Interstate 93, with easy access to both Franconia, Lincoln, and Conway plus Plymouth and the Lakes Region.
Courtesy of NH State Parks
FLUME GORGE
Flume Gorge is a natural 800-foot granite gorge located at the bottom of Mount Liberty. The gorge’s walls range from 70-90 feet tall, with a width of 12 to 20 feet, making for a quite an awe-inspiring hike. The 2-mile loop takes approximately 1.5 hours, includes uphill walking, boardwalks through the gorge, and plenty of stairs.
Courtesy of Outdoor Project
West Rattlesnake Mountain
West Rattlesnake Mountain, located in Holderness, is an easy hike with spectacular views of the Lake Region. Given that this hike is a 2-mile round trip with an elevation gain of only 450 feet, this hike is perfect for families and young children.
KANCAMAGUS HIGHWAY HIKING TRAILS
This 34-mile-long scenic byway is well known as one of the best Fall Foliage viewing areas in the country. The Kancamagus Scenic Byway - or "Kanc" as locals like to call it - follows a deep, narrow notch through the White Mountains, providing passengers with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains, plus many White Mountain landmarks - Swift River, Sabbaday Falls, Lower Falls and Rocky Gorge.
ARTIST’S BLUFF
Artist’s Bluff is an easy hike offering sweeping views of Franconia Notch, Echo Lake, and Cannon Mountain. This hike is 1.5 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 2340’.
Courtesy of Visit White Mountains
LOST RIVER GORGE
Located in Kinsman Notch, Lost River Gorge offers a 1-mile boardwalk trail hike with 11 boulder caves. With stunning rock walls, massive boulders, glacial boulder caves, and waterfalls, this hike offers an abundance of unique natural features. Plus, Lost River Gorge is home to a treehouse, Giant Bird Nest, and suspension bridge.
Courtesy of Visit White Mountains
POLAR CAVES
The Polar Caves is a great option for both budding geologists and casual rock enthusiasts. Consisting of 9 granite glacial caves formed during the ice age, the Polar Caves provide families of all ages a chance to crawl, climb, and clamber through these ancient caves. During the hottest summer months, the Polar Caves retain their icy temperatures, with some caves remaining icy through the summer!
FAMILY time
With endless opportunities for outdoor adventure and a welcoming community, Waterville Valley is the perfect place to create unforgettable memories with your loved ones.
ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE VALLEY
Waterville Valley offers a wealth of outdoor activities that are perfect for families. From hiking and mountain biking to swimming and fishing, there's something for everyone. Take a scenic chairlift ride to the summit of Snow’s Mountain, rent a boat on Corcoran Pond, or try your hand at disc golf.
AREA ACTIVITIES
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This 17-acre waterpark is a splash-tastic paradise! From lazy rivers to fantastic waterslides, wave pools to interactive water playgrounds - Whale's Tail is the ideal spot to bring the family on hot summer days! Kids of all ages can enjoy their water features and rides, with specific pools and splash pads for younger toddlers. With full-service restaurant options and pool-side bars, parents can relax, unwind, and sip on a frozen cocktail while the kids run free!
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For those looking to cool off during the hot summer months, you can enjoy the gorgeous scenery from the comfort of a tube as you float down the Pemigewasset River - or as locals call it, "The Pemi". Ski Fanatics offers tubing adventure packages, complete with a shuttle service to and from the river, optional floating cooler rentals, and more!
Courtesy of Alpine Adventures
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Adrenaline-seekers will love Alpine Adventures in Lincoln, NH. This 300-acre mountain sanctuary offers winter zipline tours, off-roading opportunities, and high ropes challenge course. Their winter zipline tour features 4 ziplines, 2 suspension bridges two racing zips and a 25-foot ladder climb.
Courtesy of Funspot
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Funspot is the largest arcade in the world! With over 600 games, an indoor mini-golf course, a full-sized bowling alley, and plenty of food and beverage options - the Funspot is a great place to bring the family for a day of fun, prizes, and memory making! Take a trip down memory lane and play one of their 300 classic arcade games, or take the little ones on their kid-friendly rides!
Courtesy of Hobo Railroad
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Explore famous features of the White Mountains and Lakes Region via steam train! The Hobo Railroad offers a variety of scenic railway tours, from lakeside tours along the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee to deep-woods tours along the Pemigewasset River. Hobo railroad runs year-round, offering seasonal tours such as their Turkey Dinner Trains and Fall Foliage Tours, complete with a catered lunch from the Common Man Inn. During the wintertime, Hobo Railroad offers magical Santa Express Trains, where children can meet Mr. & Mrs. Claus while riding through the Snowy White Mountains.
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES
ANIMaL ENCOUNTER SERIES
Every summer, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center hosts the Animal Encounter Series in Waterville Valley! Live animal presentations are shown by expert naturalists in Town Square on Sundays and select holiday Mondays throughout the summer. Native wildlife ambassadors share their extensive knowledge of local wildlife, showing live animals while informing and inspiring children, adults, and families alike. See below for the full schedule of events.
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
Explore, discover and learn at the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, located in Holderness. With outdoor exhibits, self-guided tours, plus an abundance of hiking trails and native wildlife, the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center has educated and enlightened visitors since 1966. Fostering curiosity and passion for the Great Outdoors, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center offers interactive and dynamic ways to learn about New Hampshire’s ecology.
POLAR CAVES
The Polar Caves is a great option for both budding geologists and casual rock enthusiasts. Consisting of 9 granite glacial caves formed during the ice age, the Polar Caves provide families of all ages a chance to crawl, climb, and clamber through these ancient caves. During the hottest summer months, the Polar Caves retain their icy temperatures, with some caves remaining icy through the summer! In addition to self-guided cave tours, families can enjoy their Animal Park, where kiddos can feed white-tailed deer and a variety of duck species. The park is outfitted with picnic areas, so you and the whole family can enjoy some al fresco dining!
McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center
Explore the worlds of science, engineering, physics and astronomy at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center . Offering interactive science and engineering exhibits, outdoor exhibits, a full-dome digital planetarium, and observatory, and a full-sized replica of Mercury Redstone rocket, the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center will engage minds, make learning fun, and inspire people of all ages to pursue lifelong learning about our universe.