Are you looking for a fun-filled family outing in New Hampshire? Well, there are two pretty epic places within miles of each other that you and the family can visit in one day. These places are one-of-a-kind, the types of sites at which you can create lasting memories. So, what are you waiting for? Here's our two-part family day trip adventure that you and the kiddos are sure to love:
We start this fun-filled adventurous day at Polar Caves Park. Here you will find a set of natural wonders that will take you right back to the Ice Age.
Explore the park's nine caves along with passageways that were created by glacial activity more than 50,000 years ago. There are stairways, boardwalks, and signage to guide you.
Aside from the caves, there is a gift shop and an animal park here as well. It's a wonderful place to explore as a family
The second stop on this two-part family-friendly adventure is a mere 13 miles away. At the Squam Lake Natural Science Center in Holderness, you can enjoy hiking trails, a live animal trail, a gift shop, and more.
Along the live animal trail, you may be able to catch a glimpse of a black bear, a coyote, a gray fox, a mountain lion, and several other wild beasts. It's quite an extraordinary place!
This is a fantastic place to see birds of prey as well. Explore the exhibits where you'll see hawks, bald eagles, and turkey vultures, among others. You can learn more about Squam Lakes Natural Science Center on the official website.
Wouldn't you love to experience this fun-filled family outing in New Hampshire? Have you been to either destination before? Let us know in the comments!
Go Pumpkin Picking, Then Sleep In A Treehouse Surrounded By Fall Foliage On This Weekend Getaway In New Hampshire
Enjoy a fall weekend getaway in New Hampshire with activities like visiting Beech Hill Farm for ice cream and pumpkins, and staying in a cozy treehouse.
There is nothing better than a fall weekend in NH. When the leaves turn gold in the small town of Hopkinton, New Hampshire, it’s time for one thing - making a leaf pile so big you could safely jump into it from your roof. Okay, fine, maybe not that safely. And maybe there is something even better than leaf-jumping - pumpkins and ice cream - an entire fall weekend getaway in New Hampshire.
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That might sound like a strange combination, but at the Beech Hill Farm and Ice Cream Barn, you’ll be treated to both, and so much more. After filling up on homemade ice cream and picking out the best pumpkin in the field, how about a nice weekend getaway in a New Hampshire treehouse?
The Beech Hill Farm and Ice Cream Barn is a thriving working farm known for its pasture-raised beef and pork and heavenly maple syrup. Not to mention the stunning fall foliage in NH we get every year as a backdrop.
But that’s only the beginning. Don’t miss the Gardener’s Barn filled with locally grown flowers and plants, hanging baskets bursting with color, and of course the ice cream. Yum!
While you are here, take a stroll on the scenic one-mile rhododendron nature trail, and visit the garden shop full of seasonal decor, pumpkins, and decorations of all kinds. Check out the Beech Hill Farm Facebook page to see all of the seasonal activities.
…and the super tiny four-acre corn maze. (It’s not tiny; look at that big beautiful field full of corn). It could take you 40 minutes to find all the hidden secrets.
Oh, and there are not one but two corn mazes made each year. A small per-person fee covers your admission to the corn maze and all activities on the farm. Children three and under are free.
The Gardener’s Barn we mentioned is bursting with fall goodies to decorate your home and yard.
Kids will get a kick out of all the farm animals they can interact with and maybe even feed if they ask really nicely. But what about the ice cream we keep hearing about?
Oh, there's the ice cream! Which one of the 75-plus flavors will you pick? Or maybe a make-your-own sundae, handmade chocolate-dipped waffle cone, or even frozen yogurt.
With all this excitement over the ice cream, we almost forgot the pumpkins. Beech Hill Farm is filled with beautiful pumpkins of all shapes, sizes, and even colors.
After a long day at the farm, we think you’ll really love this cozy New Hampshire treehouse in Dunbarton. It's only about 14 minutes from the farm to your treehouse front door.
The Treetop Sanctuary sleeps four with one sleeping area in the loft and one below. Children over 10 are welcome but pets are not allowed.
This rustic treehouse will keep you cozy on a crisp fall night with a wood-burning stove. There is no running water (there is a composting toilet) but Jake, the host, is quite accommodating and lets guests use the shower in his home nearby if they really need a rinse after a day at the farm.
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There's also a cozy loft bed with a queen-sized mattress. Bring your own bedding or sleeping bags and cuddle up for the night.
There is plenty of hiking on Jake’s five-acre property or the 200 acres of conservation land nearby. There is even a large pond for fishing if you want to catch a few fish for dinner. (Nearby restaurants are fine, too, if you’d rather just "fish" for a pizza.)
Now that you’re excited about this fall weekend in New Hampshire and trying every flavor of gourmet ice cream in the barn, why not try this nighttime corn maze in NH?
But first, what kind of fall festivities do you look forward to each year? Leave a comment and let us know -- we would love to hear from you!
Looking for even more New Hampshire travel inspiration? Check out the incredible video below, which shows drone footage of New Hampshire in the fall. We bet you'll be packing your suitcase in no time!
Fall in New Hampshire is best enjoyed on the farm. Corn mazes, apple picking, and of course, apple cider donuts are fun for the whole family. There is nothing as delicious as a fresh, homemade apple cider donut on a crisp fall day. These 11 farm stands serve up some of the best apple cider donuts in New Hampshire that will have you licking your fingers and yearning for more. Go ahead, try them all!
One of the best places to get apple cider donuts in NH is Cider Bellies Donuts. A lakes region favorite, Cider Bellies delicious rounds are made onsite and will have you coming back again and again.
Some of the best apple cider donuts in the state's capital are at Carter Hill Orchard. This is one of the most highly-rated apple orchards in New Hampshire, and everyone raves about the donuts!
Lull Farm has a massive farm stand with plenty of offerings, but you don't care about anything else after you try the donuts! They are simply some of the best apple cider donuts in New Hampshire!
Meadow Ledge Farm posts online when they are making new donuts, so you can always enjoy them fresh!
If you were to do a search for “best apple cider donuts near me,” several of these spots would most certainly pop up at the top of the list!
Have you ever been to any of these delicious spots? If so, which ones were your favorites? Would you agree that these are among the best apple cider donuts in New Hampshire? We'd love to read about your experience in the comments section below!
