Did you know about the Hudson park that once housed hundreds of exotic animals and dozens of exciting rides? Chances are you do if you grew up in New Hampshire before 1987, but otherwise you might be missing out on some seriously wild state history.
Many long-time New Hampshire residents have fond memories of Benson's Wild Animal Farm in Hudson, a private zoo and amusement park that entertained generations from 1927 until its close in 1987.
In its heyday, the park had more than 100 animal exhibits and more than 50 rides and attractions.
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Families came from all over New England to enjoy the park.
After it closed in 1987, it began to fall into decay until Hudson reopened it as a town park in 2010.
Through the efforts of the local community, the park is once again a place to draw families together.
Visitors still love climbing through the shoe house, one of the remnants of the old park.
It's also a gorgeous place to sit by the pond or take a stroll around the property.
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You can still visit the old animal cages, though the elephants and gorillas are long gone.
Instead, the cages now hold performers at summer concerts.
Other structures are being gradually rehabilitated.
The park is gaining new life of its own through community events from Halloween parades to sled races.
The property also houses the Hudson 9/11 Memorial, which displays a beam from the World Trade Center, for remembrance and reflection.
Fundraising is underway to turn the old elephant barn, currently a gift shop, into a museum so the next generation can learn the park's history.
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While it's changed since the days of elephant rides and gorilla shows, Benson Park is still worth a visit. Check the town of Hudson's website for hours and details, and get ready for an interesting trip into New Hampshire history. The park is located at 21 Kimball Hill Rd, Hudson, NH 03051.
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?
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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.
This amazing little treehouse is raised 30 feet in the air and is accessible with a charming 75-foot winding walkway through the forest.
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!
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1. Cider Bellies Donuts, Moulton Farm, Meredith
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.
2. Carter Hill Orchard, Concord
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!
3. Butternut Farm, Farmington
Butternut Farm oozes rural charm, with freshly made donuts that are top-notch.
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4. Sherman Farm, Center Conway
Your cider donut will taste even better when you're enjoying it in the beautiful White Mountains. (They also have a great corn maze!)
5. Windy Ridge Orchard, North Haverhill
This is just one of many delicious spots dotted along New Hampshire’s awesome Apple Cider Donut Trail.
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6. Chichester Country Store, Chichester
Sure, it's not a farm stand, but you won't mind that once you try the delicious apple cider donuts in New Hampshire at the Chichester Country Store.
7. Lull Farm, Hollis
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!
8. Gould Hill Farm, Contoocook
Gould Hill Farm has donuts so spectacular that they even host a donut derby each fall!
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9. White Mountain Cider Company, Glenn
If it's named after cider, you know that the apple cider donuts have to be good! And they make apple cider slushies too!
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!