Has anyone been to Clark's Trading Post in NH?
 

Hi all,

Taking a little 5 day trip up to New England and have a couple of drive-through days in NH. We're travelling with our 5 and 7 year old boys and Clark's looked like an interesting stop. Is it worth a stop?

Thanks!

John

I've only been into the gift shop a few times. I think your boys would probably enjoy going into the park. The place is busy when I'm in that area, around Columbus Day.

We haven't been there for many years. Here is website:

http://www.clarkstradingpost.com/

They have trained bears that perform, your boys might get a kick out of them. Train rides, food, etc. Admission prices aren't too bad. It is in the White Mountain area so scenery is pretty.

Here is another place you might consider. It's Storyland in Glen, NH. It is located more east than where Clark's is but easy to get to. My daughters have taken their children there every year in the fall and they love it. It's an amusement park type place but your boys ages are perfect for it.

http://www.storylandnh.com/

If you do visit Storyland, I would suggest that you pre-book your hotel/motel as it's a very popular place and lodging can be tight. My daughters usually get their motel in advance. There is lodging info on their website also.

Enjoy your visit.

May

Thanks for the quick responses.

May, we decided against Storyland only because it seems it would take up an entire day and also because we travel to Dutch Wonderland in PA often, and it looks quite similar. We're thinking of doing some "nature" sort of activities, as well. Maybe visit one of the gorges or falls in the area? If anyone has any other suggestions, they'd be most appreciated!

Thanks!

John

Our son takes his children and visiting friends to Lost River and Polar Caves. I like the Flume. I'm actually considering a visit to Clark's since I haven't been there since I was very young. The recent tv ads look fun, the bears now ride around on Segways.
You might also consider Squam Lakes science center which is just NW of Lake Winnipesaukee. Beautiful country just before the White Mountains. Should you be in that area it's a little adventure to find the Sandwich Creamery for ice cream. You'll want to bring your own cups and spoons because it's not your regular ice cream stand. They make the ice cream there. You also might get lucky, twice we have seen black bears while driving around. One was crossing the road so DH slowed to a stop to see if we could still see it. There is was looking back at us.
I have also wanted to try swimming in the river along the Kancamangus. We had fun two years ago when we found the popular swimming hole in VT but we lacked water shoes. The bottom was very rocky. Plan on the water being cold.

John, yes it does take the entire day at Storyland. That is why my daughter stays overnight.

If you do Dutch Wonderland, then Storyland would probably not be all that interesting to your boys.

We have done the Polar Caves and Lost River when our daughters were little. Here's their website:

http://www.polarcaves.com/index/

Lost River: http://www.findlostriver.com/

Here's another fun activity on trains:
http://www.conwayscenic.com/

cog railroad ride to Mt. Washington: http://www.thecog.com/ticket_info.php

This should give you a couple of other options.

May

Thanks again everyone, great tips!

Hello

Clarks is okay. Couple of hours and you will be done.
Would highly recommend Storyland instead.

There is a water park located in Lincoln NH (were Clark's is) unfortunately cannot recall the name. Try to find on line.

Also, a drive thorough the Kancgamangus (spelling) Highway is so worth it!!

Going to North Conway via the Kanc Highway this weekend!

Thanks, we may end up doing a day at Storyland after all the positive feedback.

John

John, there are many nice activities you can do w/ your sons in the NH area. Storyland is my 2 grandsons favorite place to visit. Now they are getting too old so probably won't be visiting there. My other daughter took their 2 daughters (one was 3) and they (parents' included) loved it! They also, will be going back there. We are only about 3 hr. from there and they spend a weekend.

Here's the website for a water park in Lincoln, NH: http://www.whalestalewaterslides.com/index.html

Looks like it would be fun! My grandsons would love it too.

Good luck. Enjoy visiting NH, it's lovely there this time of year.

May

Thanks again May. So much to do, some stuff will have to wait for a future trip.

So, our 5 day/4 night trip looks like this now.

- First night in N. Conway, NH (afternoon/evening at Lost River and Storyland the next day)
- 2nd and 3rd nights at Tall Timber Lodge in Pittsburg, NH (some hiking, relaxing, and Moose watching)
- 4th night in Cape Ann, MA - possibly Clark's and something else on the drive down and a whale watching trip the following morning.

Any must sees (or EATS) along our route?

John

Assuming you will be traveling south on Rt 93. If you get on the road early you can have lunch in Concord NH but I'm not sure you'll make it that far.
Also how much time do you want to spend? Seems a shame to drive past Lake Winnipesaukee without stopping. Meredith is more of an upscale area not far off Rt 93. You can continue south on rt 3 to Weirs Beach which has an arcade/boardwalk area and also a public beach.
Exit 20 is the Tilton outlet mall area. Several restaurant chains in this area like The 99, Tilton Diner (part of the Common Man local chain) but for a small drive in restaurant with good lobster rolls (and other things) the Dipsy Doodle is at exit 19 (get directions because not sure there's an exit on southbound).
If it's blueberry picking time, there's a PYO place very close to exit 17 Rt 93. Apple Hill Farm. There's a southern style barbecue place near exit 17.

If you've stopped at Clark's which is probably a good idea because of the long drive you might aim for Concord or Manchester for dinner. Lots of options.

Hadn't even heard of Weir's Beach! Just checked it out, maybe we should spend the afternoon there instead of Clark's - something to think about, thanks!

I love Clark's and think it's a very good deal. My boys had a great time on the train ride where you meet up with "Wolfman" along the way. The bear show was excellent and they had some circus type acrobats doing a show the last time we went.

Having said that, if you are already going to Storyland, maybe an ocean honky tonk type stop will be good.

Decisions, decisions...