North Conway Vacations Blog

Black Mountain Skiing and Winter Fun for the Family

Black Mountain is known for its family friendly atmosphere, gentle learning slopes for beginner and novice skiers, and scenic views of Mount Washington.  More advance skiers are also challenged by more traditional trails and this makes Black Mountain just about perfect for everyone.  Skiing, snowboards, lessons, and race programs are in abundance and ready to be enjoyed by skiers of all ages.  However, there is more to do at Black Mountain than just skiing!  

Winter events at Black Mountain are in abundance, but we are especially looking forward to the Winterfest and Winter Wildquack Duck Race on January 16th.  So what is this all about?  It is all about fun!  First, they have a step, icy luge track and spend days making sure that it is as icy as it can be.  Spectators can buy a duck, a heat of ducks, or as many ducks as they desire!  The more ducks you buy, the better your odds are.  Consider it getting your ducks in a row.  Then the race begins!  The duck quacks and hundreds of ducks are released at once in a made dash towards the finish line.  The first 10 ducks of each 100 ducks makes it to the finals.  Winners get ready, as you will take home 30% of the ticket sales up to $1,000 and over 50 prizes will be awarded to participants.  In addition to the race, activities will include pony rides, snow and ice sculpting contents, skiing with the Wild Quack Duck and an Après party. 

Winter events at Black Mountain are numerous and include Ride and Ski Weekend Tour, College Break Winter Fest, Shovel Handle Pub Race, and oh yes...chairlift speed dating!  I think that you are getting the hang of it, as Black Mountain Inn is all about fun!  To make it a little easier, when you stay at the Old Field House Inn you will also be able to purchase your ski tickets at a 50% discount.  Here's to winter fun!   

Snow Tubing in North Conway

Snow tubing is terrific family fun at the Artic Blast Tubing Park at Cranmore Mountain in North Conway!  As the winter season settles in, snow will soon be falling in abundance in the North Conway area.  This year, add snow tubing to your list of outdoor activities and it will soon become a family favorite.  Snow tubing was always at the top of our list when we were young, but we would just find a hill and enjoy the thrill.  Now that they have parks especially designed for snow tubing, it has gotten easier and even more fun!

The Artic Blast Tubing Park is New Hampshire's #1 snow tubing park.  The Tubing Center is a great alternative for families to have some fun and enjoy the snow.  The Artic Blast Tubing Park supplies the tubes, so do not worry about bringing your own.  There is always an abundance of snow, as they make their own.  If you are taller than 42", you can ride alone and experience the thrill of snow tubing.  Once you have ridden the snow tube down the hill, they even have two lifts to bring you back to the top!  Also, this year they have even added a warming hut at the base of the Park.  This offers you a place to warm up and enjoy some hot chocolate while watching others whiz down the hill!

Tickets can be purchased on-line and are $22.00 for 2 hours.  If children are under 42" they must ride with an adult.  Hours vary but at a minimum they are open from 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. 

Santa's Holiday Express at Conway Scenic Railroad

Santa is coming to North Conway, but with the help of the Conway Scenic Railroad!  Santa's Holiday Express will be in full swing every Friday and Saturday from November 27^th until December 20^th.  Join Santa and his elves as they depart at 11:30 A.M. for a train ride to Bartlett.  The atmosphere will be festive as the train travels through the Mt. Washington Valley countryside aboard heated coaches.  Santa and the elves will be making their rounds and finding out who's been naughty or nice!   Those children that have been nice will receive a special gift from Santa.

After this special ride with Santa, stop at Leavitt's Country Bakery in Conway and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies or perhaps a slice of cake!  After all, everyone always enjoys a special sweet!   Dates for Santa's Holiday Express are December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, and 20th.  Fares for adults is $13.50, children $9.50, and children under 3 ride for free!

Additional upcoming events at the Conway Scenic Railroad include the Snow Train Celebration, December 19th and the Steam in the Snow Photographer's Special, January 3rd.  If you enjoy trains and winter scenery, then make sure to put these upcoming events on your calendar.  

Holidays in North Conway Include 13th Annual Holiday Tree Festival

Get into the Holiday Spirit and visit North Conway for some shopping and the 13^th Annual Tree Decorating Festival at Settlers' Green.   North Conway is a magical place to be for the Holiday Season.  Snow sets the stage for a winter wonderland and it would not be complete without Christmas trees! 

The Christmas tree decorating Festival will start on November 22nd with over 100 live petite trees from Weston's Farm of Fryeburg, Maine.  The trees will be grouped together in various parts of the shopping center at Settlers' Green and will be decorated by non-profit groups, schools, daycares, customers, and tenants to get into the spirit of Christmas.  The trees will be pre-hung with tiny white lights, and additional lights can be added.  The ornaments used will be "mostly" homemade.  The decorations will not be typical as judges like to see originality, humor, themes, quality of ornaments and overall appearance.  All trees must be decorated by Friday, December 4th at 4 P.M.  Winners will be announced at the 13th Annual Holiday Tree Festival on Saturday, December 5th and will be left on display through the Holiday Season.

The Festival also has visits with Santa, caroling, free hot chocolate and horse drawn wagon rides.   Mt. Cranmore ski area will also be trucking in their own snow to create a free tubing part at Settlers' Green.  Join in the fun and make your reservations to stay at the Old Field House to enjoy the Holiday Tree Festival.

Fryeburg Fair Provides Fall Fun for All Ages

If the Fryeburg Fair is not on your list of fall festivities, then it is time to add it.  This is the largest fair in Maine and Fryeburg is located just 12 miles from the Old Field House Inn.  This year the fair will run from October 4th through the 11th and the schedule has something for everyone!  The Fryeburg Fair will have more than 4,000 animals, horse pulling, harness racing, four pig scrambles, dozens of exhibition halls, and a gigantic midway with more than 50 rides!  It is even noted that the Fryeburg Fair has more free entertainment than any other agricultural fair in the world!  How can you top that?

One special event that is always entertaining is Woodmen's Day.  This year it is scheduled for Monday, October 5th.  If you have never seen this before, then you are in for a treat!  This is a day chock full of exciting competitions including bucksaws, chainsaws, log rolling, ax throwing, and that is just a sampling.  You truly have to see it to believe it!

The Fryeburg Fair admission fee is $8.00 per person, except Saturday it is $10.00.  Senior Citizens day is Tuesday, October 6th and admission is $2.00.  Come out and join the fun!  

Apple Picking in North Conway, New Hampshire

It is apple picking season in North Conway, New Hampshire!   Many guests of the Old Field House Inn go apple and pumpkin picking in the North Conway area as it emerges in the vibrant autumn colors of red, orange, and yellow.  This is a tradition that many people do on a yearly basis and is family fun for all!  Multiple varieties of apples are available including Macintosh, Cortland, Empire, and more!  In addition to picking apples, do not forget to enjoy some of the delicious products which the local farms have to offer.  Baked goods, apple cider, cheeses, pies, and preserves are on the top of our list to bring home from a trip to the orchards.  Once you taste these homemade wonders, it will be difficult to not make this a yearly tradition.

One of our local apple orchards is Hatches Orchard located in Center Conway.  They are open on weekends through Columbus weekend and special in Macintosh apples.  They also offer a farm market, picnic area, pumpkins, winter squash, and oh yes...cider! 

Happy apple picking!

Corn Maize Family Fun in North Conway, New Hampshire

Corn maize, pumpkin picking, and family fun can all be found at Sherman Farm in New Hampshire.  Pure family fun can be enjoyed while finding your way through their corn maize, or enjoying fright night!  In addition to their corn maize, they have other attractions including the Moo Express, a Mini Maze, corn boxes, and hayrides.  The children will enjoy Al's animal house with farm animals that are just waiting to be petted.  Last year they also started Corn Cannons which was a big hit!  Of course, if you get hungry they have a concession stand featuring Sherman Farms burgers, hot cider donuts, and other homemade delights.  Yum!

The corn maize opens on Saturday, September 19^th and will continue through the end of October.  Hours are Saturday and Sunday from 10 A.M. until 5 P.M.  Special nights include Flash Night and Fright Night on Friday and Saturday October 23^rd and 24^th.  Also, they will be doing a Halloween flashlight and fright night at 50% off all admissions.  Admission for ages 12 and up is $8.00, 5-11 is $5.00, and 4 and under get in for free.   Sounds like fun to me!

Santa’s Village in Jefferson, New Hampshire

 

It does not have to be Christmas to visit Santa’s Village in Jefferson, New Hampshire!  Many guests of the family friendly Old Field House Inn visit Santa’s Village throughout its season of May through Christmas.  Santa is usually found sitting in his big green chair at his home, just waiting to welcome the children!   His reindeer are right nearby at their barn waiting to be petted and hoping for some special cookies.  So this should be the first thing to add to your list while visiting Santa’s Village.

Rides and entertainment are in abundance and some of the all time favorites include Santa’s Express Train, Merry Christmas Ferris Wheel, and the Little Drummer Boy.  Even during the Christmas Season 12 rides stay open and are operated, weather permitting!  Now if you have not had enough fun yet, make sure to see a theater.  The Spirit of Christmas, Jingle Bell Rock, Reading Reindeer, Toy Time Fun, and The Polar Theater will all be well enjoyed.

Admission is $24.00 and they can be purchased on-line.  Children 3 and younger are admitted for free!  Of course, they do have season passes and multiple day tickets.  Have fun!

Attatish Mountain Water Slide is Fun for All Ages

As we are finally enjoying the hot days of summer, it makes me reflect upon a visit to Attitash Mountain to enjoy their water slide.  It was a hot summer day and we were all looking for a way to cool off.  We happened to have our bathing suits with us and decided to check out the fun at the water slide.  This is surely a great way for a family or adults to enjoy the day. 

It all started with making sure that we were over 48" tall.  No problem there!  Then the next step was to select the matt that we were to use for the ride down the slide.  Think of it as your own magic carpet ride!  We patiently climbed the stairs to get to the top of the slide and were truly hot by this time.  As we approached the top of the slide, a slight apprehension started to be felt, but we pushed forward.  Then it was our time to experience the water slide. 

We placed the matt into position and gently sat into position.  Before we knew it we were off and speeding down the water slide!  Between the nervous laughter and hoots of fun we safely made it around the hairpin turns, through the tunnels, and to the bottom of the slide where we plunged into the pool below.  

Now, that is how to enjoy a summer's day when staying at the Old Field House Inn!

Horseback Riding at Black Mountain Stables in New Hampshire

 

While visiting the Old Field House Inn, enjoy a guided horseback ride at Black Mountain.  Horseback riding at Black Mountain offers guests breathtaking views at an elevation of 2,000 feet!  The rides are guided by skilled guides and well trained horses and even the most novice riders can enjoy the fresh mountain air and exquisite views.  To add a little more romance to the ride, consider trying the Sunrise or Sunset ride.  

If you have little ones that want to experience a horseback ride, they have a pony named Timkerbell to do just that.  Rides are available daily from 10:30-3:30 at $10.00 a ride.

Trail rides depart daily at 10:00 A.M., 11:30 A.M., 1:00 P.M., 2:30 P.M., and 4:00 P.M.  Cost is $45 for a one-hour ride.  It is recommended to make a reservation at 603-383-4470 for all rides.

Happy Trails!