North Woodstock, NH – With the arrival of spring, changes at the big attractions in the White Mountains have become more apparent. Additions and expansion projects will be wrapped up and ready for visitors when these popular New Hampshire destinations open their doors for the upcoming summer season.
“The owners and managers of the attractions are always on the lookout for ways to enhance their properties,” said Jayne O’Connor, President of the White Mountains Attractions Association. “There is a lot of competition for peoples’ time out there, so we see the Attractions work every year to improve the visitor experience.
Here is a roundup of what’s going to be new at attractions in the White Mountains this year:
Attitash Mountain Resort in Bartlett announced that construction on the longest zipline in the United States is underway. The soaring 8,000 foot thrill-ride originates at the summit of Bear Peak, descending to mid-mountain on Attitash, then speeding riders to the base of the mountain. This is the latest addition to the resort’s family of mountainside adventure rides, which also includes a mountain coaster for downhill thrills.
To celebrate its 60th anniversary, Story Land in Glen unveils a new new dinosaur-themed area in the park, featuring Northern New England’s only wooden roller coaster – aptly named the “Roar-O-Saurus.” Rory, “the little dino with the big roar,” leads the 1,242 foot long, 40 foot high coaster that will have riders screaming as they experience moments of gravity-defying air time. The roller coaster will be surrounded by animatronic dinosaurs, confirming Story Land’s famous moniker, “The Land Where Fantasy Lives.”
A major expansion project at Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves in North Woodstock presents explorers with a fresh perspective of the geologic wonder that is up in scenic Kinsman Notch. A new suspension bridge leads people to 750 feet of winding boardwalk trails that snake through dense forest and extend into a glacial boulder field at the foot of the lofty Dilly Cliffs. An enclosed tree-house pavilion and “bird-cages” atop boulders add new adventures to the woodsy attraction.
The former Six Gun City in Jefferson has transformed into the Fort Jefferson Fun Park. The Brady Family is kicking off their 58th season of family-friendly entertainment with a new admission-free policy giving guests the flexibility to spend an hour or a day enjoying the park, paying for only the rides, games and food they want to experience. Live shows with a “How the West was Fun” theme are free of charge and welcome audience participation. Several of the buildings on the Fort Jefferson Fun Park grounds are being remodeled into lodging facilities pairing neatly with the adjacent Fort Jefferson Campground, affording a variety of options for overnight stays.
Lincoln’s Whale’s Tale Water Park and Alpine Adventures have teamed up to offer combination ticket packages for warm-weather fun. The “Zip & Dip” combo ticket includes Whale’s Tale expansive park as well as the Zipline Destination at Alpine Adventures. The new “Rip & Dip” brings thrill seekers on an off-road adventure over 300 acres of scenic terrain, plus a day at the Whale’s Tale Waterpark to cool off.
Another family-friendly attraction located in Lincoln, the Hobo Railroad, has teamed up with the Squam Lakes Science Center of Holderness to present their “Nature by Rail” program series. The Bank of New Hampshire is sponsoring the program making it free of charge to Hobo Railroad passengers. During these special excursions, there are Science Center staff members on the trains and close-up encounters with furry or feathered members of New Hampshire’s wild community at the station.
A one-mile scenic trail is being established on the summit of North Conway’s Cranmore Mountain and will open in time for the summer season, with lunch offered at the mountaintop Meisterhut. In late October, expect new spine-chilling features at Cranmore’s spooky “Ghoullog” attraction. Monsters, mummies and members of the macabre are invited to participate in the resort’s nighttime Halloween Adventure Race, where competitive lurching and shuffling takes place through the streets of North Conway Village.
The Conway Scenic Railroad in North Conway is adding a newly refurbished table car, the “Mt. Webster” to their popular Notch Train excursions that take passengers past sheer cliffs, over deep ravines and up through spectacular Crawford Notch.
The Mt. Washington Cog Railway is making its fifth biodiesel locomotive part of its regular fleet this season, while keeping one old-fashioned steam engine on the schedule for early morning runs. The environmentally friendly, mountain-climbing biodiesels are built right at the base of the Cog Railway.
At Polar Caves Park, located in Rumney, guided tours of the caves are expected to be a popular addition to the self-guided walks along the nature trails and covered bridges. Polar Caves also features a Maple Sugar House and Museum. Construction on a mini-golf feature is slated to begin later this fall.
Clark’s Trading Post, the Flume Gorge, Cannon Aerial Tramway, Loon Mountain, Santa’s Village, the Mt. Washington Auto Road, and Wildcat Mountain all report improvements and repairs to their infrastructures. Although this type of work is unseen by guests for the most part, it is a vital component in maintaining the level of quality visitors have come to expect at these White Mountains attractions.
For opening dates and operation schedules of the attractions, visit www.VisitWhiteMountains.
About the White Mountains Attractions Association
The White Mountains Attractions Association was founded in 1958 as a co-operative marketing association for the region. In 1983, it was also designated the State’s official Regional Association for the White Mountains of New Hampshire, able to assist the press and visitors with information about the region.
The Association counts among its membership the best of the area’s attractions, including Alpine Adventures, Attitash Mountain Resort, Cannon Mountain, Clark’s Trading Post, Conway Scenic Railroad, Cranmore Mountain Resort, the Flume Gorge, Fort Jefferson Fun Park, Hobo Railroad, Loon Mountain, Lost River Gorge, Mount Washington Auto Road, Mount Washington Cog Railroad, Polar Caves, Santa’s Village, Story Land, Whale’s Tale Water Park and Wildcat Mountain.