The White Mountains Attractions 2015 new features and season opening dates
(TRAVPR.COM) USA - May 6th, 2015 - White Mountains, NH – Summer is right around the corner, and the 17 big attractions in New Hampshire’s White Mountains are preparing for the tourist season.
“People are already making their summer travel plans,” said Jayne O’Connor, President of the White Mountains Attractions Association. “And we’ve been busy already on spring weekends. We all know we had an exceptionally long winter, so folks are eager to start enjoying the great outdoors.”
She said the railroads in the White Mountains started operating early this year, with the Conway Scenic Railroad running daily already. “This railroad is based at the picturesque station in the center of North Conway Village, and features trips along the Saco River. “
The first cog railway in the world, the Mount Washington Cog Railway, is open weekends, and plans to start daily trips May 23. Lincoln’s Hobo Railroad begins scenic train excursions along the Pemigewasset River weekends May 23, and daily starting June 25.
O’Connor said the Mount Washington Auto Road was able to clear the snow drifts for a May 2nd opening to the treeline for outstanding views. The road expects to open to the top by mid-May. The Auto Road is considered the oldest man-made tourist attraction in the country.
Opening next are the scenic gorge and boulder cave attractions, such as Lost River Gorge and The Flume Gorge, which open daily starting Friday, May 8, and Polar Caves Park, in Rumney, which will open May 9th for the season. These popular attractions boast incredible boardwalks among the granite, and optional boulder caves. Both The Flume, in Lincoln, and Lost River Gorge in North Woodstock, expect the waterfalls to be especially scenic through June as the mountain snowmelt keeps them running high. Lost River Gorge is also featuring a large expansion this year with a new forest boardwalk, a forest treehouse, a birdcage overlook and a new suspension bridge over the gorge.
Local ski areas switch to their summer mode in May, with Attitash Mountain Resort, Cranmore Mountain Resort and Loon Mountain ski area all opening their summer parks on weekends starting May 23, then daily from June 20. O’Connor said these include an incredible variety of adventure features such as ziplines, aerial lifts, mountain coasters, swings, canopy tours and climbing walls.
“There’s a lot at these three mountains to keep visitors happy and challenged,” said O’Connor.
Loon Mountain, in Lincoln, also boasts a scenic four-person gondola ride to the summit, while in Bartlett, you can ride Attitash Mountain Resort’s new ZipTour said to be the single longest zip span in the contiguous US. Younger children will have the chance to climb and swing this summer at Cranmore Mountain Resort, in North Conway, as they will be featuring a new young children’s rope course.
For adrenaline-junkies, O’Connor also recommends Lincoln’s Alpine Adventures, which offers zipline canopy tours, off-road expeditions, a new Treetop Treehouse, and an amazing array of climbing fun at Thrillsville Aerial Park. She said there is no need to worry about opening dates there, as Alpine Adventures is a year-round location.
In Franconia Notch, Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway will bring riders up to the summit daily beginning May 22, while Wildcat Mountain, located next door to Mt. Washington in Pinkham Notch, will open its doors daily June 20 with its ZipRider and gondola ride.
The family theme parks of the White Mountains open weekends on May 23 and daily beginning in June. These include Santa’s Village, located in Jefferson, which O’Connor said was named one of Trip Advisor’s “USA’s Top 25 Amusement Parks.”
Santa’s Village has added a new summertime version of a wintertime classic,” said O’Connor, “with an inner tube ride down the hillside, called You Tubing. And Story Land is starting its second season with the really popular Roar-O-Saurus roller coaster.” She said daily operations start June 20 at Santa’s Village, and June 12 at Story Land.
Clark’s Trading Post in Lincoln opens their season weekends only on May 23, then daily on June 19, and will feature a new thrilling Water Coaster ride this season.
The Whale’s Tale Water Park in Lincoln, named New England’s Favorite Waterpark, with its water slides, lazy river, wave pool and entertainment, opens June 10 on a daily basis. “This waterpark is also known for its incredible views of the White Mountains,” said O’Connor
For updated operation dates and more details on each of these attractions, visit the White Mountains website at www.VisitWhiteMountains.com.
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