Best Things to Do in Bretton Woods, NH With Kids
The Mount Washington Cog Railway, a steam-and-biodiesel train climbing to the summit of the highest peak in the Northeast, is the must-do here and it's three miles from the Omni Mount Washington Resort. Add the aerial adventure park on the resort's own grounds for older kids, Story Land or Santa's Village for younger kids (both about 25 to 30 minutes away), and the Flume Gorge boardwalk walk at Franconia Notch for an easy scenic morning.
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1Area photo: King of Hearts / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Mount Washington Cog Railway
A genuine 1869 steam-heritage cog railway, one of the oldest of its kind in the world, climbing to the summit of the highest peak in the Northeast. It's the ride itself kids remember: the steep grade, the historic engineering, and (weather permitting) sweeping views from a summit that also holds a record for the highest wind speed ever measured at a surface station.
Watch out: The summit is in the clouds more often than not; check the forecast and set expectations accordingly, since there's no refund for weather you can't see coming. It's noticeably colder at the top than in the valley, often 20 to 30 degrees, so bring real layers even on a warm summer day at the base.
2Area photo: King of Hearts / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Aerial Adventure Park (on-property)
A treetop zip-line and obstacle course network right on the resort grounds, so there's zero drive time. It's the right activity for tweens and teens who've done a ropes course before and want a genuinely physical, self-directed challenge between more passive sightseeing days.
Watch out: Most courses have real height and weight minimums that exclude younger kids, so check the specifics before promising it to a 6 or 7 year old. It's seasonal and weather-dependent; a rainy day can shut it down with little notice.
3Area photo: King of Hearts / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Story Land
A classic, gentle fairy-tale theme park in Glen, running since the 1950s and scaled specifically for younger kids: a pumpkin coach ride, a Cinderella castle walk-through, water rides sized for small bodies, and a general lack of the intense thrill rides that make bigger parks scary for under-10s. It's the honest right-size pick for a family whose kids aren't ready for a real coaster park.
Watch out: It skews young enough that kids over about 10 or 11 will find it babyish and get bored fast. It's about 25 to 30 minutes from the resort, a real drive, not a quick hop.
4Area photo: King of Hearts / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Flume Gorge at Franconia Notch State Park
An easy boardwalk walk through a narrow granite gorge with a waterfall at the far end, genuinely accessible for most kids including some stroller-friendly sections near the entrance. The drive there through Franconia Notch is itself scenic, with additional stops at Profile Lake and Echo Lake worth a short break if the kids need to run around.
Watch out: It's a real 30 to 45 minute drive from Bretton Woods, so build it into a day with other Franconia Notch stops rather than a quick add-on. Some sections of boardwalk near the waterfall have real elevation change and can be slippery when wet.
5Area photo: King of Hearts / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Santa's Village
A Christmas-themed park in Jefferson that runs year-round, with real reindeer kids can see up close, a modest but genuine ride lineup, and enough kitschy holiday atmosphere that younger kids find it genuinely magical rather than gimmicky. It's the other classic New Hampshire small-scale family park in the area, similar in spirit to Story Land but with its own distinct theme.
Watch out: Like Story Land, it's built for younger kids and loses its appeal fast for tweens and teens. It's a similar 25 to 30 minute drive from the resort, in the opposite direction from Story Land, so don't plan on doing both the same day.
Frequently asked
Is the Mount Washington Cog Railway worth it if the summit might be cloudy?
Yes, most families still find the ride itself, the historic steam-era engineering, and the steep grade worthwhile even without a clear summit view. It's genuinely a coin flip on weather, so go in with realistic expectations rather than betting the whole trip on a clear day.
Story Land or Santa's Village for young kids?
Both are similarly scaled for kids under 10 with gentle rides and a themed atmosphere; Story Land leans fairy-tale, Santa's Village leans Christmas with real reindeer. Either works well; picking one over the other usually comes down to which drive direction fits your day better.
How cold does it get at the Mount Washington summit?
Often 20 to 30 degrees colder than the valley floor, even in summer, and wind can make it feel colder still. Bring real jackets regardless of what the base-area weather looks like when you leave.
What's the best age range for the on-property zip-line course?
Most courses have height and weight minimums that effectively start around age 10, so it's the better pick for tweens and teens rather than younger kids. Check the specific course requirements before booking if you have a smaller-than-average 10 year old.
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