🏔️ 8 Best Family Attractions Near North Conway, NH (2026)
Planning a family trip to North Conway? One of the reasons the White Mountains are such a great family destination is the variety of things to do within a relatively small area. You can spend the morning riding a train, cool off at an indoor water park in the afternoon, and still have plenty of time for dinner.
When you stay in one of our North Conway short term rentals, you’re close to many of the area’s most popular family attractions, making it easier to spend less time driving and more time enjoying your vacation.
From amusement parks and aquariums to waterfalls, lakes, and scenic train rides, these are some of the best family-friendly attractions in and around North Conway, NH.
🎢 Story Land
Story Land is one of the best known family attractions near North Conway, especially for families with younger children. Located in Glen, NH, the storybook-themed amusement park brings classic fairy tales and children’s characters to life with rides, shows, play areas, and interactive experiences.
The park has more than 50 attractions in 2026, including rides for younger children, live entertainment, themed play areas, and the new Moo Lagoon water attraction. Story Land is designed specifically with families in mind, so it’s much easier for younger kids to enjoy than many traditional amusement parks.
Best for: Young children, amusement park rides, characters, and a full day of family fun
🎅 Santa’s Village
Santa’s Village is farther from North Conway than the other attractions on this list, but it’s worth considering if you have young children and want to make a full day of it. Located in Jefferson, NH, the entire park is built around a Christmas theme, with rides, water attractions, shows, and opportunities to meet Santa and other holiday characters.
The Christmas theme works surprisingly well even during the summer, and the park offers enough rides and activities to keep kids busy for most of the day.
Best for: Young children, Christmas fans, rides, and a full-day family outing
Drive from North Conway: Approximately 45–60 minutes
💦 Kahuna Laguna Indoor Water Park
If you’re looking for a family attraction in North Conway that works in any weather, Kahuna Laguna Indoor Water Park is one of the easiest choices.
Located right in North Conway, Kahuna Laguna is an indoor water park with water slides, a wave pool, a multi-level interactive play area, a kids’ slide area, and other water features. Because everything is indoors, it’s particularly useful when rain or cold temperatures put a damper on outdoor plans.
It’s also one of the most convenient attractions on this list if you’re staying in North Conway itself. You don’t have to dedicate an entire day to driving somewhere else—you can spend a few hours at the water park and still have time for dinner, shopping, or another activity.
Best for: Rainy days, younger kids, swimming, water slides, and all-weather fun
Location: North Conway
🐠 Living Shores Aquarium
Living Shores Aquarium is another excellent family friendly attraction near North Conway, especially if you’re looking for something educational that doesn’t feel like a school field trip.
The indoor aquarium features more than 20 exhibits across a 32,000 square foot space, with opportunities to see and interact with marine life, including touch-friendly rays, reptiles, and other animals. It’s open year round, making it another great option when the weather isn’t cooperating.
One major advantage is its location: Living Shores is right next door to Story Land. Families can combine the two attractions into a single trip, and the current 2026 season even offers a combination ticket for both.
Best for: Younger children, animal lovers, educational activities, and rainy days
🚂 Conway Scenic Railroad
The Conway Scenic Railroad is one of the best family friendly things to do in North Conway when you want to slow the pace down for a few hours.
Departing from the historic train station in North Conway Village, the railroad offers scenic excursions through the Mount Washington Valley and surrounding White Mountains. Kids usually love the novelty of riding a real train, while parents get to sit back and enjoy the scenery without having to navigate the roads themselves.
The shorter excursions are particularly good for families who don’t want to commit to an all-day activity. Conway Scenic Railroad
Best for: All ages, train lovers, scenic views, and a relaxing family activity
🌊 Diana’s Baths
Diana’s Baths is one of the most popular family friendly outdoor attractions near North Conway. The relatively short walk through the forest leads to a series of waterfalls, cascades, smooth granite ledges, and pools along Lucy Brook.
It’s a great choice when you want to get outside without committing to a difficult hike. Kids can explore the rocks and water while adults enjoy the scenery, and during warm weather visitors can wade in some of the pools. Diana’s Baths
The biggest downside is popularity. Diana’s Baths can get extremely busy during summer weekends and peak foliage, so arriving early is a smart move.
Best for: Families, easy hiking, waterfalls, exploring, and warm weather outings
🌲 Echo Lake State Park
Echo Lake State Park is another excellent option for families who want to spend time outside without taking on a strenuous hike. Located at the base of Cathedral Ledge, the park combines a small lake, swimming area, picnic areas, and easy walking opportunities with some of the best scenery in the North Conway area. Echo Lake State Park
During the summer, the lake is a popular place to swim and cool off, while the surrounding area provides opportunities for walking, picnicking, and enjoying the views. It’s also an easy place to combine with a visit to Cathedral Ledge.
Best for: Swimming, picnics, easy outdoor activities, and families who want a relaxing day
🎢 Clark’s Trading Post
Clark’s Trading Post in Lincoln is farther from North Conway, but it can be a worthwhile day trip if you’re looking for something different. The attraction combines a nostalgic family atmosphere with train rides, live entertainment, and other classic attractions.
It’s a good option when you’ve already done the attractions close to North Conway and want to explore farther into the White Mountains without committing to a full day of hiking.
Best for: Families with kids, train rides, live entertainment, and a day trip
👨👩👧👦 Which North Conway Family Attraction Is Best for Your Kids?
Not every attraction is ideal for every age group. Here’s a quick way to narrow down your choices:
| If you’re looking for… | Best choice |
|---|---|
| Young children | Story Land |
| Indoor activity | Kahuna Laguna or Living Shores Aquarium |
| Waterfalls & outdoor exploring | Diana’s Baths |
| Swimming & relaxing | Echo Lake State Park |
| Train rides | Conway Scenic Railroad |
| A full amusement-park day | Story Land |
| Christmas-themed fun | Santa’s Village |
| A longer day trip | Clark’s Trading Post |
If you’re traveling with kids of different ages, don’t feel like you have to find one attraction that keeps everyone happy all day. North Conway works particularly well because you can combine a major attraction with a shorter activity nearby.
☔ Best Family Attractions in North Conway on a Rainy Day
Rain doesn’t have to ruin a family vacation in the White Mountains. In fact, North Conway has several attractions that work particularly well when outdoor plans get rained out.
Kahuna Laguna is the obvious choice if the kids need to burn off some energy. Living Shores Aquarium is another excellent option if you want something educational and indoors.
If the weather is only partly rainy, the Conway Scenic Railroad is another good choice because you can enjoy the scenery without spending the entire day outside.
And if the weather clears up, you can always head back outside for attractions like Diana’s Baths or Echo Lake State Park.
🏡 Plan Your Family Trip to North Conway
One of the biggest advantages of a family vacation in North Conway is how much you can fit into a relatively small area. You can spend one day at Story Land, another exploring waterfalls and lakes, and another riding the Conway Scenic Railroad or relaxing at an indoor water park.
When you stay in one of our North Conway short term rentals, you’re close to many of these attractions, restaurants, hiking trails, and other things to do throughout the Mount Washington Valley.
For more ideas, check out our guides to Top Hikes Under 3 Miles in North Conway, NH, Best Waterfalls Near North Conway, NH, and our other North Conway travel guides.
With a little planning, you can build a family vacation that keeps everyone entertained without spending most of your time in the car.
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