What to do and where to eat!
Heading up to the White Mountains for Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend with the family? You’re in luck, this is one of the best times of year to visit, and there’s plenty to keep little ones (and their tired parents) happy. Here’s a rundown of what we’ve got on hand and what’s worth checking out nearby.
What we’ve got for our guests
We have a pack n play, a high chair, and some portable gates if you need them. There’s a dollhouse and some toys upstairs, plus children’s books scattered around (they do tend to migrate around the house, so keep an eye out). We also have a fire pit and back porch – and lovely foliage all around!
Easy hikes for little legs
You don’t need to be a seasoned hiker to enjoy the trails around here. A few favorites:
- Thorne Pond is about half a mile away on Route 302. It’s a flat, easy loop around the pond and along the banks of the Saco River, and the pond itself is really pretty. Good for wading and rock throwing along the water.
- Elephant Head is about a 20 minute drive from here. It’s a very easy trail, roughly 30 minutes up, with a sweeping view of Crawford Notch for very little effort. Great with a hiking backpack for the littlest ones.
- Red Bench Trail is right near Elephant Head and is also relatively flat and short, a nice add on if the kids have more energy left.
- Jockey Cap in Fryeburg is a step up in difficulty, longer with some minor scrambling, but the payoff is great views of the mountains of western Maine and the White Mountains of New Hampshire from the granite summit. Good for a hiking backpack, not so much for toddlers on foot.
Where to eat
Most restaurants around here are genuinely family friendly, kids’ menus and all. A few favorites:
- May Kelly’s Cottage in North Conway is an Irish pub with a ton of stuff for little ones to look at on the walls, and it’s pleasantly loud, so any kid noise just blends right in. The owner is an absolute sweetheart and clearly loves having kids around.
- Tuckerman’s Restaurant & Tavern in Intervale is also very family friendly with a wide-ranging menu.
- Red Fox Bar & Grille in Jackson rounds out the family friendly dinner spots, and even has a kids’ playroom.
- For breakfast, The Sunrise Shack, Peach’s, 27 North, and Banners Restaurant are all great picks in North Conway.
One heads up: plan to wait at pretty much all restaurants, since it’s a big weekend up north and everyone has the same idea.
The Fryeburg Fair
The Fryeburg Fair will be running running October 4 through October 11, 2026. It’s very country and a whole lot of fun, with a petting zoo and an entire section of rides geared toward little kids. Well worth the trip if you’ve never been to a real agricultural fair.
Sherman Farm
Sherman Farm in Conway has super cute little kid attractions that same weekend, think little tractors, wagon rides, and pumpkin picking. They also have their famous corn maze, which is NOT easy, fair warning, but a lot of fun to get lost in as a family.
Story Land and the aquarium
Story Land in Glen will still be open that weekend (it now runs weekends into late October), and it’s geared toward younger kids, truly adorable if you’d like to take your daughter. Right next door is Living Shores Aquarium, a small, cute indoor aquarium that’s a great backup plan if you end up with a rainy day.
Need a kid-friendly vacation rental? Book with us today!