NH FREE Things To Do!

Sacred Trust - The Monkey Wrench Gang Meets the Third Industrial Revolution

FREE Things to do in Northern NH!

Some are FREE, some by donation, others are minimal cost!

Editor's Note: This information can change. Please do call ahead!

(2018 Free Movies & Concert Series: See our Event Series in Northern NH - 2018 page!)

Taking a day trip or a vacation with the family doesn't have to cost a lot. This page was updated for 2016 summer FREE stuff and low-low cost deals in NH's North Country.

Train Ride - The Silver Lake Railroad, 15 minutes south of Conway on Route 113, offers a quasi-narrated 3 miles train ride that feels like FREE train rides at the Silver Lake Railroad!

FREE train rides at the Silver Lake Railroad!

a step into Sherwood Forrest. The route mostly traverses conservation land, including forest, beaver ponds and bogs. (When we took the trip we spotted several species of birds, a beaver and a large doe - some folks even spot moose!) There is an old fashioned diner on the campus with a working jukebox playing '60's era music and offering frozen ice cream treats. EVERYTHING is by donation.

Don't be discouraged by their limited ride schedule: they often have enough volunteers on hand on weekdays to spontaneously offer a ride.

Chairlift Ride - Absolutely FREE, Bretton Woods Ski Area is offering scenic lift rides

thru Columbus Day Weekend on the Bethlehem Express Quad chairlift. Walk down, or make it round trip, all free. There are spectacular views of NH's Presidential Range, including Mt. Washington. Latitude 44 restaurant is open near the summit with a varied menu of beverages, ice cream, sandwiches and burgers, and a Sundae Bar in the base building at their regular prices. Indoors and outdoors the view is great, but if you plan to sit on their deck with the amazing views, bring bug spray.

The lift is open 'banker's hours.' Be sure to check their web site or call ahead (603-278-1000) and do pick up free chairlift tickets in the main building. Anticipate that Latitude 44 will close 1 hour prior to the chair lift's last ride. Dogs are not absolutely prohibited but they do ask that Fido rides the lift in a backpack or bag.

Rialto Theater - This Lancaster attraction has two weekly events for children during the summer. Impact Childrens Theater, with live performances Tuesday mornings at 9:30, and Fitch Fuel Free Family Film Series with recent release children's animated movies. There are also occasional free recent release or live events available via corporate sponsorship.

Go Swimming - There are a ton of swimming holes all around the mountains: fresh, clean, pure water... Often quite col... er... refreshing too! Within 10 miles of almost anywhere, count on there being a quality swimming hole!

Picnic and Feed the Ducks! - In most places around NH, feeding waterfowl is discouraged or downright unlawful. The Willey House at Crawford Notch State Park is located directly on Route 302 in Hart's Location on the Saco River. There is ample parking, and many picnic tables. Willey Pond is gorgeous and dammed on one end. In the approximate middle of the dam, there is a quarter-fed duck and fish food dispenser, although larger bags are available whenever the Willey House is open. This area is one of NH's gems and should not be missed. Bring your camera, quarters, and just to be safe, bug spray.

Of course there are many places to picnic in the White Mountains: we just happen to think that this spot is the best!

Visit A Fish Hatchery - If you are near Whitefield/Twin Mountain or Berlin/Gorham there is a fish hatchery nearby. Educational, fun and frustrating (no fishing poles here, please!) fish hatcheries are a great hour's long break from high cost entertainment.

Visit A Museum - The Gorham Historical Society & Railroad Museum while small, offers a handful of genuine railroad cars, etc. At some point their B&M locomotive will hold a picture gallery and movie theater, with a locomotive simulator in the cab.

The Museum of the White Mountains in Plymouth preserves and promotes the history, culture, and environmental legacy of the region. It provides unique collections-based, archival, and digital learning resources that serve students, researchers and the public.

New England Ski Museum (locations in Franconia Notch and North Conway) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the history of skiing. They offer permanent and annually-changing exhibits.

Take A Selfie With A Rocket - If you like odd-ball attractions, NASA, or cold war memorabilia, then drive to Warren, and take a selfie with a genuine NASA surplus eighty-three foot tall Redstone rocket. Born into the family of rockets that took satellites aloft and NH son and Mercury astronaut Alan Shepard into non-orbital space, this rocket is the real deal. Calling the Warren town green home since 1971, it loves attention and visitors so do stop by.

Know anyone else with a genuine rocket selfie? Didn't think so!

A Low Cost Offer:

Discovery Center - The Mount Washington Observatory Weather Discovery Center is an interactive science museum that brings the wonder of the atmosphere right to your fingertips! Interactive exhibits, many well suited to children and tweens, demonstrate and explain the complexities of the atmosphere and weather. Twice daily live video links enable visitors to meet and interact with the hardy observers living and working in their summit weather station atop Mt. Washington. Admission was free but now the rates are as follows:
Adults - $2
Children ages 7 to 17 - $1
Children ages 6 & under - FREE

► See Also: 25 Great Summer Adventures in Northern NH

The Diner at the Silver Lake Railroad.