2017 Summer Guide

Fairs & Festivals

Don’t miss the 60th annual New Hampshire Antiques Show on Thursday, Aug. 10, and Friday, Aug. 11, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, Aug. 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel (700 Elm St., Manchester). The show is presented by the New Hampshire Antiques Dealers Association and will feature more than 60 exhibitors from all over the country offering a wide range of items from folk art to fine porcelain, country and formal furniture, paintings and prints, metalware, glassware, pottery and more. Admission is $15 on Thursday and $10 on Friday and Saturday. Visit nhada.org.

The Alton Bay Boat Show will be held on Saturday, Aug. 12, at 9 a.m., when the wooden boats will arrive at the Alton Town Docks on Lake Winnipesaukee. The show is part of Alton’s annual Old Home Day and is presented by a partnership between the New Hampshire Boat Museum and the Town of Alton. It is an informal, non-judged boat show where people get to vote for their choice for the best. Visit nhbm.org.

The annual Belknap County 4-H Fair returns on Saturday, Aug. 12, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 13, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 174 Mile Hill Road in Belmont. The festival features live entertainment, animal shows, food, demonstrations, exhibits and more. Admission is $10 for kids and adults ages 10 and up and free for kids under 10. Visit bc4hfair.org.

The annual Hampton Beach Children’s Festival will be held the week of Monday, Aug. 14, through Friday, Aug. 18, and will kick off with a magic show by B.J. Hickman on Monday on the Hampton Beach Seashell Stage at 10 a.m. Other festivities will include a giant costume parade across Hampton Beach on Friday, and opportunities to win prizes. Visit hamptonbeach.org.

Hillsborough’s annual Living History event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 20, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. across various locations in Hillsborough. The event features historical re-enactments, food, live music and more. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $5 for kids and teens ages 6 to 17, and free for kids 5 and under. Visit livinghistoryeventnh.com.

Join the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St., Dover) for the fifth annual Dover Maker Mini Faire on Saturday, Aug. 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is a day for invention and creativity, featuring more than 60 local artisans, scientists and garage tinkerers. Visit dover.makerfaire.com.

A Labor Day weekend tradition, the Hopkinton State Fair returns to the fairgrounds (392 Kearsarge Ave., Contoocook) on Friday, Sept. 1, and Saturday, Sept. 2, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 3, and Monday, Sept. 4, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Enjoy local vendors, classic fair food, live music and entertainment, carnival rides and games, agricultural exhibits and more. Visit hsfair.org.

This year’s Exeter UFO Festival will commemorate the 52nd anniversary of the Incident in Exeter and will be held in downtown Exeter on Saturday, Sept. 2, and Sunday, Sept. 3. Features include a variety of educational lectures, intergalactic children’s games, food and more. Visit exeterufofestival.org.

Cruising Downtown returns to the streets of downtown Manchester on Saturday, Sept. 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature more than 800 cars on display on the streets, in addition to several entertainers. Visit cruisingdowntown.com.

Food Fests & Parties

The three-day Mahrajan Middle Eastern Food Festival hosted by Our Lady of the Cedars Melkite Catholic Church (140 Mitchell St., Manchester) takes place on Friday, Aug. 18, from 5 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 19, from noon to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 20, from noon to 5 p.m. The menu will feature specialties, like lamb kabobs, shawarma, mamoul cookies and more, as well as live music, children’s activities, games, a gift bazaar and hookah rentals. Visit bestfestnh.com.

The fifth annual Gate City Brewfest & Wing Competition takes place on Saturday, Aug. 19, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Holman Stadium (67 Amherst St., Nashua). Enjoy craft brews, a wing competition, live music and games. Tickets cost $25 in advance, $30 the day of the event, $10 for designated drivers or persons under 21, and are free for kids age 12 and under. Visit gatecitybrewfestnh.com.

Enjoy a variety of authentic Southeast Asian foods at the 21st annual Lowell Southeast Asian Water Festival, happening Saturday, Aug. 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Pawtucket Boulevard in Lowell, Mass. In addition to the food, the festival will feature vendors, boat races, music, dancing and more. Visit facebook.com/LSEAWF.

Taste authentic Latin American, Caribbean and African cuisine at the annual We Are One Festival happening Saturday, Aug. 19, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Veterans Memorial Park (889 Elm St., Manchester). In addition to the food, the festival will feature music, dance, crafts, vendors and more. Visit ujimacollective.mysite.com.

Don’t miss the Fire on the Mountain Chili Fest hosted by the Henniker Rotary Club on Sunday, Aug. 20, from noon to 5 p.m. at Pats Peak Ski Area (686 Flanders Road, Henniker). There will be a chili competition featuring chili from 40 amateur and professional chili makers, plus New Hampshire food and craft vendors, beer, live music and more. Admission is $12 for adults, $6 for children 10 and under and free for infants and toddlers and includes chili samples and giveaways. Visit chilinewhampshire.org.

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church (111 Island Pond Road, Manchester) will host its annual Greekfest on Saturday, Aug. 26, and Sunday, Aug. 27, starting at 11 a.m. each day. The festival will feature a variety of Greek specialty foods as well as music and other activities. Visit assumptionnh.org.

Tours, Tastings & Brew Events

Out of the Box Tours of Manchester will host a Sip of Southern NH Brew Tour on Saturday, July 8, from 2 to 5 p.m. The tour will make stops at three local breweries or distilleries and feature samples of up to 12 different beverages. It departs from and concludes at the Park and Ride bus terminal parking lot at 4 Symmes Drive in Londonderry. The cost is $55, and registration is required by Monday, July 5. Call 660-8427 or visit traveladventureswithtammy.com.

The NH Brewers Festival will be held on Saturday, July 22, from noon to 4 p.m., at the Kiwanis Riverfront Park (15 Loudon Road, Concord). Nearly 40 breweries will showcase their craft brews in what is the largest single collection of New Hampshire breweries at an event in the state. Tickets cost $50 for VIP, $40 for general admission and $15 for designated driver. Visit granitestatebrewersassociation.org/events/nhbrewfest.

The fourth annual Manchester Brewfest takes place on Saturday, July 29, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Arms Park in Manchester. There will be more than 100 unique local and regional craft beers as well as local food and non-alcoholic beverages. General admission costs $40. Visit manchesterbrewfest.com.

The American Independence Museum will hold a Beer for History tasting on Thursday, Aug. 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Folsom Tavern (164 Water St., Exeter), featuring brews from the Neighborhood Beer Co. in Exeter. Tickets are $15 for members and $20 for non-members. Visit independencemuseum.org.

Fulchino Vineyard (187 Pine Hill Road, Hollis) will host its fourth annual Sinatra Wine Pairing Dinner on Sunday, Aug. 13, starting at 3:30 p.m. The cost is $149. Call 438-5984 or visit fulchinovineyard.com.

Nature & Outdoor Adventures

The New Hampshire Astronomical Society will host an eclipse workshop on Tuesday, Aug. 8, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Merrimack Public Library (470 Daniel Webster Highway), ahead of an expected partial solar eclipse on Aug. 18. The workshop will include a presentation on how to safely observe an eclipse, plus a craft session for kids. Admission is free. Visit nhastro.com.

Join The Little Nature Museum (18 Highlawn Road, Warner) for Becoming a Woods Ninja on Saturday, Aug. 12, from 10 a.m. to noon., a workshop featuring instructor and survival expert Rudy Bourget on how to properly get close to and observe wildlife. Visit littlenaturemuseum.org.

Learn all about turtles at the Massabesic Audubon Center’s (26 Audubon Way, Auburn) next Nature Cafe series event on Friday, Aug. 18, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Turtle expert Chris Bogard will share her knowledge of threatened and endangered turtle species in New Hampshire. Tickets are $5 general admission. Visit nhaudubon.org.

Join The Nature Conservancy for What Scat is That? Tracks, Scat and Finding Signs of Mammals When You Can’t See Them. Dr. Dave Patrick will introduce participants to some of the approaches used by wildlife ecologists to detect mammals based on the signs and traces they leave behind. The workshop will be held on Saturday, Aug. 19, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Manchester Cedar Swamp Preserve (Countryside Boulevard, Manchester). Visit nature.org.

Sports & Running Events

During the Color Vibe Run on Sunday, Aug. 27, you will be blasted at every color station. The race is held at Pheasant Lane Mall, 310 Daniel Webster Highway, Nashua. The race starts at 8 a.m. Registration is $65 for adults and up to two kids age 1 through 12 run free with a registered adult if they register online. Day-of price for kids is $10. For more information visit thecolorvibe.com/nashua.php.

Join the 40th annual Atkinson 5K Road Race on Thursday, Aug. 31, at Woodlock Park Lane, Atkinson. The race starts at 6 p.m. and registration is $12 to $15. The first 180 to register get a free T-shirt. Visit running4free.com or contact Sandy Cannon at 362-8329 or sandy-cannon@comcast.net for more info.

Fight back against Lyme disease by running in Lois’ Race Against Lyme 5K on Saturday, Sept. 2, at Mine Falls Park, Nashua. The race starts at 10 a.m. and registration is $25 for ages 11 and up, $15 for children age 10 and under. Visit lightboxreg.com for more info.

The New Hampshire Open hosted by the New Hampshire Golf Association is scheduled for Wednesday, July 26, through Friday, July 28, at the Manchester Country Club (180 S. River Road, Bedford). The tournament is 54 holes stroke play and the field is limited to 144 players.

The New Hampshire Golf Association is hosting its 56th Parent-Child Championship on Tuesday, Aug. 1, at Candia Woods Golf Links (313 South Road, Candia) with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. Lunch and cart are included in the entry fee of $130 per team. Parents and children on each two-person team take turns making alternate shots. Visit nhgolfassociation.org for more info.

The 18th Stroke Play Championship, a 72-hole stroke play tournament hosted by the New Hampshire Golf Association, will happen from Tuesday, Aug. 8, through Thursday, Aug. 10, at the Rochester Country Club (94 Church St., Rochester). It’s open to male members of a New Hampshire golf club, and the entry cost is $125 per player. Visit nhgolfassociation.org for more info.

Another event organized by CHaD is the Battle of the Badges Baseball Classic on Friday, Aug. 11, at the Northeast Delta Dental Stadium (1 Line Drive, Manchester). Police officers and firefighters from across the state have volunteered to play in the game. Last year, it raised $70,000 for the children’s hospital. Visit chadbaseball.org for more info.

Art Exhibits & Galleries

Twiggs presents “Eternal Summer,” a summer photography exhibition inspired by Celia Thaxter’s quote, “There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart,” July 8 through Aug. 27, with an artist’s reception Thursday, July 13, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the gallery, 254 King St., Boscawen, 975-0015, twiggsgallery.wordpress.com.

Studio 550 hosts “UNITED: States of America” at the gallery, 550 Elm St., Manchester, July 20 through Aug. 15, with an opening reception Thursday, July 20, from 5 to 8 p.m. The exhibit will contain art following themes of diversity, unity and commentary about the current political climate, that are meaningful and thought-provoking; artists are welcome to submit until June 29. Visit 550arts.com or call 232-5597.

Studio 550 hosts “Ch-ch-ch-Changes: Bowie Tribute” at the gallery, 550 Elm St., Manchester, featuring work about climate change Aug. 17 through Sept. 12, with an opening reception Thursday, Aug. 17, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the gallery. Artists are welcome to submit by July 27. Visit 550arts.com or call 232-5597.

Studio 550 releases its now-annual “Monsters on the Loose” Saturday, Aug. 5; to participate, scour downtown Manchester for tiny hidden clay monsters between the hours of 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. that day. Stop at Studio 550 and Dancing Lion Chocolates to claim prizes. Visit 550arts.com or call 232-5597.

The Greeley Park Art Show is Saturday, Aug. 19, and Sunday, Aug. 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Greeley Park, 100 Concord St., Nashua. Artists from the New England area come to this landmark downtown Nashua park and set up their artist stand or booth to display work to thousands of visitors. Visit nashuaareaartistsassoc.org.

Theatre & Musicals

The Windham Actors’ Guild’s youth summer production of The Emperor’s New Clothes is at the Windham High School theater, 64 London Bridge Road, Windham, on Friday, July 28, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, July 29, at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, July 30, at 7 p.m. Visit windhamactorsguild.com for ticket information.

The Palace’s Children’s Summer Series presents The Little Mermaid Tuesday, Aug. 1; Wednesday, Aug. 2, and Thursday, Aug. 3, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester. Visit palacetheatre.org or call 668-5588. Tickets are $9.

Impact Children’s Theatre presents Momotaro on Tuesday, Aug. 1, at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord. Tickets are $7.50. Visit ccanh.com or call 225-1111.

The Palace’s Children’s Summer Series presents Aladdin Tuesday, Aug. 8; Wednesday, Aug. 9, and Thursday, Aug. 10, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., at the Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester. Visit palacetheatre.org or call 668-5588. Tickets are $9.

Impact Children’s Theatre presents How the Rainbow Was Made Tuesday, Aug. 8, at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord. Tickets are $7.50. Visit ccanh.com or call 225-1111.

Andy’s Summer Playhouse produces Musical: Posted! Thursday, Aug. 10, through Saturday, Aug. 19, at the theater, 582 Isaac Frye Highway, Wilton. Visit andyssummerplayhouse.org or call 654-2613. Tickets are $16.

Impact Children’s Theatre presents Humpty Dumpty Tuesday, Aug. 15, at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord. Tickets are $7.50. Visit ccanh.com or call 225-1111.

The Palace’s Children’s Summer Series presents Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs Tuesday, Aug. 15; Wednesday, Aug. 16, and Thursday, Aug. 17, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester. Visit palacetheatre.org or call 668-5588. Tickets are $9.

The Riverbend Youth Company presents High School Musical Friday, Aug. 18, through Sunday, Aug. 20, at the Amato Center for the Performing Arts, 56 Mont Vernon St., Milford. Tickets are $12. Visit amatocenter.org.

The Palace’s Children’s Summer Series presents Pinocchio Tuesday, Aug. 22; Wednesday, Aug. 23, and Thursday, Aug. 24, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester. Visit palacetheatre.org or call 668-5588. Tickets are $9.

The Palace’s Children’s Summer Series presents Alice in Wonderland Tuesday, Aug. 29; Wednesday, Aug. 30, and Thursday, Aug. 31, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester. Visit palacetheatre.org or call 668-5588. Tickets are $9.

The Riverbend Youth Company Alumni present The Wedding Singer at the Amato Center for the Performing Arts, 56 Mont Vernon St., Milford, Friday, Aug. 4, through Sunday, Aug. 6. Tickets are $12. Visit amatocenter.org.

The Peacock Players presents Heathers Friday, Aug. 11 through Sunday, Aug. 20 at the Janice B. Streeter Theater, 14 Court St., Nashua. Visit peacockplayers.org or call 889-2330 for tickets.

The Nashua Actorsingers presents Wild Party Friday, Aug. 25, through Sunday, Aug. 27, at the Janice B. Streeter Theatre, 14 Court St., Nashua. Tickets and times will be available as the event draws near; visit actorsingers.org.

The Palace Silver Stars presents Silver Stars: The Senior Prom Friday, Sept. 1, at 7 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 2, at 2 p.m. at the Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester. Visit palacetheatre.org or call 668-5588. Tickets are $10.

Music & Comedy

The Nashua library also hosts a Summer Concerts on the Plaza series, at which attendees are invited to bring a blanket, pack a picnic and chill out to free music on the library lawn (or inside if it rains) at 7 p.m. The Marc Berger Band performs Thursday, July 13; the Branches Steel Orchestra (a steel drum band) performs Thursday, July 20; the Veronica Robles Mariachi Band performs Thursday, July 27; the Heather Pierson Acoustic Trio performs Thursday, Aug. 3; the Jason Anick Gypsy Trio performs Thursday, Aug. 10, and Low Lily performs Thursday, Aug. 17. Call 589-4600 or visit nashualibrary.org.

The annual Lowell Folk Festival returns to the city for a 31st year from Friday, July 28, through Sunday, July 30. The festival features live music in downtown Lowell, Mass., plus food, crafts, children’s activities and more. Admission is free. Visit lowellfolkfestival.org.

Christian rock festival SoulFest returns to Gunstock Mouncochetain Resort (719 Cherry Valley Road, Gilford) from Thursday, Aug. 3, through Saturday, Aug. 5. Headlining acts include Jars of Clay, Ryan Stevenson, Aaron Cole and several others. Ticket prices vary. Visit thesoulfest.com.

Join the Granite State Blues Society for the 15th annual Barnful of Blues Festival on Saturday, Aug. 5, from noon to 7:30 p.m. at at the Hillsborough County Youth Center (15 Hilldale Lane, New Boston). Performers include The Michael Vincent Band, Veronica Lewis, The Chris Fitz Band, Skip Philbrick and several others. Tickets are $20 before June 15 and $25 after June 15. Visit granitestateblues.org.

Don’t miss the 3rd annual New England Country Music Festival at the Redhook Brewery (1 Redhook Way, Portsmouth) on Sunday, Aug. 6, from 1 to 9:30 p.m., featuring performers like Frankie Ballard, Michael Ray, William Michael Morgan and others. Tickets range from $15 to $85. Visit ne-countrymusic.com.

Mark Scalia takes the stage again at Headliners Comedy Club on Saturday, July 22, at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.

The Greg and the Morning Buzz Comedy Series presents Tom Segura at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on Thursday, July 27, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $26 to $50.

Improv comic stars Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, co-stars of the Emmy-nominated Whose Line Is It Anyway?, appear at the Historic Music Hall on Thursday, July 27, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $28 to $52.

See Jackie Flynn at Headliners Comedy Club on Saturday, July 29, at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.

Comedian Stephanie Peters takes the stage at Headliners Comedy Club on Saturday, Aug. 5, at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.

See Comedy Central comedian Tim Krompier at Headliners Comedy Club on Saturday, Aug. 12, at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.

The Greg and the Morning Buzz Comedy Series presents comedian Ron White at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on Saturday, Aug. 12, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $32 to $79.

The Greg and the Morning Buzz Comedy Series presents Brian Regan at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on Friday, Aug. 18, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $33 to $65.

See Johnny Joyce at Headliners Comedy Club on Saturday, Aug. 19, at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.

Comedian Jody Sloane takes the stage at Headliners Comedy Club on Saturday, Aug. 26, at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.

Movie & Film Events

Red River Theatres, 11 S. Main St., Concord, continues its “Bring Your Own Baby” series throughout the summer, in which new parents can enjoy a movie in a baby-friendly theater, complete with brighter lights and lower volume. Upcoming screenings are Saturday, June 10, at 10 a.m.; Saturday, July 8, at 10 a.m.; and Saturday, Aug. 12, at 10 a.m. Tickets are $8. Visit redrivertheatres.org.

Prescott Park hosts its movie screening series presented by the Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, including Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Monday, July 10; The LEGO Batman Monday, July 17; Ghostbusters Monday, July 24; Finding Dory Monday, July 31; Monty Python and the Holy Grail Monday, Aug. 7; Moana Monday, Aug. 14; Willow Monday, Aug. 21; Dirty Dancing Thursday, Aug. 24; La La Land Friday, Aug. 25; and Spaceballs Thursday, Aug. 31. Visit prescottpark.org.

Nashua Summer Fun, presented by Parks and Recreation, hosts a Pics in the Park series, with films starting at dusk. Flicks include The LEGO Batman Friday, July 14, at Greeley Park, 100 Concord St., Nashua, and Rogue One Friday, Aug. 4, at the Nashua Airport, 93 Perimeter Road, Nashua. Visit nashuanh.gov.

The TD Bank and Intown Manchester Summer Fest hosts Free Movies in the Park, with Trolls on Thursday, Aug. 17, from 7 to 9 p.m., and The Goonies Thursday, Aug. 24, from 7 to 9 p.m., both in Veterans Park. Visit intownmanchester.com

Summer Family Fun

Clark's Trading Post
Nestled in the White Mountains in Lincoln is a family-friendly amusement park whose rustic charm is matched by its unique eccentricities. Clark’s Trading Post is famous for its trained black bear show, a steam train ride and a character known as the infamous Wolfman, who hurls silly, nonsensical insults at visitors as though the ornery hermit’s turf had been encroached upon. Other attractions include a Chinese acrobat show, blaster boats (imagine bumper cars in the water with built-in super soakers), a rock climbing tower and a funhouse called Merlin’s Mystical Mansion. The water slide, called Anaconda Escape, shoots you through 300 feet of twists and turns in a rubber raft, and a Segway safari through the woods is available for an extra $25. The park was founded in 1928 by Florence and Ed Clark as “Ed Clark’s Eskimo Sled Dog Ranch,” which featured pure-bred sled dogs, artifacts from the far north, and souvenirs and maple candy for sale to visitors. In 1931 they bought their first black bear, which passersby would stop to see. By 1949, their two sons started training the bears to perform in a show. The park is still in the family, with fifth-generation owners and up to 20 family members working at the park. The park opens for the season on May 27 for weekends only until June 16, when it is open during weekdays as well. It is located at 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Lincoln. Call 745-8913 or visit clarkstradingpost.com.

Mel's Funway Park
If your family enjoys go-karts and mini-golf, look no further than Mel’s Funway Park. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Besides go-kart races on a paved race track ($8.50 for a single ride, $37.50 for five rides) and minigolf ($6.50 for kids, $8 for ages 13 and up), Mel’s also offers batting cages (prices range from $1.50 for one token to $20 for 20 tokens; one token gets you 12 pitches), a driving range ($6, $8 and $10 for 60, 85 and 120 balls, respectively) and a laser tag arena ($7 per game or $15 for for three). The laser tag arena is a room with obstacles and hiding places with black lighting, fog machines and special effects. There’s also a game called the Laser Maze ($2 per game or $5 for three), where visitors can try to navigate through 36 green laser beams without touching the beams by contorting their bodies while their friends and family watch through a TV monitor in the next room. Food and refreshments are also sold at Mel’s, including Gifford’s ice cream. New this year is Gale’s Motor Co. Pit Stop, which serves food and drinks. It’s a spinoff of Gale Motor Co. Eatery at 36 Lowell St., Manchester. It is open Wednesday through Friday, 4 to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Park hours vary by season and weather. Mel’s is located at 454 Charles Bancroft Highway, Litchfield. Call 424-2292 or visit melsfunwaypark.com.

Storyland
Story Land turns 63 in 2017 and offers a variety of rides — everything from tea cups and flying Dutch shoes to antique cars and an authentic German carousel. The newest is the Roar-o-Saurus, a coaster designed and built for Story Land’s unique natural setting, and the only one of its kind in northern New England, as described on the website. Throughout the day, visitors can meet storybook characters like Cinderella and Humpty Dumpty, and check out shows involving magic or dance. The park opens for the season Memorial Day weekend, only on weekends, and then opens weekdays starting Monday, June 19. Check out the website for special events before planning your trip; if you visit between July 10 through July 21, for example, you’ll see artist Justin Gordon carving Duke the Dragon and Rory the Dinosaur. A day ticket is $33.99. Storyland is located at 850 Route 16 in Glen. Visit storylandnh.com or call 383-4186 for more information.

Chuckster's Family Fun Park
With miniature golf, baseball and softball batting cages, an electric go-kart track and more, Chuckster’s Family Fun Park (9 Bailey Road, Chichester) has something unique and fun to offer for everyone. The park is home to the longest miniature golf hole in the world, which stretches more than 200 feet, according to owner Mark Blasko. Other attractions include the Aerial Adventure, a high ropes course up in the trees, and the TimberClimb, which offers rock wall and tree climbing up to 50 feet high. You can also try Aeroball, a trampoline game Blasko described as a cross between volleyball and basketball, and Shoot-N-Shower, a foul-shooting basketball contest played one-on-one in which the loser gets sprayed with water. Thirty-six flavors of Blake’s ice cream are offered. New to the park for this season are bumper boats for kids ages 2 to 8 and “chuckcycles,” three-wheel pedal carts with no handlebars that you steer with your body. Various admission packages are available. Each of the 13 attractions can be purchased individually at varying costs, and combo passes can also be bought for any two, four or six attractions. Day passes are also available for $59 per person to access everything, or for $32 per person for everything but the go-karts and Aerial Adventure. Not all attractions are open at the same times. Visit chucksters.com or call 798-3555 for details on a full schedule. Blasko said a second Chuckster’s location featuring just miniature golf and ice cream is expected to open in Hooksett in late July.

Fort Jefferson Fun Park
Formerly known as Six Gun City, the family-owned Fort Jefferson Fun Park (1492 Presidential Highway, Jefferson) is a Western-themed park adjacent to the Fort Jefferson Campground. More than 40 old buildings are on its property, some of which are no longer in use and have been converted into log cabin replicas. Attractions include the Tumbleweed Speedway go-karts, the Tomahawk Run water slide, the Cheyenne Falls water slide, large and small bumper boats, laser tag and more. All-day riding passes are $17.95 per person for unlimited usage of all the attractions. New this season is a “Stay Where You Play” payment option, in which park visitors pay $12.95 when they stay at Fort Jefferson Campground. The park will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from June 28 through Aug. 27, and Sept. 2 and Sept. 3. The campground is open now through Oct. 15. Visit fortjeffersonfunpark.com or call 586-4592.

Canobie Lake
One of the biggest summer attractions for southern New Hampshire is Canobie Lake Park, 85 N. Policy St., Salem, which has more than 85 rides, games, live shows and attractions, from roller coasters to merry-go-rounds. The park opened for the season (weekends only) on Saturday, April 30, and opens weekdays starting Memorial Day weekend (which is also when the park’s water play area, Castaway Island, opens). Throughout the summer, there’s an entertainment series with acts throughout the day, ranging from Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars tribute artist concerts to circus performances, magic shows and extreme sports demonstrations. There are fireworks displays from Saturday, July 1, through Tuesday, July 4, at 9:15 p.m. each night, plus every Saturday night at 9:15 p.m., weather permitting, starting in July. Plan your trip now, and you may be able to score a deal; on Memorial Day weekend, active U.S. military, veterans and dependents (with ID) get into the park for $10, and on Father’s Day — Sunday, June 18 — dads get in free and receive a free lunch when accompanied by a paying child. General admission is $38 for adults, $29 for kids shorter than 48 inches and seniors 60 and older, free for children 3 and younger. Visit canobie.com or call 893-3506.

Whale's Tale Water Park
More than a dozen water slides, a wave pool, live entertainment and other themed attractions are offered at Whale’s Tale Water Park (481 Daniel Webster Highway, Lincoln). Check out the Shipwreck Island, a water playground for kids complete with houses and slides, and other larger attractions for teens and adults, like the Eye of the Storm, a funnel-shaped water slide that takes you to speeds up to 35 miles per hour and drops you into a pool at the bottom, and Poseidon’s Voyage, in which sliders are dropped through a trap door down a nearly vertical slide and taken to speeds of up to 38 feet per second. A new attraction expecting to be open for the 2017 season is Akua Beach, a surfing simulator ride. The park will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 10 through June 30, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 1 through Aug. 28 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 29 to Sept. 4. Daily tickets are $29 general admission, $23 after 3 p.m., $9 for seniors and toddlers and free for infants. Visit whalestalewaterpark.net or call 745-8810.

Water Country
From rides and slides to river rafts and wave pools, Water Country in Portsmouth has all kinds of water-based attractions for kids and grownups.
Journey through mild tube slides like the dark and misty Dragon’s Den, designed for double riders, or the Thunder Falls & Wild Canyon, designed for families and groups of two to four, which simulates whitewater rafting through a series of twists and turns. Or, if you’re looking for something more intense, there’s the 422-foot-long Racing Rapids, the 396-foot-long Plunge tube slide, the Double Geronimo extreme body slide, which sends sliders speeding down a 58-foot-high drop, and other body slides. You can always chill out in the regular Activity Pool, Whirl Pool, Giant Wave Pool or the Adventure River, a leisurely quarter-mile river raft ride with scenery like waterfalls, mountains and caves.
Children can play freely in the kiddie area, which includes a 40-foot-long pirate ship, an octopus slide, a Tahiti Tree House with slides and a giant tipping water bucket, and Bubble Bay, a pool with bubbling water and spraying geysers. Water Country is at 2300 Lafayette Road in Portsmouth. Opening day is Saturday, June 10. From June 15 through Aug. 28, the park is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 5, 6 or 6:30 p.m., depending on the day. Single-day admission costs $44.99 per person; season pass packages are also available, ranging from $53.99 to $89.99. For more information, call 427-1111 or visit watercountry.com.

Santa's Village
You can celebrate Christmas all year long at the holiday-themed amusement park Santa’s Village in Jefferson. There are all kinds of kid-friendly rides and attractions, such as the Reindeer Carousel, the Yule Log Flume and The Skyway Sleigh. You can tour the village via Santa’s Express Train, catch overhead views of the park and of Mount Washington aboard the Christmas Ferris Wheel and even travel through Scrooge’s house during The Great Humbug Adventure ride. Cool off in the summertime at the Ho Ho H20 Water Park or zip down the Joy Ride Slides, a trio of water slides standing three stories high. Of course, it wouldn’t be Santa’s Village without Santa, who is always available to take pictures with guests at his home. You can also stop by the reindeer barn to pet and feed real reindeer and play reindeer games. Finally, be sure to catch a show at one of the village’s entertainment venues like the Jingle Bell Theater or the Polar Theater, or become the star of the show yourself during Christmas Carol-o-key, a guest-led singalong of holiday songs. Santa’s Village is at 528 Presidential Highway in Jefferson. It’s open daily June 17 through Sept. 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m., depending on the day, and on various weekends throughout the year. Single-day rates are $32 per person, $29 for seniors 62+ and free for children under age 4. For more information, call 586-4445 or visit santasvillage.com.

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