Christmastime in North Conway

A few weekends ago, we met one of Santa’s elves. Her name was Kathy Lewis and she is the Innkeeper of the Eastern Inns in North Conway, NH. When we arrived at the Inn on Friday evening, she greeted us with a smile and was wearing a red and green striped elf hat. There was a fire burning and the front lobby smelled like popcorn.

Kathy Lewis, Innkeeper reads The Polar Express

Kathy was preparing for the evening’s family fun festivities, which included a reading of The Polar Express followed by popcorn and a movie with. In addition, she had gifts for all the children who attended story time.

Our family visits North Conway every December. It is part of our Christmas celebration. We love the decorated shops, sleigh rides, ice skating, train rides and many other activities that are held in the north country every year.

Two room efficiency suite great when staying with kids

Kathy at Eastern Inns invited us up for the weekend to participate in their family activities. I had not heard of this Inn before. We stayed in a two- room efficiency suite, which was perfect. We travel a lot with the kids and usually our accommodations consist of one room. The room at Eastern Inns had a separate bedroom area and a separate living room and kitchen area with microwave and refrigerator. At night we were able to put the kids to bed, close the door and watch TV.

A complimentary continental breakfast is offered at the Inn

The next morning, we enjoyed a complimentary, full continental breakfast, which is available to all guests of the Inn. There is ample seating as well so that you are not cramped with the kids in a corner trying to eat breakfast.

Indoor heated swimming pool

After breakfast, we took a swim in the large indoor, heated pool. The kids love to swim and this was great exercise for them since the day was very chilly and we did not play outside.

Later that day, we rode the Conway Scenic Railroad and visited with Santa. The trip took us from North Conway to Conway and back. About a one-hour ride.  We have taken this train ride many times and I was actually quite disappointed this time around. By the time Santa visited with our kids, he was out of “gifts” and ended up giving the kids a canvas bag. They would have preferred the activity book. The scenery was beautiful and I suggest sitting in first class if you take the ride. I accidentally bought the wrong tickets.

The kids decorate cookies for the Inn's Christmas tree

When we returned to the Inn, the kids got to decorate two sugar cookies with different colored icings and sugar candies. They loved being creative and messy with their designs. One cookie was hung on the Inn’s Christmas tree in the front lobby and the other the kids got to eat.

That evening, we had dinner at Tuckerman’s Restaurant and Tavern, which is located at the New England Inn in Intervale, just three miles outside of North Conway Village. Route 302 to Route 16A. Dinner was great and so was the atmosphere. It was a very good place to bring kids.

Before turning in for the evening, we watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Inn. The kids got their pajamas on and brought their stuffed buddies to the Inn’s upstairs rec room.

The Inn, built in 1979, is a budget-friendly place to take the kids. It offers 55 guest rooms and suites in a motel-style setting located on eight acres. Besides a rec room and indoor pool, the Inn has an outdoor playground and basketball hoop. Miles of trails connect to Whitaker Woods and begin right outside their door. The trails are perfect for mountain biking, cross country skiing or just walking in the woods.

For adults, the Inn has an exercise room, sauna, Jacuzzi and in-house massage therapy services.

The Inn is located minutes from StoryLand, Conway Scenic Railroad, Mt. Washington Auto Road, Settlers’ Green Outlet Village, Mt. Washington Valley Children’s Museum and five ski areas. Santa’s Village in Jefferson is about a one-hour drive, but well worth the trip. In addition, the Inn is near water slides, an alpine slide, chair lift rides, horseback riding, etc. Visit their Events Page to see what is happening in the area.

To get to the Inn, take route 16 and 302 north through North Conway Village. Their driveway is located on the right a 1/2 mile north of Schouler Park and the Conway Scenic Railroad.

To learn about the Inn’s latest package deals and incentives, click here…>

You can also visit EasternInns.com or call (800) 628-3750 to make a reservation.

2009 Fun Pass books are in

Get your 2009 Fun Pass!

In June, we told you about Breathe New Hampshire’s Fun Pass. Recently they announced the release of the 2009 Fun Pass just in time for skiing and for taking advantage of all of the year round attractions. 

For only $25 the Fun Pass offers savings of over $1,000 to over 100 attractions.  Attractions like Story Land, Canobie Lake Park and 13 ski locations, including Loon Mountain, Wildcat, Gunstock and Cranmore are in the Fun Pass. 

Some new attractions have been added this year, like Liquid Planet Water Park, Boston Duck Tours, and the Currier Museum of Art.  For a complete list of attractions you can visit their website at www.breathenh.org. 

Proceeds from your purchase help support school based tobacco prevention and asthma education programs offered by Breathe New Hampshire.

You can place an order in one of 3 ways:

                                    On-line:  www.breathenh.org or by clicking here

                                    By phone:  800-835-8647 or (603)669-2411

                                    By mail:  Breathe New Hampshire
                                                      9 Cedarwood Drive, Unit 12
                                                      Bedford, NH 03110

We saved lots of money with our 2008 pass. Enough money to pay for the cost of the books several times over. Remember to purchase one book per child since most discounts are “one child free with purchase of adult ticket”.

Kids can earn a patch by visiting fire lookout towers

Visit 5 NH fire lookout towers and earn this patch

I came across this activity on the NH Division of Forest and Lands (NHDFL)website. NHDFL offers a patch to kids and adults who visit five NH fire lookout towers through an initiative called the Fire Lookout Tower Quest program.

The mission of the program is to increase the public’s recognition of, and appreciation for, the critical roles that the state’s fire towers play in the protection, stewardship and sustainable use of New Hampshire’s forests.

Select five of the 15 fire tower locations found at this link and plan your hike.  Make sure that you are properly equipped and prepared physically before attempting your hike.

Document the date of your visit on the visitor register found at this link.  Once you have visited five different fire towers simply fill out the request form found at this link and mail it to “Tower Quest Program” at the address that is listed. 

In a few weeks you will receive your complimentary Tower Quest patch, certificate, and a letter in recognition of your accomplishment.