Wakefield ( 5  minutes )
Wakefield is comprised of four villages, Brookfield, Wakefield Corners, Sanbornville and Union. There are seven lakes in Wakefield.  The Wakefield Historic District’s nationally registered 26 Federal period buildings which are unique in the New England area. Wakefield offers the rural flavor and friendliness of a small town, yet it is less than 45 minutes from deep sea fishing and lobster on the Maine and NH seacoasts, shopping at N. Conway, or diving and rides on the scenic Mt. Washington on Lake Winnepasaukee in Wolfeboro.

Museum of Childhood, off Route 16, Wakefield Corner Historic District, 522-8073. See a collection of more than 3,000 dolls, music boxes and toys.  Dolls, toys and music boxes from all parts of the world are exhibited at the Museum of Childhood, collected by sisters, Elizabeth Banks MacRury and Marjorie Banks. A circa-1880s school room with century-old artifacts is also on display along with the school mom herself, Miss Mariah Plum. Located on Mount Laurel Road off Route 16, the museum is open daily except Tuesdays through mid-October.

Wolfeboro ( 20 minutes )
Natives refer to Wolfeboro as the "Oldest Summer Resort in America" and it was once the summer retreat of Governor John Wentworth. To many who return year after year, generation after generation, it is the "Number One Resort in America.   "While Wolfeboro underwent some changes during the real estate boom of the late '70s and early '80s, town fathers were careful to ensure that development did not impact on the unique characteristics of this beautiful historic town on Lake Winnipesaukee.  A blast from the horn of the M.S. Mount Washington as it enters the bay followed by a flock of sail and motor boats, beckons locals and visitors alike to the Wolfeboro dock to see the big vessel pull into port. A favorite pastime for many is to sit on the dock licking an ice cream cone and waiting in anticipation of the cruise ship's arrival. But don't feed the ducks which are hoping for a bite of your cone. It's against the law here.  Historic inns, motels, and summer cottages offer country hospitality. There's plenty to do in Wolfeboro, including water-skiing, fishing, swimming, windsurfing, shopping, hiking, or enjoying outdoor concerts, live theater, and art exhibits.  Approaching the center of Wolfeboro on Route 109 from either direction you will see the quaint New England village laid out before you like a picture postcard. Unusual country boutiques, sporting goods stores, Christmas shops, book cellars, charming restaurants, taverns and ethnic eateries are characteristic of what you will find in Wolfeboro.

The Libby Museum on Route 109 displays Abenaki Indian artifacts and century-old farm tools and antiques from the region. History buffs can tour a replica of a 19th century house at the Clark House Museum on South Main Street, or journey back in time to the World War II era at the Wright Museum on Center Street.

Dive Winnipesaukee, Wolfeboro, 569-8080. Scuba lessons, canoe rentals are offered at the sporting goods sales, service and repairs company, specializing in all water sports.

Wolfeboro Airport, Forrest Road, Wolfeboro, 569-1310. Scenic flights and seaplane rides, bring your camera for spectacular views! See the lakes and mountains from the air.

Conway ( 40 minutes )
Conway Scenic Railroad, North Conway Village, 356-5251. Two great trains with three unique train rides through the Mt. Washington Valley countryside and surrounding White Mountains. All train rides depart the historic North Conway Station (circa 1874) and are roundtrip. Choose the "Valley Train" with departures to Conway (55 min.) or Bartlett (13/4 hr.), or the "Notch Train" which travels through spectacular Crawford Notch (5-51/2 hr.). The elegant Dining Car "Chocorua" offers lunch and dinner on selected "Valley Train" departures. Several unique and exciting special events are planned for 1998.

Banana Village, Rt. 16, North Conway, 356-2899: Go bananas all day with Flume Waterslides and mini-golf located in the middle of the best shopping around.

North Country Center for the Arts, Millfront Marketplace, Lincoln, 745-6032: In the straw hat theater tradition, musicals come to Lincoln with three family musicals including "Grease," "Big River," "Carousel," and the children's theater series

Nestlenook Farm, Dinsmore Rd., Jackson, 383-0845. This enchanting 65-acre Victorian estate offers horse drawn carriage rides highlighted by feeding the deer in the Emerald Forest and crossing Nestlenook's trademark 70 ft. arched bridge. Reservations are recommended for carriage rides, and call about Fall Haunted Adventure rides and Winter Wonderland packages.

Six Gun City, Rt. 2, Jefferson, 586-4592: Travel to the Wild West in the mountains of New Hampshire and shoot it out with cowboys and bank robbers along with the town sheriff. There are waterslides, pedal boats, and other fun-filled rides at this family theme park.

Castle Springs/Castle in the Clouds, Rt. 171, Moultonboro, 476-2352. Tour the mansion of a millionaire. Horseback riding and hiking trails. Open daily. See the spot where Castle Springs Water is bottled as well as Luck Now Beer., Rt. 171, Moultonboro, 476-2352. Tour the mansion of a millionaire. Horseback riding and hiking trails. Open daily. See the spot where Castle Springs Water is bottled as well as Luck Now Beer.

Heritage - New Hampshire, Rt. 16, Glen, 383-9776. The whole family will enjoy this time travel through 350 years. Experience the high sea voyage from 1634 England to "The New World"! From there, travel at your own climate controlled pace right into the 20th century. Open daily

Portsmouth ( 45 minutes )
Port of Portsmouth Maritime Museum & Albacore Park, 600 Market St., Portsmouth, 436-3680. Enjoy a self guided tour aboard the USS Albacore experimental submarine and learn the history of this submarine. Visitors center.

Portsmouth Harbor Cruises, Ceres Street Dock, Portsmouth, 436-8084. See Portsmouth from its best vantage point, day trips, sunset cruises, or unwind with evening cocktails. Visit the historic Isles of Shoals., Ceres Street Dock, Portsmouth, 436-8084. See Portsmouth from its best vantage point, day trips, sunset cruises, or unwind with evening cocktails. Visit the historic Isles of Shoals., Ceres Street Dock, Portsmouth, 436-8084. See Portsmouth from its best vantage point, day trips, sunset cruises, or unwind with evening cocktails. Visit the historic Isles of Shoals.

Isles of Shoals Steamship Company, 315 Market St., Portsmouth, 431-5500 or 1-800-441-4620. Embark on one of many scenic cruises aboard northern New England's oldest whale watch company.

Joker's Family Fun & Games, 2460 Lafayette Rd., Rte. 1, Portsmouth, (603) 431-7770 & 510 Warren Ave., Portland, ME, (207) 878-5800. Largest indoor family entertainment centers on the seacoast with over 150 games, rides & attractions! Offering great food from a 52 item menu.

Water Country, Rt. 1, Portsmouth, 427-1111. One of New England's largest water parks, it includes rides and waterfalls plus a special area for young children. Admission charged. New this year...5 person family tube ride, Thunder Fall and Wild Canyon. Embark on one of many scenic cruises aboard northern New England's oldest whale watch company.

Joker's Family Fun & Games, 2460 Lafayette Rd., Rte. 1, Portsmouth, (603) 431-7770 & 510 Warren Ave., Portland, ME, (207) 878-5800. Largest indoor family entertainment centers on the seacoast with over 150 games, rides & attractions! Offering great food from a 52 item menu.

Water Country, Rt. 1, Portsmouth, 427-1111. One of New England's largest water parks, it includes rides and waterfalls plus a special area for young children. Admission charged. New this year...5 person family tube ride, Thunder Fall and Wild Canyon. Embark on one of many scenic cruises aboard northern New England's oldest whale watch company.

Joker's Family Fun & Games, 2460 Lafayette Rd., Rte. 1, Portsmouth, (603) 431-7770 & 510 Warren Ave., Portland, ME, (207) 878-5800. Largest indoor family entertainment centers on the seacoast with over 150 games, rides & attractions! Offering great food from a 52 item menu.

Water Country, Rt. 1, Portsmouth, 427-1111. One of New England's largest water parks, it includes rides and waterfalls plus a special area for young children. Admission charged. New this year...5 person family tube ride, Thunder Fall and Wild Canyon.

Maine
Desert of Maine, Desert Rd., Free-port, (207) 865-6962. Enjoy hours of fun and entertainment at this natural phenomenon. There are marked nature trails, antique farm tools, sand designing, 1783 barn museum, & sand paintings.

Seafari Charters, Badger Island, Kittery, Maine, (207)439-5068. Fish for tuna, bluefish, and stripers, or go scuba diving in the Atlantic. Scenic tours of the coastline and whale watching adventures., Badger Island, Kittery, Maine, (207)439-5068. Fish for tuna, bluefish, and stripers, or go scuba diving in the Atlantic. Scenic tours of the coastline and whale watching adventures.