White Mountains, New Hampshire (Bartlett/Glen Area)
When our son was a toddler and pre-school age, we made three trips to the Bartlett/Glen/White Mountains area of New Hampshire? so you can tell we really loved it!
The first year, we visited Story Land (www.storylandnh.com) , which, at the age of 2, our son loved so much that, when it was time to leave he cried, 'Have fun again! Have fun again!' in protest!
The second year, we drove further North, and visited Santa's Village (www.santasvillage.com) , where we went on some great rides, decorated ginger bread cookies, collected elf stamps, and saw the 'big guy' himself ? Santa! (Yes, Santa, in August! That was fun!)
The third year, we returned to Story Land, went on the rides that our son was too little for two years earlier, and also visited the Heritage New Hampshire Museum (part of the Story Land complex), which we all enjoyed (www.heritagenh.com ).
We stayed at several different motels on these three trips. I believe our favorite was The Villager Motel in Bartlett. (Visit them at www.villagermotel.com) It is a 'motel' NOT a 'hotel', but the room was a bit more 'upscale' than the lower-end motels we had stayed at during other visits. They have an outdoor pool, and 'theme' playground.
While in this area, do not miss breakfast at the train-themed restaurant! I cannot remember the name, but it is located near the turn-off for Story Land in Glen. A model train runs around the ceiling, and there is a toy-room waiting area upstairs. The food is good and kids love the train!
There is also a great ice cream parlor on Route 302 in Bartlett, which has a great playground for the kids and delicious ice cream.
One fun aspect of this area, is that you keep running into the same families at the attractions, restaurants, ice cream shops, and your motel! Everyone seems to be traveling with young kids, so it is a friendly atmosphere!
As this area is just North of North Conway, we also rode on the Conway Scenic Railroad, and visited the small model train museum as well. Our son loved both of these attractions. Another train-ride is the Hobo Railroad in Lincoln. A bit further away, but worth the trip for any train-lover!
There are also many shops and outlet malls in the North Conway area, which I personally enjoy visiting!