New Hampshire

The Nature of New Hampshire: Trains & Boats With Your Grandchild

Program No. 23845RJ
On a true sea-to-sky adventure, search for local wildlife on boat excursions, embark on train treks up the mountains and learn how to tell the weather all alongside your grandchild.

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We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more

Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

At a Glance

All aboard the Road Scholar Express! Join your grandchild as you “train” your brain together while winding through the Granite State. Enjoy mountains of fun along the Cog Railroad, riding thousands of feet to Mount Washington summit, and learning about how these massive locomotives work on your journey. Then take your adventure back to sea level as you sail local lakes and discover the many animals that call New Hampshire home – and even meet some up close! Finally, think up a storm while learning how to tell the weather, all on an adventure that’ll surely start your summer on the right track.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Getting on/off motorcoach. Walking up to two miles. Some stairs, walking on dirt, hills, uneven ground and standing.

What You'll Learn

  • Ride the awesome Cog, Conway Scenic and Lake Winnipesauke Railroads for exclusive insight into New Hampshire history and the important jobs aboard the train.
  • Sail on Squam Lake and Lake Winnipesauke, and explore their local discovery centers to search for regional wildlife and discover the country’s oldest floating post office!
  • Get your taste buds ready after learning how maple sugar is made and – you guessed it – try some of the freshly made maple syrup and candy.

General Notes

Please be advised that due to the natural instincts and habits of moose, they are more active in the evenings. The moose tour does take place beginning at 8:30 PM and will last approximately 3 hours. The bus will not be able to return to the hotel during the excursion.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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6 days
5 nights
12 meals
5 B 3 L 4 D
DAY
1
Check-in, Program Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Lincoln, NH
D
Mountain Club on Loon

Activity note: Resort check-in from 3:30 p.m.

Afternoon: Program Registration 3:30 p.m. After you have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in.

Dinner: At the resort, we will order plated 3-course meals from a select menu with beverage choices of coffee, tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar Grandparent program. Grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren. If/when separate age group activities are conducted concurrently, program staff will supervise. Minors are never to be left unsupervised. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

DAY
2
Mount Washington Cog Railroad, Fadden's Sugarhouse
Lincoln, NH
B,L
Mountain Club on Loon

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; driving 85 miles roundtrip. Walking under 1 mile. Some stairs, walking on dirt and uneven ground, some standing during presentations.

Breakfast: At the resort, have what you like from the breakfast buffet with a rotating variety of choices such as eggs, bacon or sausage, potatoes, pancakes or French toast, fresh fruit, breads, juice, coffee, water.

Morning: We will board our motorcoach with our Group Leader and local historian to head for Mount Washington and the cog railroad. Here we will meet with employees of the Mount Washington Cog Railroad and learn about its history and operations on our journey to the 6,200' summit. We’ll learn about the diesel and steam engines that run the railroad, and what the breakman's job is. At the summit, we’ll visit the Cog Museum for a self-directed exploration of exhibits that detail the history of the railway.

Lunch: At the Mount Washington Cog Cafeteria, we will have a choice of sandwich with chips, drink, cookie and fruit.

Afternoon: We will depart Mount Washington with our Group Leader and travel to Fadden's Sugarhouse, where we will meet with staff and learn about the art of maple sugaring. Following that, we will sample some of their delicious syrup and candy. Returning to the resort, the remainder of the afternoon is free. You might like to take a swim, take a gondola ride to the summit or enjoy other resort activities.

Dinner: Dinner is on your own this evening at the resort or a nearby restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
3
Squam Lake Science Center, Wildlife Study Cruise
Lincoln, NH
B,L,D
Mountain Club on Loon

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving less than 100 miles roundtrip. Walking up to 2 miles; hills, dirt paths, some standing during presentations.

Breakfast: Resort buffet.

Morning: We will board the motorcoach for a trip to Squam Lake and the Squam Lake Science Center, where we will learn about nocturnal animals from staff. We’ll have an opportunity to "meet" the creatures and learn about what makes them suited for the night and a huge part of their ecosystem. We will also see a live predator and observe up close.

Lunch: We will enjoy a picnic lunch served at the Science Center, with preselected choices of a sandwich with chips, fruit, cookie, bottled water.

Afternoon: We will board our boat for a wildlife study cruise on Squam Lake. We will have an opportunity to see bald eagles, loons, and much more as our driver discusses the wildlife and the lake. We will return to the resort by motorcoach.

Dinner: Aboard the Café Lafayette Dinner Train, we will order 4-course dinners from a select menu with beverage choices of coffee, iced tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: Aboard the Café Lafayette Dinner Train, we will enjoy a scenic ride through the White Mountains. After returning to the resort, the remainder of the evening is at leisure.

DAY
4
Conway Scenic Railroad, Mount Washington Weather Center
Lincoln, NH
B,L,D
Mountain Club on Loon

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 140 miles, approximately 2.5 hours roundtrip. Walking less than 1 mile and standing; some uneven ground.

Breakfast: Resort buffet.

Morning: We will travel by motorcoach to the Conway Scenic Railroad, where we will go on an exploration of the rolling stock and workshops with a rail employee. Next, we will board the Crawford Notch train along with our historian who will point interesting and historic points on our journey.

Lunch: During our ride to Crawford Notch, we will have packed lunches with pre-selected choices of sandwich, chips, fruit, cookie, bottled water.

Afternoon: After our train ride, we will hop on the motorcoach to visit the Mount Washington Observatory Weather Discovery Center, an interactive science museum that brings the atmosphere to our fingertips. An expert will lead our exploration of the many interactive exhibits including an air cannon, sailboat pond, and wind room. We’ll also see a film in the Snowcat Theater. We’ll then return to the resort by motorcoach.

Dinner: Plated dinner this evening at the resort.

Evening: This evening we will go on a Moose Tour following our dinner. This will be led by a local professional.

DAY
5
Lake Winnipesaukee Railroad, Lake Winnipesaukee Mailboat
Lincoln, NH
B,D
Mountain Club on Loon

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 130 miles total, approximately 2.5 hours round-trip. Walking up to 1 mile and standing; some stairs.

Breakfast: Resort buffet.

Morning: We will travel to Meredith, where we meet with a local railroad historian who will take us on an exploration of their rolling stock, including a few of their historic cars. We will then enjoy a scenic, narrated ride on one of the trains. We will disembark on our arrival at Weirs Beach.

Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Afternoon: We will meet on the dock of the of the Sophie C, the lake’s mail boat, known as the oldest floating post office in the United States. We will board the boat for the afternoon mail run while learning about the many islands and summer homes that dot the lake. We will then return to the resort by motorcoach.

Dinner: Resort plated meal. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: Evening program.

DAY
6
Program Concludes
Lincoln, NH
B

Activity note: Resort check-out 11:00 a.m.

Breakfast: Resort buffet. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!






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