Summer in Waterville Valley
savor the summer
“We came for the winter and stayed for the summer” is something you’ll hear a lot around Waterville Valley. Tucked away deep in the White Mountains, Waterville Valley transforms into a paradise of endless outdoor adventures during the summer. Children splash in Corcoran Pond. Visitors meander through Town Square, exploring charming shops and cozy cafes. Families embark on countless adventures, followed by evenings spent soaking in live music while taking in stunning sunsets. New England’s long summer days are cherished - it’s the only way to fit everything in!
KIDS CAN BE KIDS
What really makes this alpine village an extraordinary place for kids is its abundance of screen-free adventures within a safe, secluded environment. There's only one major road in & out of Waterville Valley, so there's no passing-through. This has led to the development of a tight-knit community of visitors, second homeowners, and locals. Parents can let their kids be “free range” - kids in Waterville enjoy unstructured, unsupervised free play. They go off on biking adventures around town, they play together at Packard’s Field Playground and Gaga Pit, and so much more. Our community looks out for one another and we keep a watchful eye on younger kids. This level of seclusion offers families of all ages serenity, privacy, and safety.
water fun in waterville
They don’t call it “Waterville Valley” for nothing! The Valley and its surrounding area offer some of the most picturesque swim spots in New Hampshire. From cascading waterfalls to our town’s beloved mountain-stream-fed pond, crystal-clear rivers and swimming holes aplenty, there’s a place for everyone to enjoy a refreshing dip.
SIGNATURE SUMMER EVENTS
YOUTH FISHING DERBY
Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend
Join the Recreation Department on the shores of Corcoran Pond for their Annual Youth Fishing Derby, taking place over Memorial Day Weekend. Any kid under the age of 15 can participate in the challenge. There are over $1000 worth of prizes, plus face painting, DIY t-shirts, and more! Age groups will have staggered start times, plus the pond is stocked with trout prior to the event, so there will be no shortage of fish!
CHOWDER FESTIVAL
Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend
Local restaurants go head-to-head, battling for the coveted title of Best Chowder in Town. After sampling each restaurant's chowder, you'll be given a ballot to vote for the winner! The winning restaurant is awarded the Golden Clam Trophy and year-long bragging rights!
HOMETOWN PARADE & FIREWORKS
4th of July
Hometown Parade is like none other. Local businesses and community members design, create and decorate floats in a friendly competition for the highly coveted Spirit Cup! The town is filled to the brim with visitors, spectators, locals, and longtime community members. Join the parade via bike or scooter, or simply be a pedestrian! Or watch from anywhere along the parade route. The evening ends with a spectacular fireworks display over Corcoran Pond.
FAMILY CARNIVAL
Saturday of Independence Weekend
The annual Family Carnival is an afternoon of outdoor-inflatable fun! This carnival is a kid's utopia, with bouncy houses, slides, inflatable games, obstacle courses, and slip-n-slides. There are relay races, a dunk tank, DIY tie-dye, mini-golf, and more summer fun!
ARTISAN FAIR
Early July
This annual street-style crafts fair takes over Waterville Valley's Town Square! Explore handmade art, curated goods, and specialized produce while supporting local artisans, vendors, and small businesses. Plus, there are free outdoor concerts performed by local musicians!
CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL
Late July
Ever dream of a chocolate buffet, where you can indulge in every single form of chocolate dessert? Well, that dream is a reality at the Chocolate Festival! From bonbons to cakes, truffles and puddings - there is an endless myriad of treats to devour. During the festival, live outdoor concerts take the stage at the Town Square Gazebo. Grab a lawn chair, and a drink, and spend the evening watching the sunset over Corcoran Pond.
UGOTTA REGATTA
Early August
Originally, Ugotta Regatta began as a drinking game Tom Corcoran (founder of Waterville Valley Resort) played with his friends. After one too many adult beverages, teams would assemble boats out of cardboard boxes and duct tape. Once the boats were assembled, they would test their craftsmanship by racing their makeshift vessels across the Pond. These days, the Ugotta Regatta is a Family Favorite - as families of all ages race across Corcoran Pond, competing to have their name etched in history on the base of the highly coveted Ugotta Regatta golden trophy!
DENALI CHALLENGE
Early August
The Denali Challenge is a weekend-long hiking challenge, where participants must hike at least 5 of Waterville Valley's surrounding peaks, equaling 20,000 feet elevation gain total. Participation is free and all are welcome. Whether you're an experienced hiker looking to master all five peaks, or just looking to join the fun, there is fun and adventure for all abilities and ages.
END OF SUMMER BASH & FIREWORKS
Labor Day Weekend
The End of Summer Bash is an annual favorite, where locals, residents, and visitors celebrate the start of foliage season! Join the frivolity of the annual rubber duck race - where families of all ages race rubber ducks across Corcoran Pond with the help of some high-pressure hoses from the Waterville Valley Fire Department. Cash prizes are awarded to the top 3 winning ducks! Compete in some beach games, or simply enjoy the free outdoor concerts. The evening is wrapped up with a firework display over Corcoran Pond.
SUMMER ACTIVITIES
AREA ACTIVITIES
New Hampshire has so much to offer! Discover more activities and adventures right down the road.
Whale’s Tail Waterpark
This 17-acre waterpark is a splash-tastic paradise! From lazy rivers to fantastic waterslides, wave pools to interactive water playgrounds - Whale's Tail is the ideal spot to bring the family on hot summer days! Kids of all ages can enjoy their water features and rides, with specific pools and splash pads for younger toddlers. With full-service restaurant options and pool-side bars, parents can relax, unwind, and sip on a frozen cocktail while the kids run free!
tube the pemi
For those looking to cool off during the hot summer months, you can enjoy the gorgeous scenery from the comfort of a tube as you float down the Pemigewasset River - or as locals call it, "The Pemi". Ski Fanatics offers tubing adventure packages, complete with a shuttle service to and from the river, optional floating cooler rentals, and more!
ALPINE ADVENTURES
Adrenaline-seekers will love Alpine Adventures in Lincoln, NH. This 300-acre mountain sanctuary offers winter zipline tours, off-roading opportunities, and high ropes challenge course. Their winter zipline tour features 4 ziplines, 2 suspension bridges two racing zips and a 25-foot ladder climb.
Photo Courtesy of Alpine Adventures
FUNSPOT
Funspot is the largest arcade in the world! With over 600 games, an indoor mini-golf course, a full-sized bowling alley, and plenty of food and beverage options - the Funspot is a great place to bring the family for a day of fun, prizes, and memory making! Take a trip down memory lane and play one of their 300 classic arcade games, or take the little ones on their kid-friendly rides!
Photo Courtesy of Funspot
HOBO RAILROAD
Explore famous features of the White Mountains and Lakes Region via steam train! The Hobo Railroad offers a variety of scenic railway tours, from lakeside tours along the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee to deep-woods tours along the Pemigewasset River. Hobo railroad runs year-round, offering seasonal tours such as their Turkey Dinner Trains and Fall Foliage Tours, complete with a catered lunch from the Common Man Inn. During the wintertime, Hobo Railroad offers magical Santa Express Trains, where children can meet Mr. & Mrs. Claus while riding through the Snowy White Mountains.
Photo Courtesy of Hobo Railroad
TAKE A HIKE
Check out our hiking page for more information on hiking in the Valley. Hiking in Waterville Valley offers breathtaking views of the surrounding White Mountains and there’s no better time of year to experience this than in peak foliage.
- Lodging