East Concord, NH Outdoor Activities

For more than three decades, Cape Ann Whale Watch has escorted spectators fascinated by the sea's magnificent giants on three- to four-hour treks 15 miles off the Gloucester coast. Passengers on the 115-foot professionally piloted Hurricane II can witness the natural grace of humpback whales, finback whales, dolphins, and pirates disguised as mermaids cavorting in the depths. In the course of the approximately 60-mile circuit, a member of the Ocean Alliance narrates excursions, illumining the sight of each water dweller by discussing why whales breach, how to recognize individual humpbacks, and various feeding styles. Trip times will be posted on the 2013 schedule before the season begins or as soon as the groundwhale sees its shadow in the spring.

Back Country Excursions founder Cliff Krolick set up his mountain-biking base camp in 1991 with the aim of guiding adventurists on low-environmental-impact tours along the 26-mile network of trails spread across the White Mountains' foothills. The trails, accessible with one-day or annual passes, traverse terrain suitable for both novice and advanced riders, from a gently rolling double track to harrowing technical descents peppered with slaloms and tree spring noose traps set by territorial squirrels. Cliff and his crew of savvy cyclists guide multi-day biking tours through the wilderness and set up camp for overnight trips in their mountain lodge or screened-in backcountry yurt. To ensure that the environment stays pristine for future generations, Cliff donates a portion of annual profits to a variety of local environmental causes.

Seacoast Fun Park gets families outdoors yearlong to breeze down ziplines, pilot go-karts, and putt around the 18-hole mini golf course. They also navigate the obstacles of attractions such as Tree Top Trails, a network of elevated rope courses, and soar on the 100-foot Sky Swing. On winter weekends, 12 lanes of snow tubing beckon them, and at any time of year, the café provides respite with burgers and pizza, hot and cold drinks, and soft-serve ice cream.

Continuously operated by the Lahout family since 1920, Lahout’s Country Clothing and Ski Shop has supplied four generations of shoppers with winter-sports gear and backcountry apparel. Patagonia, North Face, and Columbia clothing highlights their collection of seasonal apparel, while their on-site ski shop rents out skis and snowboards and offers fast turn-around on tune-ups.

During the summer, Whaleback reverberates with the echoes of paintball players, mountain bikers, and BMX riders. But, when winter’s blustery winds sweep across the peaks, the homey lodge welcomes skiers and snowboarders with 85 acres of fresh powder.

More than 30 trails run down from various heights and slopes at this family-friendly resort filled with the rustic, laid-back vibes of old New England. Beginners practice their mountainside maneuvers on the gentle magic carpet level; more advanced riders can take advantage of the kickers in the terrain park, or the whoosh down the 1,800-foot descent from the mountain’s towering summit. Such feats of wintry derring-do aren’t bound by the constraints of sun—the resort also lights up the mountain for night excursion. Post-ride, visitors can decamp to the resort’s on-site pub, a no-frills joint often filled with the friendly racket of live music.

A fleet of sleek, futuristic-looking vehicles awaits drivers at Let’s Ride Rentals, where an able staff distributes motorcycles and snowmobiles for all-season recreation. They partner with Profile Powersports to rent out Spyder three-wheeled motorcycles with manual and semi-automatic transmissions to riders aged 21 and older. Renters are then free to roam throughout Mount Washington Valley including all of its lakes, mountains, and leprechaun-infested forests. During the winter, the staff doles out snow-centric vehicles, including Ski-Doo snowmobiles comfy enough for families meandering through snowy woods and sleek enough for zookeepers pursuing an escaped snowman.