A Day at Story Land NH
- Laura
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
This post may contain affiliate links. To learn more about our affiliate links and cookies policy, please see our Terms & Conditions page.
Story Land NH is a family-friendly amusement park where the attractions are whimsical flights of fairy tale fancy. With some 50+ rides and shows designed around classic children’s stories, people of all ages can enjoy a day at the park. For many years Randy and I brought our kids on an annual pilgrimage to Story Land NH; now we bring our grandchildren, too.
Story Land is a great family-friendly stop on your trip to New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Onsite children can ride in swan boats, antique cars, and in a pumpkin coach to Cinderella’s Castle. There is also a log ride, raft ride, water park, and arcades to get lost in. Story Land’s unique and imaginative attractions make visiting the park one of the best things to do in NH with kids.
Story Land’s website states that the park’s main attractions are aimed at children 2-12 years old. In our experience, kids in the 4-14 year range will most enjoy the park. In this age range, the little ones are tall enough to go on all the rides, and are enchanted at seeing the fairy tales come to life. Kids at the older end of the range enjoy the water rides and arcades (and are still young enough to appreciate the storytelling).
THE STORY OF STORY LAND
New Hampshire natives Bob and Ruth Morell lived in Germany in the 1950s (while Bob served in the US Army). When the couple returned home, it was with a collection of handmade dolls that were characters from classic children’s books. In an effort to bring those storybook tales to life, the couple built Story Land. The park opened in 1954. Since that time, it has grown to include over 50 rides, shows, and attractions.
WHERE IS STORY LAND NH
Story Land is located in Glenn, NH about 6 miles north of North Conway on Route 16. The park is about 70 (113 km) miles from Portland, Maine, 100 miles (161 km) from Manchester, NH, and 150 miles (241 km) from Boston, MA.
HOTELS CLOSE TO STORY LAND NH
On your trip to the White Mountains, look at these hotels near Story Land NH:
Storybook Inn and Suites
Hampton Inn & Suites North Conway - has indoor water park
Eastern Slope Inn - indoor water park, heated outdoor pool, and two restaurants
Fox Ridge Resort - outdoor heated pool
SEASON, OPENING HOURS, TICKETS
Season
Story Land’s usual season runs from late-May through October. From Father’s Day until Labor Day the park is open 7 days a week. Before and after these dates, the park is open on weekends.
Story Land Hours
The park’s usual opening hours are 9:30am until 5:00pm. Some Saturdays in the summer, the park is open from 5pm until 10pm.
Story Land Tickets
We encourage you to buy tickets online before your day at the park. The regular park ticket price is $74.99 (2024) a day, but can be purchased for as low as $39.99 on select days. Many other discounts and promos to the admission price are available, so it really pays to plan ahead. Online you can also research ticket prices for Nostalgia Nights, Character Breakfasts, season passes, and other special events at the park.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
THINGS TO KNOW
Facilities: There are restaurants, food kiosks, and restaurants available throughout the park.
Beverages: Non-alcoholic drinks in non-glass containers are allowed in the park (where there is a free water bottle filling station).
Cashless: Story Land excepts only electronic payments onsite. There are cash to card kiosks inside the park.
Picnic Grounds: There are picnic grounds inside the park. Guest can carry-in soft coolers up to 12”.12”x12” or tailgate in the parking lot. No hard coolers, glass, or alcohol permitted.
STORY LAND NH MAP
STORY LAND PARKING
Parking is free. If you park across the street from the park, there is a tunnel that runs under Route 16 for safe crossing.
ACCESSIBILITY & SAFETY
Mobility Rentals: Story Land rents strollers, wheelchairs, and scooters (or you can bring your own).
Guests with large body features may not fit on some rides and may be denied access. Ride guidelines are listed at each ride.
Height Restrictions: Children less than 48” must be accompanied by a responsible guest on all rides. Children must be at least 36” tall to ride some rides. Parents and guardians are encouraged to accompany children on rides.
TIPS FOR YOUR DAY AT STORY LAND NH
Do not pay full price. Look for promos and discounts.
Arrive at opening. Most rides are amusement style, and lines can get long. (Or, do what we did on our last visit: Go on a day where we had a lot of mist, a little rain, and no lines. We rode any ride we wanted 4-5 times in a row).
Bring bathing suits to change into for the water rides and Moo Lagoon.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN BOSTON
THINGS TO DO AT STORY LAND NH
In this section we will share our personal plan of attack for navigating Story Land.
Arrive at opening time. Once inside the gates, go to the left through the village (the opposite direction most people will be going). Find the Antique Cars, and ride the course. (This is a ride everyone loves and the line gets very long.)
Next, double back to the entrance. Head to the right to the Little Dreamers Nursery Rhyme Play Area. This section features structures that can be climbed on and run through like Humpty Dumpty, the Old Woman’s Shoe, Grandfather Tree, and Granny’s Cottage. The little one’s delight in meeting Mother Goose and exploring the scenes here. (It’s also a great place for photos.)
Leaving this area, ride Alice’s Tea Cups. Then, pass through the gates of the Castle Walls. In this next area, ride the Pumpkin Coach to Cinderella’s Castle, and take a picture with the princess. After, walk down over the hill. Do the Swan Boat Ride, Buccaneer Pirate Ship, and the Antique German Carousel.
Moving on, pass the Los Bravas Mining Company display and walk until you see the Polar Coaster. In this area, you will find the majority of the amusement style rides in the park.
Ride the amusements in the area. Some of our favorites are the Polar Coaster, Cuckoo Clockenspeil, Dutch Shoes, Great Ballon Chase, Rap-Tour Safari, and Splash Battle: Pharaoh’s Reign.
Next, play some of the arcade games in the Loopy Lab Play area. Then, wander into the Dig ‘M Deeper Play Area. Do the Tractor Ride and see the Farm Follies Theater show. Next, ride the Roarosaurus Coaster.
If you haven’t already. Take a food and drink break, and then change into bathing suits. Go on the Bamboo Chutes Log Ride, then Dr. Geyser’s Remarkable Raft Ride.
Exiting the rafts, walk past the Antique Cars course until you reach the Huff ‘N Puff Whistle Railroad (you have now looped the park). Take the train to the next stop, and make your way to the Moo Lagoon water park.
After splashing around in the water park, finish your day with a train ride back to the train station by the Antique Cars. Don’t forget to hit the gift shop.
We hope you enjoy the magic of Story Land NH, Laura and Randy
For more information on New Hampshire travel read our travel blog posts on:
IF YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE, PIN IT!
Comments