Story Land

Story Land is a manageable and affordable amusement park for younger children in the outskirts of the White Mountains in Glen, New Hampshire. It has an interesting history, the seed being planted by a German doll makers in the 1950s while the American founders were living overseas. The park opens at 9:30 during the summer and closes at 6:00 each day. Although refreshments and food are provided throughout the park, food and water are allowed to be brought in and areas are available to sit and eat.
There is an area for toddlers and smaller children which was the original area of the park when it first opened in 1954. This area is small houses designed around nursery rhymes and fairy tales, such as The Old Woman in the Shoe and the Three Bears Home. Children can walk through the interactive homes and see some of the characters. There is a sand box to play in a some shaded sitting areas and well as restrooms, etc. On the outer rim of this area there are some smaller rides such as tea cups, and swan boats, which glide on a little water area. Over the water is a bridge that leads up to a small Cinderella's Castle. A pumpkin coach also rides up to the castle on a track pulled by pretend horses. Cinderella herself sits in the castle for photos, which can be purchased or taken by parents, free of charge.

Another area of the park is an around the world experience, designed for older children, where there is a food area, an Arctic ride and Pharaoh's boat. Other rides compliment the area also. Additional rides throughout the park area faster, a couple of roller coasters, a log flume ride, and some others.
There are also some family rides, such as a short train ride around the park, a raft ride (one does get wet), and antique car ride.

Character dinners, Cinderella's tea, and other services are offered for additional costs.

There are often Group ons available for Story Land, which offer minimal discounts. There are also usually deals directly through the park for Father's Day and weekends. Perhaps one of the best tips though, is arriving after 3:00 pm and buying park passes, you are granted entry into the park that afternoon and issued return passes to use the next day or for use one other day that season. The also provide military and senior citizen discounts, children under 2 are free.

Antique cars that run on a track.

Story Land website

Funtown Splashtown USA

Funtown Splashtown USA is about an hour and a half from the city of Boston, in Saco, Maine, just off of 95 and is a good sized amusement park for children.  It is another, bigger option to Canobie Lake.  There are two sides to the park, identifiable by the bracelets one purchases upon entering.  (The entry fees are confusing, after speaking to two representatives and having friends have completely different experiences purchasing their bands, I couldn't explain it).  Splashtown houses about twenty water slides and pools for various heights and ages.  If you read the height requirements however, it will reduce the number of water slides and rides to a lot fewer available to a given group of people.  Funtown has rides for all sizes and at varying speeds also.  There are several "family" rides, such as antique cars on a track, kiddie rides including airplanes and bumper boats, and much faster rides, for older children or more daring folk.  Park hours begin sporadically in late May, and pick up in June.  The park closes again in September.  During the summer, the parks open at 10:00 on a daily basis and Splashtown closes at 6:00, Funtown at 9:00.

Food is available in the park, but you are also allowed to bring food in, just no glass containers.  There is some shopping and various other park activities, such as arcades and games.  Often during the week in the summer, camp groups will go, so weekends aren't that much busier comparatively.

A family of four would probably spend between $100-150 for a day at the park, with admission and purchasing food.  Children under 38 inches ride for free, so it is a good option for little ones!

Click here for link to FuntownSplashtown, USA