Location: Thornton
Top Things to do in Thornton
- 1. Polar Caves Park
- 2. Waterville Valley Resort - Ski Area
- 3. Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves
- 4. The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center
- 5. Welch Mountain and Dickey Mountain Loop
- 6. West Rattlesnake Mountain
- 7. Valley Snow Dogz
- 8. Mirror Lake Community Church
- 9. Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
- 10. Waterville Valley Ice Arena
Top 10 Things to do in Thornton, United States
Thornton in United States, from Nouth America region, is best know for Caverns & Caves. Discover best things to do in Thornton with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in Thornton
1. Polar Caves Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 294 reviews
A family adventure since 1922! Polar Caves is located in the scenic Baker River Valley in Rumney, New Hampshire. Come tour our natural scenic attraction featuring 9 glacial boulder caves. While visiting, feed the fallow deer, pheasants, and ducks. Also try the Baking River Mining Sluice; tour our Maple Lodge, and enjoy the truly unique Glacial Rock Garden. Be sure to check out our Polar Climbing walls with different levels of difficulty to provide a challenge for anyone! Bring your own lunch and enjoy our picnic area with charcoal grills, charcoal not provided. Be sure to visit our Gift Shop and try some fudge before you go! Open Daily 9am to 5pm Spring and Summer, 4:00pm in the fall.
Reviewed By casey101 - Wisconsin
I understood that this place wasn't the typical cave atmosphere that you would think of when you go to a "cave". We knew exactly what we would be seeing when we arrived. What we didn't know was that you would be waiting in line at times for 10 minutes for people to go through the caves in front of you. There were many times that people would let their kids just run. We also had the issue of a couple of people who would let their kids go through the cave and then jump over the rocks to cut in front of people so they could go through again. We also ran into people who decided half way through that they didn't want to go into a cave so everyone in their group had to back out so they could get out. Then the others in the party went back in only to realize they didn't want to be in there either so then they all had to back out as well. This caused long backups in some areas and then the people behind you would try to push forward so they could see.
The park was neat, although I thought it was a little pricey since it cost my family of 5 $84.00. The people visiting completely ruin the fun of it. We found that most people here were very rude. We have traveled to many places and this place was the worst. Obviously this is not something the business can fix. I honestly thought about my review before I typed it up and could not come up with a way to fix the problem we ran into.
This was neat but realize your family will be crammed in between many other families and if you run into ones that are rude it can ruin the entire experience.
I don' think I would recommend a stop here if you like a more quiet laid back natural experience. It's hard to go at your own pace here and it is definitely not private or quiet.
2. Waterville Valley Resort - Ski Area
Overall Ratings
4 based on 214 reviews
Year-round recreation area offering skiing and snowboarding in the winter, plus hiking, golfing and biking during the warmer months.
Reviewed By doogha - campton, NH
My son has been working with the adaptive program the past two years and they have done a remarkable job with their patience, encouragement and teaching. A thanks to Cynthia and Judy for finding instruction times during busy weekends and a special thanks to Chris for pushing and challenging my son. We are very fortunate to have this program and staff in our backyard. Thank you.
3. Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 550 reviews
Preserve with a river, caves and water falls formed by a glacier.
Reviewed By Josh T - Rochester, New Hampshire, United States
This place has been busy renovating and building new experiences over the last few years. The original gorge tour and caves are just as fun as ever, and the new lookouts, boardwalks, and suspension bridge add a lot to the experience.
Despite some reviews that say this place isn't kid-friendly, we had no trouble bringing a 2-year-old through most of the caves. Some caves may not be open, depending on water level. It seems to be difficult to predict which caves are open/closed.
4. The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 101 reviews
The Flying Monkey is a Main Street theater revived by The Common Man family in NH, featuring a 450 seat intimate venue for live concerts, comdey shows, theatrical productions and films. In the Spring 2011, The Monkey will add a cinema downstairs for first-run and classic films.
Reviewed By Marilyn H - Pepperell, Massachusetts
We saw Big Bad Voodoo Daddy here last night. The sound was excellent. So much better than other small venues I have been at. I purchased tickets through Mission tix, which was easy enough, but I didn't realize I could have called directly to the theater to buy my tickets. I had a Common Man gift card I could have used if I had known that. No big deal, but I want to make others aware. I booked dinner seating. The Monkey is part of the Common Man group, so the food is a mini menu from CM. I really like Common Man, but I thought the food was not up to the quality of Common Man dining. Again, it didn't ruin my experience, as you can see I still gave it five stars. Because the show was fantastic and the venue is pretty perfect.
5. Welch Mountain and Dickey Mountain Loop
Overall Ratings
5 based on 72 reviews
Reviewed By CarsonWorldwide
I led a group trip in this area. We are intermediate to advanced hikers who hike all over America and even overseas. Here is my perspective from someone who has introduced many to the outdoors and uncovered hidden gems for those who are only familiar with the big brands.
Most visitors from out of area focus on the Presidentials and Franconia Ridge.. and for good reason. But what they overlook are diamonds hidden in the local fringes.
The Welch-Dickey Mountain Loop is a fantastic short 4.5 hike with two mountains and about 1,600+ elevation gain. Not much but the views, the slabs and ledges are an amazing experience.
There is a $5 parking fee here, and the lots fill up quickly during peak season. There are hard running streams including the one you'll need to cross at the beginning, but the most amazing experience and views will come from your presence atop their ledges and slabs. Be careful here as they are extremely slippery when wet. I'm still nursing a wound when I slipped off a 40' cliff and slid down 20' before arresting myself on the fall because I was too casual on the wet surface.
The trail begins at the back of the lot near the pay station and map. Once you head up the trail it splits into two. Take the right for steeper ascent and more forgiving down. There will also be a stream crossing near the very beginning of trail on right.
There will be an open area that offers up incredible views and a place to catch your breath, but don't mistake this for any of the peaks because it is not.
Getting there is a little out of the way as it's not right off the interstate and takes two or three small roads to get to in the back areas. But it's well worth looking for.
This is a hike filled with locals. Not an overabundance of Mount Washington tourists although there is no road to the top of either Welch or Dickey. That should tell you something. Part of drive involves a gravelled dirt road, in decent condition.. but in heavy flooding rain? Not so good.
Exit 28 off I-93. Upper Mad River Road. Not so far from Squam Lake area, Thorton, Woodstock. Lincoln and Waterville Valley.
Dog-friendly. Easy enough for older kids. Not really for beginners, nor those who get freaked out due to heights. Rangers set up under canopy, in season, at end of parking lot near trail head in case you need info.
WARNING - the outhouse near the front of the lot is the worst smelling outhouse I've ever experienced, as collaborated by three others. I left an air freshener in there as my gift. Using the woods is a better bet. It was worse than staying in a room with four AT through hikers who have not showered in a month.
Hike Strong!
6. West Rattlesnake Mountain
Overall Ratings
5 based on 160 reviews
Reviewed By SteveH0615 - Pennsylvania
The rattle snake trail is a must do. Fairly easy to start and then gets a little steeper. Little kids may need a little help near the top. It took our group four hours for the round trip. Take a picnic lunch and enjoy the awesome view of Squam lake.
7. Valley Snow Dogz
Overall Ratings
5 based on 72 reviews
Sled dog rides and tours during spring, fall and winter months. Wheels during the non-snowy months and sleds during the winter. A family of mushers and their lovable sled dogs. Various locations in the White Mountains and Lakes Region including Waterville Valley, Thornton And Squam Lake. Great fun for families,groups and for special occasions and events. Year-round sled dog education and kennel tours
Reviewed By Callie M
I booked the "sugar sweet" tour for my boyfriends Christmas present. Lidia was more than accommodating, very prompt with communication, and so so nice. The dogs are wonderful, well cared for, and friendly.
It was below 0 on our tour, and Lidia and her team ensured we were bundled up in sleeping bags as to keep us warm, and took fun pictures to capture our experience! The trails through the woods were beautiful, and as the sun set, it was perfect!! I would recommend to anyone who loves huskies and the beauty of winter weather.
8. Mirror Lake Community Church
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By RoverTreks - Thailand
Recommended.
Take a drive along rural route 109 and through Mirror Lake, New Hampshire and this 1864 era community church will welcome you to town. Now under the control of a local council, this was the Second Christian Church of Tuftonborough back in the day. Today it's under the control of a local, lay council.
If you vacation in the area during the summer months, you'll find services are held between June-September with guest ministers and local musicians offering inspiration.
It's worth a stop as your drive by to snag a picture during your travels.
9. Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 329 reviews
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is a fun and enlightening place for everyone to enjoy. Here at the Science Center, we house and exhibit many different wild animals, including river otters, mountain lions, bobcats, deer, bears, birds, foxes, and skunks. The wild animals at Squam Lakes Natural Science Center are ambassadors of their species, here for the purpose of educating our visitors about New Hampshire's natural world. Most are orphaned, injured, or otherwise unable to survive in the wild. Observing these animals up-close, together with experiencing our hands-on exhibits, offers visitors the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of our native wildlife and appreciation of the natural world.
Reviewed By Marcia C
Our visit, which was booked at the last minute, was pure magic! The interpretive exhibits, especially the Water Matters one, were very informative and fun. How are ice blocks made? How do earthworms aerate the soil? And Laurie was a great tour guide and lake boat driver. Loves everything about Little and Big Squam...and it shows! Don't miss this attraction!
10. Waterville Valley Ice Arena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By tonynelson - Boston
The rink used to have a nice schedule mix with games, leagues and public skate. Management has changed and the new schedule is hockey almost 100% of the time. No more public skate unless you happen to be there during one of their infrequent mid-week free skate sessions.
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