Press Kit

Three great family programs incorporating social distancing during summer 2020



Good news from Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce – June 30, 2020

Contact:  Marti Mayne, 207-846-6331 or PR@mtwashingtonvalley.org

                     FAMILY FUN WHERE MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING ARE COOL IN MT WASHINGTON VALLEY     

North Conway, NH – Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, Mt Washington Valley businesses have been vigilant about safety measures, resulting in a very low incidence of COVID-19 in the region.  As this outdoor adventure destination carefully re-opens, families seeking healthy and safe recreation are drawn to the Valley for adventure. Surrounded by the 770,000 acre White Mountain National Forest, along with plenty of businesses taking social distancing and safety precautions seriously, Mt Washington Valley offers plenty of options for families who are seeking destinations that are serious about precautions.

Businesses throughout Mt Washington Valley have shifted gears to offer safe and fun options for families who love to be outdoors.  Creativity and thinking outside the box offer families great alternatives for outdoor recreation this summer. Masks and social distancing won’t get in the way of outdoor fun this summer in Mt Washington Valley.

THREE GREAT FAMILY ADVENTURE OPTIONS

Tin Mountain Conservation Center is offering a number of creative programs for natural fun this summer.  It starts with naturalist led hikes held on Thursdays from 10am-12pm in July and August, starting from the Tin Mountain Field Station in Jackson. All ages are welcome, yet hikes are limited to 10 people max.  Cost is $5/person or $20/family; members are free. Reservations are required - please call by the Wednesday prior at noon to reserve space.

Then, on Tuesdays, enjoy family exploration days in and around the natural world in the Rockwell Sanctuary surrounding the Nature Learning Center on the Albany campus. Each themed week features a different aspect of nature, like high flying birds and down and dirty in the soil. Families and/or pre-arranged groups are welcome to sign up for a Tuesday session at two different time slots one starting at 9:00am, the next at 11:00am, each with 3 stations. One station may use nets to catch, identify and learn about insects, or amphibians, another, an eye-loop to get a closer look at a new discovery.  Each session lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours. To maintain social distancing guidelines, each family or prearranged group, will start at a different station and rotate to visit all three. The cost is $15 family for members and $25 / family for non-members.

Tin Mountain Conservation Center offers a number of online and field programs throughout the summer, many perfect for the whole family.  From in-person guided canoe trips to zoom lectures on everything from birding to dragonflies, click here for a full schedule of events.

To register for these programs and others, call 603-447-6991 or email Info@tinmountain.org. Reservations for all programs are required. Please bring a mask for each participant. Masks and social distancing will be required and observed during all programs.

Believe in Books offers a number of options for families.  The  pet-friendly half-mile Storybook trail and the Trails in the Wood trail system beyond are designed for walking, mountain biking, and nature observation in the summer, and cross country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. You can take a walk and read a story allowing the younger set to experience great children’s stories in a unique way.  The trails are open from 9am – 4pm or whenever the gate is open.  Please keep dogs leashed.  Daily fee: $5 per car, weekly fee: $10 per car.

With the State of NH allowing Performing Arts Venues to re-open beginning on June 29th, the Theater in the Wood’s second annual Sunset Concert Series presented by Moat Mountain Brewing Co. is set to start July 25th, 2020. This exciting ten-week music series will take place primarily outside this year where you will enjoy summer weather, incredible views, a safe environment, and an amazing variety of terrific music. The Sunset Concert Series kicks off with a rescheduled performance from the Adam Ezra Group on July 25th, 2020.  The following Saturday on August 1 celebrate Jerry Garcia on his birthday with “Blues-Grassicana” band. The Big Takeover, led by the powerhouse, Jamaican-born singer and songwriter NeeNee Rushie, hits the stage the following Saturday, August 8th.  Local favorites, The Starlight Honeys, join the lineup on August 15th and then the modern soul artist, Jesse Dee and his full band visit on August 22nd.  Billy Wylder and their incredible mixture of American folk and rock round out the month on August 29th. Concerts continue into September too.  Due to social distancing guidelines, tickets are limited. Masks should be worn during the concerts too.  Bring the whole family and enjoy this beautiful outdoor concert setting. For more information and tickets for the Sunset Concert Series and other programs offered by Believe in Books, visit  www.theaterinthewood.org

Settlers Green will bring back Movie Night for the 11th year, complete with social distancing guidelines, plus access to restrooms and hand sanitizer for hand washing. The two week movie series starts on July 21st with the movie Jurassic Park and continues to August 11 featuring The Avengers: Endgame. Trivia fun begins at 7pm on the lawn across from Barley & Salt restaurant.  Family-friendly movies start at 8:00pm.  Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Best of all, it’s free.

In addition, Settlers Green will also bring back its 3rd Annual Art Night. Visit Settlers Green on July 10th for a fun and safe evening featuring plein-air artists painting the scenes of Settlers Green, along with live music, self-guided public art tours and kids art kits. 

Settlers Green is hosting limited events this summer that comply with all safety guidelines presented by the state of New Hampshire. All of events will take place outdoors and involve zero contact with shoppers.

Look for all the information and traveler information you need for visiting Mt Washington Valley at www.mtwashingtonvalley.org.  Additionally, you can call 800-367-3364 (800-DO-SEE-NH) to talk to the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce. This office will have limited hours for the next few weeks from 11am through 3pm.  For more information about visiting New Hampshire, go to www.VisitNH.gov.

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Photo shows child exploring insects at Tin Mountain Conservation Center. Tin Mountain photo.