Kids & Families

The Lucknow mansion is a historic house museum and 90% of its furnishings are original. While touching objects inside the mansion is very limited in order to preserve these historic pieces, children can enjoy the following hands-on activities:

• What is it? Hand tool activity in the Kitchen. Can be enjoyed by children and adults!
• Letters from Lucknow. Letter writing or picture drawing activity in the Green Room. For all ages.
• Lucknow Look & Learn. Visual scavenger hunt for young children and families. See a Castle guide for more information.
• History Explorers. Castle exploration activity for older children and families. See a Castle guide for more information.

Plus, riding the vintage trolley up to the Castle can be an exciting experience for many ages!

If you’re visiting with small children, please keep in mind that for the protection of the mansion’s historic collections, car seats, strollers, and backpack baby carriers (both metal-framed and frameless) are not permitted inside the mansion. Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult 21 years or older.

We appreciate your cooperation as we share this special estate with the public while making every effort to preserve it for future generations!

Castle in the Clouds is participating member of Breathe NH’s annual Fun Pass coupon book! Visit their website to purchase yours and access our coupon which offers 1 free child admission with a paying adult ($10 value).

Photo by Outdoor Project Contributor Stephanie Graudons

Entering the property through our primary gate provides access to the one-way, scenic road that offers fun pit stops for all generations! Drive by a giant glacial erratic named The Pebble and once you reach waterfall parking, hop out so the family can get a closer look. Take a quick walk to the Falls of Song, a 40-foot waterfall (the property’s tallest one), and then continue your drive to a beautiful vista for sensational views that make the ideal backdrop for a family photo. Once you’ve reached the visitor parking lot, the grounds are yours to safely explore!

NOTE: We ask that all using this road use caution, as it is open for both pedestrians and vehicles.

Shannon Pond is a 5-acre, man-made pond home to rainbow trout and many friendly ducks. Children of all ages enjoy walking onto the dock to feed the fish from fish-food dispensers – the trout often jump right out of the water to catch their food! The fish food dispensers accept quarters only, so be sure to bring some for your visit! Please do not bring your own food to feed the trout as foreign foods can be harmful to their digestive systems.

Café in the Clouds offers ice cream, snacks, and light fare for our visitors! A walk-up counter and outdoor, picnic-style seating make this a great lunchtime spot for families who’d like a quick bite during their visit. Who doesn’t love delicious, cold ice cream at the end of a family outing?

There are 28 miles of hiking and walking trails expertly managed by the Lakes Region Conservation Trust (LRCT) accessible from multiple trailheads on the property. Trail options vary from easy to strenuous, from taking a leisurely stroll through the woods to hiking to a mountain summit. Trail maps are available for purchase at the gift shop, and there is a large map of the trails located at each trailhead for reference. You may also visit the LRCT’s Castle Conservation Area web page for details on each trail available.

Depending on what trails you choose, you can encounter quiet wooded scenes, epic vistas, waterfalls, and an abundance of wildlife. Ask a Castle team member for trail recommendations based on your interests, or feel free to contact the LRCT at 603-253-3301 to speak with the experts. There is also an interpretive trail that is great for children, with signs that point out unique trail features and prompt trail-goers to look closely at the nature around them.

As always when on the trail, be sure to wear proper footwear, dress appropriately for the day’s weather, and bring plenty of water and snacks to stay hydrated and fueled! Bug repellent is encouraged. Please respect all wildlife and follow trail etiquette of “leave no trace”, carrying out all trash and personal belongings so the trails remain natural for both the ecosystem and other hikers.

Our gallery space is located on the first floor of the Carriage House and may be of interest to children ages 13+ or those with a special interest in history. Exhibit content and themes change every few years – visit our Exhibit Gallery page to see what’s currently showing in this space!

Admission is not required to access the Carriage House or enjoy the exhibit.

We offer a wide variety of programs and events for all ages and interests throughout the year, often teaming with our partners at the Lakes Region Conservation Trust and Moultonborough Recreation Department to offer free programs for families. Be sure to browse our Program Calendar to see what activities are available during your visit!

Some of our family-favorite programs include:

Solar Gazing with the NH Astronomical Society (FREE)
Castle Car Show
Star Gazing with the NH Astronomical Society (FREE)
Family Fun Day (FREE)
Halloween Pumpkin Walk (FREE)
Christmas at the Castle (FREE children’s activities in the Carriage House)

Visit the Youth Arts & Writing Challenge page to discover how youth (ages 17 & under) can share artwork and writing inspired by Castle in the Clouds.