Story Land in Glen, New Hampshire, is a White Mountains family favorite.
Photo Credit: Aimee Tucker
Located just six miles north of North Conway, New Hampshire, Story Land has been delighting generations of New England children since 1954. Boosted by a beautiful White Mountains backdrop, Story Land (“Where fantasy lives!”) offers attractions and rides geared exclusively toward the under-12 set, making the storybook-themed park a favorite “staycation” destination for many New England families.
Story Land in Glen, New Hampshire, home of Cinderella’s Castle, is a longtime White Mountains family favorite. Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
For its youngest visitors, kid-sized figures and buildings depict traditional nursery rhymes such as Humpty Dumpty, the Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe (you can go into the shoe!), and Goldilocks and the Three Bears (including all three Mama, Papa, and Baby Bear beds). Then there are rides like Alice’s Tea Cups and the Polar Coaster, live animals (I see you, Three Little Pigs), special shows and performances, and the perfect amount of “bigger kid” rides such as the Roar-o-Saurus coaster and Bamboo Chutes log flume.
Additional Story Land perks? You’re allowed to bring your own food and drinks into the park (pack an entire picnic lunch if you want to). Most restrooms include a separate room for nursing mothers. And if you purchase your ticket within three hours of closing time (3 p.m. in July and August and 2 p.m. on all other operating days), you’ll receive a free pass for the next day or any other full day that season.
I spent many happy summer days at Story Land during my 1980s New England childhood, so when I had the opportunity to return last year with my sisters and their small children, my nostalgic curiosity got the better of me. Here’s a look at our day at Story Land!
Revisiting Story Land
I made my return visit to Story Land during opening weekend in 2016. Why? Two nephews and a niece — all under the age of 3. While we were waiting in line, Story Land set the tone for the day with whimsical colors and kid-friendly design. Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerFirst up: Check your height! Celia and Jack show how it’s done. Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerJust inside the entrance, the Humpty Dumpty statue at Story Land (the park’s unofficial mascot) is a popular spot for photos. Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerHumpty Dumpty looked a little different back in the mid-’80s, and he was seated a little higher. Still, I was glad to see his vision had been restored. (That’s me, pouting in the sailor shirt.) Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerAnd here’s my own daughter having her first visit with Humpty Dumpty in the summer of 2019. Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerWe first spent some time in the “storybook” section of the park, which is especially popular with its littlest visitors. An open book welcomes you to the storybook world of Story Land. Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerThe Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe hands out Story Land stickers to all shoe visitors. Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerHave a look inside the pumpkin prison of the wife of Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater. Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerOr venture into Granny’s Cottage, sometimes visited by the Big Bad Wolf. Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerMy personal favorite has always been the house of the Three Bears … the one broken into by that pesky Goldilocks. Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerYou can climb the stairs and see for yourself if Papa Bear’s bed is too hard, Mama Bear’s bed is too soft, and Baby Bear’s bed is “just right.” Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerDon’t forget to admire Mary’s little lambs and the houses made by the (live!) Three Little Pigs. Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
[text_ad]
See that windmill? That’s the Slush Factory. Kids like to “milk” the cow (her udder is full of water). Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerLeaving the storybooks behind, we moved on to some rides. Kids of all ages love Alice’s Tea Cups. Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerAnd, of course, there’s an old-fashioned carousel. Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerThe Great Balloon Chase offers a Ferris wheel–style experience. Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerThe Whirling Whales are sure to delight all toddlers (like my niece Celia) and their strong-stomached chaperones. Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerThirsty? There’s a lion’s-mouth water fountain for that. Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerHungry? There are plenty of snack stands, lunch spots, and ice cream shops to keep your crew satisfied. Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerFor slightly bigger thrills there’s the Polar Coaster, which I vividly remember from my own Story Land days. Now it’s one of two coasters in the park. The other, the Roar-o-Saurus (below), offers even bigger drops. Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerThe mountain view from the Roar-o-Saurus at Story Land. Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerOf course, it’s still safety first at Story Land. Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerWandering past the Swan Boats mean you’re getting close to Cinderella’s Castle. Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerAnd then … the castle! Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerIf you’re lucky, you may even see Cinderella herself arriving in a pumpkin carriage. Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerCinderella meets her adoring subjects at her throne inside the castle. Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerUntil next time, Story Land! Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerTired from a long day at Story Land? The park’s Dunkin’ Donuts will be your best friend for the ride home. Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
Do you share my fond childhood memories of visiting Story Land in Glen, New Hampshire? (You’ll sometimes see it spelled on the Web as “Storyland,” but they’re one and the same.) Let us know in the comments, and remind me what I missed on this visit (I’ll get you next time, Los Bravos Jail!).
Story Land. 850 Rte. 16, Glen, NH. 603-383-4186; storylandnh.comThis post was first published in 2017 and has been updated.
Aimee Tucker is Yankee’s senior digital editor. A lifelong New Englander and Yankee contributor since 2010, Aimee has written columns devoted to history, foliage, retro food, and architecture, and regularly shares her experiences in New England travel, home, and gardening. Her most memorable Yankee experiences to date include meeting Stephen King, singing along to a James Taylor Fourth of July concert at Tanglewood, and taking to the skies in the Hood blimp for an open-air tour of the Massachusetts coastline.
I vividly remember visiting Storyland as a child, in the mid-1960’s. my mom has photos of me in Cinderella’s pumpkin coach and in the castle with the princess herself. I also remember feeding the goats and getting a souvenir metal ashtray with the castle stamped on it. Great memories!
Great memories…I first visited Story Land as a boy in the early 1970’s…The summer of 1984 (about when your photo with the one eyed Humpty Dumpty was taken), I was the guy driving you up to the castle in Cinderella’s Magic Pumpkin Coach (a pretty good summer gig for a 17 year old guy), or perhaps taking you through the “jungle” on the Hatari Safari (I can still recite the entire opening monologue/speech), or perhaps launching you on your way up the Iceberg Coaster…Those were the three jobs I had that summer…I was the second of six children who grew up in Shelburne, NH and all six of us worked at Storyland for some period of time in our youth…It was a right of passage for many north country kids who needed to earn some spending money…While the park is no longer owned by the Morrell family, it is still a special place as you have documented and I, too, have returned through the years with my own children as well as many nephews and nieces…It is clear that there is still magic aplenty nestled in the hills of Glen, NH and no doubt countless new memories are yet to be made each summer…Thank you reminding folks about this New England gem…????
Wow–brought back memories. I looked at some of those pictures and said, yes, I remember that. I visited there when it was fairly new, probably 1957 or so. We moved out of New England in 1961. Thanks for sharing.
Went to Story Land many times during my NH childhood years. Moved away as a young adult and then returned years later as a parent with three kids of my own. Wonderful memories! Glad that Story Land has stood the test of time!
I WAS BORN IN 1952 IN BERLIN, NH, WHERE I GREW UP. MY MOTHER LIVED IN NORTH CONWAY WHEN SHE WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL, WHERE HER FATHER HAD FARMS WITH LIVESTOCK FOR RESALE. SHE GRADUATED FROM KENNETT HIGH SCHOOL IN CONWAY AND HER FATHER MOVED TO BERLIN FOR BUSINESS REASONS. “LOCAL COMMENTS” REGARDING THE FINANCIAL FUNDING (LOANS, I BELIEVE!!!!!!!!!!) TO CREATE STORY LAND WERE BASICALLY: “GOOD LUCK MAKING A LIVING AT THAT “FANTASY PARK”!!!!!!!!!!!!”. MY MOTHER WAS “ALWAYS TOO BUSY” TO TAKE ME AND MY SISTER THERE, SO I WENT DURING SUMMER CAMP (OVER NIGHT), WHICH WAS NEAR THERE, SEVERAL TIMES AND REALLY ENJOYED EVERY MINUTE SPENT IN THAT “MAGIC LAND”!!!!!!!!! AS THEY SAY “IN THE OLD COUNTRY”: THE REST IS HISTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I remember the radio jingle in the 60’s growing up; “Let’s all go to Storyland!” Can still sing it. Took my children and recently my granddaughter. Have pictures of both times. Good memories. A landmark for generations. Thanks Storyland!
Our mother took us to StoryLand and I had the time of my life. I think I was around 7 or 8. I snuck on to the carriage and had a delightful ride down the hill, and loved seeing the 3 little pigs. I’m so happy this is still in existence.
Went 2-3 times when we were little in the mid-late 1960’s and still have my mom’s home movies of a trip there ( preserved on a DVD of course!). Showed my daughter this when she was small and laughed when she said, “Mom! You don’t have the audio turned on!”
Aimee, Loved your shared memories but you definitely left something out. How could you miss mentioning the tunnel that safely transports guests safely in and out of Story Land and its parking lot by going UNDER Route 16??? That’s where the magic really starts! 🙂
There was a Storyland in Massachusetts in Hyannis. We went there on our way to my grandparents home in Harwich Port. The Mall in Hyannis is now on the property Storyland sat on.
Wow! Now that’s something I never knew! We lived on Cape Cod for approx 25 yrs. Lived in Centerville for most of that time, but also Cummaquid and lastly in Harwich. Pretty interesting finding out about what was there before the Mall!
Thank you for sharing all the pictures! Brought back memories for me as well. I remember fondly my parents taking me here when I was around 8 yrs old, so around 1966. I do have some pictures of our visit. Probably my favorite memory was walking out a little ways to “Heidi’s grandfather’s house and having my picture taken with “grandfather” while holding up a pretend wooden dress in front of me. I loved it! 🙂 Also, I have a pic of getting a ring fitted by the cobbler at the cobbler shop, made out of a nail. I loved it there at Story land. Some of my favorite memories of growing up in New England. I also loved going to Santa’s Village.
Thanks for letting me relive my StoryLand experience!!! I never went to StoryLand as a kid – but it became a family tradition for my family and my younger brother’s family. We haven’t been since our kids hit their pre-teens but we can’t watch the commercial without wistfully looking at each other and smiling. There is a New Hampshire charm to the place that outshines anything Disney World can dish out.
You forgot to mention the antique cars and the cars in the farm at the top of the hill! My son truly believed he was driving and we obliged with fearful reactions when he seemed to be “going off the road”. ?
Thanks for this article. I think Storyland offers many wonderful memories for so many of us. It was a nice reminder of some special days I spent there with my own family. ❤️
I am 73 years old and vividly remember going to Storyland as a young child. I’m not sure of the year, but I have pictures of myself and my two sisters at Humpty Dumpty and the Old Lady’s Shoe. Revisited with my children, then my grandchildren. Can’t wait to visit with my new great grandson. It has always been a wonderful place to visit, and has grown so much since my childhood.
We had an identical place here near my hometown where I still reside. It was called Story Town located in Lake George, NY. It still is thriving under a different owner and park name. It is now the Great Escape and owned by Six Flags. Your Story Land brings back wonderful childhood memories of Story Town. Thank you for this article.
Thank you for sharing this article. As a kid in the early 90s I remember visiting “Story Land” with my parents on multiple occasions. I still have photos of getting my face painted like a Tiger, and sitting under the spider from itsy bitsy spider so I could run away screaming. We even got to see a live black bear come up to the picnic tables rummaging around for food while we watched from inside the car. I have such fond memories and can’t help but to smile when anyone mentions Story Land.
I vividly remember visiting Storyland as a child, in the mid-1960’s. my mom has photos of me in Cinderella’s pumpkin coach and in the castle with the princess herself. I also remember feeding the goats and getting a souvenir metal ashtray with the castle stamped on it. Great memories!
I can’t believe you used the phrase “water fountain” in your article. As a born-and-bred New Englander, you should know that it’s a “bubblah”!
You have a point there, Brian! It’s also DEFINITELY a lion bubblah! 😉
Great memories…I first visited Story Land as a boy in the early 1970’s…The summer of 1984 (about when your photo with the one eyed Humpty Dumpty was taken), I was the guy driving you up to the castle in Cinderella’s Magic Pumpkin Coach (a pretty good summer gig for a 17 year old guy), or perhaps taking you through the “jungle” on the Hatari Safari (I can still recite the entire opening monologue/speech), or perhaps launching you on your way up the Iceberg Coaster…Those were the three jobs I had that summer…I was the second of six children who grew up in Shelburne, NH and all six of us worked at Storyland for some period of time in our youth…It was a right of passage for many north country kids who needed to earn some spending money…While the park is no longer owned by the Morrell family, it is still a special place as you have documented and I, too, have returned through the years with my own children as well as many nephews and nieces…It is clear that there is still magic aplenty nestled in the hills of Glen, NH and no doubt countless new memories are yet to be made each summer…Thank you reminding folks about this New England gem…????
Wow–brought back memories. I looked at some of those pictures and said, yes, I remember that. I visited there when it was fairly new, probably 1957 or so. We moved out of New England in 1961. Thanks for sharing.
Went to Story Land many times during my NH childhood years. Moved away as a young adult and then returned years later as a parent with three kids of my own. Wonderful memories! Glad that Story Land has stood the test of time!
I remember going to Storyland as a youngster … unfortunately, no photos …
I WAS BORN IN 1952 IN BERLIN, NH, WHERE I GREW UP. MY MOTHER LIVED IN NORTH CONWAY WHEN SHE WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL, WHERE HER FATHER HAD FARMS WITH LIVESTOCK FOR RESALE. SHE GRADUATED FROM KENNETT HIGH SCHOOL IN CONWAY AND HER FATHER MOVED TO BERLIN FOR BUSINESS REASONS. “LOCAL COMMENTS” REGARDING THE FINANCIAL FUNDING (LOANS, I BELIEVE!!!!!!!!!!) TO CREATE STORY LAND WERE BASICALLY: “GOOD LUCK MAKING A LIVING AT THAT “FANTASY PARK”!!!!!!!!!!!!”. MY MOTHER WAS “ALWAYS TOO BUSY” TO TAKE ME AND MY SISTER THERE, SO I WENT DURING SUMMER CAMP (OVER NIGHT), WHICH WAS NEAR THERE, SEVERAL TIMES AND REALLY ENJOYED EVERY MINUTE SPENT IN THAT “MAGIC LAND”!!!!!!!!! AS THEY SAY “IN THE OLD COUNTRY”: THE REST IS HISTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I remember the radio jingle in the 60’s growing up; “Let’s all go to Storyland!” Can still sing it. Took my children and recently my granddaughter. Have pictures of both times. Good memories. A landmark for generations. Thanks Storyland!
Our mother took us to StoryLand and I had the time of my life. I think I was around 7 or 8. I snuck on to the carriage and had a delightful ride down the hill, and loved seeing the 3 little pigs. I’m so happy this is still in existence.
Went 2-3 times when we were little in the mid-late 1960’s and still have my mom’s home movies of a trip there ( preserved on a DVD of course!). Showed my daughter this when she was small and laughed when she said, “Mom! You don’t have the audio turned on!”
Aimee, Loved your shared memories but you definitely left something out. How could you miss mentioning the tunnel that safely transports guests safely in and out of Story Land and its parking lot by going UNDER Route 16??? That’s where the magic really starts! 🙂
There was a Storyland in Massachusetts in Hyannis. We went there on our way to my grandparents home in Harwich Port. The Mall in Hyannis is now on the property Storyland sat on.
Wow! Now that’s something I never knew! We lived on Cape Cod for approx 25 yrs. Lived in Centerville for most of that time, but also Cummaquid and lastly in Harwich. Pretty interesting finding out about what was there before the Mall!
Thank you for sharing all the pictures! Brought back memories for me as well. I remember fondly my parents taking me here when I was around 8 yrs old, so around 1966. I do have some pictures of our visit. Probably my favorite memory was walking out a little ways to “Heidi’s grandfather’s house and having my picture taken with “grandfather” while holding up a pretend wooden dress in front of me. I loved it! 🙂 Also, I have a pic of getting a ring fitted by the cobbler at the cobbler shop, made out of a nail. I loved it there at Story land. Some of my favorite memories of growing up in New England. I also loved going to Santa’s Village.
Hi Sandi! I am so glad that you enjoyed this post! Thank you for sharing your Story Land memories. 🙂
I remember that cobbler ring too, do you guys still have that there? I want to bring my daughter there to het one.
Thanks for letting me relive my StoryLand experience!!! I never went to StoryLand as a kid – but it became a family tradition for my family and my younger brother’s family. We haven’t been since our kids hit their pre-teens but we can’t watch the commercial without wistfully looking at each other and smiling. There is a New Hampshire charm to the place that outshines anything Disney World can dish out.
You forgot to mention the antique cars and the cars in the farm at the top of the hill! My son truly believed he was driving and we obliged with fearful reactions when he seemed to be “going off the road”. ?
Thanks for this article. I think Storyland offers many wonderful memories for so many of us. It was a nice reminder of some special days I spent there with my own family. ❤️
I am 73 years old and vividly remember going to Storyland as a young child. I’m not sure of the year, but I have pictures of myself and my two sisters at Humpty Dumpty and the Old Lady’s Shoe. Revisited with my children, then my grandchildren. Can’t wait to visit with my new great grandson. It has always been a wonderful place to visit, and has grown so much since my childhood.
We had an identical place here near my hometown where I still reside. It was called Story Town located in Lake George, NY. It still is thriving under a different owner and park name. It is now the Great Escape and owned by Six Flags. Your Story Land brings back wonderful childhood memories of Story Town. Thank you for this article.
Thank you for sharing this article. As a kid in the early 90s I remember visiting “Story Land” with my parents on multiple occasions. I still have photos of getting my face painted like a Tiger, and sitting under the spider from itsy bitsy spider so I could run away screaming. We even got to see a live black bear come up to the picnic tables rummaging around for food while we watched from inside the car. I have such fond memories and can’t help but to smile when anyone mentions Story Land.
I remember storybook land at Idlewild park in PA. It was one of my facpvorite places in the 60s.