New Hampshire

Revisiting Story Land in Glen, New Hampshire

A storybook-themed family amusement park in the New Hampshire White Mountains, Story Land has been delighting children since 1954.

By Aimee Tucker

Aug 22 2019

story-land-nh-castle

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, is a White Mountains family favorite.
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

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 waiting in line, Story Land sets the tone for the day with whimsical
While we were waiting in line, Story Land set the tone for the day with whimsical colors and kid-friendly design.
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
First up -- check your height!
First up: Check your height! Celia and Jack show how it’s done.
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
The Humpty Dumpty statue at Story Land is a popular spot for photos.
Just inside the entrance, the Humpty Dumpty statue at Story Land (the park’s unofficial mascot) is a popular spot for photos.
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
Humpty looked a little different back in the mid-80s. I was glad to see they had his vision corrected. That's me, pouting in the sailor shirt.
Humpty 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 Tucker
And here’s my own daughter having her first visit with Humpty Dumpty in the summer of 2019.
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
Welcome to the storybook world of Story Land.
We 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 Tucker
The "old woman" of There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe hands out Story Land stickers to all show visitors.
The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe hands out Story Land stickers to all shoe visitors.
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater.
Have a look inside the pumpkin prison of the wife of Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater.
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
Granny's cottage.
Or venture into Granny’s Cottage, sometimes visited by the Big Bad Wolf.
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
My personal favorite has always been the house of the Three Bears … the one broken into by that pesky Goldilocks.
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
See for yourself if Papa Bear's bed is too hard.
You 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 Tucker
Don't forget to admire the houses made by the Three Little (live!) Pigs!
Don’t forget to admire Mary’s little lambs and the houses made by the (live!) Three Little Pigs.
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker

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Story
See that windmill? That’s the Slush Factory. Kids like to “milk” the cow (her udder is full of water).
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
Kids of all ages love Alice's Teacups.
Leaving the storybooks behind, we moved on to some rides. Kids of all ages love Alice’s Tea Cups.
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
And, of course, there's an old-fashioned carousel.
And, of course, there’s an old-fashioned carousel.
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
The Great Balloon Chase offers a ferris wheel-style experience.
The Great Balloon Chase offers a Ferris wheel–style experience.
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
And the Whirling Whales are sure to delight all toddlers (like my niece Celia) and their strong-stomached parents.
The Whirling Whales are sure to delight all toddlers (like my niece Celia) and their strong-stomached chaperones.
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker

Thirsty? There's a lion's mouth water fountain for that.
Thirsty? There’s a lion’s-mouth water fountain for that.
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
Hungry? There are plenty of snack stands, lunch spots, and ice cream shops to keep your crew satisfied.
Hungry? There are plenty of snack stands, lunch spots, and ice cream shops to keep your crew satisfied.
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
The Polar Coaster I vividly remembered from my own Story Land days.
For 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, offers even bigger thrills.
Now it’s one of two coasters in the park. The other, the Roar-o-Saurus (below), offers even bigger drops.
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
The mountain view from the Roar-O-Saurus at Story Land.
The mountain view from the Roar-o-Saurus at Story Land.
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
Safety first at Story Land!
Of course, it’s still safety first at Story Land.
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
The Swan Boats mean you're getting close to Cinderella's castle.
Wandering past the Swan Boats mean you’re getting close to Cinderella’s Castle.
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
And then...the castle!
And then … the castle!
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
If you're lucky, you may even see Cinderella herself arrive in a pumpkin carriage.
If you’re lucky, you may even see Cinderella herself arriving in a pumpkin carriage.
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
Cinderella meets her adoring subjects from her throne inside the castle.
Cinderella meets her adoring subjects at her throne inside the castle.
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
Until next time, Story Land!
Until next time, Story Land!
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
Tired from a long day at Story Land? The park's Dunkin' Donuts will be your best friend for the ride home.
Tired 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.com

This post was first published in 2017 and has been updated. 

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Conway Scenic Railroad | White Mountains Fun
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