The Kahuna Laguna waterpark is located in the Red Jacket Resort Mountain View in North Conway New Hampshire. During peak season, the waterpark is only open to resort guests, however, when occupancy is lower, non guests can pay a day fee to visit the waterpark. (Be sure to call ahead if you’re not a guest so you aren’t disappointed.) I am typically not a waterpark fan. However the cleanliness, safety, and fun we experienced at Kahuna Laguna put this waterpark in another category.

We visited during the busy fall leaf peeping week of Columbus Day. I would have thought the park would be full to the brim with fellow fun seekers. However,we found the opposite to be true. My husband actually said he felt like a millionaire with a waterpark to himself. There just a few families in this 40,000 square foot park consisting of 4 waterslides, a rocking wave pool, a splash station, water hoops, and a kiddie area. I was able to relax in the strategically placed hot tub and watch the kids on most any of the attractions.

The locker-room, water and restrooms were very clean. There wasn’t a single used towels or dirty dish left laying. The staff and life guards were friendly and helpful even as they kept a watchful eye over the swimmers.

Some great positives:
- Lockers are complimentary. Whoever heard of such a thing!!
- There is an on location snack bar open (open everyday in the summer, but in the fall, only on weekends), and room service can be contacted for a full service menu or pizza.
- The lounge chairs great for relaxing because they were made out of waterproof fabric
- Not a crowded place at least during our visit.
- The hotel has a waterpark package for your stay to save some money

What we would like to see:
- More lighting. The waterpark is well designed and clean, however natural light is minimal and artificial light is inadequate.
- Expanded snack bar hours or food service delivery so that guests do not have to pass through the lobby to the grill to pick up food.

This has become our kid’s favorite waterpark. They were not overwhelmed with people, did not have to wait to enjoy the attractions and they were actually able to strike up some friendships with other guests. We definitely hope to return to Kahuna Laguna again on our next fall visit.

Disclosure: My family and I were furnished with passes by the staff at the Red Jacket Mountain View. I was not required to provide any specific opinion and all views are my own.

Red Jacket Mountain View in North Conway is in a great location. Set in the heart of the Mount Washington Valley, it is a place with many family-friendly activities. It was easy to spend our days exploring the area from the resort. Our adventures nearby including a visit to Mount Washington Auto Road, the Fryeberg Fair, Storyland, Cog Railway, and Conway Scenic Railway. Close by is also some seriously good outlet and country store shopping.


LOTS OF KID-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES ONSITE


While there is so much to do in the area, you’ve got to reserve some time to just enjoy Red Jacket Mountain View’s facilities and activities for the whole family. In addition to the beautiful outdoor heated pool and awesome indoor water park, Kahuna Laguna, the resort offers family-friendly programming throughout the year. There are more activities in the summer than other seasons, but even during our fall visit, there were story time sessions, nightly bonfires, and marshmallow roasts with hot chocolate near the playground.

During our visit mid-week in the Fall, the lack of kid-sized guests made for an crowd free day at the waterpark. We spent a day frolicking in Kahuna Laguna. the onsite indoor waterpark. This was the best part of the stay for our kids. We have a tradition of visiting the Mount Washington area every fall and they would definitely like to make Kahuna Laguna part of that annual tradition.



LOFT ROOMS WERE FABULOUS US, BUT PICK YOUR ROOM CAREFULLY


Our recently updated room was nicely situated with a pretty mountain view. What we loved about our room was the bed arrangements. There are several different types of rooms. Our loft style room had 2 doubles beds, a bathroom, refrigerator, and coffee maker downstairs. The loft area had 2 twin beds, a sink, and a separate TV. Families with a toddler or preschooler might want to consider a different type of room because navigating a staircase in the middle of the night could be challenging. You might also end up spending a lot of energy supervising a little one who can’t get enough of the steep staircase and open space in the loft. However, for families like ours with kids 8 and up, it was da bomb!

One thing that we found a little odd was the layout of the hotel which made getting our luggage to our rooms cumbersome. A family of 5 does not travel light, even through we are experienced travelers. There is only so much you can pare down. The elevator from the lobby brings travelers up to the third floor, but in order to get to the end of the hotel where our room was located we had to traverse the main dining room with all of our luggage while people were eating. Then we had to carry our luggage down another 2 steps. There was no other way! The restaurant and front desk staff all offered to help us with our luggage but being stubbornly independent, we declined. Either way, a ramp would have been helpful regardless of who took care of the luggage. If you’re hoping to use a stroller in the hotel, be sure to request a room that is easily accessible with one.

Unfortunately, we also encountered an issue with noise. While the hotel is updated, the building is on the older side. The floors and walls aren’t insulated very well which caused our family some embarrassment. We learned that there are quiet hours after 10 pm although the evening program for kids runs until then. After the marshmallow roast, we gathered up our kids and headed back to our room for showers after a long day of outdoor activity. Apparently we were too loud for the people underneath us and we received a polite courtesy call from the front desk asking us to please adhere to the quiet hours although it was just 9:50pm. We were just taking care of normal family activities, so I am not sure we could have been any quieter. We of course obliged and brought all talking down to a whisper, but I will say this has never happened to us before. I think some insulation might be in order. The next morning, the supervisor mentioned that there were quite a few tour buses on site with older guests that like to go to bed early. It then dawned on me that we were staying mid-week in the fall and there were not many other children on the property. The crowd is quite different in the summer. The resort is full of families making noise and having a great time of it.


FOOD HAD GOOD VARIETY AND WAS AFFORDABLE


We also enjoyed the famous buffet dinner at Champneys where the kids got to choose from a variety of options including some very healthy ones such as salad, roast chicken and a great pasta bar; all for $8.95. Of course adult prices were more, but the food was tasty and plentiful. Although they stopped bringing out new food ½ hour prior to closing it was still worth the cost.


THE STAFF


One thing we were very pleased with was the gracious hospitality of the staff at the Red Jacket Mountain View Resort. Everyone from the front desk, to the wait staff, water park and maintenance employees took great pride in satisfying guests. In particularly, we enjoyed the coffee, hot cider, and fresh apples that greeted guest any time of the day.

Disclosure: My family and I received complimentary lodging and waterpark passes from Red Jacket Mountain View. I was not required to provide a specific opinion and all views are my own.

Colt park is another gem we have never been to in 25 yeasr of visiting RI. We decided to stop after visiting the nearby Coggeshall farms because the kids spied the playground equipment.

We let them hang on the playscape for a few but then took a drive through the park. It was a beautiful, hot day and there were only a few people in the area we were enjoying near the boat launch. The kids scoured the shore lookng for crabs as the boats sailed by. We walked a bit to our right and there was a guareded beach with music playing and more people than we had yet seen.

We stayed for a few minutes then took a drive past a statue near the sea and found many more people enjoying nicely groomed lawns and gardens for picnics near the water. The sites were numbered and appeared to require reservations. There was also a clean restroom nearby. A jogging path and bike trail are also found here.
We will definitely head back to this free spot again!It was one of those places you are so happy to have stumbled upon. A beautiful place to spend a great day outdoors.

We have been vacationing in Rhode Island for years and have never been to Blithewold.
We decided to stop by recently on a drive past Newport on a sunny summer day.
With only an hour to spare before closing we thought we would have a good chance to see and enjoy everything, but we were wrong.

Upon our arrival the clerk in the ticket booth/gift shop was very coridial as I asked him about the length of time to see the grounds versus the time we had. He said we would be rushed, but to be sure to start at the mansion then tour the grounds as the grounds were open 1/2 hour later.

He quickly oriented us on our map and we headed over to the mansion.

Blithwold was the summer estate of the Van Wickle family. Like many wealthy Newport families they saw the beauty of the Rhode Island shore while on a vacation and decided to build their summer home here. The home stayed with the family during periods of tragedy and was entrusted to the public in 1976 when the last heir died.

The mansion is shore style grandeur with balconies, unbelievable terraces and porchs with sweeping views of the sea and an expansive lawn. The home is used for weddings today.

Athough not as grand as some of the Newport mansions, Blithewold is inspiring because you can actucaly feel like it was lived in. The rooms of the children feel like a child could have stayed there and there are other relics of the famiilies past all round the 45 room house. There is a self-directed tour during which your can learn about the family and life at their home.

Outside you are greeted by 33 acres of magnifient garden also with a story to tell. We enjoyed the Chinese Garden that was wll tended to over the years, the pet cemetary for one of the girls many dogs and a bamboo forest where the kids tried to clinmb the poles. Our best time on the grounds however was when the kids explored the shore and hubby and I watched them from 2 adirondack chairs along the water. It was peaceful and homey. I wish we could have stayed longer!!

Disclosure: My family and I were provided complemetary admission into the mansion and gardens from Discover Newport. I was not required to express any partuicalr opinion and all views are my own.

The Block Island Ferry in Rhode Island provides service to Block Island on either traditonal (1 hour)or high speed ferries (30minutes) from Galilee.

The ferry is easily accessed from the parking areas which surround the port in Galilee. They typically charge between 5 and 10 dollars for all day parking if you plan to spend the day on the island. There is no free parking. Same day round trip tickets for adults are $25 and kids 5-11 $15.

It is important to book your reservation on the ferry early for summer travel as the boats fill up quickly although there are usually some walk on spots available. The ferry can also accomodate bikes and vehicles so be sure to check the website if that is your wish.

I have to say that the traditional ferry to Block island was one of the first ferry rides on the ocean that I experienced more than 20 years ago. It did not make me a fan of ferry services. For some reason this ferry ride is one I look forward to the least as I typically get seasick on this boat. I am not sure if it is a learned response a la Pavlov's dog, or if this area of the ocean is particlualry rough, but I always end up sick. I suggest anyone with a propensity of seasickness be sure to take your meds!

All that unpleasantness aside , I am not deterred from visiting Block Island. It is an unpoiled island with few people and few cars. There are restaurants and inns along the beaches and historical sites awating your discovery. It is a special adventure for kids who are old enough for hiking or biking.

There is no confusion as to where to go when boarding the ferry at either Galiliee or Block Island. There are plenty of seats available and snacks can be purchased at the concession stand. The seats on the ferry are not the comfy upholstered type we have expereinced on other ferries, but they are spacious and there are booth tables to sit at to enoy your snack or sit scross from your familiy members to plan your day.

Inexplicably there are adults that let their children roam freely on the boat. Please be sure to watch your children carefully to avoid accidents.

Disclosure: My family and I were provided complimentary tickets for the ferry so we could explore Block Island. I was not required to express any particular opinion and all views are my own.