We’ve always been beach people.  When I think of the quintessential New England summer activity, the ocean is always the first to come to mind.  This summer I decided that I wanted to mix things up.  After all, our state is chock full of places to explore.  Despite growing up right here in NH, there are tons of local adventures that I have yet to experience.  This summer is dedicated to changing that! Growing up a skier, I’ve always associated Northern NH as being a winter destination.  I couldn’t have been more wrong.  If you love the outdoors, it is a year round paradise.  I feel silly that it took me so long to realize this, but now I can’t wait to go back and explore more!

The kids have been asking to visit the Polar Caves for a while now.  I’m fairly certain they were expecting to see actual polar bears, so I was careful not to overset my expectations for when we arrived and they realized that the caves were not, in fact, filled with furry friends.  Well let me just tell you – this place is KID PARADISE.  I don’t know what it is about the caves, but they were in hog heaven exploring one to the next.  I was so thrilled to see their excitement that I even forgot how claustrophobic I am. It’s really the perfect summer activity because the caves provide natural air condition.  One cave even had ice in it left from winter.  Super cool.

The kids loved mining for treasures.  They kept busy identifying and trading rocks the whole way home.

Another thing on my adventure bucket list was to explore a swimming hole.  Thanks to a google search of the area, we came across Sculptured Rock park in Groton, NH.  It is gorgeous.  I recommend you go on a sweltering day because, holy cow, the water is cold!

My son picked a fern and was having a blast dipping it in the water and swinging it around. I knew I had to grab my camera when I saw the magical way the light was hitting the water.

It was a day for the memory books.  If you are looking for a real adventure of your own, try heading north!

A few other noteworthy finds along the way:

The Soup Gallery , Concord NH – A nice “halfway there” locally-sourced healthy lunch stop.  My kids devoured the chilled strawberry and melon soup.

Thai Smile, Plymouth NH – Good sushi in Plymouth?  There sure is.  We hit up this spot on our drive home.  And it…well…hit the spot.

No summer adventure is complete without ice cream.  M&M Scoops is an adorable throw back ice cream parlor and they just happen to carry the best ice cream flavor ever invented – Graham Central Station.  A stop before throwing the kids in their PJs was a no brainer.

Want to see more Real Adventures?  Check out what my fellow photographer Tressa has been up to.

Kami Friday is a NH Lifestyle Family & Child Photographer. Real Adventure – Heading North is the lasted installment in her “Keepin’ it Real” series.