When you're traveling with children, it's always best to have a plan. Make your reservations well in advance for summer weekends at New Hampshire's lake and ocean beaches and fall days in the incomparable White Mountains. These suggested itineraries are just a starting point; use them to inspire a travel plan that suits your family's needs.

A Jam-Packed, Three-Day New Hampshire Summer Sampler

You can cram plenty of activity into a long summer weekend when you choose southern New Hampshire as your destination. This itinerary takes you from the ocean all the way to outer space in just three days.

Day One: Arrive in Portsmouth and spend the afternoon at sea on a sightseeing cruise with the Isles of Shoals Steamship Co. (315 Market Street, 603-431-5500 or 800-441-4620, www.islesofshoals.com). In the evening, take a scenic drive along Route 1A, which follows New Hampshire's shoreline, and watch the shadows dance on wave crests as the day disappears. Treat yourself to a seafood feast at La Bec Rouge (73 Ocean Boulevard, Hampton Beach, 603-926-5050, www.labecrouge.com) before calling it a night.

Day Two: Enjoy the sun and fun at Hampton Beach (Ocean Boulevard, Hampton Beach, 603-926-8717, www.hamptonbeach.org). When you're waterlogged from swimming and boogie boarding, you'll find plenty of other enticements at the shops, arcades, restaurants, and entertainment venues across the street from the beach.

Day Three: On your last day in the Granite State, head inland and spend the morning at the historic Canterbury Shaker Village (288 Shaker Rd, Canterbury, 603-783-9511 or 800-982-9511, www.shakers.org). Be sure to have lunch at the village's Creamery restaurant, where you can sample authentic Shaker cuisine. In the afternoon, drive south to Concord and take a side trip to outer space at the Christa McAuliffe Planetarium (2 Institute Drive, C603-271-7827, www.starhop.com) before blasting off for home.

Five Fabulous Fall Days

New Hampshire is a leaf peeper's dream. It is impossible to predict exactly when leaves will be at their peak, so fill your fall itinerary with plenty to do, and consider colorful foliage a bonus.

Day One: Start in North Conway for sales tax — free outlet stores galore. When you've tired of the shopping frenzy, take a peaceful leaf-peeping trip aboard the Conway Scenic Railroad (Route 16, North Conway, 603-356-5251 or 800-232-5251, www.conwayscenic.com). In the evening, head north on Route 16 and pass through the covered bridge gateway to the town of Jackson, where you can sup on New England cuisine at Highfield's at the Eagle Mountain House (Carter Notch Road, Jackson, 603-383-9111 or 800-966-5779, www.eaglemt.com).

Day Two: Follow Route 302 through the White Mountain National Forest to Bretton Woods, where you have made reservations at the Mount Washington Hotel and Resort (Route 302, 603-278-1000 or 800 314-1752, www.mtwashington.com), a picturesque and historic grand hotel that welcomes families. Spend the remainder of the day enjoying the resort's many amenities.

Day Three: In the morning, enjoy the views from a horse-drawn carriage ride, offered to guests by the Stables at the Mount Washington Resort. Then, head south to Franconia Notch for an aerial view of the colorful landscape aboard the Cannon Aerial Tramway (Franconia Notch Parkway, Franconia Notch, 603-823-8800, www.cannonmt.com).

Day Four: Grab your camera and take the Mount Washington Cog Railway (Route 302, Bretton Woods, 603-278-5404 or 800-922 8825, www.thecog.com) 6,288 feet to the summit for breathtaking views. In the afternoon, head south on Route 3 and then west to North Woodstock for a visit to Lost River Gorge (Route 112, North Woodstock, 603-745-8031, www.findlostriver.com), where you can see waterfalls and steep rock walls as you follow walkways through the gorge.

Day Five: Travel New Hampshire's most scenic road, the 34-mile Kancamagus Highway (Route 112), east to Conway. You'll be treated to spectacular mountain scenery as the road climbs to nearly 3,000 feet. Time permitting, make the trip an hour south to explore Castle in the Clouds (Route 171, Moultonborough, 603-476-5900 or 800-729 2468, www.castleintheclouds.org), a wonderful spot to savor your last images of autumn in New Hampshire.

Family Fun in the Lakes and Mountains

Summertime is family time, and if you head to New Hampshire for a holiday, your kids will go back to school with plenty of experiences to share in their “What I Did on My Summer Vacation” essays. This suggested itinerary takes you to the Lakes Region and the White Mountains, but if your budget is tight, plan a shorter escape to one destination and save the other for next summer.

Day One: Base yourself in North Conway for the first two days of your trip; it's an ideal central location to enjoy the White Mountains. If you arrive by late afternoon, you may have time to visit Story Land (Route 16, Glen, 603-383-4186, www.storylandnh.com) or to enjoy a train ride aboard the Conway Scenic Railroad (Route 16, North Conway, 603-356-5251 or 800-232-5251, www.conwayscenic.com).

Day Two: It's theme park day! Younger children will love Story Land or Santa's Village (528 Presidential Highway, Jefferson, 603-586 4445, www.santasvillage.com). The Old West — themed Six Gun City and Fort Splash Waterpark (1492 Presidential Highway, Jefferson, 603-586-4592, www.sixguncity.com) will appeal to older kids.

Day Three: Follow Route 112, the Kancamagus Highway, west from Conway to Lincoln, stopping often to enjoy the impressive mountain vistas. In Lincoln, explore Clark's Trading Post (Route 3, 603-745 8913, www.clarkstradingpost.com); there's something for everyone. If it's a steamy afternoon, cool off at Whale's Tale Water Park (Route 3, Lincoln, 603-745-8810, www.whalestalewaterpark.net) before driving south to the Lakes Region for the night.

Day Four: Enjoy a relaxing day at Weirs Beach (Weirs Boulevard, Weirs Beach, www.weirsbeach.com) on Lake Winnipesaukee, where you can swim, sunbathe, stroll the boardwalk, dine outdoors, take a scenic train ride or cruise, play arcade games, and more. In the evening, treat the kids to an old-fashioned entertainment experience at the Weirs Beach Drive-In Theater (Route 3, Weirs Beach, 603-366-5777).

Day Five: It won't be easy to say farewell to New Hampshire, so you may want to promise the kids one last stop as you leave the state. The ancient archaeological mystery that is America's Stonehenge (105 Haverhill Road, Salem, 603-893-8300, www.stonehengeusa.com) is located at exit 3 off I-93. Buy lucky rock amulets in the gift shop to wear on your journey home and to remind you of your stay in New Hampshire.