Lincoln, New Hampshire - Clark's Trading Post
Field Report by the Roadsideamerica.com Team
- Address:
- US Rte 3, Lincoln, NH [Show Map]
- Directions:
- I-93 exit 33, one mile south on Rte 3.
- Hours:
- Daily 9-5:45 Jul-Aug, varied hours mid-May - mid-Oct (Call to verify)
- Phone:
- 603-745-8913
Results 1 to 4 of 4...
Lincoln, New Hampshire - Clark's Trading PostNew England's best roadside attraction, where bears eat ice cream and a train full of tourists is attacked by a hairy mutant. Roadsideamerica.com Report...
The rare Moxie Car is on exhibit at Clark's Trading Post. Roadsideamerica.com Report...
Visitor Tips and News About Clark's Trading Post
Following are Clark's Trading Post reports and tips that were sent in by RoadsideAmerica.com visitors like you, as well as news stories about the attraction. Submit your own tip or update. Some tips may not be verified -- please contact attraction for current hours and admission prices.
Lincoln, New Hampshire - Clark's Trading Post On a trip back from Quebec yesterday, the '30s vintage sign for Clark's Trading Post called out to us. This place was great! There were the bears of course, which would be worth the $7 alone, but there was so much more. The love and attention paid by the Clark family to their roadside attraction is more than obvious, and everything is clean and in perfect order. We wandered through the "museum," which appears to consist of Mr. Clark's souvenirs of a lifetime visiting roadside attractions. Our admission included a ride on the train through "2-1/2 miles of New Hampshire Woodland." So we hopped on board, and watched the staff load wood and water into the old-time steam train. After a few awful puns from our guide, we got underway. The guide warned us that after we went over the covered bridge, we would be in "wolfman territory." Sure enough, the wolfman, a product of generations of carefully planned inbreeding, attacked our train.
"Merlin's Mansion" gives the illusion that you are spinning upside down in a Victorian living room (a very well done version of the haunted swing of old Coney Island fame). And there is the obligatory slanted shack familiar to all mystery hill fans. The usual teenaged employees were actually enthused and pleasant, and really added to the experience.
By 2:30, the three p.m. bear show it was standing room only. Precisely on the stroke of three, Mr. Clark appeared in the ring. Looking remarkably like everyone's grandpa, and reciting jokes that were old fifty years ago in an authentic "Down East" accent, we "flatlanders" were treated to the sight of three bears eating ice cream and drinking from "bear cans" for the tourists. A few rounds of "bearsketball" just added to the show.
Normally, I have a hard time with animal acts, but the bears were literally shoving one another out of the way to perform. I think that the ice cream had a wee bit to do with that, but the obvious respect and affection between Mr. Clark and his bears was certainly the main reason for the show's success.
I think that this is one roadside attraction that will be around for quite a while. [Kathy Nicklas-Varraso, 06/28/1998]
[RA: Clark's is practically the only reason to go to New Hampshire! Here's a peek at the Wolfman who menaced the train during one of early visits.]Nearby Offbeat Places
- Tiny Church - Rock of Ages, North Woodstock, NH - 2 mi.
- Where "Old Man of the Mountain" Used to Be, Franconia, NH - 8 mi.
- Crossroads of America, Bethlehem, NH - 14 mi.
- In the region: Floating Bridge, Brookfield, VT - 46 mi.
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