Velie Memorial Playground

If you’re anywhere near Lake Sunapee and have kids in tow, this place is worth the detour. The train theme gives it a personality you don’t see at every cookie-cutter playground — kids notice it immediately and it adds to the whole experience. There’s a solid mix of slides, swings, and climbing structures that genuinely works for the full range, from wobbly two-year-olds to kids who think they’re too old for playgrounds (they’re not). The fenced perimeter is a huge plus if you’ve got a runner, and the shade trees actually deliver — you won’t be baking on a bench in July. Parking is easy, and the shaded seating means you can settle in for a real visit rather than a quick stop.