Staying in Aviemore for a few days? Pick the trips you’re most looking forward to, then leave some gaps for a walk, a wet afternoon or children who need a slower start.
A three-day starting point
Move these days around to suit your family and the forecast. Staying for a weekend? Choose two and leave the other for another visit.
The details below help you decide what to book, what to bring and when a shorter visit would suit your family better.
Day 1: Landmark Forest Adventure Park
Dinosaurs, adventure play and treetop nets give children plenty to get stuck into. It’s the day to choose when they want to climb, run and play for hours. With younger children, look through the height and age restrictions before booking so you know which activities they can join in.
From Aviemore
Carrbridge, seven miles north of Aviemore. Buses stop outside the entrance; check the return service before booking your visit.
Time
Make it your main outing for the day.
Cost
Paid park admission; prices vary between summer and winter.
Walking and weather
A woodland park with outdoor play and some indoor attractions. Dress for time outside.
Season
The winter attraction mix and opening days differ from summer; use the calendar for your exact date.
Bringing a dog
Dogs on leads are welcome outdoors, but cannot join you on rides or in indoor attractions. Someone will need to stay with yours.
Decide between the Paddocks & Exhibition and the Hill Trip before booking. The paddocks are the shorter, more accessible way to see reindeer; the Hill Trip takes you over rough mountain ground and includes a short hand-feeding session. Reindeer in the paddocks are for watching, not patting or feeding.
From Aviemore
Glenmore, six miles east of Aviemore, on the Aviemore Adventurer bus route. Hill Trips need an onward journey from the centre: plan a vehicle, or ask the herd about walking options for your dates.
Time
Allow about 1½–2 hours for a Hill Trip; the paddocks make a shorter visit.
Cost and booking
The visits have separate ticket prices. Hill Trip tickets open 30 days ahead; book ahead if this is a must-do.
Walking and weather
Hill Trips need wellies or hiking boots and warm waterproof clothing. February–April trips have a minimum age of four and are not recommended by the herd for ages 4–11. The paddocks have boardwalks and a wheelchair lift.
Toilets and season
There are no toilets at the centre or on the Hill Trip. Use the public toilets in Glenmore first. Paddock reindeer and Hill Trips are not available every day throughout the year; check the calendar.
Bringing a dog
Dogs, including assistance dogs, cannot join either visit. For the paddocks, adults can take turns visiting while someone stays outside with the dog.
For children who love trains, the journey can be the outing. A standard return from Aviemore takes roughly 1 hour 40 minutes, with the return time fixed by the timetable. Pick a departure around meals and naps, and leave some time to find the right platform. A diesel engine can sometimes replace steam.
Cost and booking
Paid tickets; under-fives travel free on standard services but must be included in the booking to reserve a seat.
Walking and access
Trains leave from Platform 3 at Aviemore station. Use the rear Dalfaber Road car park for step-free access; the front station entrance does not have an accessible route to the platform.
Toilets
There is no accessible toilet on board. Contact the railway about station facilities and book wheelchair spaces in advance if needed.
Dates
Use the timetable for your date. Special-event trains have their own timings and ticket rules.
Swap a suggested day for animals, a walk or the open-air museum. There’s no need to fit all of them into one stay.
Highland Wildlife Park
For an animal-filled day
The drive-through reserve and walk-around animal areas give you plenty to explore. Leave time for both, with a break in the Discovery Centre along the way. This is still a mostly outdoor day, with steep paths in places; a car window won’t give you the whole visit.
From Aviemore
Kincraig, seven miles south of Aviemore, with free parking. Coming without a car? Plan the journey to the gate and ask the park about its bookable reserve tours.
Time
Allow much of the day; go at your children’s pace.
Cost
Paid admission; check tickets for your date.
Walking and weather
Steep, rugged ground in places, including some alternative routes around steps. Poor weather can affect the reserve.
Bringing a dog
Pet dogs cannot enter the park. Separate self-service kennels must be booked; read the care requirements before deciding whether they’ll work for you. Contact the park about assistance or support animals.
You don’t have to walk all the way round to enjoy the pinewoods and views of the island castle. A short stroll from the car park may be enough. If everyone is up for the full circuit, it is 5km; take your time rather than planning around an adult walking pace.
From Aviemore
In Rothiemurchus forest. Head for the Loch an Eilein car park, where the walk starts. If you arrive on foot, allow for the approach as well as your time by the loch.
Time
A short look at the loch or the full 5km circuit.
Cost
Car parking is £5 for the day.
Walking and weather
An outdoor walk. Choose your turning point around the children and the conditions; check access needs with Rothiemurchus.
Step inside old Highland buildings, then stop for a picnic between them. The site stretches for a mile, so think about the walk back before heading all the way to the far end. Free entry makes it easier to leave when the children have had enough.
From Aviemore
At Newtonmore. Check bus or train times and allow for the walk from the village, as well as walking around the museum.
Time
Leave a generous part of the day, or choose a smaller section.
Cost
Entry is free; car parking is £3.
Walking and weather
Mostly outdoors, with uneven ground. Some buildings have low doorways, dim interiors or smoke from fires.
Season
The published 2026 season ends on 25 October. Check reopening dates for a later stay.
Bringing a dog
Dogs on short leads can join you outdoors, but cannot enter the buildings, café, shop or toilets. Assistance dogs are exempt.
Most of these outings involve time outdoors. Move the days around if you can: the railway gives you time under cover, while Landmark has some indoor attractions alongside its outdoor play. Check the timetable and opening calendar before changing your plans.
See where the places are
The map shows all six places in this guide: Landmark, the reindeer centre, the railway, Highland Wildlife Park, Highland Folk Museum and Loch an Eilein.
