New Hampshire, since 1996 · 45 listings

The Lakes Region

A guide for New Hampshire's Lakes Region travel featuring lodging, outdoor activities, cultural attractions, historic sites, and more. Check out Visit New Hampshire for fun activities and events.

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Things to do in the Lakes Region this fall

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Places to stay in the Lakes Region

Inns, resorts and small hotels, listed by the people who run them.

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  • Center Harbor, NH

    Center Harbor Inn

    Comfortable guest quarters, proximity to fun activities make staying at this lakefront resort a must

    With upscale amenities and luxurious lodging, it’s easy to see why the Center Harbor Inn is a favorite for vacationers who want a true Lakes Region NH experience. Guest quarters feature private decks or patios overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee and the mountains. You can explore the lake from the private sandy beach or from one of the resort’s kayaks, paddle boards or pedal boats. Swim out to the raft with two built-in loungers. There’s a welcoming fire pit, soothing outdoor hot tub, fitness center and boat slips. Use one of the resort barbecue grills to cook up a shore dinner or stroll into Center Harbor, NH for dining and shopping. You’re close to skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, biking, boat excursions, movies, golf courses, water parks and attractions like Story Land and Clark’s Bears.

    Visit our sister properties, Steele Hill Resorts,Summit Resort.

    294 Whittier Highway 603-253-4347
  • Laconia, NH

    Margate Resort on Winnipesaukee

    Lots of room, lots of things to do: That’s the formula for a successful family vacation

    Plenty of room to stretch out and lots of activities: the perfect combination for a great family vacation. At Margate on Winnipesaukee, accommodations include lake-view lodgings and motel-style rooms just steps from the private, sandy beach. More affordable rooms, renovated and ideal for families, are right next to the outdoor pool. All rooms have mini fridges and comfy bedding. In addition to the large outdoor pool and beach, where you can rent a kayak or paddle board, there’s also an indoor pool, whirlpool and sauna and fitness facility. Kids will love the arcade game room and the children’s menu at the Gazebo Beach Bar. Area activities include boat cruises, skiing, a scenic railroad, hiking and biking trails and tax-free shopping.

    76 Lake Street 603-524-5210
  • Laconia, NH

    Naswa Resort

    Cottages with Lake Views provide “Home Away from Home” feeling at this Resort

    Experience all the charm of a classic Lake Winnipesaukee resort while enjoying the comfort of your own private getaway at The NASWA Resort. Our Colorful one- and two-bedroom cottages feature screened-in porches and beautiful lake views. One-room cottages include a refrigerator and microwave and are ideal for two to four guests, while our larger two-bedroom cottages sleep up to six and offer full kitchens for easy vacation living. Enjoy access to the resort’s private sandy beach, kayaks, paddleboards, cornhole, and fun programs like beach campfires, s’mores, and craft-making sessions. Dine at The Blue Bistro, where stunning water views pair perfectly with breakfast favorites, fresh seafood, Certified Prime Steaks, homemade desserts, and signature cocktails.

    1086 Weirs Boulevard 603-366-4341

Eat and drink in the Lakes Region

Diners, breweries, farm stands and dinner out, listed by the people who run them.

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  • Sanbornton, NH

    Steele Hill Resorts

    Discover mouthwatering meals paired with the Lakes Region’s most spectacular panoramas

    Perched atop Steele Hill in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, Steele Hill Resorts overlooks Lake Winnipesaukee and Lake Winnisquam with the White Mountains rising beyond. Accommodations range from well-appointed hotel rooms to spacious suites, all with easy access to the resort’s extensive amenities, including indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs, fitness facilities, and miles of walking trails. Dining is a highlight at the resort’s Hilltop Restaurant, where large windows frame sweeping lake views. Guests enjoy all-American comfort food, from hearty breakfasts to thoughtfully prepared dinners. Pair your meal with a local craft brew or signature cocktail, then unwind next door at Tova’s Tavern—featuring a cozy fireplace and full bar service. Don’t miss their popular weekend breakfast buffet.

    516 Steele Hill Road 603-524-0500
  • Farmington, NH

    Butternut Farm

    PYO Produce: Strawberries in mid June to early July; raspberries in July; tomatoes in July to September; sweet cherries in July; blueberries in late July to August; peaches in late July to September; apples in late August to October

    Also: Farm hosts a fall festival with wagon rides, art, caramel apples, face painting and more.

    195 Meaderboro Road 603-335-4705
  • Gilford, NH

    Triple Trouble Farm

    PYO Produce: blueberries

    Season: Blueberry season is mid-July to the end of August

    Hours: Open Thursday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    Also: Some fresh produce available from the farm’s home garden; maple syrup; some baked goods may also be available. Information: https://goo.gl/t7LMLP

    Cherry Valley Road (Route 11 A)

Events across New England

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Guided trips, booked with the operator

20 New England itineraries from six operators. New this season.

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About the Lakes Region

Welcome to NH's Lakes Region

Waterside wonderland of family vacation dreams

Great Things to Do in the Lakes Region of NH

The Grande Dame of New Hampshire’s Lakes Region is beautiful, blue Lake Winnipesaukee, a year-round vacation destination that offers beaches, swimming, and every imaginable water sport (including ice fishing in the winter). The lake, which covers 72 square miles and includes 253 islands, is a monster in size, but it should not overshadow the equally lovely Squam Lakes. This group, consisting of Big Squam Lake, Little Squam Lake, and White Oak Pond, is where the Hollywood movie “On Golden Pond” was filmed. The Squam Lakes, at the base of the White Mountains, includes some of the most pristine bodies of water in New Hampshire. When the winter snows arrive, the area draws cross-country skiers and snowmobilers.
Major towns in the region include Wolfeboro, on the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee. The town, which claims in its motto to be “the Oldest Summer Resort in America,” is rustic and homey, and is a popular summer destination for families with kids. Rentals of water sports equipment are widely available. The town, which encompasses the Wentworth State Park, is an easy drive from Boston and southern New Hampshire. Another notable town in the region is Moultonborough, which touches Lake Winnipesaukee and Squam Lake.
Moultonborough also is home to Castle in the Clouds. Built in 1913-1914, this stone mansion is a prime example of the Arts and Crafts architectural style of the early 20th century. Visitors to the 5,500-acre estate may tour the castle, walk to cascading waterfalls, hike mountain and carriage trails, ride the trolley, and feed the trout on Shannon Pond. Meredith is another lovely lakeside town where visitors can rest, walk, dine, and shop. Throughout the region, the fall foliage is spectacular, framed by blue sky and water. In the winter you can watch ice boats race or walk among the villages of ice-fishing shacks.

Great Things to Do in the Lakes Region of NH

Everything in the Lakes Region

Every page for the Lakes Region, filed the way the menu files them.

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